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Pam Jones

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How To Get More Video Views
How To Get More Video Views 150 150 Pam Jones

How do you get MORE video views? Whether that’s a video you’ve had made or videos you’re creating yourself?

Well…you have to promote your videos.

In this video I’ll be giving 8 ways to do that so your videos get more videos.

But first, let’s take a step back.

Video making takes time. There’s planning. Creating. Filming. Editing and lots more.

So when the video is ready to share, your next step is find ways for that  piece of content to work hard for your business.

Many times.

The mistake many businesses make is to share their video once and then think, that’s it.

People have seen it. The job is done.

But not everyone is going to see your video when you share it.

So the first thing to remember is to keep sharing and promoting it every few months.

Don’t just leave your video sitting around gathering dust. That’s a waste of time and of course money.

So let’s get into today’s video – how to promote your business videos to get MORE views?

  1. Create a video channel on YouTube or a similar platform like Vimeo.

This is where you can upload all your videos.

Remember, YouTube is part of Google and having videos does improves your website SEO rankings. So YT is a good place to keep your videos in one place.

2. Add your videos to your website.

Create a separate area just for your videos. Like a blog page. Call it something like Knowledge Hub.  Videos. Or Free resources.

It’s a way of directing traffic to your site when you share your videos.

Don’t directly upload videos to your website as video files are big and these can slow down your website if you upload directly.

Always embed videos into your site from another platform.

3. Share your videos on the social media channels you’re active on

If you’re creating videos yourself from any in app creation tools, remember to save the video on your phone.

That way you can share your videos across your other channels easily to get more views.

4. Email the videos to your marketing list

Lots of businesses forget this. Most email marketing systems have a video feature, so check this out.

And if you’ve setup your video area on your website, then this a perfect opportunity to direct people to your website.

5. Add video to proposals

Are you writing a lot of proposals or send other documents like brochures electronically?

Then another way to promote your business videos to get MORE views is to add a link to relevant videos in those documents.

6. Share relevant video in social forums

Are you part of any online forums or social media groups?

There may be a relevant post where you can share a specific video.

Be careful not to spam these groups  because you might get kicked. Only post a video if it’s relevant. And if you’re unsure, always ask the forum or group administrator if it’s OK to share a video that you think will help a discussion.

7. Add a link to the video in your email signature

How many emails do you send out? 100? Then that’s 100 more potential video views.

8. Showcase video at an event

Are you exhibiting at an upcoming event?

Take your laptop and have a suitable video like a business promotion video playing on a loop at your stand.

It’s a good way to direct people to you and strike up that conversation.

So that’s it. 8 ways to promote your videos to get more views.

If you found this helpful, please consider sharing it.

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The Best Video Tool
The Best Video Tool 150 150 Pam Jones

Watch the video about this or read the script below.

What’s the best video tool you can use?

Is it a top notch mic? Is it an expensive video camera?

How about shining new lights. A funky new app.

Back to today’s video and I’m talking about the best video tool you should use for every video you make.

Surprise surprise. It is a blank piece of paper. This is where your creative process should begin before you start dabbling in software, before you press the record button, or even call a video production company to help.

Grab a pen and a piece of paper and let your imagination flow.

  • What video are you going to make?
  • What is it for?
  • What video approach do might need? Film or animation?
  • Do you need a location.
  • Write draft a script if you there will be one.
  • Props if you need them.
  • Who’s gonna be in your video?

This plan is your storyboard, which makes the rest of the video make being super easy and quick.

No director ever starts video without a storyboard, so make the storyboard your best video tool.

If you found this helpful, please consider sharing it. Until next time.

Happy video making.

Need more video help? Check out the following video training courses to help you:

  1. Video masterclass – How To Use Video To Promote Your Business
  2. Video Implementation Programme – 3 online course helping you to plan, film and edit your videos confidently.
  3. Work with us to create impactful videos for your business. Anything from animation, software demo video or filmed videos which we plan, film and edit for you.
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How To Get A Fabulous Video for Business on A Low Budget
How To Get A Fabulous Video for Business on A Low Budget 150 150 Pam Jones

Every business large and small is budget conscious and looks for ways to streamline costs. And it’s the same for your video budget.

