If one picture is worth a thousand words – think of how much traction you’ll get out of a video! Videos are used in Internet marketing to better personalize your relationship with the customer and can also set you up as an authority in your niche(s).
One of my main business goals in 2013 is to increase my marketing video efforts and training webinars. This is a proven method to gaining followers and building a reputation of helping others as well as building a rapport with other marketers.
Both seasoned and new Internet marketers sometimes have problems with making videos. It’s not the technical aspect as much as it is putting yourself out there. Behind a computer screen people can visualize you as looking like a model and exuding self-confidence. But, in front of the video, you’ve had a bad hair day and know that everyone will see you as a nerd – insecure and bumbling.
You need to know that making videos, for blogs and for video marketing and webinar training, does get better and easier. If you’re shy and just can’t seem to get started, follow a few of these tips below to make videos a part of your online presence:
- Prepare – If you’re not prepared with some valuable and stimulating content, your viewer will quickly lose interest.
When you’re prepared, shyness is minimize and you’ll be more confident about your presentation. Be sure you offer good content and begin talking about something you know about. - Brand Yourself/Business – Videos are a great way to brand yourself. You can do that in a video by displaying your company’s logo on the screen – either at specific times during the video or as a permanent display.
- Publish Regularly – After readers and viewers get a taste of what you and your business is all about from your video, they’ll want more. So, for the best exposure, create and publish videos on a regular basis.
- Use Videos for Social Sites – Videos don’t have to be restricted to a blog to your web site. Social media sites such as Facebook are perfect opportunities to rev up your communicating skills.
- Answer Questions – You may have noticed questions on your blog or in forums that need answering, and a video is a great way to do it. Make a list of questions that you know are on the forefront of people’s minds and then answer them in brief but educational answers.
- Don’t Try to be Perfect – You’re not trying out for the Academy Awards on your videos. Be yourself and be natural, not stiff or formal. Your viewers will get to know you as a real person who they can relate to.
There are so many ways to enhance your videos and make them popular. But for the time being, just dive in and try it out. It’s intimidating at first, but you’ll soon get the hang of it and introduce more “bells and whistles” that are now available to you.
One thing is for sure – your competition is out there using video space to enhance their own personal and business reputations. Don’t wait until you have a “perfect” hair day or you lose 20 pounds. Do it now!
If you’d rather not start out recording yourself, you can record your computer screen by using free software. You could share a brief tutorial of how to do something. Some free software options are Screenr and Screencast-O-Matic just to name a couple.
I’ve invested in Camtasia for all of my recording needs, and have been super pleased with this software. You can get Camtasia for Mac or Camtasia for PC – both are excellent. This has got to be my favorite piece of software on my computer!
If you want to check out all the videos I’ve done, most of them are here on My YouTube Channel, meetcarolamato. And, be sure to let me know your video-making experiences and offer any helps and tips that you can to those starting out.
December 1, 2012 at 8:01 am
Hi Carol,
Using YouTube videos has yielded remarkable growth for my brand. I embed the videos on my blog and I find that others are using them on their blogs too.
I’ve used Screenr but Screencast-o-matic is my video recording tool of choice and they just keep making it better every month!
Thanks for encouraging others to get into video marketing.
Ileane wants you to check out…Get DOFOLLOW BACKLINKS from YouTube – Auto Generated
December 1, 2012 at 11:04 am
Hi Ileane!
Ah, yes….It is beneficial, so glad you’ve gone down the video marketing path and are enjoying the fruits of your labor~!
Glad the updates come free, that’s awesome. Have a great weekend. :-)
Take Care,
Carol
December 1, 2012 at 6:38 pm
Hi Carol,
This is the one thing that I couldn’t do because
of my accent.. since English isn’t my first language :(
But I’m not going to give up.. I’ll outsource it!
Sam Alnawar wants you to check out…My Rolodex
December 1, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Hi Sam!
You can outsource or give it a go on your own. There are MANY marketers from the UK with thick accents….where are you from, Sam? If it is easy to undertand you, your accent makes you unique! :-)
Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts.
