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Getting Started with Online Video…The Easy Way!

Guest post by: Stacy Karacostas

Article Overview: Below are exactly the steps I take. I’m not an online video expert by any means. But I’ve had people who saw my videos get in touch because that got them interested in hiring me. You can do the same.

Getting Started with Online Video…The Easy Way!

Have you ever thought about making and posting an online video?

If so, then I ask..."What's stopping you?"

Maybe it's a profound fear of looking like an idiot.

Understandable. But I can tell you from experience, you're

always going to be far more critical than anyone else. So you

just have to get over it.

When I made my first video I thought I was having a bit of a

bad hair day. But I posted it anyway. Then lo and behold a

friend spontaneously posted a compliment about my hair when she

saw the video. Go figure.

Now, if you're willing to make a little bit of a fool of

yourself, you can do like Lou Bortone, The Online Video Guy.

His videos are a hoot with crazy costumes and fun

personalities. I love watching them and know his stuff has gone

viral (loutube).

But you don't have to do anything crazy to make an effective

video. Just offer valuable information in an upbeat manner. And

be authentic. People will love it.

Of course, maybe you're stuck because you don't know HOW to

actually record, edit, format and upload video to the Web.

Problem solved!

Below are exactly the steps I take. I'm not an online video

expert by any means. But I've had people who saw my videos get

in touch because that got them interested in hiring me. You can

do the same.

So, here's how to record, edit and post a video online in 9

simple steps...

1) Buy a Flip video camera. They cost about $125 (you don't

need the fanciest one) and are well worth it-even if you

already own a traditional mini-dv recorder. Some people

recommend getting a Web cam instead. I know they're

cheaper but they don't come with all the features of the Flip

you're gonna need to do this. Plus, you can't take a Web cam

with you...And that's half the fun.

2) Set up an account at either YouTube or MySpace Or both.

3) Script and/or outline your video and practice it a couple

times. Shorter is better. I shoot for between 30 seconds and 3

minutes. Longer than that and you gotta be talking about

something really interesting or you'll lose people. Visual aids

are good if you want to hold people's attention for longer

chunks of time.

4) Spend a few minutes making a couple test videos then record

the real thing. I often simply hold my arm out and aim the

camera back at my face to record my videos. I've also put it on

a little tripod and strapped it to a tree. You should note that

while they say it's got a 12 ft range, I've found 6 ft or less

is optimal for decent sound.

5) Once you've got a video you like, plug your Flip into your

computer USB port and wait for the software to auto load. Now

you can edit and save your video. And it's dead easy. If you go

into "create a movie" you can even add basic opener and closer

slides that fade in and out.

6) Once it's all ready to go, just choose to share your video

online and the software will give you a choice of posting it on

YouTube, MySpace or prepping it for email. Make your pick and

follow the prompts. Once it's done just click the link

to "return to browser" and you'll go directly to the login page

of that site.

7) Log in to your account and choose to edit your video. Here

you need to add important bits like title, description and

keywords. Be sure to include your Website URL at the start of

your description with h t t p :// before the w w w . Change any other

settings you'd like while you're there as well. I typically

make comments allowed only with approval but always allow

public sharing.

8) Post your video at tubemogul. I learned about

this from Lou Bortone. This little service will repost your

video on tons of other sites automatically. Way cool!

9) Let everyone you know, know. Email about it. Post it-or a

link to it-on your Website and blog. Twitter about it. Stick it

on your facebook page...You get the idea.

I'll admit, getting your first video out there can feel a

little scary. But I promise once you do one, you'll see how

easy it really is and start having fun.

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Article Tags: bad hair day, compliment, crazy costumes, flip video camera, fool, half the fun, hoot, little bit, mini dv recorder, myspace, personalities, profound fear, simple steps, traditional mini, upbeat manner, video guy, web cam, youtube



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