Making videos is essential for business growth. Before you start you need a plan which outlines:

  • The purpose of the video
  • Where it will be used
  • Type of video you will need to make or create

Video marketing must fit into your overall marketing strategy – but it doesn’t have to cost a lot.

Here are 4 ways to make videos on a low budget.

1. Use a smart phone

Learn how to make videos with your smart phone. The technology of smart phone filming has improved significantly. So start with your phone. No expensive cameras needed. And you still get a fabulous video for your business.

2. Free editing apps.

Once you’ve filmed a video, use free editing software like iMovie. Clips. And other apps which have features for free. You can upgrade to paid options when you’re ready to level up your skills.

3. Use natural light

Whatever you’re filming use natural day light – its free!

If filming inside, choose to setup near the best window which flatters your subject.

If outside, film a few takes in different locations and check which one has the best light that you’re looking for. For example, away from shadows or strong sunlight?

4. Royalty free footage

If you don’t want to film a video, search royalty free footage to get unique clips which you don’t film yourself. There are many advantages of using stock footage to make great videos. You can find more about out these in a previous video blog.

Check out Canva. Pixabay for free clips. Istock and Storyblocks for low cost clips or subscriptions services.

So that’s it’s 4 ways To Get A Fabulous Video for Business on A Low Budget.

If you found this helpful please consider sharing it to help others.

Need more video help? Check out the following video training courses to help you:

  1. Video masterclass– How To Use Video To Promote Your Business
  2. Video Implementation Programme– 3 week online course helping you to plan, film and edit your videos confidently.

 

 

 

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4 Tips For Making Wow Videos
4 Tips For Making Wow Videos 150 150 Pam Jones

Hand on a second. Wait for it.

Did you hear all those bangs and whooshes?

Did you see the colours?

These are some of the sounds we hear this time of the year when fireworks are fired up to celebrate days like:

  • Bonfire Night
  • Diwali
  • Halloween
  • Thanksgiving
  • New year.

Family and friends get together to watch the fireworks.

Their eyes gaze upwards in anticipation of the next bang and burst of colour to light up the starry autumn night.

As each firework explodes, the crowd will cheer and clap with “ooohs! ahhs!

But why am I even talking about this? What can we learn from a firework display when it comes to creating amazing videos for your businesses?

Coming up are four tips to remember for video making to help  you give your audience their “oooh, ahh and wow” moments?

Hi, Pam Jones from Eight Interactive

Giving you video tips and ideas for creating impactful videos for your business.

If you’re new here please consider following or subscribing.

Back to today’s video and I’m talking about 4 Tips to Wow Your Audience With Video using fireworks as an analogy.

1. Ignite interest

At the start of your video, ignite some interest with your audience…marketers call this creating the hook.

Ask a question to get your audience thinking.

Tell them what’s coming up in the video.

Or talk about scenarios of your product or service as a way of telling a story.

2. Spark your audience’s imagination

Ensure your audience is engaged with your message from the second they click play. And then Keep those sparks firing throughout your video.

  • Use a variety of visuals.
  • Graphics.
  • Video effects.
  • Other footage.
  • And music.

3. Add colour

Like fireworks that light up the sky, use a complementary colour pallet to light your audience’s screens.

Let colour enhance the look and feel of your video and draw attention to the content.

Do you want to use colours that represent your business brand?

Are there specific colours that your audience will connect with?

4. Create variety

A fireworks display is more than a series of rockets fired one after the other.

There’s a variety of fireworks.

Each one has a different explosive effect and different sounds.

Some “whoosh” in to the sky.

Others “bang!” so loud you have to cover your ears.

Now I’m not saying you should download a bunch of firework sound effects and add them to your video.

But think about creating a variety of videos.

  • Animated.
  • Short social videos.
  • You or your team in front of the camera.
  • Behind the scenes video.

So that’s it, 4 video making tips to remember this November and every month.

If you found this helpful, then please consider sharing it to help others too.

And if you have any questions about video making, then get in touch.

Until next time.

Happy video making.

Need more video help? Check out the following video training courses to help you:

  1. Video masterclass – How To Use Video To Promote Your Business
  2. Video Implementation Programme – 3 online course helping you to plan, film and edit your videos confidently.
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Tips For Using Stock Footage For Videos
Tips For Using Stock Footage For Videos 150 150 Pam Jones

If you’re looking for alternative ways to get some amazing video content, then using stock footage is a great option.

