by Lou Bortone, Guest Blogger
YouTube, the Wal-Mart of Video hosting sites, is now the fourth most visited website on the Internet, with a staggering 85 million viewers. If you’re going to use online video to promote your business (and you should), then you might as well look good doing it! After all, your video is part of your image and your brand.
But what if you’re having a bad hair day, or you don’t know what to wear? Fear not! Here are the top tips for looking like a pro when you’re ready to fire up that webcam or camcorder:
Can you hear me now?
Nothing derails an otherwise good video like bad audio. We’ve got to be able to hear you! Run a couple of tests and make sure your volume is adequate. (And try to avoid crying kids or barking beagles in the background!)
Got a light?
Or a few lights are even better. Be sure that you’ve got enough light, and that the light source is coming from in front of you. Never shoot into the light. You don’t need a big lighting rig, just be sure that your face is lit well enough to be seen!
Whose got your back?
Be aware of your background. What is behind you in the shot? Be sure that your “environment” and background setting is clean, uncluttered and not distracting. A neutral background or office setting is best – Outdoors is fine, too, as long as there’s not too much going on in the shot.
Ready for your close up?
Do a few test runs. Rehearse. Relax. Get comfortable. Like anything new, the more you practice, the better you’ll get. Be yourself. Make eye contact and think of it as if you’re talking to a friend. It takes a bit of getting used to, so feel free to do a few takes. Don’t stress over what to wear or your hair. Just dress as you would going to a meeting.
What’s shakin’?
Hopefully not the camera! Even if your camera person (okay, your spouse) has a steady hand, it’s really hard to hold the camera still any length of time. This is easily remedied with a small camera tripod. Just set it up and it’s steady as she goes. This makes a big difference!
You may be a little camera shy or self-conscious at first, but a few test runs and you should be good to go! Give it a try. You don’t have to post your video for millions to see until you’re happy with it! But remember, done is better than perfect!
About the Author:
Lou Bortone is a long-time marketing and branding consultant who helps entrepreneurs build breakthrough brands on the Internet, with services such as online video production, video branding, coaching and creative support. Lou is a former television executive who worked for E! Entertainment Television and later served as the Senior Vice President of Marketing & Advertising for Fox Family Worldwide, a division of Fox in Los Angeles. Lou is an author and ghostwriter of six business books, a Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach and a Book Yourself Solid Certified Coach.
Visit Lou’s website at http://www.OnlineVideoBranding.com and you can learn more about Lou’s Video Traffic Blast system at http://www.VideoTrafficBlast.com
