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Video Envy

by Scott Ames
12 replies
I want to do video, but I'm not smooth like Eben, Frank, Mike or Jason. I hate the way I look and talk and half the time I forget what the heck I'm talking about in the middle.

In addition there are people that I don't want knowing what I'm doing online just yet so I hide my face. Just accept that for now. Its not the FBI, CIA or anything, more like nosey family members.

Hiring someone to do the video is possible, but for some reason that always sounds to me like cardboard, if something can sound like cardboard.

Video is the way to go but I feel kind of left out.
#envy #video
  • Profile picture of the author Jack Duncan
    Scott,
    Have you had a chance to take a look at Dave Kaminski's new WVU site? (Google "web video university")

    He has done an awesome job showing some really cool alternative ways to make really eye catching vids.

    I have not personally gone through his course...but it is on my dry erase board in the "To Do" column.

    From what I have heard from those who have gone through it...it is really good.

    You may want to check it out.
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    • Profile picture of the author J. Barry Mandel
      How about a video WITHOUT you as the star?

      You can create video using just titles and bullets like by using Apple Keynote and then just talking over that.

      You can insert graphics or visuals like photos to keep the video interesting.

      Heck, it doesn't even have to be you talking over that, you can hire a professional voice over artist to do it for you to turn cardboard into fine glossy paper?!
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      • Profile picture of the author Asher
        Michael Rassmussen did just that in his video tutorials - his face didn't appear at all - except for a photograph.

        Yep! It can be done! As to help you with your problem of forgetting what you want to say half the time - having an outline in front of you and checking it off might help you keep in line.

        Asher
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        Asher Aw
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      • Profile picture of the author David Raybould
        Hi Scott,

        Andrew has some great ideas...personally I find videos where the person is obviously reading from a script or notes to be a little irritating. It somehow distracts my attention from the content, which is obviously not what you want.

        Having just a few prompts for yourself can work wonders, and once you run through it a few times you'll be able to get a good idea for timing and rhythm etc.

        Hope that helps

        David
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        • Profile picture of the author Headhunting55
          Video can be kind of tough. Not everyone has the ability to look or speak well on camera. It is unfortunate, though, that a LOT of people who are making videos don't realize this.

          You really need to be honest with your self. There are people who I have come to have a bit of respect for, but when I see them on video, much of that respect goes out the door BECAUSE of how they look and sound. That may not be RIGHT, but it's a fact.

          Also, I do not care much for the "slide show" concept. It just looks cheesy to me. I've seen a few of them lately where the creator has done a lot with special effects....words that fly in at an angle, pictures that dissolve in and fly back out, etc.....it looks to me more like an exercise in "hey, look what I can do!" than a legitimate marketing effort. The message tends to get lost in efforts like this.

          If you don't look or sound good on video, then don't do it. It may do more damage than good. Seriously consider hiring someone who DOES have experience. A professional who has experience has the ability to make it look natural and not "canned". Or at least find a friend or an associate that DOES have some ability and can come across as being sincere and trustworthy.
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          • Profile picture of the author BrianMcLeod

            Smooch.

            Just playin'...

            Brian
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            Brian McLeod
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            • Profile picture of the author camforbes
              LoudMac, that video was freakin' spot-on! I love it!

              When I was leading the sales team for a startup someone got the great idea to hire a marketing company to come up with a "deck" we could use for our standard pitch presentation. Seemed to be the standard fare for a startup that was "selling the invisible"....

              The slides ended up being *okay* (not great), but they had all these stupid builds and effects that I FREAKING HATED!

              Instead I would go into the customer meeting, put up one slide (our list of customers) and talk from there. (and it worked - I made 'presidents club' 3 yrs in a row)

              The point is - the MEDIUM doesn't matter... it's the MESSAGE that matters.

              How can YOU help ME? plain and simple.

              Whether it's your face on camera, or screen cams, or a bunch of stock photos thrown on a powerpoint slide... it's the MESSAGE.

              hth,

              cam
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    • Profile picture of the author Jesus Perez
      Originally Posted by Jack Duncan View Post

      Scott,
      Have you had a chance to take a look at Dave Kaminski's new WVU site? (Google "web video university")

      He has done an awesome job showing some really cool alternative ways to make really eye catching vids.

      I have not personally gone through his course...but it is on my dry erase board in the "To Do" column.

      From what I have heard from those who have gone through it...it is really good.

      You may want to check it out.
      If you haven't checked Jack's link....now's the time to do it. Great video ideas. You can see how simple it is without showing your face.
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  • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
    You don't need to use your face.

    You can speak to a slideshow video or screen shot video.

    You can also do it all completely free now with Jing software or Windows Movie Maker (if you want to make a slideshow with audio).

    As far as forgetting what you're going to say...plan out what you'll say every 30 seconds or so (point by point) in advance.

    One point every 30-60 seconds will keep you on track and keep your audio more interesting.

    Kindest regards,
    Andrew Cavanagh
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