I’m starting a new course this week (as a student) – it’s called WebVideo University.
Over the past 6 or so so months I’ve been experimenting more and more with using Video on my blog. It started out with just an experiment or two but the response from readers was so encouraging that I set myself the goal of running weekly (or as it turned out every second week) video posts.
Like I say – the response has been wonderful – there have been numerous benefits:
- For starters I’ve noticed a lot of new readers commenting on the blog. It seems that video connects with a different kind of reader. While some prefer text others prefer audio/visual teaching.
- It’s added a more personal dynamic to the blog – when I was at the SXSW conference earlier in the year I had a lot of people come up to me because they recognized me from the video and had a lot of comments along the lines of ‘I feel like I know you from your videos’.
- It allows me to express myself in ways I’d not really been able to do before with just written words and still images. Being able to use body language and different tones of voice enables a different level of communication.
The problem with video on a blog is that it is a lot of work. It also means learning a new skills set and spending a lot of time on things like filming and editing – time that I would previously have put into other core blogging tasks.
I personally think that there is a lot I could learn to improve my video so recently when David Kaminski from WebVideo University contacted me to see if I’d be interested in promoting his video making course I told him that I wasn’t interested in promoting it – but instead I was interested in DOING IT.
If you’d like to join me in some learning the course starts on 1 May. It’s short notice (I’m sorry, I was meaning to promote this earlier but it’s been a crazy few weeks) but I’m sure some of you will have time to leap into it.
The course goes for 4 weeks in a ‘virtual classroom’ where you log in to get your classes (video based lessons – what else would you expect in a course like this).
The course isn’t just focused on producing talking head videos but has more of a sales angle to it (creating web videos that sell/web commercials).
I’m looking forward to starting the course tomorrow – hope to see some of you as classmates!
just so you know, that second link was mistyped … there are two periods in after the www (can be fixed in your address bar)
Sounds interesting, but I fear I won’t be able to attend class due to timezone constraints.
In my opinion video blogging rocks. I have even bought a video camera and have started to take some video that should be useful on my gardening blog.
I haven’t gotten up the nerve to get on the recording end of my new camera but I think that’s just a matter of time.
All the time I was teaching I would tell my students that a picture is worth a thousand words but today I believe a video has far more potential than that.
Making the choice to watch someone complete a task on video compared to a long list of instructions on how to accomplish the same task using text and images is easy, for me video wins out hands down.
I still have a lot to learn about creating good videos but I have made the first step.
Things are just now starting to get interesting.
BTW: I moved from three years at PR3 to finally getting a PR4 today. Happy Happy Happy.
Now this will really nag me on getting a decent video cam instead of a new notebook. :P
I couldn’t get through with their logo either. And they have problems on their sign up form their end.
Country line is stuck on United States, so couldn’t sign up.
This idea comes at the right time for me. Really interested in adding video. I want have a bit of fun and do some multicultural stuff. Hope to join in May..if I can actually get the form to work.
James I just went from 2 to 3, and 0 to 3 after only a few months….after reading your comments I wonder how long it will take to go up to 4…
Interesting. I think we could all use a little extra education to help make blogging more engaging for the reader.
I love video as it gives us a very personal insight into who you are. I think your blog is a lot better and people relate to your posts better because of your weekly video.
Keep up the good work!
I have just started doing a video post or few, but my financial blog is fairly new sp not much response so far….soon though I will find out what my readers think
Video blogging in itself isn’t too difficult in itself, usually just a static shot and maybe some graphics or cut-aways. It gets MUCH more difficult to do–and do it right!–when you want to demonstrate or stress a point. Trust me on this, it can be very time-consuming. Check out my youtube channel (at web link) for some examples (and how I improved over time with experience).
links fixed now – sorry about that.
Thanks!
Everything works now my end.
and I signed up – appreciate the nudge – it’s good timing, this really what I needed to get videos up and running.
