Keep your video super super simple

Good 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:

 

Comments

Phil Gerbyshak said... (Jan 20, 2008 1:10:56 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 said... (Jan 28, 2008 1:04:31 PM)

Andy,

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

Lindy Dreyer said... (Jan 29, 2008 4:26:28 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 said... (Jan 31, 2008 12:32:10 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.