Most of us are nosy and like to know more about the person behind the blog or website we’re reading.
There are several ways we can do this: check out their About Page, look for photos of the person so we feel a little more connected, and then there’s a welcome video.
My Husband’s Sony F3
When I visit a new blog, I’ll always click on their welcome video first if I see one. It makes me feel more connected to the person when I know who’s writing the blog, plus I get to hear their voice.
We all like videos and Gideon Shalwick , an expert on online video marketing, offers these tips on how to make a video at home.
Let me share what I went through to help you avoid the mistakes I made.
Unless you’re an experienced actor (which I’m not) it takes tons of practice to:
- Be yourself
- Know what you want to say
- Make it look easy
Then there’s the question of equipment and lighting. My husband, Duke, has a professional Sony F3 camera (see photo above) and lighting. In his spare time he shoots movies and is editing one right now. I’m promoting his website Green Sign Media to thank him for putting up with the number of times I forgot my lines and messed up.
The more you practice, the better you sound. Unfortunately in my case it took forever. I practiced 4 hours for video # 1 and another 5 hours to make my own video #2 with my Flip camera.
It’s difficult to feel natural when your spouse is watching you, so I decided to try my own version in our 95F degree sauna (garage) without ventilation. After several takes, I noticed how drenched I looked and had to cover up my face with more powder. A fan was out of the question: too noisy.
Video #1
Video #2
Now for some reason, uploading video # 2 to YouTube, shows a mug shot distorted picture and despite the 3 options YouTube offers, I have no idea why I can’t get the video to start with a different photo.
Please let me know if you prefer Video #1, Video #2, or should I try again?
Have you made a welcome video for your blog? Are you interested in making one?
On July 8th, Bob Lowry from Satisfying Retirement is posting my guest interview called: “Into the Unknown: A Gutsy Lady tells her Story.” I hope you join Bob and me on his blog so we can interact.
Bob has a wonderful free e-book called, “Countdown to Retirement.” Whether you are several years from retirement, or the big day is just around the corner, the 23 pages of useful and insightful information will help you make the smoothest transition.
Thank you for sharing your practice and the process of making a welcome video! What a difference between the first and second video. Well done!
Thanks Belinda. You didn’t say which one you thought was better though.
LOVE the 2nd one! You are so relaxed and engaging. I just figured out how to download my flip video’s and now will figure out how to edit and post.
I like the idea of the video welcome… I see one in my near future!
Thanks for sharing Sonia!
b
Thanks Barbara. I just wish the background color wasn’t so blue and the mug shot on the front.
I prefer how you look in the first video, you’re more natural. The 2nd has a very fake look to it.
It’s nice to see you ‘live’.
Dedene recently posted..Une Moule à Charnière
I realize the color is off, plus it’s a different approach.
I vote for #1 but I urge you to lose the music or lower the volume. It is competing with your message.
Thanks for the plugs for the article and e-book. The post goes up at 2:00 AM Phoenix time tomorrow in case you are a very early riser (or night person!).
Bob Lowry recently posted..A Special Weekend: Creating Memories That Can’t be Bought
Thanks Bob. I look forward to coming over tomorrow.
I guess I need to try a new short version, as Kirsten Wright, my web-designer suggested.
I seem to be in the minority so far but I like the 2nd one. You seem more comfortable in it and more like you are talking to a friend.
Jeanie,
Thanks. Need to practice more which is how I’ll learn, hopefully.
Thanks for sharing. I’ll watch the videos when I’ve woken up a bit more.
BTW, we were in Disneyland – so not really Paris – or even France at all!
Lady Fi recently posted..Wild nightlife
LadyFi,
How could you go to Paris without going up the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees, the Louver, Montmartre, etc. etc. Did you have a direct train from UK to Disneyland? I forgive you my dear.
Hi Sonia, very interested to watch your videos and get to hear you:) It’s exciting actually. The progress is obvious and the second take is much more engaging. I can feel the energy and excitement you feel there which was missing in the first video.
Now you know the speech off by heart you can play around with it and smile more. We get that in the beginning and again at the end but it’s still very scripted and staged in the middle.
I love the plants and don’t mind the blue color either. It goes to show it’s the person, the energy and the message which is more important than the camera, sound quality or professionalism:)
So glad to read you spent so long on it because I too find it takes hours to create two minutes of video and in my case not very good video either! I’m going to Toastmasters, making more videos and trying to get better so fun to be doing that with you too.
