On-line Video
It is no secret that the way forward for peaking interest in content on your websites, product advertisements & blogs is to show short video content.
Video has been shown to increase conversion & can be used to attract people to sign in to your opt-in pages.
This can be in the form of interviews, short education clips, PowerPoint presentations with commentary or even just you voicing your opinion on camera.
These can then be uploaded onto your sites (preferably using S3 video) or hosted on YouTube to promote your service, product or website.
So what do you need to do this?
Well first of all you need the hardware (camera, microphone, tripods etc.) to capture the footage you will then plug into your computer.
Then you need the software to manipulate & convert the footage that you film to ensure you can upload it to where you want to host it or to screen capture your presentations over which you will add commentary.
HARDWARE
CAMERAS
Up to now, the “go to” equipment for doing this quickly & easily has been the fabulous Flip Cam
Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black)
Flip Video Ultra High Definition Camcorder With 8GB Memory – Black
But now there is a new player on the market, the Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera:
Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera (Black)
Kodak Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera – Black
It does exactly the same hassle-free, simple job as the Flip Cam but with the added advantage of having an external microphone jack.
This enables the user to plug in a high end microphone to enable professional sound quality in your interviews.
Check it out here:
Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera (Black)
Kodak Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera – Black
Let me know your thoughts & comments
ACCESSORIES
To get the most out of your Flip Camera, there are several accessories I would recommend.
The tripod or monopod is a great option for filming either from a static base or whilst holding the unit.
There are many different types but look for the ones that come as part of accessory packs, meaning that you can also get recommended items such as scratch proof cases as well
(US Link)
(US Link)
(UK Link)
(UK Link)
MICROPHONES
In order to make sure your footage sounds professionally shot, it is advisable to use an external microphone.
With the Flip Video you need to use editing software to tie it in with the video, whereas with the Kodak Zi8 Video Camera you can plug this directly into the camera via the external mic jack.
There are two microphones that are highly recommended for this task:
- Firstly the Samson C03U USB Condenser Microphone, which as the name suggests plugs directly into the USB port of your computer & is a condenser microphone!!!
- The other recommended option is the Audio-Technica 2020 USB Condenser Microphone…which surprisingly enough is also a condenser microphone & plugs directly into the USB port of your computer!
Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Condenser USB Microphone
(US Link)
Audio Technica AT2020 Condenser Microphone (Package with Stand and Cable)
(US Link)
Audio Technica AT2020 condenser microphone
(UK Link)
(UK Link)
SOFTWARE
SCREEN CAPTURE SOFTWARE
Camtasia Studio is software for capturing your computer screen, which then lets you commentate over a PowerPoint presentation, moving through the presentation at the suitable speed
Camtasia Studio V 5.1
TECHSMITH Camtasia Studio (Windows)
For Macs ScreenFlick is the most suitable software to achieve this effect
AUDIOVISUAL EDITING & CONVERSION SOFTWARE
- The simplest tool for incredible video editing & creative production on a PC is Sony Vegas Movie Studio
Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack
Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Pro Pack
- The simplest tool for incredible audio editing & creative production on PC is Sony Sound Forge Audio Studio. As you’d expect, this package works seamlessly with the Sony Vegas Movie Studio software
(US Link)Sony Sound Forge Audio Studio 9 (PC)
(UK Link)
HOW & WHERE TO USE YOUR VIDEO
So now you have your equipment, what do you do with it?
- Opt In Page Video
- Say the obvious – headline
- Tell them what the bribe is
- Tell them what to do
- Tell them what will happen next
- Tell them what to do
- Tell them not to wait
- Tell them what to do
- Now shut up
- Easy High Conversion Sales Pages
An Easy Sales Video should take 13 – 25 minutes & involves:
- Using your own voice to commentate over a PowerPoint to give a reality
- Using just a few words per slide (Camtasia & a computer microphone)
- Using the sales copy to source your commentary & to tell the story of how the product was developed
SLIDE 1
“Hello, I’m Mr X & I’d like to take a minute to tell you about……………………………..”
Picture that explains the product
SLIDE 2
“During this short video, you’re going to discover a SYSTEM that will allow you to [INSERT BIGGEST BENEFIT] in under [SPECIFY TIME]
SLIDE 3
“This offer will be gone soon, in fact possibly before you even have had a chance to watch this entire video”
Proove scarcity…but it has to be true
SLIDE 4
Introduce the product
Reinforce the scarcity, breakdown the inclusions & benefits in bullets
Build the value
Discuss the cost of NOT purchasing
SLIDE 5
Announce the overall value of the package (10-15 x the asking price)
SLIDE 6
Price drop slide by slide
SLIDE 7
Reminder of scarcity
SLIDE 8
Testimonials (ask product owner for permission to use them)
SLIDE 9
Final Price
SLIDE 10
Announce bonuses for taking action NOW
SLIDE 11
Call to action
“Click on the link below this video” (point down & apologise if the link does not show up…have a pause, then show the link)
The order link should not stay up for the whole video
No headline
Create a 1 pixel iFrame which drops a cookie on the link to the order page
- Home Page Video
Build trust & relationships with your customers & subscribers by letting them see who you are & what you sound like by putting a short introductory video on your homepage.
- YouTube Video
Drive traffic to your website by posting short videos teaching tips & tricks or talking about products, events or services that you are marketing.
You can then link the videos back to your website to drive traffic to your projects.
I hope you enjoy my Blogs, Tips & Tricks - Olli
