Posted by Catie Foertsch on Wed, Aug 05, 2009 @ 10:56 AM
Here's a video from Ira Glass (creator of NPR's addictively interesting 'This American Life') about the basics of storytelling for TV and radio. It's also very applicable to blogging, podcasting and video blogging. The video a bit long, but stick with it - it's got great info.
If you blog, or create video blogs or podcasts, you know that all entries need a structure. One sure-fire structure is the anecdote - a brief story of something that happened, followed by the moment of reflection. (For example, I had a phone conversation with a nonprofit that led to this blog entry, which generated some interesting traffic...)
Glass maintains that 'one huge problem' with using this structure happens when you have a great story but it means nothing. The companion problem, he says, is when you have great meaning but a boring anecdote.
While this may be true for radio & TV, I'd argue that it's slightly different for blogs, vlogs & podcasts. Yes, if you have a great story but no meaning, you're in serious trouble. But I don't think the reverse is true. If you have a boring anecdote but great meaning, summarize the story and get to the meaning quickly, and it can work.
What about you? Do you have any examples of a thin anecdote that led to a great blog entry?
Posted by Catie Foertsch on Wed, Jun 17, 2009 @ 07:13 AM
A video blog is great for promoting your business and establishing you as a thought leader. But before you dive in and buy your video camera, make sure it has the capability to accept an external microphone.
Higher-end cameras will accept a microphone through an xlr connection. Consumer cameras will acccept a microphone through a mini-jack (pictures of each connector are in the video.) You can even buy adapters, so you can use a mic with an xlr connector if your camera has a mini-jack input.
A microphone is so important because it will give you great-sounding audio. If you only use the camera's on-board mic, your audio is going to sound hollow and tinny and low-end. If your video blog's purpose is to promote your business, you definitely want your video to announce your quality and professionalism. The eye is more forgiving than the ear - mediocre-looking video is something we'll forgive if the sound is good. But great-looking video with low-end sound will be perceived as amateurish, and will distract from your content.
There are cases where using the on-board mic is perfectly appropriate. One example is when you attend a trade show or a seminar, and want to tape someone for your blog. A quick interview shot between presentations, a question asked in a trade show booth - we see the background and understand that you're 'in the field' and we forgive less than stellar audio. But if you're in your office or conference room, looking at the camera and speaking, or if you're using your camera to interview a customer or an expert in your field, lousy audio just says low end.
So before you buy your camera, take the time to check the specs (they're all available online) and make sure you can use an external microphone. It'll make a big difference in the video you create to promote your business.
Posted by Catie Foertsch on Thu, May 14, 2009 @ 07:10 PM
Yesterday I had the privilege of giving a presentation at the Inbound Marketing Workshop that was presented by Hubspot (and sponsored by the Worcester Chamber of Commerce) at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester. This was a terrific, intense, productive workshop for about 75 people (mostly small business owners), and we learned a boatload about internet marketing.
My presentation was called "Kick-Ass Business Video Blogs: How to Create a High-Performance Video Blog that will Build Your Business." As part of the presentation, I asked Matt Webster, the Supreme Chancellor of Beer and president of Drink a Better Brew, to stand up in front of everyone, face the camera and create a business video blog (bvb) entry. Matt delivered “Beer 101,” a three-minute primer on how beer is brewed. Matt deserves kudos, not only for doing a great job with his bvb, but for doing it in front of 75 strangers IN ONE TAKE.
Keep your eye on Matt, because he’s going places. And he’s doing it the right way – which you already know if you read his blog (his latest entry is called “Get Out of Your Comfort Zone!”).
Here's some of what I talked about: a good bvb does three things - establishes a visual impression of professionalism; delivers good, useful information; and creates a direct, personal relationship with viewers. There are many techniques you can use to achieve all three, and these techniques are not hard. Examples: do look straight at the camera lens, do throw a little extra light on your face, don’t stand directly in front of a window, and don’t EVER talk about your products or services, or set out to make a commercial about your company. For more tips you can download my business video blogging slides. And I’d love it if you’d comment on Matt’s bvb!