Video Series [#2] - So You Want to Do Video? Let's Talk

In my previous post, I introduced you to some of the basic concepts and terminology of the video editing process. I haven't shown you how to do the edits yet, but we will get there. The comments on my first post provided some good feedback and I appreciate that. Before we get into editing video (in a future post) let's step back and talk about what your goals and expectations should be in working with video.

Video is going to be an excellent way for you to stand out in the crowd. If you don't think video is a popular format, reconsider how many youtube videos are watched on a daily basis! People love videos. (Google does too for that matter.) You are not expected to be a professional videographer nor do you want to invest your valuable time to in hopes to attain to cinematographic oscar greatness. Does that mean that you can post some really poor quality attempt and call that acceptible? No. "Click" - that was the sound of somebody browsing away from you!

My goal is to teach you some basics that will go a long way and make sure we "raise the bar" in what you are able to produce and make public. So you want to do video? Let's talk:

Do you need to use video editing software at all? No, you do not. If you want to simply do a short message (a single clip of video) and upload it - that works! (see example from Tim Maitski - he left me a video comment on my last article)

Have you heard of Dale Chumbley? Well let me introduce Dale to you. He is a real estate agent out in Vancouver, WA. (be sure and check out his intro video on his home page via link above, creative!) Dale is one to look to for not doing it "just like everyone else" does. Do you think he stands out in the crowd? Absolutely. Dale posts very frequently, in fact, his blog is a 365 things to do type of blog (one of the originals, not a 'copy-cat'). So IF he spent hours doing video editing, he would not be able to maintain the frequent schedule. Creating videos can be similar to blogging then. They can be short, uncomplicated, and frequent.

Here's a sample featured place video from Dale:
(simple huh? turn on the camera on your iPhone and begin recording and the audio is rather good for no external mic - my only suggestion to everyone with iPhones... turn the phone into landscape mode to better match the widescreen box where videos need to fit into)

What kinds of video productions can be made? You could do a short agent bio and introduce yourself; You could do a community tour video; You could do a walkthrough video of the house; You could do testimonial videos from select previous clients; You could feature local businesses; and the creative possibilities just go on and on.

Why would you want to learn basic video editing skills?  Video editing lets you think non-linearly. Let's say that you are going to feature a local business, a restaurant, and you have a set appointment to come and interview the owner. You're running behind and make your appointment just on time. You record your interview and it went great. Next you go outside and take a nice clip of the front of building and the surrounding area. Later that day, the owner emails you a couple nice photos of the restaurant that were taken at the dinner hour when everybody is there. NOW in your video editing app, you can make a composite all the elements in the whatever order that you want. Maybe you'll put the exterior front clip first even though you didn't shoot it first. Remember the days of recording songs on the radio on your cassette player? You played back the tape in the exact order that you recorded it. Now in the days of iPods and all things digital, you press shuffle and voila!

"Can Realtors® really produce a video worth watching? I mean c'mon! really??" Carl, in my last post commented, "Many agents can't even take pictures, and now you want them to make videos??!!" ... Carl, I agree there are some really sorry looking listing photos out there! So you my reader, if you cannot tell the difference between a good and bad listing photo, then perhaps the video topic isn't for you. But my classroom attendees, I have confidence in you. You are already ahead of the crowd because you are here doing that blogging thing - and that right there has put you ahead of the pack in my eyes. So I'm teaching the type of people that already have proven themselves. You realize that you don't just turn on the camera and hope for the best and then post whatever comes out. If it doesn't work on your early attempts, then don't post it (or do a members only post to get creative feedback). Come back to class, join the newly formed video bloggers group here on AR, and WATCH what others are doing. When you see something you like and have an "aha moment" then you will go back to the drawing board. You don't NEED to do video, but if you try it and it clicks for you then I think you have an advantage and will help you stand out. I'm going to hopefully give you some assistance in your attempts to find out. :)

So this series is not just about how to use video editing software. It is more about sharing and discussing ideas about what you can do to make GOOD videos. Videos worth watching.