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Online Video Studio

Are you using video in your business yet? If not, why not. I’ve tested video on landing pages, sales pages, and even training videos here on this blog. In almost every case video has improved conversion in my own personal businesses. I have seen cases where video actually dropped conversion for clients, but that is a pretty rare occurrence (and likely has more to do with their video script than the fact they’re using video).

If you’re not at least testing video in your business, you should be.

Below are some of the resources my clients and I are using in our businesses to produce online videos for our business.

Screen Videos

Camtasia Studio - Any of my screen recordings such as http://www.terrydean.org/traffic-from-blog-comments/ are produced in Camtasia. My Powerpoint presentations are also recorded through it. I recently upgraded to the 6.0 version and love the new smaller video sizes along with a few improved editing features for the videos. If you’re planning on doing any type of screen videos, then I’d highly recommend this software.

Camstudio – Camtasia is a little pricey at $299. This is a free screen recorder you can use in place of Camtasia if you don’t have the budget or you only want to shoot a few videos (not worth the Camtasia price). Of course it doesn’t sport as many features, but you can use it to get started in screen recording.

Screenflow – If you have a Mac you’ve been limited from the best screen recording software for a while (although Techsmith has said they’re creating a Mac version some day). Here is a program I’ve heard recommended, but please note I have not tested since I’m not a Mac user. Perhaps one of my readers can comment on it or another screen video tool you use on your Mac.

Live Videos

Obviously many laptops now come with Webcams if you want to shoot a simple video of yourself, or you can also purchase separate webcams for your desktop pretty low cost. Both great solutions for getting started with online video. What if you want to move up a step to a high definition quality camera? Here are a couple of choices.

Canon HV30 – This is an excellent high definition camera currently for a pretty low price (I paid about $650 for it when I purchased mine). Please note you will want a separate lapel mic for it as I don’t find the sound great, but the video quality is top notch. It also appears there is a newer version coming out in April called the HV40.

Flip Video MinoHD – Would you prefer a tiny camcorder that is still HD? That’s the Flip Video MinoHD at just over $200. This isn’t as high quality as the camera above, but it is still a great camera…especially for its size and price. It’s also extremely easy to import the video into your computer with the flip out USB attachment.

Sound

Audio-Technica ATR-35S - A big problem I had originally with some of my videos was sound quality. The sound from webcams and even the cameras above is poor. The best solution is to buy a microphone. Of the ones I’ve tested and used, for basic speaking even the lower cost lapel mics like this Audio-Technica one work quite well.

Video Lighting

Cheap Work Light Solution - I’m linking over the Videomaker website for a discussion of setting up your lights using low cost work lights. You can put together your lighting for less than $100 and it’s possible you have some of the items already laying around.

Softbox Lights – I’ve never been happy with the quality of lighting using the lower cost solutions above. You can take the next step up to creating your “video studio” using light box type systems (the Steve Kaeser company has very good customer service from my experience). Get several of these lights along with a chromakey background and you have your own video studio. Please note these lights are bigger than they look in the photos and your video studio could take up a full room.

Video Editing

Sony Vegas Movie Studio – I’ve played around with quite a few editing programs, and I prefer Sony Vegas Movie Studio for its abilities and ease of use. Plus the DVD Architect software is very useful for putting together your own DVDs. Note that if you’re just making screen videos you may simply be edit them using Camtasia Studio and not need any outside editing solutions.

Final Cut Express – Sony Vegas above is for PC only. If you’re on a Mac, the basic iMovie program does allow you to do basic editing of your videos. If you want to move up, the next step up is Final Express. I have not used this software as Sony Vegas Movie Studio is my tool of choice.

Upload Your Videos to the Internet

TubeMogul – You can upload individually to multiple video sites or you can upload to several sites at once through a free account at TubeMogul (I also like their basic tracking features to see how many users are watching your videos).

Your Own TV Show

Ustream – Create your own live TV show with chat room for interacting with your visitors. Very nice setup for running a live show through your webcam or camcorder (hooked up to your computer). Even better that it is free.

Teleprompter

Prompt – You can setup your own low cost teleprompter through your computer. This a paid software program, but the free version allows you to create scripts of up to 2,500 characters or less. Any time I’m doing a short selling video I like to have a full word-for-word script written out. It’s surprising just how much better your video comes out that way.

Youtube High Definition

You may have noticed that Youtube is now making high definition available from their site. It took some looking around, but the setting for this high def video is 1280×720 resolution. Here is a link to a nice lesson on using Youtube HD videos and embedding them on your site.

Written by Terry · Filed Under All 

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Comments

31 Responses to “Online Video Studio”

  1. Kavit Haria on February 16th, 2009 10:53 am

    As a MAC user, I thoroughly recommend SCREENFLOW. Better than Camtasia I say. And cheaper too if that helps.

  2. Tal Fighel- The Work At Home Income Directory on February 16th, 2009 2:07 pm

    Hi Terry,

    I have been using YouTube and Tubemogul for video uploading and it works nicely.

