This is the first article in a series for operators of businesses who actually want some real practical everyday answers about streaming video and online advertising – what’s the best way to do it, and how does it work in the real world?
First of all, let me disclose that I’m a producer of streaming videos and online advertising. I’ve ybeen making commercials and online tours using streaming video for local businesses in Perth, Western Australia for about the last three years, after coming from a background in film and television. From what I’ve experienced, there’s a steep learning curve and a methodology particular to streaming video, not only in a technical or production sense, but also in terms of business use and marketing.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably done your fair share of googling for information about streaming video and how it works. And there are some genuinely good articles out there.
But many focus on aspects which, though relevant in some respects, don’t directly address the concerns of business operators who just want to know the best way of adding video to their website. A typical selection of articles will focus on the greater trend of streaming video in terms of a global or nationwide user base. You know the ones I’m talking about – “40% of such and such…” and “3 billion users by….” etc. Others will talk about the technological issues: servers, formats, delivery models etc.
This is all well and good, and valued information. But, if you’re the owner for a small to medium sized business, you’ll probably be interested to know how it works on a very local level. That is, how do you get it done, what’s the best way of doing it, and what’s the best way to optimize your video once it’s been produced? Hopefully I’ll be able to provide you with some tips that will hold you in good stead should you wish to go down this interesting track. I’ll break this down into a couple of areas, beginning with the initial decision about how to go down the streaming route.
I’ll gather that you’re already aware of whyou want to use streaming video (or audio) on the internet. So we’ll skip the “why video?” question for the moment and move onto the “how and who?”. I’ll then discuss tips that will give you ideas about how to get the most of the production and deliver a great video, and then how you can get more people to watch it and feed into your website.
WHO should I get to produce my streaming video?
This can be dependent on the level of presentation you want for your video. In general, I’ve never recommended that operators go the DIY route. I know you’d expect a video producer to say this, but there you go. Why? Because most often than not, the final product is a piece of crap whose total value is the merest slice of novelty. There, I said it. Sorry if this causes offence. It’s not just a technical issue. To a certain extent a typical audience will endure a less than professional image or sound quality if your final video is incredibly entertaining and engaging. But that is unbelievably rare, and also the reason why a lot of these guys selling these DIY video streaming packages are kidding themselves and trying to kid you. It’s fine for basic video blogging, but doesn’t cut the mustard when it comes to online advertising.
The production standards are likewise less of a concern in the personal video blogging domain, but generally sub-par production standards reflect badly on a business website, no matter what the content. If you’re in business and you value your business image, you need to stay at a genuinely high standard of presentation. You wouldn’t, instead of using a professionally printed business card, choose instead to scribble your name on the back of piece of chewed up cardboard taken from the back of your breakfast cereal box. But that doesn’t mean you need to spend megadollars on a big time media-producer. If you do decide to go down the DIY route, you’ll have to accept that you will require some basic training and practice in video production. If you plan to have a video that you will update on a monthly or even weekly basis, this may have some merit, and repeat visitors to your site may put up with less than perfect standards in exchange for the positive of regularly updated content. Be warned however, first time visitors will not be impressed with anything less than a high professional standard.
At the opposite end of the spectrum you have your larger video production companies who traditionally produce corporate videos for DVDs and commercials for TV. I also engage in this market as part of my own business. They’re set up for larger corporate clients and their often larger production demands. These production companies typically structure their business in accordance with these demands. They operate with larger crews, have more staff, and the production process has to pass through a number of stages before final completion. An efficient and relatively cost-effective structure if you’re into producing something with a budget of a television commercial. But if you just need to produce a simple but professionally produced video for your website, you’re going to find the final bill pretty hefty – a whole lot more than your entire website. I know because I came from this production world, and I know the costs involved. how to get youtube live stream views