One Sentence Summary: Everything you need to know to get started recording, editing and sharing your videos online.
Rating: ★★★★★
Who Should Read This: Bloggers, Marketers, Social Media Types, and anyone that is genuinely interested in using video to help tell their story using one of the most powerful forms of media we have.
Review: Blogging is an incredibly powerful tool, but adding video to a blog raises the level of potential impact incredibly. If you have every wondered how or if you should be using online video, you simply must read Steve Garfield’s “Get Seen: Online Video Secrets to Building Your Business” (affiliate link).
Rather than write about Steve’s book, check out my video review below.
I’ve heard so much advice about what the “right” approach to social media and online marketing should be. First, you should be going where your potential customer is. Facebook is a pretty save bet (for now). Your website/blog is probably another good bet. Twitter can be a little tougher, though it is growing in reach all the time. But one platform that many people love simply get’s left off the list – online video.
Here’s the thing I love most about online video – you can use it everywhere. That’s right! Once you have a video posted to YouTube or Vimeo, you can embed it in emails, blog posts, presentations, Facebook, your website, and even Twitter. But there is another reason that I am falling in love with online video more and more. It is so personal.
One person that does a fantastic job with online video is Marlee Ward. She is an amazing solopreneur that uses her blog to help other small businesses and entrepreneurs be successful. Marlee’s site rocks, but what really adds value to the site is the personal feel you get by watching her videos.
Get Seen
Learning to use online video is a lot like learning how to present. Here are two tips to help you get started:
1. Do it! Online video is free. Set up a stinking profile on youtube and get going. Are you afraid of how you’ll look? Get over it and get started.
2. Practice. Undoubtedly you have seen a presentation or online video that rocks. I’ve spent a ton of time looking into this great presentations to see what makes them great. Here’s a truth that so many people neglect – the best presenters may look smooth and as if they are casually speaking, but the truth is that they are every bit as nervous as you and I get. Their secret comes down to the fact that they spend countless hours practicing.
There you have it. Now go out there and get seen!