Coming up…I’ll  be talking what stock footage, why it’s a great option for video content and where to get stock footage.

Hi, Pam Jones from Eight Interactive

Giving you video tips and ideas for creating impactful videos for your business.

If you’re new here please consider following or subscribing.

Now let’s get into today’s video.

One of the best ways to get more engaging video content is to use stock footage. And I’ve used it a lot for some of my projects.

Stock footage is a video clip which you source for free or buy from a third party supplier.

Why is stock video footage a great option?

First you might not want to get in front of the camera.

And it that’s the case, find several clips which you can edit together to make a short video. With or without a script.

Stock footage is cheaper and quicker to use than commissioning a film production company to film new footage for you.

You also can get unique video clips that might be difficult to film.

For example if you’re looking for breath-taking landscape video, like this one, then the chances are you won’t have the budget to film this kind of footage yourself.

So the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to do this is to source some footage.

And finally, it just might not be possible for you to get the clip you need for a specific video.

For example, in these social distancing times, there might regulations in place which mean your film crew won’t be allowed on location.

So again, stock footage is a good alternative.

Now here are 3 key places to get stock footage.

  1. Royalty free sites like Pixabay have a library of clips you can use for free as long as you attribute the source clearly when you use the clip.
  2. Your video editing app or software. Check your editing app or software to see use if you’ve bought a plan which includes some royalty free footage.
  3. Sites like istock. Shutterstock. And Storyblocks.

These all have a big library of footage that can you can buy.

So that’s it.

The what, why and where of using stock video footage.

If you found this helpful, then please give it some love and share it for someone who might find this helpful.

Thanks for watching.

Need more video help? Check out the following video training courses to help you:

  1. Video masterclass – How To Use Video To Promote Your Business
  2. Video Implementation Programme – 3 online course helping you to plan, film and edit your videos confidently.
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Choosing Background Music For Your Videos
Choosing Background Music For Your Videos 150 150 Pam Jones

Think back to the last blockbuster film you saw.

I’ll bet you remember the film’s soundtrack as much as the plot. And it’s certain that the soundtrack and background music used in that film did as much to convey mood and emotion as the lighting, acting and the script did.

Indeed, as this article in The Guardian points out, when you remember a favourite film the chances are that its soundtrack will run in your head at the same time.

The writer suggests that it’s nigh on impossible to think of ‘Gone with the Wind’ without hearing Max Steiner’s sweeping score. Now, if you’re thinking ‘Gone with the what?’ then consider Star Wars and its music score penned by John Williams and you’ll get the picture.

OK so here at Eight Interactive we make animated videos and screen recording videos for learning and businesses and not wide-screen epics like Star Wars.

Even so – the background music matters.

Background music in videos is powerful. It drives the narrative of your video forward and it creates emotion around your message.

If you want your learning or business video to stand out from the crowd, then here are our top 5 ideas to help you choose the right background music.

1.Think about the emotion

What do you want your audience to feel?
Do you want them to feel inspired? Shocked? Or do you want them to laugh out loud at the video’s razor sharp wit?

There are styles of music that will go a long way to evoke all these emotions.

2. Create atmosphere or ambiance

In the same way that music can make you feel things it can also make you see things. In fact, emotion and atmosphere go hand in hand.

Depending on the choice of music, a scene of, say, a man approaching a house can be seen as being either benign or sinister. To return to the Guardian article: ‘Spielberg’s long shots of

‘Spielberg’s long shots of empty ocean in ‘Jaws’ would have lacked bite without John Williams’ two-note announcement that something nasty is heading this way.’

3. Know your audience

Who is your video aimed at? If it’s for families then you might need a light-hearted tune as opposed to a driving rock anthem.

4. Think about what your company values are

If you provide professional services you’ll want something that reflects that. A digital media business could be better represented with an electronic piece.In other words: the background music should have some link with the subject or the business.

It’s a good idea though to avoid any piece of music which has become well known. So, should you find yourself drawn to a piece of music associated with a brand of coffee – avoid it.

You want your audience to take on board your company values and your message and not be thinking of a well-known coffee ad.

5. What role in the video do you want the music to take?

You might want it to be there as a support to the information your video is conveying. Or you might instead want it to form an integral part of getting your message across.

Should you be conveying, for example, detailed information then you’d be best served by a piece of music that is unobtrusive.

