Online video is not new. We all know that. However, the process of producing good online video, at a reasonable price, is new for many Internet users. Companies know that. That’s why Demo Duck exists, along with the growing list of available tools and resources for video.
In the last post, we talked about the importance of online video and how it can be effective at growing your bottom line. Today, we’re going to discuss how you can create an online video for your business on a budget.
Choosing the Right Tools
Producing a video for the web can be as simple as recording your screen or shooting a few minutes of footage with your iPhone or Flip cam. The list below provides a quick overview of some of the more popular and reasonably priced screencasting and editing software out there.
Jing: Jing allows you to record your computer screen and then use the footage, along with pictures, to create a short video. This video can then be sent through email or posted online. It’s a quick efficient way to engage with customers, employees, or friend and family. Not to mention, Jing has a free version!
iMovie: iMovie ($49) provides a way to capture video from your camcorder, digital camera, or iPhone and then produce a video using numerous effects (no screencast). iMovie is powerful, has an easy to use interface and the results are crisp. Apple also offers iMovie for iPod touch, iPhone 4 and iPad 2.
Camtasia Studio: Camtasia Studio is another great software option for screen recording and video editing. These videos can be used as step-by-step examples of how to navigate your website, or as promotional videos that sell your product or service. Camtasia goes for right around $300 ($99 for Mac) but they also offer a free version that I would recommend trying out before purchasing the complete software.
ScreenFlow: ScreenFlow (Mac-only; $99) is very similar to Camtasia. The software allows you to capture what you are doing on your monitor while also capturing your video camera, microphone and computer’s audio. This program is quick and easy to use, enabling all ranges of skill levels to produce impressive screencasts. Videos exported from ScreenFlow are ready to be posted to your website or blog.
Creating a Video that Sells
Ask yourself questions like: What do I want my customers to know after spending 30 seconds on my website? What are interesting but important facts about my company? How can I present these facts in the most engaging way possible?
Determine what you desire your customer’s reaction to be and then craft your video accordingly. Do you want your customer to be excited about what your company does? Do you want your customer to feel passionately about your cause? What result do you want and what is the best way to get that result? Rhetoric is key here.
Don’t be afraid to experiment; whether it be with different software programs or simply different approaches to your actual video. Eventually, you’ll find a method and style that resonates with you and your customers.
Just Do It!
As I stated in last weeks blog, “Practically anyone can build a video these days. From Flip cams to cheap software… it only takes a little creativity and a few hundred bucks to put something presentable together.” So what are you waiting for? Unlike Zubaz or Tickle Me Elmo, online video isn’t another passing fad. It’s here to stay, and it could change how you do business.
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