Stand 4 Your Brand with Online Video

I'm on a mission to rid the world of crappy Online Video. This could take some time, but I won't rest until I've done everything in my power to see that my fellow entrepreneurs know how to put a decent-looking video on the web that puts them in the best possible light... Nothing makes me cringe more than a very good business person making a very bad video!
I'm not talking about the zillions of teen videos or home-made YouTube rants. I don't really care if the average Joe or high school kid makes an ass of themselves. I just don't want to see my colleagues crash and burn on video. And while I applaud any effort by entrepreneurs to use video as a marketing tool, I'd just rather not see them doing a disservice to their public image and their brand. Because, the truth is, it's just not that hard to do it right!

I realize that most of us are not tech experts and don't have previous television experience. I also understand that you've got to start somewhere - and good now is better than perfect never. But, as professionals, we should at least make an attempt at looking professional when we finally do get the nerve to fire up the webcam and upload our video to the web.

It's never been easier to create video and to use it as a powerful marketing and branding tool. With a $50 webcam, an Internet connection and a free account at YouTube, you're good to go. Just do a couple of practice runs and make sure that, before you share your video with the world, you do your best to look like a pro.

Enough preaching... Here are a couple of easy things you can do to make sure your video comes off right. If you follow this simple advice, your videos – and your business - will look much more professional online:


1. Watch your background!

Now, I realize you may not be able to use all the special effects that I do on my “LouTube” Videos (http://tinyurl.com/6lslh7) but you’ve still got to consider your environment! Where is your camera? What’s behind you in the background? Nobody wants to see your dirty laundry or your velvet Elvis painting in the background! Just use a plain or professional-looking background.

As another alternative, do what my friend Travis Greenlee does, and shoot your video outdoors. Most of Travis’ videos come from outside his home in beautiful Steamboat Springs, Colorado!

2. Light it up!

Very simple: You’ve got to have more light in front of you than behind you. Otherwise, you’ll look dark and shadowy – which is fine if you’re doing a horror video, but not for your average videoblog! Too much light coming from behind you will trash your video. Even regular household lighting or a lamp placed in front of you should be adequate.

3. Are YOU ready for your close-up?

Before you hit record, how do YOU look? Just because you can work at home in your pajamas doesn’t mean we want to see them! Nancy Marmalejo at VivaVisibility does a beautiful job with her backgrounds and her overall presentation. She looks like a pro, because she is a pro.

4. Keep it simple!

More often than not, a webcam is more than adequate to shoot your video. I just use the iSight that’s built into my Mac. However, you could also invest in a neat, little $150 dollar Flip Cam. If you really want to take it up a notch, get a Sanyo Xacti camera like video pro Sherman Hu uses.

5. Be interesting!

Try to offer some interesting or unique content! To keep your viewer’s attention, you have to deliver some value. Keep your videos short and compelling… Remember, we’ve all got IDD – Internet Deficit Disorder!

That’s really all there is to it! Follow these five simple steps, and your online videos will be a lot more “watchable!” And remember, search engines love video, so keep on making and uploading better videos! I'm ready to see you Stand 4 Your Brand with Online Video!

For more free tips and tricks, please feel free to visit my website anytime at http://www.TheOnlineVideoGuy.com.