How to make a talking-head style video BETTER in 4 easy steps.

If I can clarify one point first … I’m not an advocate of using the talking-head style video for a sales video.

They’re GREAT for testimonials.  That being said … let’s move on.

TRANSFORM YOUR TALKING-HEAD VIDEO INTO A POWERHOUSE.

There are four steps to this process.  You’ll see how to do it yourself … or if you’d rather have me do it for you, please let me know.  The best way to reach me is on FACEBOOK.

Step 1.

If you have already recorded your webcam video and there is background noise, the best way to remove the noise is in an audio editing program.  My favorite is Adobe Audition.  Others will do the job just fine.  Select a NOISE REMOVAL TOOL.  Most of the time you’ll find this in the effects plugins.  When removing noise, be careful to always do a BEFORE & AFTER comparison because it’s easy to remove too much noise, and make your audio sound like it’s garbled or under water.  Generally speaking DON’T remove ALL the noise.  Sometimes even a 30% to 50% removal is enough to make it sound significantly better.

Many audio programs will open a video file.  While you can’t edit any of the visuals, it WILL allow you to tweak and edit the soundtrack for your video.

Step 2.

Jim’s new video opens with some MOTION VIDEO ELEMENTS from volume 8.  They are available here.  He used a blue background for the video, from the same collection.

These were added to the timeline in a video production program (just about any one will do the trick).

The original (talking-head) video was added to the timeline … this time with the cleaned audio track.

A CALL TO ACTION was selected also (from MOTION VIDEO ELEMENTS) and added to the end of the video.

Step 3.

A little high energy music was added.  A 30-second clip through the intro, and the same one was faded back in at the end of the video.  This piece is available at PLR MUSIC.

Though the cleaning of the audio (step 1) was done in an audio editor, the music was added in the video software.

Step 4.

For some customization, Jim added his URL to the bottom of the entire video, and a few CUSTOM MOTION VIDEO ELEMENTS.  (Video Elements used in packages can be ordered as a custom edit – YOUR WORDS from an EXISTING TEMPLATE.)

DONE!

Upon completion, the video was checked, and then rendered (output from the video program into a watchable video clip).  From there it can be added to your web site, shared on FaceBook, or uploaded to YouTube.

HERE ARE THE BEFORE & AFTER VIDEOS.

Before:

After:

HOW TO GET YOURS:

Option 1:

If you’re a “do it yourselfer” and want to transform your videos into a powerhouse like this one, you can check out MOTION VIDEO ELEMENTS Volume 8.

Option 2:

For three people only … I’ll fix your fix up your video and deliver your transformed version, ready to go.

Or if you aren’t sure where to start – we can start from scratch.  I’ll do it WITH YOU or FOR YOU. (Your choice).

Details here

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90% Of All Web Traffic Will Be Video

Some big bold claims were made by YouTube’s Robert Kyncl, the head of global partnerships, took the stage this year at CES 2012, citing that 90% of all web traffic will be video. Isn’t that enough to get any marketer off the couch and using video in their arsenal of marketing tools? Fact remains, that in 2007, 51% of google searchers were looking for video, and now in 2012, online video is part of our daily diet.

90% of all web traffic will be video. That’s just a huge, gaudy number designed to do one thing: get your attention. In my case, at least, mission accomplished.

But he didn’t stop at just that.

YouTube also logged a trillion hits in 2011. A trillion… with a “tr” in front. I love when YouTube drops statistical bombshells like this.  Plenty of new statistics are now out, and fact remains that video is IT.  PERIOD.

Video Or Die?

There’s no guessing what that means. It means video is not only the content variety of the moment, it’s the content variety of the future for years to come. It means video is everything, and any business–big or small–that refuses to believe that is taking a huge risk of being forgotten. Publishers are becoming brands, brands are becoming publishers… and it’s all video.

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Do you market in NON-IM niches? Then these audio recordings with transcripts are just for you!

SELF IMPROVEMENT NICHES:

• Self Promotion Squeeze page “audio” included!
• Self Promotion 1 (2:46)
• Self Promotion 2 (2:32)
• Self Promotion 3 (2:44)
• Self Promotion 4 (5:02)
• Goal Setting 1 (4:20)
• Goal Setting 2 (4:42)
• Goal Setting 3 (4:28)
• Goal Setting 4 (3:18)
• Goal Setting 5 (4:04)
• Audio for squeeze page (goal setting)
• Medical Careers 1 (3:28)
• Medical Careers 2 (3:26)
• Medical Careers 3 (3:58)
• Entrepreneur 1 (3:56)
• Entrepreneur 2 (5:40)
• Entrepreneur 3 (3:59)
• Audio for squeeze page (entrepreneur)
• Stress Management Ecourse Introduction audio (1:46)
• Take A Deep Breath 1 (4:34)
• Take A Deep Breath 2 (4:00)
• Take A Deep Breath 3 (4:14)
• Take A Deep Breath 4 (6:04)
• Conclusion audio (1:34)
• Quit Smoking 1 (2:26)
• Quit Smoking 2 (2:06)
• Quit Smoking 3 (2:50)

