Ready to create some videos? The biggest excuses I hear from people as to why they avoid YouTube video marketing are: they don’t own a video camera or they’re camera-shy.
I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to be physically on camera to create killer content for YouTube.
Here are some ways to create YouTube videos without ever stepping in front of a camera.
- Record screen capture video using a software program such as Camtasia (PC and Mac) or Screenflow (Mac). This software will create either narrated, live-motion Web screenshots or PowerPoint-type slide presentations that can be converted to video for YouTube.
- Check out Animoto.com—a web application that automatically generates videos using user-selected images, music, and video clips. The site offers both free and paid options.
- Look into AditAll.com—another video creation tool offering a library of licensed content with Web-based editing and customization tools.
- Hold and record a webinar for a live audience using a site like GoToMeeting, and then simply save the file in such a way that you can render it as a video later. (This option will entail the use of one of the software options in #1.)
- Use the built-in YouTube Quick Capture feature to record a video instantly via your computer’s webcam.
Factors To Keep in Mind as You Plan and Create YouTube Content
- Keep it short. Keep your videos under four minutes (or even between 2-3) if possible. Attention spans are short these days. For effective marketing videos, simply state who you are, what you’ve got, then give the call to action and be on your way. Voilà.
- Plan what you’re going to say ahead of time. I get it that “on the fly” seems more real, and you may want your audience to feel they’re seeing the authentic you. But honestly, we can do without the dozens of “um”s, “like”s, and “you know”s that inevitably end up in impromptu efforts. Do your audience a favor and give your message a quick run-through before you hit record. Investigate teleprompter software if you’re going to be doing a lot of script-heavy videos—that was a big help to me in my career as an on-camera host.
- Give them something to look at. If you’re creating screen capture-only videos (in other words, no live human beings on camera), be sure to keep things visually stimulating. It’s easy to find images to share without violating copyright, so take the time to find them and edit them into your videos.
- Ask for the order. This may also mean asking for the subscription, the rating, or the act of favoriting or even commenting on your video. All these activities are factors in the YouTube equation that determines how well your videos rank, and as with most things in life, it never hurts to ask. So say it out loud in your video: “Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel,” “Please rate my video,” and/or “Leave a comment to let me know what you think.”
- Tell your viewers where to go for more information. Not only during the video, but after posting too. You Tube allows their users to add ‘information boxes’ on their Youtube account page and on each individual video. Include links and all relevant information you discussed in the video for your readers to explore after the video has finished.
This excerpt was contributed by
Julie Perry, contributing author of
Success Secrets Of The Social Media Marketing Superstars.