Online Video Marketing on a Budget [archived chatroom event] - Virtual Assistant Forums

VAF Admin · #1 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009

JoCarole : Hello and welcome to the first Chat Event of the season! I want to thank everyone for taking the time to attend because I know you all have a very busy schedule. It is my pleasure to introduce Darlene Victoria Gonzalez, Owner of D. Victoria Virtual Assistance http://www.dvictoriava.com. Darlene is the producer and host of A Virtual Perception Podcast http://www.virtualassistantforums.co...eption-podcast as well as founder of the popular Multimedia Marketing VAs group here at VAF http://www.virtualassistantforums.co...producing-vas/. Darlene has been in business since February 2008. Her area of ex

JoCarole : . Her area of expertise is Multimedia Design;. The topic for tonight's Chat is: Online Video Marketing on a Budget.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Hello everyone! Thank you Jo-Carole for the introduction.

I noticed some of you talking about grabbing some popcorn for the event. Well, the tables are going to turn and after this chat, you will know how to create your own online video. Others will be grabbing popcorn to watch your video

Well just like the title suggests, I am going to provide you with some tips, tools and information so that you can create your very own online video for marketing purposes without breaking the bank.

Okay, well let's get started. First, what is online video? Simply put, it is any form of digital video made available to viewers on the internet. Let me repeat, that, it is any form of digital video. So, your video can be one in which you simply record yourself and talk about your services or about a particular product, this is probably the most common form that comes to mind. And is what makes a lot of people shy away from using online video.

However, if you are camera shy you can create a video that incorporates text, images and audio, without ever having to include video of yourself .

AnnaLisa Michalski : I'm glad to hear that.

Robin : Such as your first video....I loved it.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : One other digital video type is the video tutorial. Oftentimes while searching on the internet for information on how to use a particular program, a video tutorial may make it into your list of search results on Google, right?

webmss : yes

Business-Bytes : I can see the marketing possibilities for tutorials...

ShelleyH : I need to work on one for a client, she is a teacher

Business-Bytes : ...by them bringing YOU up in the search engines

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : When I say video tutorial, I mean the ever popular How-To videos that are popular on places like YouTube.com. Well, if the video tutorial provides you with the information you're seeking (or provides some other great resource) you may bookmark the page or click on the link to the author's website to see what other great information that have available for you.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Now, that is what I consider video marketing and making it work for you.

webmss : I just read yesterday that the best way to get a new client is to teach them something.

Robin : Could this be a teaching video tutorial?

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : @webmss You are exactly right and will be my very next point

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Yes, Robin exactly. Let me review the three types of video one more time:

Admin_Moore_Business_Solutions : Great way to show your talents and skills to potential clients

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : 1. A video of yourself that shares information about a product or service OR one in which you share expert advice on a topic you know a lot about. 2. A video that delivers your message through imagery, audio and text. Finally, a video tutorial - short video created by using a screen capture program, like Jing Project, that provides instructions and steps on how to use a particular program or website.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : I can see that your creative ideas are already flowing and that is great!

Stewartwin : I already have ideas brainstorming

Business-Bytes : Me too!

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : I am about to jump into what should go into the video. Any questions about video types?

Admin_Moore_Business_Solutions : No

webmss : none here

Business-Bytes : Could you explain them a bit, Ms. D?

Business-Bytes : I was thinking of mp3, etc...different formats they come in...

Bernice : D. I tried to make a video once to explain something to a client but the file size was huge, what programs do you use to create your video?

Stewartwin : Good question.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Jules -- oh you are being technical...once I am done with all of the basic, feel free to ask me the techy stuff

Business-Bytes : ...and what would be best - if there is a "best."

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Here are some things to remember when creating your video:

Business-Bytes : Oops! That be me, Darlene, LOL

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Like everything else in business, you need to determine who will be watching the video or in other words, your audience

Admin_Moore_Business_Solutions : Yes Darlene what is your secret how do you look so good on video?

