Animoto is a great tool for making very effective traffic-building video. Here I have a CTA (call to action) link at the very end to get the business. This little sales tool will be working 24/7 for years.

The call to action link is very powerful and makes the small cost of these videos one of the best marketing deals you’ll ever find.

This video is made from bits and pieces I snagged from the web. I can do this for anyone anywhere and never need to have a camera or a IRL meeting with a client. This is why I really like this tool. That, and the fact that it looks really awesome when finished.

Visit animoto.com and make your own or hire me to get an expert to handle the job for you.

So, there’s a playlist – I’ll be talking about this Wed April 4, at Atlanta Bloggers MeetUp.

The following video was my first using the iPod Touch on a tripod and it worked well. My next will be better quality as I follow some of Jules’ lighting tips or if I film it outside.

I don’t plan on tossing my other cameras but I do want to make better video with my iMachines. I also need to be able to teach others how they can make video with just their iphone. The videos and resource I’ve found in this training package are very professional and very focused on the iphone. Now, part of what I’ve loved is the portions that translate to any web video, not just the iphone.

Jules, the creator of this iphone video training, is coming from a big media tv production background, and he knows his stuff. I’ve never heard any other video trainers giving the actionable and professional insider advice on shooting video like this.

Click to learn more about iPhone Video

Android users will be at a loss as the iprods are manditory for success here. My advice is to do like me, carry both! I have an android phone but use the iPod Touch too, as the goodies from Apple are just too good to miss.

Post any questions or comments and I will respond!

Best Wishes

-rb

First advice is just to hit my amazon affiliate store links here and buy one. Buy your spouse, parents, kids or best employees one for Christmas. They’ll love it!

Now, give me time to write the rest of this post over the weekend, and come back if you’re not convinced. I’ll have some real ideas and opinion to share. I’d just bet though that my review will be glowing

one tiny negative to some may be the weight vs the lighter kindles. its a few oz heavier, but boy is it worth it!

Like anything I’m sure there’s a hundred ways to do this.  My current method is to use a Firefox browser add-on called Video DownloadHelper. The browser and add-on are both free and very easy to use. If you dont have Firefox then you need to get that first. If you aleady have it then just install the add-on from the link.

I like to download the highest quality video available and generally want the mp4 file. This is the flavor that plays well with all the iGadgets and tablets and is  a good quality format.  Just watch the video here to see how easy it is to use.

DownloadHelper makes Video Downloading Ez!

If you have another tool or method to use in downloading video then I’d appreciate a comment below to share it around. If you have a question about video then ask it here. If I don’t have an answer I’ll find someone that does.

The best camera for web video is.....

The answer is….. The one you have!

Cameras are one of the least important factors in producing successful web video.  I’m generally more interested in the promotion and ‘success’ of my videos, but this is a very common question.

In the past few years web video has sky-rocketed mainly due to the flip camera. I own two standard format flips and dearly love them. I intend to use them [occasionally] for a long time but for now I’m primarily using the Kodak Zi8.

Both of these cameras are out of production, which is a bit of a shame, but they are still readily available.  Millions of us love the flip and will miss it. If you are just getting started with video I’d recommend you get your hands on a flip and make your first dozen or so videos with it. You’ll learn a ton and won’t get too frustrated. The flip is the simplest device I’ve ever used. It’s more durable, and has better sound and color than any other budget hand-held camera. I’ve recently seen them go for $30 to $65.

The Kodak Zi8 is also still widly available and for below $90. What an amazing tool for the money.  It take really great still pics and I use it frequently for this.  My big warning is that this camera eats battery power quickly so you’ll need to buy an extra. [ebay 3rd party knock-offs are cheap and ok for this]

The Zi8 is more complicated and requires more thought than the flip. The one mistake I make often is in the focus switch. The close focus setting is great for focusing on tiny stuff, but you need to remember to switch it back to the normal setting.  My poor old eyes can really see the difference in the tiny video display, especially if I’m outside.

The Zi8′s external audio jack is what make it the killer tool.  Get yourself a good external mic and you’ll really get the quality up in no time.

I do still recommend both of these cameras even thought they’re ‘out-of-print’.  If you want the new toys then I’d take a look at the Sony Bloggies and the Kodak Play

Now, there is a camera that I’m really hoping to get mey hands on soon. The Toshiba Camelio X400 is pictured here and looks to be exactly what I want in my next camera. Check it out if you’re in the market and expect a price around $250.  The X200 and X416 are not quite as perfect on paper, IMO, but that’s all subjacet to change once I get on out in the streets. I hope that’s soon. Hello Santa!!

