Previous post:

Next post:

Keep your video super super simple

January 20, 2008

imageGood web videos are not supposed to be TV commercials.  Marketers frequently lose credibility and viewer by posting too-slick, over-produced stuff.

Keep it simple!  Film your web videos with a basic, home-user video camera.  Get rid of any script, actors, lighting, whatever.  The whole point is to create something genuine that looks genuine. 

Some of the best web videos are filmed with a little webcam on top of the PC.  If the Wall Street Journal’s Walter Mossberg can do it (head out of the frame, in his house) — so can you.

The lesson: No one is going to forward your advertising for you. Make sure your video doesn’t look like an ad.

Here’s a demo:

 

Share This Post

Email to a friend:

Privacy: We won't save or reuse these emails.

Thanks for the word of mouth! Your message has been sent!

Please enter a valid email.

Your email failed. Try again later.

Comments

4 comments. Read them below or add one. (Trackback)

{ 4 comments }

Phil Gerbyshak January 20, 2008 at 1:10 pm

Nice video Andy. I don’t know I can afford the luxury of my throne room as my video room, but even I can give it a go with your great tips!
Gotta love bathroom humor, sorry.
In all seriousness, I think authenticity is the most important thing for web videos. If you’re an off the top of your head person, your videos should be too. If you like to script, then script it out. I’d agree that overproduction isn’t necessary, though a little production never hurt anyone.

Sean Cheyney January 28, 2008 at 1:04 pm

Andy,
Great studio. It gave me some ideas for a funny life insurance video.

Lindy Dreyer January 29, 2008 at 4:26 pm

LOL
Two more great things about your video. One, it’s short and to the point. Two, there’s a pay-off for making it to the end.

Mike Beyer January 31, 2008 at 12:32 am

Ah the versatile bathroom it can be a throne room a broadcasting studio, place of meditation and relaxation or a marketing tool.
In the late 1980′s I managed an independent record store in Oak Park Il. We had an unused non functioning bathroom by where my desk was. It was right around the time of all the Elvis Lives stuff was very strong. So without spending much money or too much effort I turned that bathroom into an Elvis shrine complete with a water fountain. Within the next couple of months we had all kinds of free print and television advertising. Highlighted by a much rebroadcast segment on W.T.T.W’s Wild Chicago.

Comments on this entry are closed.

Previous post:

Next post:

Your Friendly Host

I'm Andy Sernovitz, a fairly helpful marketing guy. I write about word of mouth marketing, ethics, common-sense business, and entrepreneurship.

I'm an author, professional speaker, consultant, and teacher.

I look like this. I'm a Sagittarius. These are my turn-ons. The greatest album in the world. Full bio here...

I Teach Word of Mouth Marketing

GasPedal LogoYou can have amazing word of mouth.

Word of mouth marketing is something you can do very well. My company GasPedal will help you get started quickly, with simple-but-intense training, honest answers, and eye-opening ideas. GasPedal's fast, how-to marketing strategies are affordable, easy to execute, and deliver measurable ROI in 60 days.

Learn more: http://gaspedal.com

Social Media Business CouncilJoin the Social Media Business Council, a brands-only community that helps large organizations build successful social media programs.

Learn more: http://www.socialmedia.org

Tell a Friend

We will not use email addresses for any purpose other than sending this recommendation. (Privacy Policy)

Thanks for the word of mouth! Your message has been sent!

Please enter a valid email.

Your email failed. Try again later.