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Once you have that figured out, determine what your video is going to be about.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Here are some ideas on what your video can be about.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : You can create a video that answers a question: What question do you get asked often by your clients? What is the most common problem your clients come to you with? What are their pain points (for the purpose of an online video – pick one pain point per video)?

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Then create a video that answers that question.

Business-Bytes : Cool!

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : If you have a unique niche, an online video is a great way to showcase your expertise in that area. What is the one thing people need to know about your industry, niche, tool or trade? Tell them in your online video.

Stewartwin : That would be a great way to showcase document digitizing

[Continued in next post...]

VAF Admin · #2 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Here is the key to a great online video for marketing: Either answer a question or provide some timely information that your audience can use.

Admin_Moore_Business_Solutions : Now I'm really brainstorming

Stewartwin : OUCH! (lightning)

webmss : How about telling your prospects how they can get the information to you so you can type it and how they can pay you?

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Do it in a way that is compelling. Incorporate a little bit of yourself into the video (not necessarily in the literal sense, but more figuratively speaking). If you are a lighthearted individual, show some of that lightheartedness in your video. After all, as a service oriented entrepreneur, a lot of what we sell is ourselves. Put some of yourself into the video.

Business-Bytes : <giggle>

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : If your branding design is truly unique (and it should be) incorporate that into your video, if it makes sense to do so.

Bernice : Would you create a script and try to do it all in one take?

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Okay, now here is the first tidbit of information that is video lingo...ready?

One quick note about branding, you may wish to consider adding a bottom third to your video. A bottom third is a banner across the bottom of the video that includes a call to action. The call to action can simply be your website address with the words: Visit www.yourwebsitehere.com for …. The bottom third is displayed throughout the entire video. The free video editing software I am going to tell you about comes with the built-in feature that allows you to add a bottom third to your video.

Let Me Do It! : cool!

webmss : or the entire process, getting me the work, how I do the work, how I get the work to you and how you pay me

Admin_Moore_Business_Solutions : Great!

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Now, your bottom third does not have to be a big banner that disrupts what the viewer is seeing on the screen. A simple image or a small box with a piece of text on the right or left hand corner of the video which includes your website or business name will do the trick.

Let Me Do It! : ok, sounds basic

Robin : now this video editing software is only for the banner correct?

Admin_Moore_Business_Solutions : Little is more.

Business-Bytes : And fairly easy

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Yes, it is and the video editing software I am going to tell you about in a bit..they all make it easy to incorporate into your video

Admin_Moore_Business_Solutions : More like idiot proof.

Business-Bytes : LOL!

jberidon : That sounds easy the video going to be the test

Action Jackson VA : yep

Robin : great!

Let Me Do It! : that'd be good for me!

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Every online video should have the following: A beginning, a middle and an end. Much like a story.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : So, let's take for example an online video that answers a question:

jberidon : ok

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : The Beginning: You ask the question (ask the question metaphorically, directly or in some other manner, remember though, make the video compelling)

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : The Middle: Address the question

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : The End: Answer and provide a call to action. In most cases, the call to action will be to learn more about you and your business. The call to action can lead them to your website, your blog, an offer for free report, etc.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Always, always, always include a call to action. You took the time to make the video, someone is watching it, give them a direction on what to do next.

Bernice : makes sense

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Now, I have one more point I wanted to tell you and then I am going to start sharing links.

Stewartwin : Great

Admin_Moore_Business_Solutions : D, you make this so simple, when I thought it was difficult.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Okay, here is the last point about video and what should go into it.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Now, I wanted to talk briefly talk about content, as I mentioned before you can use stock images, text, screen capture (for video tutorials) audio, video of yourself and stock video too. I think it is very important to note that whatever content you put into your video it should either be owned by you, you have purchased the rights to use the content and/or you have the expressed permission to use the content from the author.

Robin : great advice!

