Technology Used in Making Videos

Here is part 3 of my series on making videos to extend your author brand.  If you missed the first two parts, you can find them at http://yvonnekohano.com/interesting-overlaps-in-my-life/ (part 1) and http://yvonnekohano.com/more-on-creating-videos/ (part 2).

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The technologies I’ve used to create my videos are resident within my computer or smartphone.  I use my laptop or phone’s camera for the pictures, its built-in microphone for the audio portion, and the standard Windows or Android media management system to edit production.  For voice-over PowerPoints (a great way to present a topic and explain the slides, but not appear on the screen), I use the ‘Record Narration’ function of PPT.  There are other tools, some free and some with low to moderate prices, that will help you add animation, whiteboards, music inserts, and other features.  Since that list is always changing, it’s best to google what you need to find the best current option.

A word about using video cameras and still cameras on the video setting:  Video cameras are terrific for these blogs, as long as you can remote control them without moving out of range, or can edit the resulting video to delete the portion where you disappear.  The resolution on most still cameras on the video setting is not as high as a dedicated video camera, so run some test shots and upload them for your own review to make sure you’re happy with the quality of the end product.

Your next step is to set up a YouTube account and upload the video.  This is the simplest and most widely used video sharing site.  Not only can you link this to your website and post and tweet about it, but with the use of appropriate keywords, it is searchable by the YouTube audience.  I’ve found that including #hashtags in my posting description is a good way to help people find my topics as well.  (Once you get the hang of this, you can expand to other video sharing sites – and there are quite a few.)

A word of warning – YouTube and other sites randomly select possible screen shots to use as the picture that appears behind the play link for your video.  They will all be the ugliest ones possible.  Re-uploading does not help.  Just shrug and select the one that’s least offensive to you.

As always, you want to leverage everything you produce.  In the case of your video, consider posting a script of your presentation on your blog, along with the link to your YouTube account and the specific video.  Post links to it on Facebook and other social media sharing sites using topical keywords and #hashtags.  Tweet about it, not once but a number of times, using different key points and pertinent #hashtags to encourage people to find you.   Hashtag ideas for this post include #makingvideos, #videos, #authorbrand, #brand, and #writing tips.

And maybe there’s a blog or article in it for you too!

How do you plan to use videos to extend YOU The Writer – the brand?   I look forward to hearing your terrific ideas – and maybe borrowing a few as well!  🙂