DATING NICHES: 12 Pack – online dating, and dating after divorce:

• Dating After Divorce 1 (6:28)
• Dating After Divorce 2 (5:26)
• Dating After Divorce 3 (3:50)
• Dating After Divorce 4 (3:30)
• Dating After Divorce 5 (5:38)
• Dating After Divorce – tops for men (4:14)
• Dating After Divorce – tops for women (4:14)
• Online Dating 1 (3:26)
• Online Dating 2 (3:24)
• Online Dating 3 (4:26)
• Online Dating 4 (4:58)
• Audio for squeeze page: dating after divorce

SELF PROMOTION STRATEGIES (included above in the Self Improvement Combo Pack):

• Squeeze page “audio” included!
• Self Promotion 1 (2:46)
• Self Promotion 2 (2:32)
• Self Promotion 3 (2:44)
• Self Promotion 4 (5:02)

Samples of these niche audio recordings – and details about a PLR license.

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It’s a known fact that using audio and video in your online marketing can boost your conversions by 600% or more.  Here’s why:

Television has turned many of us into audio learners.  As a result, when we arrive at a web site with pages upon pages of typing, it looks like WORK to read what’s in front of us.

Enter the age of the Sales Video.  Most sales videos are under 3 minutes.  They start with a snappy music intro, and just like in writing any sales message, you need to grab the attention of your audience.

If your sales video will have a voice over, then your music intro should be short (under 30 seconds).  But in all cases it should be clean, and well-produced, to present your best possible image.  More about launching your product with a sales video.

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Eliminating Noise In Your Voice Over Recording Environment

A common problem that internet marketers run into is that they create an audio or video product … run straight through the recording … and discover in the end that in spite of their hard work that the audio is isn’t the masterpiece they had hoped for.

Most often the causes are room noise (or echoes), noise from interfering equipment, and too much distance between the microphone and the subject.

Sadly once the recording is committed to tape (or nowadays your hard drive), it’s locked in.  Since attempts to remove the background noise or room noise are often not successful, it’s best to eliminate the noise BEFORE you start the recording.
If you have a very large room with lots of ambiance, consider adding a baffle or reflexion filter.  It is positioned behind the microphone and will help you produce a DRY vocal recording.  Alternatively, add a curtain rod close by, and hang a blanket to help isolate you from interfering noises.

All electronics will produce noise ..and the most likely culprit to give you trouble is your computer.  And if you’re recording to it … you can’t turn it off.  The solution is to either isolate it in an insulated cabinet, or to cover it with a heavy blanket when you record.  Most cooling fans make a lot of noise, and they’ll be part of your recording.

Don’t forget … turn off your cell phone … and tell your family “I’m recording.  Please keep the dog quiet and don’t knock on my door.”

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Hardware – Choosing a Microphone for Voice Over Recordings

What hardware YOU need will depend on your application.  But in every case you need a good quality microphone.  The choice and selection is vast and there’s good reason for this.  Different mics SOUND different.  In addition to many manufacturers, there are different types, different purposes, and of course a variety of sizes and shapes.

When it comes to manufacturers, my first instinct is to go with a specialist in recording equipment.  Shure, EV, AKG, Samson, Rode just to name a few.  Personally I wouldn’t be purchasing a mic that is made by a computer manufacturer.  Although they may make a great mouse or keyboard, they just don’t have the years of experience at producing a quality microphone.  In my case I have several mics, but they are all pro level.

The next thing you need to decide on is the style of mic.  Do you want one in a headset?  On a stand?  Or a lapel mic clipped to your shirt?  In my case I prefer one on a stand.  But for micing for video, you could use either a hidden lapel mic or a condenser mic designed for that purpose.  In all cases be sure to get a mic that is suited for SPOKEN VOICE … not live singing or micing an instrument.  Since the explosion of the home recording market, the prices of quality mics have really dropped because the market has increased.

In addition, a number of manufacturers are now coming out with mics specifically for podcasting.  One of the best I have seen (or heard) is the Rode Podcaster.  The reason, is that it is a great mic, and has a built-in headphone jack – right in the body of the microphone.  The price on this mic is in the low $200’s.  And since it is a USB mic, you won’t need a high-end sound card or mic preamp to plug into.  (more about that in the next section). All you need is a USB cable … which is included, and a mic stand.  Now one word of caution.  This mic is VERY heavy.  Be sure the mic stand you will use is able to support its weight.

