Getting Started with Video and Websites

On a regular basis I run into people who talk about doing things with websites or video who show the same set of reasons why they cannot get things moving:

• I don't like the way I look on video.
• I can't seem to talk without stumbling.
• I don't know how to use Youtube.
• I don't know how to use Microsoft Movie Maker.
• I can't write well or I don't have enough to say.
• I don't have the time.

All of those seem like perfectly viable reasons as to why you wouldn't want to get going with your website and youtube videos.  All of them, however, are easily overcome if you have the right attitude.  I realize that there is fear for many people when it comes to things like public speaking or just doing new things.  Here are my tips for helping you with websites and video to help your small business.

I don't like the way that I look on video.

Ok - I'll give you that it is awkward seeing yourself on video.  Your voice sounds different and you know every single one of your perceived flaws.  I'm pretty sure that everyone feels that way.  I know that when I did my first video on the Asterisk phone system I was so nervous that I forgot to smile.  Here is that video:

When I watch the video, I really don't like how I look in it.  It just feels awkward.  I've got over 12,000 views on this video and I get links from it on a regular basis.

I can't seem to talk without stumbling.

Neither can I.  Have you seen the above video?  Our expectations are set high by people that do nothing but talk in front of others or on video.  In many cases, that is their job and they don't need to know or do much else.  As someone who is using video as a part of another business, you can look forward to not being as good as the professionals forever!  Don't let that stop you.  Also, if you find that you do stumble, take a pause and think about it.  Start over again.  That is the magic of editing.  You can do it 15 times and just cut out the bad parts with Microsoft Movie Maker.

I don't know how to use Youtube & I don't know how to use Microsoft Movie Maker.

I shot this video in my home office with a Sony still digital camera with a video mode.  I did my editing with Microsoft Movie Maker.  In fact, my movie editing skills at that time were the result of about 10 minutes of training with my 9 year old daughter.  She made some videos and showed me how easy it was.  As far as the Youtube use - just sign up for an account.  Microsoft Movie Maker now has a button that lets you upload your video directly.  Many people are doing this now so you can do it too.

I can't write well or I don't have enough to say.

You are an expert at somethings, maybe many things.  If you think about problems you have encountered in your business and what you do to solve them, then you have ideas.  If you can think about your best wins and worst losses, you have content.  If you have helped anyone do anything in your industry than you have ideas and content.  If you find that you are having a tough time with ideas than write down the questions that your customers generally ask, and start answering them.  Think in terms of being your customer, and write answers to how they would ask the questions.  There are plenty of guidelines for how you should write.  The formal guidelines are fine, but I wouldn't be overly concerned about that right away.  If you take the first steps and get your ideas out, you can always go back and make it more complete.  I write just like I speak so it flows easily.

I don't have the time.

No one does.  I pick out 20-30 minutes at a time to sit down and write out an article.  Sometimes I have to write a rough draft and go back, but many times I can complete everything during that time.  It gets easier the more that you do it.  My favorite place to write is at McDonalds or Panera Bread after I've had a quick lunch.  I typically will have a topic in mind already that I've been bouncing around my head while driving towards my next appointment.

I'm calling you out!

The process of creating content with websites and video has been very rewarding for me on multiple levels.  I am SO glad that I was around the right influences to give me the little push I needed in the proper direction.  I had the drive to do something, and all I needed to do was to borrow a little confidence.  So here I am - calling you out.  If you are OK with being the guy at the dance who doesn't get to dance, then just stand against the wall.  You won't do anything embarrassing there - just nothing special.  But if you want to do things, to achieve, to have a better life, to DANCE at the dance, then get going and do it right now.  You miss 100% of the shots you never take.

If you want a website platform that is designed for ease of use and getting your content (including video) organized for you - check out www.save-on-websites.com.  For around $5.00 per month you can have a website platform to work with that uses Wordpress to make things easy for you.