People like TV. People like movies. People really like to connect with other human beings by face, so it makes sense that millions of people watch YouTube videos everyday. Yeah, you could wait until you get interviewed on TV, but in the meantime, the best way to let people get to know you by your face and voice is by posting video updates on YouTube or Vimeo. Both services allow you to upload and share your videos with your readers for free!
Need inspiration? Look no further than Kim Love. For the past year and a half, the natural hair enthusiast has used her YouTube channel, KimmayTube, to share her expertise with the world and recently leveraged it to launch a successful retail business.
Today’s assignment
Instead of a text post, switch it up a bit today and take a short video clip of yourself (or have someone else take it for you). It should be no more than a few minutes (you can go up to ten, but you want to be sure you can keep people’s attention that long with what you’re saying). You can use a video camera, a Flip Cam, a digital camera, webcam or even your cell phone! As long as you can upload the video file to your computer, you can get it up on YouTube or Vimeo.
Stick with your niche topic or interest area that you can share your expertise or opinion on and post a brief video of you talking about it. Go back to your blog posts for video topics – you can talk about a current news story, how to do (or not to do) something, respond to comments or just talk about yourself and why you blog. Still stuck on what to talk about? You could just record a simple welcome message for your blog readers!
Now if you want to gussy up your video a bit or edit it once you’re done, here are a couple of free video editors that should already be on your computer, whether you have a Mac or a PC.
Video editing software
- If you have a PC: You probably already have Windows Movie Maker installed on your computer.
- If you have a Mac: You can use iMovie to edit your video before posting it to YouTube or Vimeo.
Need some more help? Check out Rebecca Thorman’s guide on how to start a video blog.
After you make your video post, share the link in the comments section below!
Note: Please tag your posts with “31bnb” to make them easier to share with us.
I am putting this on my to-do list once I get my blog rolling
I also am unsure about this challenge. I find it very challenging and do not like the sound of my own voice. After seeing Robert Egger's video posts though, I find it very valuable and will try it soon.
I am going to work on this one tomorrow, I am planning to do a video, instead of a post, of my Product Junkie purchases for the week. I will come back and post the link once it is completed!
I've got to second (or rather fifth) that comment about being terrified of taking a video of yourself! My webcam makes me look like a ghost and I've always always hated how my voice sounds over recordings. That, and I agree with Akhila's sentiment that it definitely exposes yourself way more than a blog or twitter account. I feel that from a video, people are much more likely to recognize you if they see you on the street, for example. And I'm not sure if I'm ok (or ready) with that.
Oh this is a big leap. I'm not ready for the camera yet!! I'll check out others' videos for now.
This is a great idea! I'm always so scared to post a video of myself — somehow, it's just so much more personal than blogging/writing, and I'm simply afraid to put myself out there! It might be a good exercise to try, though.
I really don't like to take pictures and that aversion spills over into videos. Perhaps I can work out something where I am interviewing someone and they are the ones on video?? I have been thinking about adding an interview section to my blog…let's see what I can dream up. Thanks for the idea
I will have to think about this one! And figure out the best way to take a video. I will put it on my blog to-do list for next week.