Video Marketing For Newbies

9 replies
Hi, i`d like to share a really cool site with anyone interested in doing video marketing.
Up until a few months ago the thought of making a video and uploading it to the internet filled me with dread.
Then i was introduced to Animoto.com.
I soon discovered what a fantastic site this is.
So simple to use to create excellent videos, then upload them to Youtube.
Or download them to your computer and put them on Facebook, Myspace or any site you wish.
Not only that but it is free!
There are two paid upgraded versions but the free version is fine when first starting out.
You can make a professional looking 30 second video using a combination of slides, text and even your own video clips if you wish.
You can upload your own images or use those from within Animoto.
The same goes for the music for the backing track.
They have a vast selection of royalty free tunes already in the site.
I`ve had great success with it, with many of my videos ranking high on page one of Google.
If you`ve been thinking of taking those first tentative steps into video marketing, but find the thought it too daunting, then this is in my opinion
the cheapest and easiest way to get started.
Good luck!
#marketing #newbies #video #video marketing
  • Profile picture of the author Bill_Z
    Animoto is definitely great. For my use I would have to go with the PRO version since I would need them unbranded and would need a commercial license. Instead I just use Camtasia and Powerpoint.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
      I'm going to respectfully disagree. Most of the videos I've seen that people have created using that service are a poor representation of what video should be. Again, that's just a personal opinion as everybody has different tastes.

      Video for SEO purposes rocks. But if you are creating videos no one will watch you are just creating short term benefits for your business.

      And if you have that huge Animoto logo in your video it's even worse.

      I'm glad you discovered video. Hopefully, you'll move to a better format in the near future.

      ~Bill
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      • Profile picture of the author Colin Scales
        Hi Bill, i respect your viewpoint. My main point was that it`s a great entry level way to overcome the fear of making videos. Simple and free which is just what newbies need,(and some not so newbies!)
        You`re right i will progress on to more "sophisticated" platforms in the near future.
        Also the stats don`t lie, i`ve got a lot of my videos dominating page one of Google.
        Some of them, dare i say are pretty good, using my own original songs for the backing tracks.
        In fact, i would even go as far as to say that a lot of so called "proper" videos out there aren`t as good as some of my Animoto ones.
        I am using one of the upgraded versions, so i can make them as long as i wish.
        Cheers.
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      • Profile picture of the author BlueIndigo
        Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

        I'm going to respectfully disagree. Most of the videos I've seen that people have created using that service are a poor representation of what video should be. Again, that's just a personal opinion as everybody has different tastes.

        Video for SEO purposes rocks. But if you are creating videos no one will watch you are just creating short term benfits for you business.

        And if you have that huge Animoto logo in your video it's even worse.

        I'm glad you discovered video. Hopefully, you'll move to a better format in the near future.

        ~Bill

        Animoto is great for sentimental stuff like weddings, or just something to take the boredom outta watching dull slide shows... but for local businesses? Actual moving footage of the inside of a restaurant or an on camera chat with a prospective doctor or attorney can't be beat. This can be pieced together with something as simple as windows movie maker.
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        • Profile picture of the author Colin Scales
          Hi, i take your point completely.
          However, i`m sure you`ll agree that on occasions you have sat through some pretty boring "moving" videos.
          Videos that you may well have paid $97 for the privelage of being bored out of your skin!
          I know i have many times!
          Also i know of at least one very successful marketer who still uses Animoto on occasions.
          All the Best.
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  • Profile picture of the author ymest
    Originally Posted by skegsy View Post

    Hi, i`d like to share a really cool site with anyone interested in doing video marketing.
    Up until a few months ago the thought of making a video and uploading it to the internet filled me with dread.
    Then i was introduced to Animoto.com.
    I soon discovered what a fantastic site this is.
    So simple to use to create excellent videos, then upload them to Youtube.
    Or download them to your computer and put them on Facebook, Myspace or any site you wish.
    Not only that but it is free!
    There are two paid upgraded versions but the free version is fine when first starting out.
    You can make a professional looking 30 second video using a combination of slides, text and even your own video clips if you wish.
    You can upload your own images or use those from within Animoto.
    The same goes for the music for the backing track.
    They have a vast selection of royalty free tunes already in the site.
    I`ve had great success with it, with many of my videos ranking high on page one of Google.
    If you`ve been thinking of taking those first tentative steps into video marketing, but find the thought it too daunting, then this is in my opinion
    the cheapest and easiest way to get started.
    Good luck!
    This is exactly what I have been waiting for..... Like you said, the word DREAD filled me up each time i started thinking about making videos! So, I have delayed the whole process! Thanks , you have made my day!
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  • Profile picture of the author Coby
    I haven't used Animoto, but I've seen some of the videos and they look pretty cool and it seems like it's really easy to use, however I don't like the 'Anitmoto' logo even though I know you can upgrade to remove that... I also heard that the videos aren't supposed to be used for commercial purposes unless you upgrade or it breaks their TOS? Even though I know lots of folks still use them anyways...

    When I started with videos, my first experience was uploading video from a cell phone (by emailing it to myself from the phone) and using Windows Movie Maker (which is free and installed on nearly all PC computers) to add slides to the video with my website url and some catchy texts...

    Those worked and looked pretty decent considering the source (a cell phone), but then I got a digital camera (cheap kodak easy share) and the quality got better and I could edit them the same way using Windows Movie Maker...

    But then I needed to start doing screen capture type videos and found Jing which has a free version, but it is limited to 5 minutes (and the free versions have to been converted before you can upload to youtube)....

    Now, I use camstudio which is free from camstudio.org and it works pretty awesome... There is a slight learning curve but it is so easy to use once you learn it...

    Good Luck
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    • Profile picture of the author Colin Scales
      Hey Ymest, your post is the reason why i shared this information.
      If it has helped one person like it helped me, then i have achieved my goal.
      So, all you guys out there who are being held back by your "fear of videos", just go to Animoto, be a little creative and Go For It!
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  • Profile picture of the author Traffic Eagle
    If you want something free you can download windows movie maker which is easy to use and doesn't have an annoying logo on it. It's relatively easy to use and you can add music. For screencapture videos Jing is good but there are so many systems you can experiment with for free. The main thing is just get started and forget the fear - nobody is watching you make these videos and if they are no good then bin then and start again.
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