- Carol
December 1, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Yes why not try to give it a go on my own but you’ll have to watch it first before anyone else to get your honest feedback and I will take it from there ;)
Thank you Carol.. I appreciate your support..
December 1, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Hi Sam,
Would be glad to give you a review! :) Let me know when you’re ready.
Have a good evening.
- Carol
December 1, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Thank you Carol..
I’m from Yemen.. In the middle east. Sorry I forgot to mention it earlier.
December 1, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Hello Sam,
Okay, great! Not sure of your accent, but will be good to see/hear your video. :-)
What recording software do you use?
- Carol
December 2, 2012 at 10:40 am
Yes is very good. I noticed on Twitter and act as soon as I need.
Thank you Carol.
December 2, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Thanks, Constntin! You’re welcome, and hope you have a great rest of the weekend. :)
- Carol
December 3, 2012 at 5:50 am
Hi Carol,
Effective & Useful tips about Video promotion strategy.I am looking for these tips and applied in my video marketing.
Thanks and keep posting :)
Jamie
December 3, 2012 at 11:05 am
Hello Jamie,
Great, so glad to help. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts. :)
- Carol
December 3, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Hi Carol,
Thanks so much for the Camtasia mention. We are honored to be named as your favorite piece of software! We are here to support you, so please let us know if you have any questions or comments: http://bit.ly/ts-feedback
Warm regards,
Renee Badra
December 3, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Hello Renee!
You’re welcome, it’s my pleasure! I make it a habit of sharing my favorite tools with my readers…
Camtasia is awesome, and I couldn’t do business without it.
Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts. :)
- Carol
December 3, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Hey Carol,
I tend to do talking head videos, but I also run 3 different channels for different reasons. I’ve been making videos since 2010 and have been able to get almost 100,000 views across all my channels.
It’s tougher to grow a business channel than a comedy or fitness channel in my opinion but it’s definitely worth the effort! The real power in YouTube is building your own community, much like building a blog.
Thanks,
-Gabe
Gabe Johansson wants you to check out…Get Back To The Basics To Get More Subscribers
December 3, 2012 at 8:06 pm
Hi Gabe!~
Congrats! You’ve chosen to focus on video early on, which is awesome. So many marketers regret not starting out with this excellent stream!
I only have one channel and am very pleased with my progress, but will be ramping it up in 2013! I appreciate you coming by to comments.
Wishing you all the best. :-)
- Carol
December 4, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Carol,
I am only 4 days late reading this. How did that happen? I try to read your posts as soon as I see the email.
I have been making powerpoint slide show videos for our products for quite some time but have shyed away from making videos of myself. Being a preacher it is certainly not because I am shy so I have no decent excuse.
Guess I will just have to join you in making video marketing a major concern for 2013.
Please keep the great advice coming,
Clyde
Clyde wants you to check out…Is your web site leaking?
December 4, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Hello Clyde,
Guess it slipped through the cracks. :) I need to get more creative and do more powerpoint slide presentations… It’s all about going outside of our comfort zone for me….Going to really do it in 2013!
Thanks for sharing your ideas. Have a good evening.
- Carol
January 6, 2013 at 3:58 pm
Hello Carol, great post as always. I’ve been putting off making a video for too long and you just gave me the kick in the pants I needed to jump in. I’ve always felt that my Tennessee drawl would be a major hurdle in a talking video, but I realize that’s probably just an excuse. I’ve seen some really effective videos that were composed of just a PowerPoint slide show. I’m going over now to open a YouTube account. Thanks for all your great advice.
Steven Stuart wants you to check out…It’s Official! 2012 is Over! Happy New Year and Hello 2013!
January 6, 2013 at 9:11 pm
CONGRATULATIONS, Steven! Woo Hoo!! I want to know what the URL is to your YouTube Channel…I’ll be the first one to subscribe! :)
Yeah, there are all sorts of accents out there, some thick, some not….Makes no difference….Certain people will connect with you, and some won’t…That’s awesome!
Have a good evening.
- Carol