Why am I being so critical? Because it is true.



If I have to watch another screen capture video where they slowly move from check box to check box, I think I will die.

Camtasia, a very popular screen capture software lets you speed up sections of your video...if you must show them. If you use Camtasia, look for "clip speed" in the help area or go to the "Edit" at the top of the page and find "clip speed". Please use it to get through mundane parts of your video.

Another way, which is easier, is to just cut out the portion of the video where you type everything in. Don't be lazy and make the person watch you type...you can edit that section out?

Many people refuse to view videos because they cannot skim through the material like they can with a document. Actually, people can move the scrubber bar at the bottom of the video and jump through parts of your video, but they shouldn't have to do this if you show the essential portions only. This can be a problem if you haven't saved the video in a efficient enough format. If you haven't compressed it appropriately, then your video watcher will get excessive "buffering" which will cause them to leave.

AIDA A stands for Attention: If you must reach out and grab them by the throat, do it...their attention is necessary. Use music, a smiling human face, an attractive woman, a short but interesting intro.

I stands for Interest: Once you get their attention, you have your chance to deliver the goods. Give them what you promised to give them in as succinct a fashion as possible. You will keep their interest if you have a video loaded with good content.

D stands for Desire: If you are selling something, you will want to create desire for your product or service. Now don't say you aren't selling something. We are always selling, all the time. It may be an idea, a notion, a product, a service, education, or training - you get the idea.

A stands for Action: If you have created the desire, then you need to give them a way to satisfy their desire. Perhaps you will offer a link to your sales page or blog so that they can get more information. Maybe it is a special offer of an article, report or eBook if they visit your site. You have to be careful here. You don't want to go hard sell. Just make it easy for them to find what they want.

Always remember, when you are done making the video, take a critical look at it. Do I need to show this part? Can I speed this part up? Can I eliminate whole sections? Did I show my website address at the bottom third of the video through out? Show your video to a discerning individual who will give you helpful advice. Perhaps you know a person who will give an honest opinion. Perhaps a friend who knows a little bit about the subject might be better. At any rate, get some opinions.

What do you think? Are you happy with the videos you watch? Do you have suggestions for improvement? Which way do you prefer to get your information ... watching videos or reading articles?