People tend to focus on exactly the wrong thing when creating web videos. In fact, the most important part of a web video often receives the least amount of attention. So what is the most important thing? I share it in this video.
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Dave, great tip and an important reminder to all of us that the message and presentation is so key, and not the length of the video or how little/how much it costs. Also, the video looks so crisp and clean, what HiDef camera are you using, and the fall foilage makes me jealous here in Florida! Originally from Pennsylvania and miss the falling leaves in mid October.
It might be the same camera he used a couple of videos ago, Panasonic HMC40. Haha – Kind of ironic that Dave advises for us to pay more attention to content yet some of us still want camera gear info.
I thought you were going to say it was a ‘Call to action!’ as that is what I see most people forgetting to add to their promo videos.
Love the clarity and quality of the picture what type of camera did you use to shoot this??
@John – A Panasonic HMC40
Dave, I always watch all of your videos. Thanks for great content!
Jeremy
Dave,
Excellent point. The video should be transparent so the only thing a viewer sees is the message and not the technical aspects.
Thanks for your great video tips!
Gerry
So true. Like the quality of your video picture…very nice…also good sound for being outdoors.
I’m currently working with a client who needs a promo video added to her website. I don’t remember the name of the guy who shot and produced the video, but he does beautiful work that focuses on telling a concise and powerful story. The tech behind it all is secondary.
The comments on this video seem to prove the point that we get distracted by peripherals like what camera is used and the pretty fall colors. It’s easy to grab the latest HD camera and mic and run out to shoot some video–without planning out or storyboarding the message we hope to communicate. Even little things can really help the final product, like not wearing sunglasses. (Yeah, I’ve wondered about the sunglasses myself.
But that’s not to say that equipment and technique should be overlooked. Crisp video and sharp sound go a long way to remove obstacles that may hinder clear communication.
Dave, you may be please to know, I watched your whole video. I love the editing. One of the hardest things I find, is to get a complete thought out on video that can be used, and reading from a prompter just sounds “read”. The style of video you show here is a great example – I really like it and am going to try something similar.
Cheers – David West
http:://www.iamplace.com
I totally agree Dave, excellent point! I have seen some pretty bad videos that had great content and an intelligent message and kept me interested so I watched it to the end. I have also seen some very well made videos with fancy animations that either the audio was bad or it bored me so I left. Your tips are always short, to the point, and valuable… besides, you don’t think I watch your video because you have a pretty face, right?
I try to keep my videos under a minute because of the short attention span people have these days. This forces me to get to the point! I’m a REALTOR who has found many uses for video, and your tips always help me to make them better! Thanks for all you do!
Great reminder about the importance of the message and HOW it’s presented. And most important, keep it short.
Ae usual Dave this makes perfect sense. Don’t make the story bigger than the store.
I love everything in this video!
Most important: The message, thePoint!
But of course I also enjoy the clarity and quality of the images, the nice sound, the fall, the colors…
So come on community…
we can enjoy and learn from all parts and aspects of Dave’s work…
ivanGALiLEO
To make videos memorable, I have followed similar content guidelines.
Keep the message short, simple, clear, and feed the message in small amounts. That approach reflects how most people can remember and respond to messages. I think your videos are an excellent example of what I am writing about.
Script editing is extremely important. When you review them carefully, they are often full of extra words and expressions that could be edited out. I’m not suggesting that shorter scripts are always better scripts but when you think about it, there are several reasons why TV commercials are limited to :30s and :60s.
Your content won’t always work out that way but your videos can aim to do the same thing.
I Love it Dave I just did a similar video with different angles and transitions on my new website and I would appreciate anyones feedback on it!
Thanks for the Tips I hope after someone checks out my video they will be able to tell that I have been following Dave for quite some time because he is great!
I appreciate your opinion on http://empoweredcafe.com
thanks everyone
Dave –
as always great message.
what a location!! – where is that?
BTW – how do you get that unbelievable quality.
I share your videos here in Israel, they give a god perspective on the impotent video issues
Danni Zaks – Israel
@Danni Zaks … Not only God hates sterile video.
Hi Dave,
I have 400+ articles that I want to turn into videos. Because of the length of the article, each video is around 4 minutes long. How do I keep these videos short and interesting? My budget is $10 per video. What do you suggest?
Ben
Great advice Dave and wonderful presentation. I like the sticks!
Oh yeah the message was good too.
The message… Bingo! Thnaks Dave!
Couldn’t agree more Dave!
Too many people try to sell the product rather than the solution.
Hmmm. that makes me think! I’d better go revisit my stuff!
Good stuff Dave. Always crisp video… great advice.
Some time around can you address Output on a Mac.. specifically, what is the best size, codec, bitrate all that stuff.. I have had issues lately with Quality…
Thank you
Hey Dave
Very true man! Totally agree with you.
I notice a lot of people also get hung up on the tech stuff of their videos, and want to make it totally perfect, and then don’t really spend much time on creating powerful, response invoking content… such as yourself of course
Thanks again for all the great vids! I watch them ALL!
Gideon Shalwick
ya, content ees king.
Now that I have been subjected to YOUR landing page (which I’m glad of) I look forward to personally increase your conversion optimization score (lingo practice) … Not that this video was news, but because of your great selling style. This video does infer you’re comprehensive, too. Can I ask you here to describe your ‘deluxe package’ . I’m desperate for time and need to put my faith in an expert …as in yesterday.
… am building a community service website and suddenly I gotta know lots about web marketing and promotions. Going back to work on the site for the rest of the night now… can’t spend time dissecting your site to find what you’ve got. …so, respectfully, what HAVE you got?
paul
(newbie type ‘A’)
Dave,
Your info & videos are always excellent – thanks!
Do you plan out all the shots and what you’re going to be saying in a segment like this? The cut to the sticks while you’re speaking about video watchers leaving a video is so demonstrative of what you’re saying.
@Lyn – Most of my videos are scripted beforehand.