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Some sites that you can purchase inexpensive royalty free content are:

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : www.istockphoto.com (pay site for images and video)

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : www.royaltyfreemusic.com (pay site for audio ; also has some free sound loops available)

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : www.sxc.hu (free site for images, note that the images that appear at the top of the page under Premium results are fee based)

Normita : Good!

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : You can also use your own photos, images and audio.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : One time I was looking for a sound loop of footsteps. I couldn't find it, so I put on my high heels and recorded the sound.

Business-Bytes : Great idea, Darlene - very creative!

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Okay, now by this point I hope you are all ready to start creating some videos! Well, now you need to know what programs are available to you, to create them.

jberidon : Yes very creative Darlene

Bernice : How can we protect our videos from being copied or stolen?

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Here are some free programs you can use to create and edit your online videos:

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : These are my top two picks: Windows Movie Maker for the PC - it comes pre-installed on PCs running both XP or Vista: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Movie_Maker

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : And iMovie for the Mac - also comes pre-installed on your Mac: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMovie

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : To create video tutorials, a great screen capturing program is Jing Project http://www.jingproject.com/download/

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Note: the free version of Jing Project only allows up to 5 minutes of screen capturing time. For an online video suitable for marketing, you wouldn’t want it to be much longer than that.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : I am just about done with the basics and then will answer as many questions as I possibly can! So hold tight

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Another free screen capturing software program you can try is: CamStudio http://camstudio.org

Robin : would this be 5 minutes total in your video or each screen print?

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Robin - 5 minutes total of recording time

Robin : got it

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : All of these programs are user friendly and easy to use. You can find help and resources online for each of them. For Online Help and How-to's for Windows Movie Maker go to: XP Users http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...r/default.mspx Vista Users: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...e57e21033.mspx For Online Help and How-to's for iMovie go to: http://www.apple.com/support/imovie/

If after the first several videos you make, you find that you really enjoy creating them and are looking for video editing software with some more bells and whistles, here are some other software titles to check out you can check out: For the PC: Adobe Premiere Elements – the lite” version of Adobe Premiere http://www.adobe.com/products/premiereel/ For the Mac: Final Cut Express - the lite version of Final Cut Pro http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : For screen capturing, there is CamTasia Studio http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp

Business-Bytes : Woot! I have CamTasia!

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Now, once you have the video created, what do you do with it? Well, you put it online of course! The very first place you should be posting your video is:

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Can any one guess where?

Robin : HERE at VAF!

webmss : youtube

ChristinaVOS : youtube

jberidon : you tube

webmss : your own website

Business-Bytes : Your website!

Action Jackson VA : your own site

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Well, Robin that is a great idea!

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : I like the way you all think. Yes, your website!

Robin : of course for all of us to see

Admin_Moore_Business_Solutions : Your website

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Yes, YouTube too. Think about it though, someone comes to your website. They are checking out your services - the basics are there: services, information, rates, etc. What is there to differentiate you from the rest? Well, how about YOUR VIDEO! So, place it on your website.

Stewartwin : Now I've come across a few VAs asking about how to post videos to their site. Could you give a little insight on the different ways?

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : You only need a video camera if you plan to use video of yourself

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : If you are using a free website based platform like: Microsoft Office Live or Wordpress.com you will need to post your video on one of the video sharing sites I am about to tell you about before posting to your website.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Here is a list of online video sharing sites you can post your video to: http://www.youtube.com, http://www.vimeo.com, http://www.mevio.com, http://www.veoh.com, http://video.yahoo.com/

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : There are also free and paid websites that you can utilize to post your video to multiple video sharing sites at one time. One such website that comes to mind (and it is free) is TubeMogul http://www.tubemogul.com

Normita : I agree!

Admin_Moore_Business_Solutions : Good question how to post videos on your site, also want to know how to set up for viewing and downloading?

AnnaLisa Michalski : But for your own site, it's not just uploading through your FTP? It has to be somewhere else first? I'm confused.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : You can do a few things when it comes to post to your website.