But if broad concepts are what you want your video to convey then emotion-invoking foreground music is what you need.

This blog from Vidyard features a couple of video clips that demonstrate each of these concepts well.

If you’re wondering if music in learning and business videos is even necessary. Then remember, where you have a voiceover narration in your videos, then adding background music to the video makes an unobtrusive filler between voiceover pauses.

And, of course if you’re choosing not to have voiceover narration in your video, then you’ll definitely need music to create emotion, ambience and engage your audience.

Where can I go for inspiration?

Unless your music library is HUGE the best thing you can do is look at music libraries like Getty Images.

Like a regular library, this site organises the music and audio clips on its virtual shelves by either genre: rock, electronic, pop etc. Or alternatively by categories such as High Energy, Business, Piano, Orchestral and so forth.

Example in action

Visit this page of our website here to see a sample of an animated video and see for yourself how it all works.

Where is Background music most useful?

Background music can be used to enhance any of our video services: Software Demo Video Production, Animated explainer video.

 

Over to you

Do you have a particular piece of music that best represents your business? Add a link to it on our Facebook page and tell us why you feel it works for you? We’d love to hear it!

Need more video help? Check out the following video training courses to help you:

  1. Video masterclass – How To Use Video To Promote Your Business
  2. Video Implementation Programme – 3 online course helping you to plan, film and edit your videos confidently.
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How to Make Great Videos Without Getting in Front of the Camera
How to Make Great Videos Without Getting in Front of the Camera 150 150 Pam Jones

Getting in front of the camera is one way to make videos.

People can get to know you and hear what you have to say.

But what if you don’t want to get in front of the camera? Are afraid to.

How can you still make great videos for your business without getting in front of the camera?

In this video I’m going to give you 4 ways to make videos about your business which involves no-one getting in front of the camera.

  1. Animated videos

Animated videos are made using video software. Graphics, images provide the visual aspect of the video. And video effects, and sound are then used enhance the message to make a video.

You can make animated videos with script which then record as a voiceover.

Or  without a script so there’s just a music track in the background which brings the video together.

The great thing about animated videos is there that the syle of choices is endless.

And that means you can create a video which is completely branded and suits your business message and style.

Animated videos work well for:

  • Social media campaigns.
  • Educational material.
  • Or if you have something complex to explain which your audience find difficult to understand

2. Demo Videos

The second way to make videos without getting in front of the camera is to create a demo video.

You might want to make a demo video which is showing your audience something in your business.

It might be:

  • Cooking lesson which is shot from above.
  • A product demo which is a close up of the product being used. So in essence you’re just using your hands to show something closeup.
  • A software demo which shows people how to use an app, platform or IT based system.

In all these examples, you can talk over the demo so people just hear your voice.

Or you can add text in key places to explain what the video is about. So in the cooking demo, it might be each step of the recipe without any narration. Instead a music track which brings it all together.

3. Use stock footage

The third way to make videos without getting in front of the camera is to use stock footage.

Stock footage are video clips which have been filmed by various people and then sold for use in image libraries and video software.

Like this, I didn’t actually get a drone or a plane and film this. This is stock footage which I’ve got within one of my video software.

You can find multiple clips which tell the story of your message and string the clips together to get a video.

I personally find it difficult to get free stock footage. So for client videos I use Image libraries such as Shutterstock and iStock. These libraries give you plenty of footage choice and with some creative editing you can then great something amazing.

Like this example – all these clips were sources from an image library and then the added into shapes with some motion behind it to tell a client’s story.

4. Film a different view point

And finally, the 4th way to make videos without getting in front of the camera is point it the other way and film something from a different view point.

  • Perhaps you want to make a video about how products are made. Point the camera the other way, film the manufacturing process – again with narration over it the recording or without.
  • You could get other people in the video like your team. Your customers for testimonial videos.
  • If you work or live somewhere unique how about giving your audience a tour around your work or home environment. These videos are also perfect if you have a lifestyle or travel business.
  • Or perhaps you can use them to give your audience an insight into your world. You get a glimpse of your life outside of work and that helps them to get to know you.

So that’s it. 4 different ways to make videos without getting in front of the camera yourself.

  • Animation
  • Demo videos
  • Stock footage
  • And different view point videos

If you found this helpful, please consider sharing it with someone who may also find it useful.

