I love having a blog that includes video and encourage my clients and you to do the same in almost EVERY case in order to increase the ability to search engine optimize your site. A blog video can be energizing, current, and motivating. From reviews to testimonials (they ARE different, by the way) to showcasing a product or the informative “vlog,” you can find entrepreneurs producing blog videos on just about any topic these days, with or without the infamous “green screen.”However, as I’m sure you’ve seen, a blog video can sometimes go VERY wrong. Most websites include a variety of videos nowadays, some professionally produced, some produced by at-home experts, and others that are just not quite up to snuff. Listed below are several tips to help you as you delve into the world of flip-cams so you can have an idea of what works and things to watch out for when taping your business blog videos. Since we all have at one time or another seen examples of a good videos, you know that this can be helpful as you seek to search engine optimize your site.
Tips That Create Awesome Blog Video or Blog Videos
- Aside from general video taping practices (steady camera, proper lighting, etc.), it’s a good idea to ask anyone who will be spotlighted in the blog video the questions face to face before taping so they feel comfortable answering on camera once it’s on. This is similar to auditions, though much, much less time consuming and requires less editing post-shoot.
- Pay close attention to your background, choosing one that does not distract, especially if your blog video is any type of individual or group interview, and get in close to eliminate what background you do show.
- Occasionally I’ve seen videos where “too” much of the client is showing, making one wonder if it the footage is all audience friendly. Unfortunately that’s not something you can fix post taping, so that needs to be recognized and monitored before and during filming, as well.
- IF you are interviewing clients for a review or testimonial, remember that these clients are trusting you so they want to look good on camera and on your videos (where they will be seen by thousands of viewers). Make sure that happens.
- Keep it short, but not too brief. Typically a minute is enough to get your message across but not long enough to drag on. You should also have a short introductory video or trailer video (maybe 10 seconds) that can be merged into other videos or marketing efforts, though, and various video templates are available for this. The Need Someone To Blog intro video is featured at the bottom of this list.
- On that note – your thumbnail image needs to look GREAT – since that is the image that will “live” on your website, it needs to reflect your company and be professional. For this reason I always recommend taking a static blog video or picture of the subject of the house when you do the blog video. That way, if you can’t capture an image that works from the blog video, you can use that image as your thumbnail, as a backup.
- Adding your logo to the blog video as an overlay adds a touch of class and isn’t that difficult to produce. The added benefit is that website visitors are more likely to remember your branding when you take the effort to include it.
- Contact me to get samples of what to do/not do when making your blog videos at NeedSomeoneToBlog.com or call 559.425.6448 to get tips on how to search engine optimize your site.
Jen Miller has been writing since she was a child and spent her early career years soaking up all the information she could discover as a journalist of newspapers and magazines. Getting out the message and spreading truth has always been a high priority for Jen. Jen began writing website content for clients in 1996 and started blogging in 2008 for Today.com. That experience created a love for the blog and she has been an avid blogger ever since. Today she writes for her clients on a variety of topics as a ghostwriter/ghostblogger and connects their messages with personality through social media to deliver the most impact possible.