    I also am using camtasia and it is a very good tool. I am not sure if it actually did good for my conversion rates but what I do know that writing informative articles like you are doing has increased my conversion rates time and time again.

    Thanks,

    Tal Fighel

  3. Joshua Seth on February 16th, 2009 2:10 pm

    I’m also a MAC user but I think Screenflow is unnecessarily complicated and expensive for simple web and training videos. If you want a dead simple solution, checkout SCREENFLICK. I’ve been using it for the past couple of weeks on a DVD series I’ve been creating and am really happy with it. 1/4 the price of Screenflow and very straightforward to use. (Doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that Screenflow has though).

  4. Leonard Klaatu on February 16th, 2009 2:13 pm

    Terry, do you use your Canon camcorder for live webcasts?

  5. earl adkins on February 16th, 2009 2:23 pm

    I have Macs and a Sony PC. Screenflow for screen capture on the Mac is the best hands down

    iMovie 9 for the Mac is the greatest for editing videos and I also own Final Cut Pro the high end Mac video editor,iMovie also has one step auto upload to youtube

  6. William Austin on February 16th, 2009 2:23 pm

    Hi Terry, My computer is old and sound and video arent working. I am ready to start my autoresponder account at aweber but dont know how to do it and will be setting up a blog on my site. Again I dont know how to do it. I want to start a list called My Happy List and plan on showing people how to change from the inside to change the environment. The Heart is most important. I have a vision and inner direction from my true self but dont know how to do these techy things. You popped into my mind and walla got your email. I also dont have any money. But a burning passion.
    Thank You
    William Austin

  7. Robert Phillips on February 16th, 2009 2:33 pm

    Thanks for the video tips. Interesting and informative. I’ve been using Camtasia for years. It is very easy to use. I used a free software (the name of which I can’t remember) to create DVDs out of Camtasia videos. Most of the other stuff is new to me though.This would be a good topic for the monthly newsletter.

  8. Lee McIntyre on February 16th, 2009 2:38 pm

    Hi Terry

    Great post as usual :)

    Re Screenflow – I hate it! As far as I’m aware you have to record the whole screen and then resize and edit in post production.

    In Camtasia you can select the area you want to display DURING recording, and then I can simply hit produce and I’m good to go.

    Screenflow makes the process too long winded in my view, plus you then have to encode in FLV format using a different program.

    Of course, it’s extremely possibly that I’ve simply overlooked a clever little button somewhere in which case I’ll go sit on the naughty step for a while!

    Cheers

    Lee McIntyre

  9. Ryan Taylor on February 16th, 2009 2:42 pm

    Anyone who’s on a REALLY tight budget and would like a FREE screen recording tool should check out SCREENTOASTER…it’s web based (no download & cross platform :-)

    I use ScreenFlow personally but just came across this tool the other day and thought it might help some folks out.

  10. Frank Prieto - Acupuncture Marketing on February 16th, 2009 4:07 pm

    Hi Terry,

    Once again a great post. I want you to know how much I appreciate you sharing this information. If you were to put a dollar amount on this post it’s easily worth a few hundred bucks, especially when you take into account the time involved in researching and evaluating a product to later find out it’s not what you expected.

    You’ve saved me a lot of leg work here. Thank you very much.

    Frank Prieto.

  11. Lola on February 16th, 2009 4:12 pm

    Hi Terry…thank you for pointing out the programs available to produce video for a web site. I am glad to hear you say you use a script even when producing a brief selling video.

    Coming from a broadcast background as I do, I can tell you even a rough draft script is better than the extemporaneous narrations most often heard on many video presentations. Impromptu speeches should not be attempted unless one has a natural talent for this style of speaking, has been extensively trained and has lots of experience delivering information in this format, or is using a script/notes and can make it sound as though it is casual and unrehearsed.; the latter choice takes some special skill, too.

    Preparing and practicing the narration always provides an improved and professional presentation.

  12. Michael on February 16th, 2009 6:50 pm

    Hi Terry, I am new to all this computer stuff. About all that I know how to do is point and click and do alittle e-mailing. I have been thinking about going to that site that I can create my own website but my mind go blank when it is time to select a nichie. I have the desire but don’t have the know how. Is there anyway that you can point me in the right direction without charging me an arm and leg?
    If I could just get started, I would have it going on.

    Thanks

  13. Phil on February 16th, 2009 6:56 pm

    Excellent post Terry, much appreciated! Thanks to all for the Mac related tips and commentary.

  14. semmy @ Minisite Design Service on February 16th, 2009 8:18 pm

    Hello Terry What is the differences between camtasia and snag it? Which one is more better? Thanks for your advice

    Semmy

  15. Ryan Healy on February 16th, 2009 9:28 pm

    Yes, the script definitely matters. I’ve done some tests recently for a client — he did the video portion completely on his own — and here are the results for an opt-in page:

    Video only – 31.9%
    Video + text – 35.0%
    Text only – 67.6%

    At the end, we wanted to verify results, so we did a final A/B test that pitted the video only vs. text only and results were as follows:

    Video only – 35.8%
    Text only – 48.1%

    In this particular case, removing the video proved to increase response considerably.