Happy filming.

We have experience of making all these videos, so if you want a video without getting in front of the camera, get in touch to find how we can help. See examples of animated videos and software demo videos we’ve made.

 

 

 

 

 

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Scripted vs Unscripted Video
Scripted vs Unscripted Video 150 150 Pam Jones

If you were about to film a video to camera how would you got about prepare what you want to say?

Do you script your message to the last word?

Or do you film without a script?

This video looks at the benefits of each approach and what types of videos you use a script versus no script.

Scripting Your Video

Scripting your video is when you write word for word what you want to say in front of the camera, and then record that message word for word.

There are lots of benefits to scripting your videos. It means you’ve got a planned message.  So you’ll  stick to your message. And you are less likely to umm and ahh..

When you don’t have a scripted message, you may lose your thought pattern and waffle more. And this can be a bit of a dangerous because you’ll end up extending that video more than you planned to. And before you know you may lose the purpose of your what you want to say in your video.

So if you’ve have a specific message that you want to cover in your video, and you want to be certain that you remember everything, then I would suggest scripting your videos. You may want to:

  • Script every word.
  • Create an outline of points that you can follow during filming.

Scripting your video works well for videos:

  • Which are how-to videos.
  • Where you are answering your customer’s questions.
  • Doing product demos.
  • Big announcements.
  • And lots more.

These are just some ideas.

Scripting also helps certain kinds of people – like me. So for me I prefer to script my videos for all the reasons that I’ve just mentioned. But I also like to be organised and I like the structure a script gives me.

Unscripted videos

Unscripted videos work well if you have a story to tell.

Stories come out more naturally when you let the details flow. Stories are embedded in your brain, which means you can show the natural emotion coming out with a story.

Film unscripted if you’re sharing some deep reflections. Your audience will connect with you more if you let those reflections unravel as you talk.

Interview style videos are also unscripted in the sense that the person being interviewed will answer questions one at a time. There’s still some planning around the questions you’ll be asking in the interview.

So if I was going to be interviewing somebody about their story, I would plan the questions and get the person to perhaps think about them before the interview.

So there you go. Some reasons for making videos scripted versus unscripted videos.

If you found this helpful, please consider sharing it with someone who may also find it useful.

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Horizontal vs Vertical Video
Horizontal vs Vertical Video 150 150 Pam Jones

There are two ways to shoot your videos – in horizontal mode or vertical mode.

This video looks at which orientation you should film in. When and why.

Watch the video or read the script. To help you decide whether to film horizontally or vertically, ask yourself two questions.

  1. Which platform will you be making the video for?
  2. And what kind of video are you making?

So with those thoughts in mind, let’s first take a look at filming vertically.

Filming vertically works well if your video is for Instagram.

In Instagram you can post videos to Stories or Reels and because the whole of the vertical screen area is given to the video its best film your videos vertically.

Filming vertically is also OK if it’s just you in the video. But if you need to fit more in into the space, like more people, things or places, then you might want to film horizontally.

Filming horizontally is the recommended way to film video for YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn.

So if these are the platforms where you’ll posting your videos, then film in horizontally in landscape mode.

Horizontal filming is also the most common mode to film your videos in because it gives you more options on what you film and how you edit your video.

We’re used to seeing video in this mode because it’s like watching TV. No-one ever watches TV vertically right?! So for some it’s a behaviour thing.

Having more space around you in a horizontally filmed video helps to create a feeling of space in your message, Even if it’s just you in the video.

You might want to use the extra space to add more elements in the editing process like images, or key points.

From horizontal footage you can also crop to a smaller size if you need to. So I can edit a horizontal video into a more square area for Instagram TV for example.

Or I might want to crop the video to fit it into another frame.

And here’s the other thing – if you are posting to multiple platforms, stick to horizontal. You can also use horizontal videos in your Instagram TV area called IGTV.

So that’s a few ideas to help you decide whether to film horizontally or vertically for your next video.

And if you found this helpful, please consider sharing it with someone who may also find it useful.

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The 4 Most Popular Types of Video
The 4 Most Popular Types of Video 1920 1080 Pam Jones

Currently most of the world is in lockdown because of the coronavirus.

And what I’m seeing is that many business are taking this lockdown time to think creatively about their digital marketing. I’ve certainly seen more video content on social media and am getting more inquiries about using video.

