Why You Need Video + 3 Steps to Getting Started

 

 

Yesterday, I walked in on my co-worker.

The room was dark and he was sitting at the table with his face contorted in a strange way. I was a bit taken aback by the scene.

He was there alone at the break room table, hands outstretched, handling something small.

On closer inspection, I realized that he was watching YouTube on his mobile phone! (If you thought he was doing something else, get your mind out the gutter!)

My co-worker, like many Internet lurkers (including myself), get their daily dose of content through video. In fact, just the other day I learned how to properly do the moon walk!

According to comScore, an internet technology research site, 183 million U.S. Internet users watched more than 37 billion online content videos in October.

Why Do You as a Blogger Need Video

1.) Connect with your Audience in a Different Way:

Video offers you the chance to engage with your audience in a different way. Sure your readers know you’re quirky — you write clever or helpful things each week in your blog post. But, with video, your audience gets a chance to see you — your gestures, facial expressions, body language — and everything that makes you you.

2.) Everyone and Their Mama Are NOT Doing Videos:

Although, you will find a lot of people creating videos on Youtube, not every blogger has added this type of content to their blog. You can quickly differentiate your blog from others in the same category by adding video to your posts.

3.) Attract More People to Your Blog:

People are searching for information. And, with YouTube being the 3rd most visited  website, it’s obvious that people are interested in video.

And, what’s great is that video is easily shared. Video can be posted not only on YouTube, but on sites such as Vimeo as well as shared in the usual social media places.  By posting your video on Youtube (or other video sharing platforms), you are potentially opening up your blog to new readers.

And, if that doesn’t convince you, even Kaiser Permanente, the regional hospital down the street from me, has a Youtube Channel.

3 Steps to Getting Started

1.) Find & Create Content:
For me, the most difficult part of creating a video is finding content. Time should be spent making sure the topic is worth placing on video. I would use this time to step away from the computer!!  Yes, I said it. Step away from the computer and brainstorm some ideas that you would like to present by video.

2.) Write an Outline:

Have you ever watched a video that just went on and on and on and on? Well, writing an outline helps avoid this type of video No-No.

Write a quick outline of the topics you would like to cover. Although, spur of the moment videos can be very easy, outlining your points will help you stay focused when filming your video.

3.) Whip out your video camera (and that can even be your iPhone) and start shooting:

If you’re not comfortable uploading your video, put it aside for a day or two and come back to it! I bet you won’t look or feel as bad as you thought.

I believe the most important thing to getting started is To Just Get Started. And, once you start, allow yourself to make mistakes.

Understand that you will make incremental changes that will improve your videos. Creating videos will get easier for you as you make more!

In the comments below, let me know what your reservations are for not making video? And if you are, dish the dirt — give us some tips that have helped you get started.