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8 Common Blunders When Recording Voice Overs

1. The first and most common blunder a budding audio producer may make is where he gets his information from.

If you were going to build your very first home from scratch and had absolutely no experience, would you ask your neighbor for advice on how to build one?  That should only be the case if your neighbor works professionally in the home-building industry rather than someone who built a little shed in their back-yard.

The reason I say this, is that not every amateur audio producer realizes that they AREN’T putting out a quality product.  But with a few key steps they COULD be.

So when you seek advice … ask someone in the industry.  Go to a retailer that sells recording equipment, or call a recording studio … or if you are one who likes to visit forums, check out some that specialize in audio.

2. Another common blunder is using the WRONG microphone.

In the hardware selection in these posts about creating great voice overs I will go into further detail about how to choose the right mic for your situation.  But using a $150 stage mic (for live music) is equally as wrong as using a $10 headset mic.
3. NOT editing the audio. A comparison you may understand is writing a document or a book.  You edit and re-edit your work, crafting it to make it perfect.  With audio you should do the same.  For example, if you said “uhm” … then cut it out.

4. Using an internet (such as VOIP) service to record your audio. You will always get the best quality if you record direct to your own hardware.

5. Inexperience is also sometimes a blunder. Before recording your first audio narration, get some experience and practice.  As you record, remember to project your voice, and keep your tone and volume consistent.  When done, listen to your recording and note the areas you need to improve.

6. Not using a script. More about this in a later chapter.

7. Bandwidth is NOT an excuse. When you record, record the original audio in the SAME location where it is being spoken.  Internet recording WILL reduce its quality every time.  And when you release your files that you plan to sell … don’t send out cheap bubbling audio that sounds like it was recorded in a fish tank.  There is absolutely NO need for this to happen in this era where simply amazing recording tools can be in YOUR hands for very little expense.  Don’t sacrifice quality … whether it’s on the upload … or the download!

8. Another blunder is MUSIC. If you’re going to put music into your audio .. and you SHOULD … it must be royalty-free.  Don’t risk getting sued.  Purchasing a CD or MP3 doesn’t automatically come with distribution rights.  Commercial music does NOT come with the rights to use it in your own audio or video productions.  But again … more on this in the posts about the selection of music for your voice over recordings.

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Creating Top Quality Internet Audio for e-books, podcasts, video narration and more

Perhaps you are here today because you have made some YouTube videos that look great … and sound bad.  Maybe you would like to start a podcast.  Or maybe you’re an e-book author and would like to record your own creative works.  Or perhaps you heard some of the products that your competitors released and thought to yourself .. “hey that’s not all that good!  I can do better than that!”  But whatever your circumstances, this series of blog posts will educate you on what the masters do … to produce great audio.

Is audio quality important? Absolutely.  And producing a quality product will help YOU to stand out from your competitors.  As well as provide your customers with a product that is CLEAR and easy to understand.

One of the most basic skills in the world of video is the ability to make good, clean recordings of the spoken word. You may have some of the best camera work, special effects, titles and graphics in your videos, but if your viewers can’t understand what’s being said, then all that hard work you put into the visuals will be in vain.

Consumers today spend a lot on their audio playback equipment.  Whether it’s in our cars, for our computers, our home theatre surround sound systems, or even that newest portable media player we take to the gym, we like our audio to sound good.  And because professional recorded music is at such a high level of quality today, our ears are used to hearing great quality audio.

When it comes to video, it is a proven fact that good audio will improve how the consumer enjoys or perceives your product.  Studies have been done where they have compared identical videos; one with good audio and one with bad audio.  The viewers were told that they were to judge the quality of the VIDEO and provide their opinion on the difference in the two versions.  Although the video quality was exactly the same, the test market said that the one with the better sounding audio actually looked better than the other.  So audio really DOES affect how your video LOOKS!

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In fact, it’s been crafted and optimized especially for Internet audio.

Why add music to your audios and videos?

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New PLR’s in MP3 audio format available now for download on the niche archive page:

Assorted Niches:
Photoshop 1 (with your choice or MRR or PLR rights)
Photoshop 2
Golf 6
Golf 7
Golf 8
Golf 9
Golf 10
Medical Careers 1
Medical Careers 2
Medical Careers 3
Dating After Divorce 1
Dating After Divorce 2
Dating After Divorce 3
Dating After Divorce 4
Dating After Divorce 5
Online Dating 1
Online Dating 2
Online Dating 3
Online Dating 4

Self Improvement Niches:
Goal Setting 5

Internet Marketing “make money online” Niches:
Email Marketing 1
Email Marketing 2
Email Marketing 3
Email Marketing 4
Email Marketing 5

Login here to download these professional audio recordings with a choice of Master Resale or Private Resale Rights.

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