Lastly, I haven’t mentioned a personal favorite, the Logitech webcams. I’ll have more to say here soon but if you’re talking to your tride from your desk then the stuff here is moot. Get a Logitech and nothing else. Model isn’t too critical but nowadays the HD stuff is pretty standard so spend the extr few bucks if you can. I can’t wait to tell you more about this soon!

ACTION!

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Lately I’ve been using my Kodak Zi8 to make video.  The Kodak makes good video and it has an external mic input jack.  Many people use this camera with great results and it was wildly successful primarily because of the mic jack.  The Zi8 has joined in the flip in the no-longer-manufactured department so look for other products to find something similar today.

This piece will not focus on the camera but mic that plugs into it.  The more relevant equipment piece shown here is the audio recorder device, the Zoom H2.  A flip HD video camera with a Zoom recorder is also an excellent combo and will get the same results I’m getting in this test. [ Note, the flip cameras have no external mic jack.]

Now, let’s go outside for a little test.

I own only 3 mics, not including the Zoom H2, which has 4 mics built in. It is amazing as a stand-alone device but becomes even more amazing and versatile when used  with a decent external mic.

Generally, if I’m recording myself or just one person. I will use the lavalier mic.  If I am recording 2 or more speaking people I use the shotgun.  These shotgun mics are usually held by a boom or a stand but as you can see they work great as hand-held mics too.

The Audio-Technica ATR line offers great results at budget prices. They are especially perfect for pocket video cameras. The mini plug fits the Zoom H2, the Kodak Zi8, and most other pocket toys.

I used to use an Audio-Technica lavalier mic, but recently switched to the one here in the video. This is a simple mono lavalier model from Giant Squid Audio Labs. It’s the bomb!

One thing to note here is the mono/stereo plug. My shotgun mic, and many others, are mono with a single black strip on the male plug [see photo]. In order to get audio into 2 channel programs you need to add a mono/stereo adapter. The Stereo plugs have 2 rings on the plug so you can tell what you have. These adapters are widely available at Radio Shack or similar stores. They generally run about $3 to $5. While you’re there I recommend an extension cable of 10 ft or more. Get the highest quality and not the cheapest.

Turn 1 channel into 2 with this adapter

All of the mics I use were purchased new for about fifty dollars or less.  The Zoom H2 is about a hundred. Look for links in the sidebar to shop for current prices.

I use these mics with my camera and with my Zoom.  For ease of editing the straight-into-the-camera method is best.  This is Ez but can be very limiting.

Let’s say you want to record a speaker talking at the front of a room for an hour or more.  The camera [especially the Zi8] could easily run out of battery power. If the mic is wired then the speaker is too restricted. A wireless mic could be good but you just blew the budget!

I use the lav mic and put it into the Zoom H2. I then put the Zoom into the speaker’s pocket and let it go. The device runs on AA batteries and will run for 2-3 hours. The result is very high quality and professional sound.

Turn the audio into an mp3 and the speaker can have a super piece of content. Shoot small pieces of video for short promo pieces. If the entire presentation is needed in video you could place two cameras in the room then edit the 3 pieces together and find great results.

External mics offer your biggest increase in video quality. The real secret is that 70% of good video is the audio. Make your video sound great before you worry about a camera upgrade.

I am ignoring the issue of how to get the audio from the external recorder into the video .I use Sony Vegas Movie Studio for the editing but will have to leave this for another day.

Please and your comments and ask any question below.

–

Take these web video tips for what they’re worth and use them well. If you have ideas to add or questions to ask please do so here as a comment.

In the video I’ve just thrown the camera on several experts and asked them to give a quick tip. None were ‘prepared’ or rehearsed and all were one-take down-and-dirty shoots. The technical details on cameras mics etc. is at the end.

============

Quick Web Video Tips

1.  Content is King [Randy Barnes]

You know this is true. Countless videos are out there that are shot with a flip camera or smart phone and the number of views can go into the millions.  If it’s cool it will rule!  Keep your content good and worry about the rest later.  Use redneck teleprompter if you need to to stay on point and deliver a clear message.  I would also recommend standing in front of something visually interesting and get away from the very plain backgrounds.  Notice my scene in the openning segment.

2.  Pay Attention to Color [Desiree Peeples]

This was a new one for me but Desiree knows her stuff. I do know that white shirts are not flattering and black is tough in lots of situations. Red is hard for digital camera to ‘read’ so that make sense. Also there’s the stripe thing. Digital cameras will usually make a mess of stripes so use this as you will.  Look in the mirror before you hit the button.

