Video Blogging Quick Tips

With all talk about video marketing and blogging, it really does make sense to start video blogging today.  It really has never been easier to add video to a blog and, it's a great way to connect with your audience, providing them with interesting information in half the time it would normally take them to read it. 

However, before you go ahead and make a video blog, there are a few tips I'd like to offer that will allow you to create a good video that individuals actually want to watch … one that will keep your blog interesting and informative: 

Tip #1: Try to keep your video blog entries short and punchy.  In most cases you will want to make your video last 4-5 minutes although, if you feel that you have much more to say than in this short time span, you can either create a longer video or, create a sequel to your first blog. 

And, it really does depend on the content.  If you're creating your blog for entertainment factor then 3 minutes in my view is long enough.  If you're educating then you want to be able to give more meat and in this case, longer videos are justifiable. 

Tip #2: Make the video interesting and give it some structure i.e. a reason for the video, the meat of the video and conclude with getting them to take action where necessary but at least let them know why you felt it necessary to put the video together.  This is the art of good business blogging.

Tip #3: Eliminate background noise.  It goes without saying that having a dog barking in the background, or a baby screeming does not create a good listening environment which could, cause some listeners to tune out and leave your blog. 

Also, if you're recording outside and it's windy, put a sock on it.  I mean the microphone of course. :-)  If you're using a hand held microphone a professioinal sock (like the fluffy ones you see the newsreaders using) is great for cutting down on wind noise.  If you don't have one of those, try using one of your own socks.  And yes, I am serious.

If you're using a lapel microphone at least stand in a position where the wind isn't rushing across the microphone, it may not be perfect, but it's better than nothing. 

Tip #4: Get a little closer.  Having the microphone so far away from you so your listeners can hardly hear is as bad as distracting background noise.  I personally use a wired lapel microphone that I paid about £30 ($60) for and the wire is is about 8 ft long, long enough for me not to have my face up against the lens of the video camera.

Tip #5: Don't stand too far away from the camera.  This really does depend on the purpose of the video and the equipment you're using.  I have seen some great videos of late, especially those created by Alex Mandossian, where he's walking in the park with his kids in the background but for an infomercial video, you may only want your viewers to see from your chest up.

My suggestion with this one is to experiment until it feels comfortable to you and you're sure your viewers will be comfortable too.

Tip #6: Use good lighting.  Don't sit in front of a window that has the sun shining through it because the video will be very dark.  

Tip #7: Use a Flip Camcorder … you will have to worry less about lighting and you'll have your video blog up in no time at all.  It's so easy to use, our 6 year old daughter uses it.

I look forward to hearing that you've taken the plunge and started adding video to your blogs.

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