Keep up the good work, you’re off to a great start:)
Annabel Candy, Get In the Hot Spot recently posted..7 Top Personal Writing Themes
Annabel,
Now I have a buddy (you) or should I say (mate?) is that for women in Australia too, or only men? to work with on making a video. My young social media/webdesigner, suggested I make it 30 seconds to one-minute, sitting on my couch in my living room. She said, “Turn on all the lights in your living room.” Kirsten does one video/week about social media on her blog so she’s quite a pro. If you want to see her stuff: http://wrightcreativity.com
Thanks Annabel. It’s fun to learn and do new stuff. BTW, the blue background was white in my garage where I filmed. I have no clue why it turned out blue when it transferred to YouTube. I blame YouTube, also for the horrible picture on the front. Perhaps I should get Gideon Shalwick to explain that. He’s the guy I followed advice on the white background. Annabel, you interviewed Gideon and so if you see him, please ask him. I shall too. Thanks.
Finally I managed to play the videos!
I definitely like the second one better as you’re much more relaxed and it doesn’t come across as tentative and scripted.
You look at the script a lot in the first one and while I was listening I was thinking about how you could avoid this so not concentrating on what you were telling me.
It sounds like much more fun to come to the second party so it would be more successful in terms of party-goers but you could probably smile even more than you do to make it lighter and to entice them to a memorable experience!
I would probably do a third video keeping the best of No 2 and adding the elements you see are not in this one.
Well done Sonia, you’ve got guts to do this!
Maggie recently posted..THE FRONT GARDEN
Maggie,
Thanks so much for your input. I agree, a 3rd attempt is necessary. Now I’m off to see your post “The Front Garden.”
Sonia,
This was an eye-opener. I really need a welcome video and thanks to you, I have an idea of how to go about making one. I do agree with a couple of comments about having a nicer background and for you to smile more because you seem a bit too earnest, but there’s definitely a big difference between the first – where your eyes were moving down to the script and you delivered your message in the same tone – and the second that you juiced up a lot and made more friendly. It also helps to know what to do and what not to do.
Penelope J. recently posted..That Princess Di Accent
Hi Pennie,
Thanks for the advice. I can’t believe how difficult it is to remember two minutes of script, even if you wrote it. I found the second one easier which reminded me of when I prepared a presentation on how to build your author platform via blogging.
Hi Sonia,
Fabulous job! I love your natural energy and enthusiasm in #2 but prefer the atmosphere of #1. Sorry about that! Good luck with whatever you decide.
Thanks for the tips. I’m not the type to make a personal video, but who knows, anything can happen!
Sandra / Always Well Within recently posted..Caution: Chemical Time Bombs Ticking in Your Body
Thanks Sandra. I’m taking a little break before giving it another try. I know Annabel is working on this too.
Sonia, your first video is much more engaging, considering what you need is being more “natural” with your surroundings. What Gideon has is for Gideon, and it works for Gideon, but it really doesn’t work for you. Video making is more of an art based on what is appropriate for your circumstances, your content presented, and not based on what is appropriate for others. If you make the white background shots, although they are coming out “blue” in the one shot because of your dress color and this is a color wash picked up by your camera, it looks washed out and doesn’t make you look “alive” and well balanced in appearance. Stick with shots with your first video, with a natural background, wherever you may be. This is more appropriate and desirable for your content presented. Again, what Gideon is producing is for Gideon, and it works for Gideon, but it’s definitely not for you. You need natural backgrounds, seriously. You will also find that most people who work with Gideon “do not” have the “white” background, and they use a “natural” background always. Especially so for the women.
Joseph,
That was very kind of you to come over and give me some helpful advice. I’m glad you pointed out the difference on what works for Gideon and what the more “natural” look for me.
I made another one yesterday which I hope is an improvement.
Thanks again. Sonia.
Hi Sonia! I have to say I agree with several others. The video quality on #1 is far better, but the music is distracting. I agree that #2 is the one where you look more relaxed and you knew your stuff better as you didn’t look down to red it as much.
I think the more natural background of #1 fit’s your style better.
Now, to be a real jerk critic! Don’t look down to read. Either memorize the whole thing or if you do have to re-read, do so, but edit it out. You notice Gideon will have several places where you can tell it is edited. I know your husband knows how if you don’t, but I bet you do! Looking down just makes me feel like you don’t know what you want to say and it takes away from the professionalism.
Well, that’s my 2 cents anyway. Who says I know what I’m talking about anyway? 🙂
Steve recently posted..Why Exercise Is Important!
Steve,
I have an idea for a new video that’s Gutsy so thanks for your comment. I enjoy your style.
Hi Sonia!
Thanks so much for sharing your learning process. I would love to have a welcome video on the blog I’m creating right now, but just thinking about it intimidates me! I will give it a shot soon though, as I need to know what it’s like, and who knows, maybe the end result won’t be too embarrassing after all!
As for your videos:
I personally love the quality of video 1, but would chose video 2, just because you are so much more natural and closer to the viewer.
All the best and much happiness from Berlin
Conni
Hi Conni,
I’ve decided to re-shoot it with a new theme related to Gutsy Living.
Have you decided how you wan to do yours?
Good luck and I’d love to see it. Sonia.