If you have been involved in Internet marketing for a while, or for that matter just a few days, you can fail to have noticed that Video can play a major part in increasing your online presence.
Many people have tried in the past to create an online video, but I’m sure those who have tried will agree, that it is not as simple as some will have you believe. It’s just like anything else, it takes time and practice to get it right, and while I don’t think in all cases you need to produce a Hollywood type production, those who can produce a video with good basic video production techniques will succeed, while others are left behind in their wake.
Screen capture or Live Presentations
SCREEN CAPTURE – What do I mean by screen capture?… Basically it’s a method of recording the visual content of what ever you are doing live on the computer, and once the screen capture software is set up, it’s just a matter of clicking on record and you will start recording a video of what ever you want. Don’t forget you can also add a sound track and voiceover while your recording or later should you wish. This is probably the easiest way to get started with producing a video for viewing both on an internet web site, blog, or even to record for a CD or DVD
LIVE PRESENTATION – This has got to be the hardest of the 2 methods to get right, not only have you got to get the sound just right, you have to make sure you or who ever you are getting to do the live presentation, can actually pull it off.
I’m sure you have, or will see many Internet Marketers trying to do live video presentations themselves. Even those who are comfortable with live audiences such as at a seminar or workshop, just cannot quite cut the mustard when they stand or sit in front of a video camera. There is something that makes a video presenting or live video that is totally alien to most people, and that’s the fact that it’s the most unnatural thing you will ever have to do.
What I mean by that? – you may find yourself in a room alone with just a script to read from or teleprompter, a camcorder or webcam, and you have to speak to camera, just as if you are talking to someone else. It take time and practice, and I’m afraid it’s just a fact that most people simply will never be able to do it successfully, or to a degree that makes the viewer feel comfortable watching.
Recording the sound Live
It’s not always appropriate or necessary to record the sound track at the same time you produce the screen capture. Although many people seam to do this as standard practice, probably to save themselves time. It really is not good for the viewer to have to listen to anyone, no matter how interesting the topic or the person presenting, it’s really annoying to have to listen to all the umms and arrs. So if you can, I would always recommend you record the sound track separate to video.
Another trap that a lot of people fall into, is the belief that you should add the sound after you have recording the video track. This is in fact the hardest way to do it, it may take a little more planning, but the end result will be a much polished and better produced, more professional looking video by first recording the sound track, made up of the presenters voice, sounds effects and any background music.
By doing it in this order you will find the inclusion of still or moving video can easily be added to the audio content at just the right moment in time. At this stage any titles can also be added to enhance the presentation further.