    Ryan

  16. Tom @ SuccessfulMinds.com on February 17th, 2009 1:32 am

    Hey Terry,

    Thanks for the online Video tips,
    especially the one for high def YouTube videos.

  17. Terry on February 17th, 2009 8:19 am

    Quite a few responses. Thank you to everyone…especially those adding feedback for the Mac software programs.

    Leonard: I use the Canon camcorder for any recent ones. For example, the Merry Christmas one was done with the Canon: http://www.terrydean.org/merry-christmas-2/

    William: Make sure you focus on specific results. Just “change” on the inside wouldn’t be a strong benefit to people. They’re looking for specific changes on the outside that result from the inner chance. Make sure you focus in that direction.

    Robert: There is a good chance of this becoming a full newsletter issue with bonuses of course.

    Michael: First I’d spend a lot of time here on my blog going through all the free articles. There is a TON of gold hidden throughout this site for free. Next I’d probably go to a product like http://www.thetruthprints.com as a good choice to cover everything you need to learn in one decently low price.

    Semmy: Snag it is for taking screenshots (still shots). Camtasia is for recording video from your screen.

    Ryan: You always need to test video just like we test everything else. What would be interesting in your test is if you wrote the script for the video, had him practice it, and then record it. It’s quite possible the results would be different as you are a professional writer and could likely outdo his presentation. Also something to add is to test both autoplay and no autoplay. This has made quite a difference in some tests. Sometimes autoplay won the test. Other times it made them run for the hills.

    Terry

  18. Welly Mulia on February 18th, 2009 4:10 am

    Informative article you got there Terry!

    Even though I haven’t been playing around with live videos, I have been doing videos using Camtasia for a while now. I will certainly bookmark this page to refer in the future :)

    Thanks!
    Welly Mulia

  19. Video Lighting Recommendations Needed... on February 20th, 2009 2:27 pm

    [...] there Terry Dean has a great article below where he mentions some video lighting recommendations. Online Video Studio : Internet Business Coaching by Terry Dean I hope this helps Thanks Lee [...]

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    [...] Dean presents Online Video Studio posted at Integrity Business Blog by Terry [...]

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    [...] Dean presents Online Video Studio posted at Integrity Business Blog by Terry [...]

  22. Rick on March 1st, 2009 8:29 am

    Hi Terry,

    Thank you for this article. I have been searching for information on video marketing and good information on hardware, software, etc. You have given me a good resource in one spot. I will be bookmarking this so I can refer back. It is also good to see the comments of others who may already be using some of these.

    Thanks

    Rick

  23. Carnival of TechNewsBeats, 3rd Edition | Tech News Beats on March 2nd, 2009 1:12 am

    [...] Dean presents Online Video Studio posted at Integrity Business Blog by Terry [...]

  24. golam on March 9th, 2009 2:08 pm

    Terry,
    I am trying to include video and audio interviews in my marketing approach. I am having issues with mike. What type of mike you use for audio and video inerviews?
    Thanks.
    Golam

  25. Terry on March 9th, 2009 2:23 pm

    Hi Golam,

    My interviews have all been audio so far and normally I do them over the phone. So I use Skype with Powergramo or I use a teleconference company such as freeconferencecalls.com.

    If I was doing them in person like I did with Fred Gleeck (we used his equipment), I would use two separate mics so each person could have their own.

    Terry

  26. golam on March 9th, 2009 7:12 pm

    Dear Terry,
    Thanks for your advise. What kind of mike would you recommend. I am in the process of creating my first video presentation using camtasia studio but the mike i am using is not producing quality sound. Would you be kind enough to recommend me something.
    Thanks in advance for your kind suggestion.
    Golam

  27. Terry on March 10th, 2009 7:36 am

    Hi Golam,

    For my Camtasia videos I use the mic I listed above: Audio-Technica ATR-35S as it is low cost.

  28. DVD Business Plan : Internet Business Coaching by Terry Dean on April 6th, 2009 12:50 pm

    [...] recently published an article listing the tools I use to create online videos and DVDs. You can read it here… SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “DVD Business Plan”, url: “http://www.terrydean.org/dvd-business-plan/” [...]

  29. Zama Zincume on March 11th, 2010 1:35 pm

    Hi Terry,

    What an awesome article on valuable resources. I’ve used both Camstasia and Screenflow. Good tools! It always amazes me how much you give on what one needs for online marketing.

  30. TV on July 3rd, 2010 2:54 am

    I am having issues with mike. What type of mike you use for audio and video inerviews?

  31. TV on July 4th, 2010 12:08 am

    Looking forward to seeing the online version as I don’t think that I’ll have a badge for inperson events this year. Sounds like an informative way to be brought up to speed on all the creative talent represented. :D

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