Video is not “the next big thing” online. It is THE thing online! Launch your business into the recorded age with these effective and affordable video resources.
Inspiration
One of the hardest parts of making a video is figuring out WHAT to make a video ABOUT! If you’re thinking about making a video but need a little inspiration, here are a few things to get your wheels turning:
YouTube Trends: these are the most popular videos on the most popular video network of all time. See what the world is watching and get some ideas.
Random Video Generator: perfect for the indecisive, this website will show you videos at random. Skip past anything you don’t like, or narrow the randomness by category.
Video Search: enter any keyword and Google will show you the top video results for that topic.
Cool, Affordable Cameras
Making a video does not require a fancy camera or a massive crew. Here are a few suggestions for things you can use to record video.
Your Phone: Most smartphones can record video. You don’t need anything else! If you’ve got an iPhone or other smartphone, you are ready for lights, camera, action.
Flip Camera: these have been a pocket-sized favourite for years.
Kodak Zi8: if you’re looking for something that fits in your pocket but is a little more pro, this model is a great option on the go.
Sony Bloggie: this camera if fun, portable, and most importantly, easy to use! It plugs right into the USB port of your computer for easy upload.
The Camera You Already Own: If you own a digital camera, odds are it probably takes video! Check your owner’s manual or play around with the settings on your camera to see if yours does. Each camera is different, but often there will either be a video switch or a red record button on the back or top to change from photo to video mode on your digital camera.
Recording Onscreen
Not all video styles are point-and-shoot. You can make videos of actions and images on your computer too! Here are a few resources to help you capture screencasts.
Jing: this free tool allows you to record anything you see on your screen and immediately share it with others. No uploading, formatting, or other tech skills required. You can record screencasts up to 5 minutes long.
Fraps: another screencast software, this tool also lets you take still screenshots of images on your computer.
Webcam: if you’ve ever seen a YouTube video, you have probably seen the results of a webcam. Webcams are the cameras attached to or built into your computer, designed to record images of the person sitting in front of the computer. [Note: Webcams don’t necessarily record audio though, so if you’re planning to make a movie using your webcam you’ll want to think about how you’re getting the sound.]
Editing & Optimising
Just like there’s a lot more to your website than the www, there’s a lot more to making a great video than capturing an image. Here are some resources to help you perfect your online video.
Tracking Tools: yes, I know it’s poor form to include a list within a list, but this one is too good (and lengthy) to skip past! Check out this great resource of all the best tools to monitor and track the success of your videos online.
AdWords for Video: already a fan of Google Adwords? Give the Google AdWords for Video Tool a spin and see how you can combine keywords, video, and marketing all into one. Powerful!!
YouTube Video Editor: if you’re a YouTube user, this video editor lets you make quick edits to your uploaded YouTube videos. You can combine multiple clips, add effects and other fun features – no software required.
There are lots of free video editing resources out there, but here are a few that we think are worth checking out:
Lights, Camera, Action!
Now that you’ve got all the video resources you need to make amazing movies, it’s time to get started! Web123 wants you to get involved. Record a simple video for a chance win $1,000!
*Bonus*
All of us at Web123 are pretty big fans of fun videos. Here are a few favourites that always make us smile:
What other video resources have you used and would recommend? What’s your favourite YouTube clip? Let us know in the comments below!