Hey Darren, another blogger I read regularly, just started *vlogging* as well.
He however does both a video and text in the same post. it is usually somewhat different also, which gets you to both listen and read it…..pretty cool to me.
His readership loves it as well.
Darren… I just signed up. Taking a look, this thing is gonna rock. I’ve been playing around with video on my blog, doing some really amateurish stuff. I’m already thinking “how do I get a cool black background like David K has! Thanks for the heads up and info.
i’m posting my first video on my blog tomorrow! it’s a cooking blog, so it lends itself pretty naturally to podcasts.
i had SO much fun creating the video, and editing was a hassle, but I’m glad I learned how to do it and will definitely be creating more!
I am trying something similar although almost the reverse in process. I have arranged with a web site that carries podcasts to have both my podcasts and videos on its site.
When you go to WWITVN.com you click on Carole Nelson and it takes you to a choice of two shows. Each contains a blog, welcoming video and past shows. The blog they see is actually wordpress but of course wordpress doesn’t allow ads so the way to reach me by e-mail [email protected]
I am new enough at this to perhaps being making a big mistake in the way it is set up. Would advertisers go this site or does it have to be a conventional blog? I am starting a new talk show Carole Nelson Live on WWBC 1510 in Melbourne Fl. in May. I figure I can cross promote although I also have paid interviews (if I think they have worthwhile content). I have been in TV and radio for 30 years but integrated marketing is new to me. Am I making big mistakes?
Video Edting is very important when you videos on the net.
Videos must be intersting and just on long boring shot.
In the past I have done some professional video editing for studios and for local TV.
This knowledge is helping in many ways even tady on the web.
BTW: another great resource for TV editing (if you don’t know it already) is:
http://www.digitaljuice.com/djtv/default.asp
It’s all FREE just spend hours in watching this great stuff.
I’d love to do this but I’ve got too many other things going right now. Will be interested to hear your updates about it!
I am signed up.
I have been doing restaurant review Videos on Thegrubhound for a while now and I must say, they are pretty terrible. I actually had one guy leave me a comment berating me for the poor quality.
Vlogging and web video really does seem to be the wave of the future, and my video making skills really need help, so I am signed up.
I am trying video on my blog and pretty much suck at it. Good thing my kids are so darn cute in my latest video!
I just signed up for the course so let’s see how things improve over the next 4 weeks!
Hi Darren. Decided to be there rather than be square. Thanks for letting us know about this course. Looks great and can’t wait to begin. Talk about instant gratification–begins tomorrow!
Cindy
I believe Darren’s video is interesting because he is a true subject matter expert making his video content engaging. I believe Darren is also interested enough in the production process that he will work through the production learning curve at least enough to learn how to avoid the common mistakes that many D-I-Y video producers (especially bloggers) make.
Most seeking to produce video for their blogs will not be enthusiasts and would do better to partner with a local producer (say a local wedding videographer with some time on his/her hands) in return for allowing the partner to advertise within the video. Such a partnership could lead to video that is several steps beyond the quality of any D-I-Y effort, will free you up to focus on content/blogging not production and allow you to take your show on the road (interview local personalities, cover related events and broaden your content in general.).
While my production company supports commercial needs, I know of many non commercial producers (wedding video firms, etc) who if pitched this idea would welcome the opportunity to partner. Just a thought…
John
Interesting program, looking forward to see what you come up with.
Speaking of videos that sell, http://www.mindbites.com has an interesting take in that regard.
Hey Darren, not sure what you think of week 1 but I’ve sure learned a lot. I am busy building my teleprompter now!
Also, I have asked Dave several questions via email and he has replied right away with excellent responses.
I’m very pleased so far.
I think I will start making videos more of a feature on my blog…though I cannot afford to invest into the education of it….yet
Videos on any site help sales. But just like squeeze pages or sales letters they should be structured according to a formula that works. A bad video can hurt sales just as easily.
Split testing is a must.