3.  Hold the Shot! [Amani Channel]

Let the action play in front of the camera. Most pros use a tripod to hold steady and truly hate the pan.  Play like a statue and hold still. The HD cameras are very sensitive to any motion at all so use care. Hold the camera with two hands close to your chest, lean on a tree or wall, try a monopod or tripod. If you can shoot action from several positions or angles do it and edit after.

4.  Spread Your Video Everywhere! [Lou Bartone]

Obviously YouTube is the gorilla of video, but don’t stop there. Millions of videos play on other hosts and billions of user can find your video via all the social channels. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, Tumbler…. and hundreds more.  Your Grandma knows that you reap what you sow, so sow lots!

5.  You Don’t Even Need a Camera! [Doug Lehman]

Video can be easily made by using slides from a presentation, photos from your phones camera, or any graphic you have rights to. Services like Animoto – Xtranormal – and GoAnimate produce video for you, and allow you to add your voice-over. Keynote, PowerPoint and other apps work beautifully too.

6. Flip Cameras Are Awesome. Still. [Mike Mueller]

This segment was shot with a flip standard def camera and looks and sounds great. The flip has lost lots of respect in the last year but is still the favorite of many web videographers. The camera is incredibly durable and easy to use. The picture is good in about any lighting and the built-in mic is the best in my experience.  Since they have been out of production there’s deals to be had and I will always have on handy. When you fancy pocket camera crashes just pull out the flip. It reminds me of the old Timex ads in that it takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’!

7.  Call To Action and Hyperlink! [ColderICE]

If you don’t tell people what to do they will do nothing. If you want them to take an action then say so. Go here do this. Simple. As you’re most likely to post your video to YouTube begin your description with a link – and you must use the full URL starting with “http://…”   It will be active if you do it right.  Start every description with it.

Begin your description with a link URL

-Bonus Tip:

watch the video to the very end for this one and find me on Facebook for the how-to.

tech details:

 seg 1 -Randy Barnes /EzVideoGuy

video – iPod Touch
audio – earbuds mic

seg 2 -Desiree Peeples /MommyReporter

video Kodak Zi8 (on monopod)
audio – Zoom H2, AT

seg 3 – Amani Channel /WebVideoChefs
(via Skype & Call Recorder on Mac)

video – his laptop
audio – earbud? or laptop?

Seg 4: Lou Bartone/LouBartone.com

video: Kodak Zi8 (on monopod)
audio: wired Lav

Seg 5: Doug Lehman/Lehman’s Terms of Business

video: Kodak Zi8
audio: wired Lav

Seg 6: Mike Mueller/AreWeConnected

video: flip Ultra
audio: flip Ultra

Seg 7: John Lawson/ColderICE

video: flip Ultra
audio: flip Ultra

Bonus video tip:Randy Barnes

video: Logitech Webcam
audio: Logitech Webcam

Edited in Sony Vegas Movie Studio 10

takes lots of tweaks and ongoing effort. The little details all add up to your success and the Title of your channel is very important. Many YouTubers overlook this detail and never realize how easy it is to improve.

The key to success here is in your keyword. What problem do you solve? What words to you want to be found with? What is the primary term that people search? Use this in your title.

Getting into your channel setting is really easy. My channel title tutorial video will show you exactly how to do this.

Take a look at this graphic to see the title of my channel and exactly how it shows on the web:

Custom Title Helps Build Brand and Traffic

Change your title via your YouTube account’s control panel

-> My Channel -> Settings: The video shows you step by step.

While you are in there take a moment to add tags to your channel as well. Add ALL the keywords someone may use to find your content. There’s likely some limit to the number of tags you can use but I don’t know it. Add 20 or so if you think they are relevant.

After you have save the changes be sure to review your site online and have others look at it too. Get some feedback and improve your title as you go. Things change and markets drift to and from specific words. Make sure your channel is a direct bullseye.

Take Action!

Comment or ask any question.

RB

First, brand you video with your logos and brand colors in you graphic overlays, bugs, and lower thirds. I’ll show you how easy this is to make in another post but this is dead simple. Also, it’s quite effective. If your content is high value other people will embed your videos and help spread the brand. Always do this if you’re a marketer.

Second, and speciffically to youtube, always begin your description with the full URL of your central site. All you have to do is include the “http://” and the link will appear. Frequently youtube will only doisplay the first line of text so make sure this is showing to every visitor. Do it every time!

Brand Your YouTube Videos Every Time

In the lower lines of text you can include additional links to you other sites and social platforms, but always start off with the main link.