Monthly Archives: November 2009

I Have A Website, But I Haven't Looked At It Since 2004

Uncategorized, Who Uses Video

I look at a lot of websites everyday. I do it to see how folks describe their businesses and I look for places where videos can fit in. Then there are those sites where it’s kind of like walking through a ghost town.

Old information, dates that, in some cases aren’t this year, or even last year. The worst of all: either NO email, or an email form that doesn’t work.

It’s a brochure.

You may think you know your customers; no one has asked you about your website. But what about those who WANT to do business with you. If you get any kind of referrals, there’s a 90% chance that before someone contacts you they are going to take a look at your website. An updated and user-friendly website says that your business is updated too.

Whatever equipment you use in your work, I would be more likely to believe that you have the latest and greatest if your website is up to date. That site can be a lot more than an online brochure. It is your 24/7 authority on all things YOU. It is a statement of your brand, and a promise to your customers: “Here’s where you can find us, here’s how you can reach us” And like, I said most businesses are there. Now, it’s time to take the next step.

Put a face on your business. Yours? The receptionist? A customer? All are great ideas, and everyone of them would make a great video. Show off your success. Show off your expertise. WHY are you better than your competition? Everybody can answer that question differently. But the way YOU answer it is something your future customers are dying to hear.

The people who do business with you, and those who might do business with you are Facebooking, texting, Twittering, and even calling their friends and sharing information. You need to get your voice into that mix. You can’t help that they talk about you, but you can influence what they talk about. It will happen with a well-produced video.

I’d like to help tell that story. It’s what I’ve been doing since before the PC was a twinkle in IBM’s eye.

–That’s a wrap.

What's Wrong With This Picture – part two

DIY ?

Continued from earlier this week: the website that was the subject of this blog specialized only in editing. They wanted you to do the shooting and upload the video to them. They even had some videos to show you how to do it correctly.. eleven of them to start with! With such thorough instructions, you’d think they’d be sticklers for quality. Guess again.

Besides using a camcorder, they also give instructions on how to use a digital SLR camera to record a minute or so of video. Then you might as well use your camera phone too, because now you really will start looking like a YouTube cat video And now you get into the realm of why do you even need editing if you’re shooting with such low resolution cameras? Still, I for one would watch a bad picture with good sound. But I will never watch any kind of picture with bad sound.

What do they say about audio quality?: “using the built in microphone is fine, as long as you get close. Well, if you’re doing that, you might as well have a web cam, which makes you look really creepy. Listen, onboard mics have problems. They all do, unless you’re going to pay at least 10k for your camera, use an external mic. Always. This is one rule you cannot forget. Most people record in a room or an area which is way too big, that makes the sound boom-y An external mic is the difference between “anybody could” and Hollywood.

Doing it yourself is fine. It’s fun. But there are caveats if you’re looking to produce an engaging piece of content that is going to represent you .

–That’s a wrap.

What's Wrong With This Picture? part one

DIY ?

Today someone sent me a link to a website that produces video. I have to confess, I’ve had the site up for hours now, looking at it, trying to figure out its appeal, marveling at the technical gaffes.
It is a site which gives instruction on how to photograph yourself with your video camera. Then you’re supposed to upload the video to them and they will edit it for you and host it on their site.

They have 11 steps for the customer to complete before he even turns on the camera. Eleven Steps! Imagine doing that yourself. With everything else you have to be aware of, then you have to be your own director! If you’re familiar with the phrase about the man who was his own lawyer, it’s the same punchline. A director will give you advice, tell you how you look, suggest and cajole, and make you do it again until it’s the best you can do.
Do you know what aspect ratio means? That’s basically the size of the screen. Most websites are using the standard 16:9 wide screen ratio. They want their customers to use the older 4:3 ratio. Then the customer has to write his script, a chore for many even with the “catchy phrases” they suggest, and either memorize it, or hold it in his lap. Oh, but we’re not through, you have to upload it so they can edit it. There’s no other way to say it : video takes a hell of a long time to upload.

There are a few websites popping up which purport to produce video for anywhere in the country. Either they have to use actors that are local to them, and consequently do not represent you and your business, or they rely on someone else to get the right shots so that they can edit them, with no thought to telling the story, or showing your business in the best light. It scares me more than a little, because the cheap looking results that come from those kinds of folks further cheapens the concept you are trying to achieve with a video on your website.

Easy to understand now why we do it all, and we do it all right here in Cincinnati.

Later this week, part two: Video and audio quality.

—That’s a wrap