How often do you watch Web video? Let me ask that another way: How often do you watch Good web video?
Views are exploding on YouTube, but most of the movies are pure crap (And yes, I have created some of them).
Check out how to create watchable Web video that makes people laugh, cry, and most important — subscribe to your YouTube Channel:
10 Seconds and You’re Out!
If you fail to capture viewers attention within the first 10 seconds of your movie, the likelihood your video will succeed drops like a brick. Add a money shot in the beginning of the video, something exciting and different.
Short, Sweet, and Easily Digestible
So you know the 10 second rule, but what about overall video length? I recommend limiting your total run time to one or two minutes, max. The drop off rate for movies three minutes and longer is horrifyingly large. Think of your movie like a music video. You have to tell an entertaining, visual story quickly and with easy transitions.
Pan to the Sexy Pictures…
Sorry, I’m not insinuating that you should add tons of Playboy pictures to our videos. What I mean is that you should not keep the camera focused on your grimy face all the time, soldier! Mix up your vids by adding crisp pictures and clips of other people speaking (with some simple voice over work).
Create an Action Step
Don’t miss out on the popularity of a good Web video! Include an ending slide that guides people to your blog, a Twitter profile, or products and services page. You don’t want to waste the opportunity to build a deeper relationship and Social Media community (and, maybe this is a surprise, people want to get to know you and your brand if they like what you have to say).
Now you have some simple action steps of your own for making better Web videos. I hate to sound like my father, but if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. Take a few extra minutes to plot out your video on a napkin or sheet of paper before you shoot (this is a very basic storyboard; now you’re getting fancy!). The results will get better and better if you dedicate yourself to continuous improvement. Good luck with your videos and leave comments with questions, suggestions, and even constructive criticism.
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