So if you’re thinking about using video content for your business but not sure which types of videos to make, then watch the rest of this video where I talk about  the four most popular types of videos to use in your business.

Full transcript below the video.

Currently most of the world is in lockdown because of the coronavirus.

And what I’m seeing is that many business are taking this lockdown time to think creatively about their digital marketing. I’ve certainly seen more video content on social media and am getting more inquiries about using video.

So if you’re thinking about using video content for your business but not sure which types of videos to make, then stay with me because in this video I’m going to talk about  the four most popular types of videos to use in your business.

1. Testimonial Videos

One of the things every business needs to be doing is collecting reviews and testimonials from its customers. Testimonials are really important because they build social proof, and social proof builds credibility of who you are and what your business does.

So how do you create testimonial videos?

Well, there are three options.

  1. The most popular way of collecting testimonials is when your customer writes one. You might ask them to do this through Google reviews, Facebook or by email. Take the best statements from 4 or 5 written testimonial and create an animated video to showcase the testimonials. Use your branding guidelines to style the video, and voila, you’ve got a testimonial video. Once you’ve created this template, reuse it every few months to share another five or six different testimonials.
  2. Ask your customers to record a short video on their phone. Give them maybe a few questions to guide the testimonial. Once you’ve collected the videos, create a montage of these videos into a longer video showing 3 or 4 testimonials. And you can also showcase the videos individually with some creative video editing.
  3. Get a testimonial video professionally filmed. Obviously in the current situation, that’s not going to be possible straightaway. But if you do decide to go down this road later, then bear in mind that this option is likely to cost the most. But you’ll get a really high quality testimonial video.

2. How To Videos

The next most popular type of video are how to videos. And did you know the most searched for term in Google is how to.

How to videos are really important because they demonstrate value about what you do to help  your audience understand your expertise or products.

My hairdresser does these really well by making videos about different hairstyles people can do at home. And how to look after your hair in between appointments. So think of the how to’s in your business, then go ahead and make some videos about them.

3. Product Demo Videos

These obviously are only relevant if you have a physical product that you sell. Product videos are really important because they build up trust.

People might need to know:

  • How to use a product safely.
  • How to use all of the product features or
  • How to get the best out of it generally.

So think about how product demo videos might work for your business.

4. Explainer Videos

Explainer videos are really important because they build authority about who you are, what you do, and what your business is about.

An explainer video might be a film from a team member explaining key products and services that you sell.

Or if you have products and services which people find difficult to understand, then think about using animated explainer videos.

Set some lockdown time aside and plan and make at least one of these for your organization.

If you found this helpful, then please consider sharing it to help others.

Need help with a video? Get in touch for informal chat – we’d love to hear from you and see if we can help.

 

 

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How To Stay Visible With Video
How To Stay Visible With Video 1920 1080 Pam Jones
Now more than ever, video is playing a really important part in helping people to stay connected with their families. This video gives businesses video ideas to help them stay visible online during the pandemic and beyond.

Watch the video below or read the full transcript below.

Today starts the second week of self-isolation from the virus.

Over the last week, I’ve seen a lot of conversations online with SMEs, about why it’s crucial for businesses to be staying visible through this pandemic.

And it got me thinking about this from a video perspective. So in this video I wanted to give SMEs my  suggestions for staying visible online using video.

Because I think now more than ever, video is playing a really important part in helping people to stay connected with their families.

Friends. Colleagues. Customers and followers.

I’ve seen people use video who I personally know and a year ago they pretty much said that video was not for them.

Over the weekend I’ve seen a few musicians who like the rest of the world are isolated and sharing their music with their fans. Live, using video.

Schools are starting to deliver lessons online, and there’s loads more examples of people and businesses using video when previously they wouldn’t have given it a second thought.

This just tells me that there is a place for video for every business. And everyone.

So if you’re a SME and feeling isolated. Maybe you’re not sure what to do next for your business. Or your business has been affected, then my advice to you is to start using video today to stay visible online.

Video is the ultimate visual medium. People love video and the engagement you’ll get from your videos will absolutely help to make you feel better. And more importantly it means you’re doing something proactively for your business.

So here are a few ideas to help you use video in your business during this uncertain time.

