Wooohooo, You Mean I Don’t Have to Put on Makeup?

One of the most powerful things about Video is that it gives you the ability to let people get to know you very quickly. What would normally take numerous emails will take virtually 10 seconds in a good Video. That’s why I always recommend you have at least one Video on your website that features you.

But relax, you don’t have to get in front of the camera right away if you don’t want to. There are other types of videos you can make without ever having to be onscreen yourself. The important thing is to choose the type of video you use based on what works for your objectives.

The Inspirational or Video

The Inspirational Video is quite simply a PowerPoint presentation or slide show that’s been recorded as a video. It’s made up of images and sound. The images can be stills or video clips, and you can add text over the images. The sound can be music only, or you can add narration and/or sound effects. If you’re just starting out, I’d keep it simple with just a music track.

The fantastic thing about this type of video is that once you get the hang of it, you can create something that potentially touches and moves a great number of people – sometimes even millions – with your message or branding attached.

At the end of this article, I’ll give you a the link to a great example of this kind of video. It’s called “Don’t Give Up”…despite typos (don’t do that!)…so simple, yet powerful….an example of how simple they can be.

The easy thing about these Videos is that you don’t have to shoot any footage, and you can create them anytime you like, around any topic. And, if they’re really good they can become viral and be forwarded around the globe (with your branding, of course!).

Some Basics To Know About Inspirational Videos

• This type of Video should be not much more than about 3 minutes in length. You want to get your impactful emotional message across in a short but satisfying amount of time.
• If you use text on the screen, make sure it’s large enough, and contrasts with the background enough to be read on a very small screen. Lots of people make the mistake of making the text too small or hard to read, and defeat the purpose of having it there. Also, be careful about the pacing of the text – give people enough time to “get” what it’s saying, but keep the flow going at a natural pace. Using short bits of text helps, too, and reduces the amount of “reading” time. Remember, this is a little movie, not a book!

When you’re using music in your Video, always make sure you’ve got the music’s volume set at the right level. If you’re using narration and music, be sure the volume of your music is low enough that it doesn’t interfere with the narration.

Be sure to have your own branding at the end of the video – your business’ name and url on its own screen after the last image of the video is done. You can put it over a background, or simply white lettering across a black screen. Be sure to have it large enough to read on a small screen.

There are loads of great resources for “royalty free” images and music online. Here are a couple that I like and use.

• For a beautiful selection of still photos, graphic illustrations, and stock video try iStock Photo (www.iStockphoto.com). Using stock image sites like iStock assures that you’re legally allowed to use the images you choose. The last thing you want is to make a fabulous Video but then realize you’ve used someone’s copyrighted material!
• For music, there are quite a few sites which offer high quality “royalty-free” music clips. I highly recommend AudioJungle [link] – it’s one I use and love – where you can search different types of music by keyword. I love it, because it’s all original music that’s super high-quality. Royalty-free doesn’t mean it’s free music, but that you’ll just pay a one-time fee to the Artist, rather than ongoing royalties for its use.

You set up a free account on AudioJungle (AudioJungle.net), then search and listen, bookmarking the clips you like. When you’re ready to buy, you purchase Credits, which you use to purchase your music clip. I especially love this kind of site because the music is fantastic, and it supports freelance Composers all over the world.

What You’ll Need To Make Your Inspirational Video

To create an Inspirational Video you’ll need:

1. A slideshow software program such as PowerPoint, which comes with the Windows Office software (found on PCs and Windows for Mac), or Keynote, which is part of the iWork software suite on the Mac.

2. If you’re using a PC, you’ll need a software program to convert your slideshow into Video format. (tell them about the one I bought, with a caution). [WHAT ABOUT MAC?]

3. Video editing software. On your PC it’s Windows MovieMaker; on your Mac it’s iMovie, both of which should already be in your system’s software if it’s relatively new. They’re very basic, fairly intuitive, and they’ll allow you to add titles, and effects like Fading-In and Fading-Out.

When you look at the samples, I’m sure you’ll get your own ideas. Jot them down, and when you’re ready to get started with your own Inspirational Video, you’ll be ready.

Getting Your Inspirational Video Out There

When your Video is ready, upload it to your YouTube account. From there, have your Virtual Assistant post it to your website or blog.

You’ll want to craft an email sharing your Video with your list, with a screen shot of the Video that links to the Video on your website. Invite them to watch, comment, and share the Video with their community.

* Here’s the link to the Inspirational Video example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phL0RLKL8bc Enjoy!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Award-winning online entrepreneur Barbara Holden publishes the “Video Mojo – Video Success Secrets” weekly eZine. If you’re ready to give your marketing a kick in the pants, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at http://www.BoostBizWithVideo.com

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