On August 18, 2009 I had Owen JJ Stone AKA @Ohdoctah speak on “Video Marketing”. Video online is here to stay (Ask Owen), and even I am motivated to do more video! Yes, I have done some, but not as much as Owen, and what it’s done for his business, wow!
Here are some amazing tips (some from Owen, yes even I learned a few things! Some are mine, tips as a networking and sales strategist for small business owners)
1. Get over it! Stop worrying about how perfect you look or if you stumble over a word. Owens reason- IT’S REAL. It shows you’re human. It builds likability. My reason: if you delete and record a 3 minute video 14 times and it takes you an hour to complete you won’t keep doing them!
2. Use key words on all your videos. Owens logic- use keywords that are logical, things that everyday people look up! Ann’s Logic: use keywords that fit finding you, your name, your Twitter name, your biz name, what you do.
3. Upload to more than YouTube! Owen says use Tube Mogul (I am working through some kinks with it, but overall it is increasing my exposure and decreasing my uploading time to several sites one at a time!) And load to YouTube, Viddler, Blip.TV, Daily Motion, Metacafe and Vimeo ( yes you will need to first create accounts on those sites.) Tube Mogul allows you to combine and track ALL Stats! Very cool! I say: take the time to create those accounts and complete your profiles as necessary. Use your name not your business for your account name.
4. Be creative! Owen does “Friend Up” videos (the link takes you to an interview with me!) that engage others! The possibilities are endless!
Thank you Owen for sharing with my group out here in the bay. You are truly a wizard at what you do.
Not all of us can be as dynamic as you are, but we can be authentic and share with a wider audience of potential customers!
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
Owen has been talking to me about this, also. My problem is #1 – I care too much. I am way too self conscious about how I look and sound. I'm also super shy. Maybe I should just force myself to do it and get over it!
I enjoyed Owen's interview with you, also!
Hi Sarah, I think there is a difference here in “care”. Care about the message and why you need to get it out. Care about building trust and credibility faster for your clients. Care about showing you are human, and REAL. Then “look” isn't so important!
Exactly! I agree completely. I shouldn't care so much about how people think I look or sound because showing that I know what I am talking about is way more important! I just need to get over “it!” 🙂 Also, a thought, maybe forcing myself to do video blogging will help me to get over some of my shyness.
I agree with “just do it” – but to post one right away – it's getting it up and going: “that wasn't too bad!”
Sarah –
Try putting a picture of someone you feel completely comfortable with behind the camera and talk to the picture, not the lens.
It's a good idea – although my problem isn't talking to the camera, but watching myself afterwards. 🙂 Maybe I shouldn't watch myself. Like Ann said, maybe I should do it and then post it as soon as possible. So afterward I can just be like “Okay, it's done. Oh well.”
If you watch yourself – do it with this context – what are 3 things I did right? What are 3 things I can improve on next time?
So that you are focused on improvement not judgment.
No don't watch yourself! Just get over it! For me, as a small biz owner that is about time. If I record it and think: “I like my message” I go for it! YOU can do it Sarah, and I promise after one and tracking the visibility you will be hooked!
I don't disagree with you, Ann – but coming from a performance background, if you want to improve your skills, watching a recording of yourself can be instructive – but only if you're doing it within that context. Learning what's working and not working – so you can do more of the first and less of the latter.
Like the speaker we saw last night – I'm betting if she watched a video of herself she'd be a better speaker – you know….
Absolutely agreed but so not the context of the blog!
Right – got it – Just get it done! I'm a big fan of failing forward fast. (as our SF Mayor said in a speech I saw him give several years ago).
One thing I've learned from being a speaker – is that the audience really is on your side – they WANT you to succeed. So don't worry about the mis-steps or umms or whatever. Just get it up there!
Ann as you know I find you a great role model & your posts are also encouraging me to get my act together too. However I am interested in doing some creative videos that have bits edited into them. How do you feel about that? I must be a bit funky, I guess. But I like that creative expression. Anyway will put something together now that you've got me going. Keep up the great work of inspiring us all!
Thanks Pemo! Interestingly anything goes to make your video! Slides with music, voice-overs, anythign at all can really work, and true VIRAL has one of the three “S's” – Sick, Silly, or Sexy as I discuss in my audio series!
Ann you are an inspiration. I got into action on the weekend & posted my first vlog. You can check it out 'Love 2.0' on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W0HbIxAuaY or on my blog http://www.astramatch.com/blog/2009/09/relationships /love-2-0
Keep up the good work of inspiring entrepreneurs!
Ann you are an inspiration. I got into action on the weekend & posted my first vlog. You can check it out 'Love 2.0' on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W0HbIxAuaY or on my blog http://www.astramatch.com/blog/2009/09/relationships /love-2-0
Keep up the good work of inspiring entrepreneurs!
I am learning a great deal from all of these amazing tips and trainings. I do not have a blog web page. How do I create one and how do I host it? Then I can think about what I would want to say! Thank you Jude Elizondo
I’ll be helping you with that when you get to that part of SNCC Jude 😀 All part pf the coaching 🙂
Hi Jude! Sounds like you are in great hands with Louise, my lead coach. I
actually think it is more important to think about WAT to
post/write/video fist, so you have enough content when you launch!