1. Make Vlogs

First, start making video blogs. Now one of the main reasons people don’t make video blogs  is that they don’t like the way they look or sound in video. Networking and client meetings will happening differently now. Many of these are taking place with some kind of video conferencing tool. So use those video meetings to get used to seeing and hearing yourself in a video environment. Then get the confidence to go and make some videos. I’ve got lots of other videos on my website to help you get started with vlogging so do check them out.

When you do start making videos, tell customers how you’ve been affected with the pandemic.

How will you be changing your business during this period?

How will you or can you continue to support them?

Will you be working less or more hours? I’m sure they’d love to hear from you and see how the business and you are doing.

2. Create a video brochure

Another idea is to create a video brochure of your products and services. You can do this using video software like Powtoon or Animoto and using your existing photos or graphics which form part of your brochure. Most video software has a free 30 day trial. Use that free trial to learn the software and make a brochure. Share it in all the usual ways to remind people of what you do and what your products and services are. Do this regularly to keep reminding people you’re still open for business.

3. Make live social videos

Next, make some live social videos which are just about your journey during this pandemic. Where are you working from? How are you finding it? What are you missing most about the world? This can be a great way of just getting some general discussion and support about what’s happening. And that in itself can help to build some interesting relationships.

So I hope that’s given you some ideas on how to stay visible online with video. Remember, these ideas will work now AND when all this is over. So you’re really just starting your journey towards making more videos for the future whilst you have the time.

If you have any questions or comments, then please get in touch in all the usual ways. I’d really love to help answer any questions and get you started using video.

 

  • Pam Jones
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Essential Vlogging Equipment
Essential Vlogging Equipment 560 315 Pam Jones

Recently I’ve been asked one particular question  quite a few times which is: What’s essential vlogging equipment do you need to film video blogs, particularly if you’re just starting to vlog?

It’s a great question.

So I’m going to answer it in this video and tell you about 4 essential pieces of equipment you need to film your video blogs. And why you need them.

Watch the video below or read the full transcript below the video.

Before I tell you what vlogging equipment you need, let me point out that I’m not here to recommend specific makes and models of equipment. Simply because there are so many out there. New products come on the market all time. And it all depends on your budget and what other equipment you already have.

1.Camera

So the first one is pretty obvious. Yep you need a camera to film your videos. If you’re starting out, you don’t need fancy, heavy, expensive cameras. Your smart phone will do the job perfectly. In fact it’s what I use to film my vlogs on – I have an iphone 6 – so it’s few years old but it does the job pretty well. And smart phone models are always improving their camera technology. So stick to filming on your smart phone.

2. Tripod

Next get a tripod. You don’t need to balance your phone on a book or shelf. Just invest in a tripod. It will hold your smart phone and means you can present hands free. Then you can use your hands to express yourself or show something else in the video – like a product you want to talk about.

You can stand back from the equipment and focus on delivering your message.

I don’t know about you but I personally find it distracting when there’s too much shaky footage so using tripod means stable footage.

There are lots of tripods on the market. And again it depends what size device you have. You might want to try an extendable tripod which has an smart phone mount. You can then position your device at different heights so gives you that flexibility. This one was about £25 and I’ve had this for a few years now.

3. Microphone

Next, you need a microphone for your smart phone to give better sound quality. When you’re filming you’ll be standing back from the camera so a mic will be able to pick up your voice up from a distance.

You can get mics that plug into your phone like mine does.

Or there are blue tooth mics out there which you can clip on. Again lots to choose from so see what suits your budget and your device.

4. Light

The final thing you need to film a video is lighting.

Now I do have a ring light. I bought this last year before we moved house because our old house was quite dark. It was about £99. And these come in different sizes. There are desktop versions and larger ones like this one. The benefit of this is that it’s a tripod and light in one so does two jobs.

But if you didn’t want to buy something like this or buy separate lights, then you can get good lighting for FREE.

All you need to do is FACE the window and use natural daylight.

Position your tripod in front of the window so you’re facing the window – as long as the sun is not coming through it. And to be honest the last few videos I’ve made have all been filmed using natural daylight by just facing the window.

And that’s all the vlogging equipment you need– camera, mic, tripod, lighting. And you’re ready for action.

So hope that was helpful.

Get in touch if you have any questions.

Until next time – happy vlogging.

To learn more about how to use video in your business, check our online course for video tips, ideas and examples.

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