[Continued in next post...]

VAF Admin · #3 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : If you have a web host, upload your video to your server using an FTP program

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Then you must add some code to your website for the video to show up. Now, this can get a little technical - so I will look online for some simple text and post it in the multimedia section of the forum.

The other option is upload your video to one of the video sharing sites I mentioned. The sites provide you with the already created code to place on your site. All you do is copy and paste.

Well, there you have it, the tools and information you need to create an online video for marketing - all either free or affordable. Now, I can't wait to see all of the videos you will be creating. Don't forget to share them with us! Now let me answer some questions

Admin_Moore_Business_Solutions : Darlene, Can we set up a download link for the video also?

Action Jackson VA : Is using a program with slideshow capabilities as good as putting yourself on camera?

AnnaLisa Michalski : Any advice about using music or other background sound? I personally find it annoying but get the idea people generally like that.

webmss : Okay, so we use Microsoft Office Live or wordpress.com to create the video?

Robin : Darlene have you ever heard or or used Pinnacle Studio for videos?

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : To setup a video file for download, simply upload the video (copy over the file) to your server. Then include a web link to the file on your site.. So, place the file in a folder on your server called: video

Business-Bytes : No, webmss

Stewartwin : I have a Mac and the video editing tools are amazing. I can give the green screen effect without having one at all.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : then the link to download would be: www.yoursitename.com/video/nameofvideo.wmv

Stewartwin : I LOVE my Mac, LOL.

Action Jackson VA : That is a good question AnnaLisa

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : webmss - no to create the actual videos you would use a program like Windows Movie Maker

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : I love my Mac too!

Stewartwin : Mac makes things so simple, yet maintain their power.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : AnnaLisa -- well, it is my nature to want to use music in my videos...but chalk that up to what I do for a living Music, if used correctly, can add a little pizzaz to the video.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Used incorrectly, it can distract from the message. Always remember your audience and your message.

KyleSC : If you use music don't you have to pay copyright royalties?

AnnaLisa Michalski : Is it best to have a signature soundtrack, or customize the background sound to the subject of the video? (Like another layer of branding, almost?)

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : KyleSC, I am so glad you brought that up. You may be so inclined to want to use music by your favorite artist or band. Don't unless you have a license to use their work. You can find royalty free music for your productions online...and they aren't all that expensive. One of the places was royaltyfreemusic.com

Your Virtual Wizard : Darlene, is there a recommended video length? Did you say 5 mins?

Business-Bytes : Took the words right out of my mouth, Janine!

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Janine - for online video, I wouldn't go over 5 minutes. Any thing longer than that and you might lose the viewer.

Action Jackson VA : I still would like to know if you feel that using something other than your face, such as a slidshow, would be just as effictive?

Admin_Moore_Business_Solutions : Okay how short would you make one?

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Andrea - yes. Absolutely you can create video that is very effective without ever having to use your face. Of course, using your face in your video would be a great thing to do. Same as having a pic. of yourself on your website

Your Virtual Wizard : Thank you. One more question...is there a 2nd recommended free video creation software for the PC you can suggest?

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Here is a resource with some of the best free video editing programs per PCMag http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2329222,00.asp

Admin_Moore_Business_Solutions : Darlene will audacity do videos?

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : No, audacity is for audio only. However, you can use Audacity to record your voice and then add that audio to your video.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance : Thank you for joining the chat everyone. If you want to learn more about multimedia, share your own resources and tips... join the Multimedia Marketing VAs Group here on VAF http://www.virtualassistantforums.co...producing-vas/ and utilize the Multimedia Marketing section of the forums http://www.virtualassistantforums.co...edia-marketing

Tess · #4 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009

This was such a great chat event [thanks Darlene!] - and I know lots of the members who missed it have been looking forward to the archive, just wanted to bump it up for anyone who was looking for it!