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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In recent blog posts, I’ve talked several times about online video.

For several years now it’s been increasing by leaps and bounds … it CONTINUES to do so in 2012.

Here are some more statistics for you.

More info here

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The experts are
ALREADY
saying
that in
2012 …

• Online video viewers will reach 169.3 million in 2012
• 53.5% of the population and 70.8% of internet users (up 7.1% from 2011) will watch online video in 2012
• Mobile video viewers will reach 54.6 million in 2012
• Smartphone video viewers will reach 51.2 million in 2012

That being said, here’s a little bit of HOW TO GET STARTED in VIDEO MARKETING!

In a recent post I mentioned some different categories of videos … one is the CAMCORDER VIDEO.  This is video you have shot from your smartphone, camcorder, or digital camera.  It’s MOTION VIDEO as opposed to a video primarily made up of photos (still images), and text.

Often the audio is removed (or sometimes partially removed) and music is added.

The purpose of this type of video varies greatly.  It can be as simple as a home video you would like to share with your friends, or a moment that you managed to capture (whether on purpose or by accident) that will appeal to a wide audience.  If your starting point is from your own inventory of home video footage, then you’re ready to begin.

STEP ONE:  What portion of the video do you want, and how are you going to edit it?

Once you have decided what clip you’ll be using, you will need a way to edit the video clip.  Some video cameras connect via USB, Bluetooth, or wireless, and you can easily copy the file onto your computer hard drive for editing.  Other methods include a memory card that you remove from the camera and insert into your computer’s memory card reader, and the other method is to connect the camera via firewire, and the video production software will CAPTURE the video and turn it into a raw video file.  Often the video format is AVI or MOV, and you’ll end up with a very large file, depending on the length (running time) of the video.  So be prepared to have plenty of hard drive space.

If your video is on DVD or video cassette, you can still work these video files too.  But you may need some video capture hardware such as a dazzle card.  In essence, you hit PLAY on the playback device, and RECORD on the computer.

Editing your video is generally done in video production software.  A few examples include Pinnacle, Adobe Premiere, Final Cut, and Sony Vegas.  Of course there’s much more than just these few mentioned examples.  If you’re lucky enough to own a Mac … then you’re all set since Macs come preloaded with iMovie.

A very short description of what to do next, is to edit the video using your video production software, add some text overlays, sound effects, music (and maybe a voice over), and then render the finished video.  Rendering means to export the edited version into a watchable file.  Preview your finished video, and when it’s perfected you can upload it to youtube and other video sharing sites.

Here’s an example of a CAMCORDER VIDEO that was shot on an iPhone 3GS (in poor lighting conditions), and quickly edited using Final Cut, and then posted to Youtube.

Of course I made this video for personal reasons.  Gunner’s a cute dog (well really what dog isn’t? *grin*), and I wanted to share this video with friends and family.

But in my case it was also an opportunity to promote myself and what I do.  As a producer of music for online marketers (the kind of music every youtube user needs), not only did I include my own music as the audio backdrop to this video, but I also added information about how someone can get some music for themselves … and with a PLR license.

Makes sense right?

But even if you don’t promote a product or service within YOUR video, there are also advertising opportunities for generating some revenue for your hard work and video masterpiece.

STEP TWO: Share your video

Gone are the days of needing to place your finished masterpiece onto video cassette or DVD.  Today, you can share it with the world in minutes by using video sharing sites such as youtube.

Here are more videos produced by Ginny … on youtube

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Do you find Video Marketing an UPHILL BATTLE?

According to Online Video Marketing Statistics, adding video to small business profiles:

• Increases number of business profile views more than 100% (I think that is a conservative estimate)
• Increases number of profile clicks more than 30%
• Increases number of calls generated by more than 18%

Impressive statistics right?  So if that’s your business profile, then what about sales pages and squeeze pages?

In my own experience, I have seen the simple addition of video to a sales page increase sales by 600% or more.  So if these numbers are true, then why doesn’t EVERYONE use video EVERY TIME?

The fact is that video production requires a little more time, thought, tools and skills as opposed to text and graphics alone.  PLUS, I’ve even had comments on this blog where the readers have ASKED for more video.  So yes, I’ll work on that for you

If you’ve never created a video, then you might be wondering where you start.  In my case, I started creating PRODUCED home videos.  In other words, I took the home video we had shot with our digital camcorder, imported it into the computer, did some quick editing, added text overlays, some background music, and voila … a more interesting video to watch.

It’s a great place to start, and of course you can post your videos to facebook and video sharing sites such as youtube (and so forth).  And once you’ve got the hang of it then you can move onto the professional arena of creating a video to demonstrate or promote a product that you’re selling either online or offline.

Video production tools come in two varieties.

• There’s the kind that is software on your computer (sometimes free / sometimes expensive),
• and there are the web sites that generate video FOR YOU.

What categories of video are there?

• Motion video shot from your camcorder or smartphone (later on edited and produced)
• Screen capture videos that allow you to SHOW HOW to achieve XYZ task
• Photo montage videos that are a sequence of stills put to music
• Power point style … one screen after another of text, with a voice over message in the background
• Animated videos

Each of these categories of videos require different tools, different still sets, and of course they have a different purpose.  But in all cases, be sure to use material that YOU OWN, not images, video, or music, that you aren’t licensed to reuse.  If you have created the material yourself … then you’re good to go!

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Did you know …

• Online video viewers will reach 169.3 million in 2012
• 53.5% of the population and 70.8% of internet users (up 7.1% from 2011) will watch online video in 2012
• Mobile video viewers will reach 54.6 million in 2012
• Smartphone video viewers will reach 51.2 million in 2012

If you’re marketing online and you aren’t using video … you’re missing a MASSIVE audience that keeps growing.

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The newest variety-pack collection background music collection in the MELANGE series is now available, featuring hand-picked selections from nine of Ginny’s royalty-free music packages.

Includes a variety of music genres including orchestral, commercial, infomercial, dance and more. Preview some samples below, or for more information and additional samples about this music collection go here.  These are all original Ginny Culp music productions.

More music samples

MUSIC LICENSING:

Select from one of four music licenses available for this collection:

• Personal use: use this in all your own audio and video productions, including a multimedia product that you plan to sell.
• Resale Rights Standard: use this license when you would like to sell the collection and keep 100% of what you make.
• Resale Rights Expanded: select this license when you would like to add Melange 10 to your paid membership site.
• White Label Resale Rights: select this license if you would like to rebrand or reskin the collection to give it a new title.

More info

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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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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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