How to Make Videos

There are a few different ways to make a video to use for your video marketing efforts.  You don't need fancy equipment.  In fact, you don't necessarily need a camera at all.  If you do have a camera, like the one you have been using to film your kids' ballgames, you can easily use that to make a quick video.  Even the camera on your phone may have a video option.  This will work as well.  Don't worry about it not being high-tech.  A homemade video is more personal. People like to know you are a real person.

You can film yourself, or somebody else, talking about a product.  You can film motivational shots.  For example, a video of the kind of car you can have after you get rich with "XYZ" program.  If you have a physical product, you can film the product itself, maybe showing how the lid comes off or something.  This is also good for any kind of demonstration, such as a craft or some mechanical task, (how to change a tire)

If you don't have a camera or don't want to appear on camera, there are other options.  You can make a video by simply using a handful of images and either text or audio.  There is a great company that has put a twist on this concept.  If you haven't checked out Animoto.com yet, you must see it.  You just load some pictures, pick a song and a kick-ass video is created for you.  I just love this tool.  It is a lot of fun.  Here is an example of one:

You can do this on your own, as well, if you wish, without all the fancy transitions.  Windows Movie Maker, which is a free video editing software that is probably already on your computer, will work fine for this.

Video Editing Software

Whether using actual video or just pictures, you will need a video editing software.  As I mentioned, Windows Movie Maker is probably already on your computer if you use a PC. Microsoft Movie Maker has all the basic video editing tools plus a good collection of transitions and video effects.   Similarly, iMovie comes with the newer Macs.  There are other free editors, like the one at Videospin.com and Trakax.com.  Although I haven't tried them yet, they look interesting and are free to download.

If you don't have much faith in free products, there are plenty you can buy.  The top ones are:


CyberLink PowerDirector
Corel VideoStudio
Adobe Premiere Elements

I believe they're all around $100.

Screen Capture

Another popular method of making videos, especially with online marketers, is using a screen capture software.  If you want your audience to see something that is displayed on your computer screen, a screen capture software can easily do that.  You can demonstrate a software, log onto one of your accounts to show the back end, or give a PowerPoint presentation.  Whatever shows on your screen will be recorded.  Camtasia is the most popular screen capture software.  It is rather steep at $300.  

I have made a screen capture video myself using CamStudio.  It is free.  I'm not sure what Camtasia has that CamStudio doesn't, because I have never used Camtasia.  Frankly, I don't want to know.  I don't want to be tempted to go buy it.  This is a quick way to get up a tutorial or demo of some sort.  For instance, if you want to make a video about how to sign up for a PayPal account, you push record and then actually go to the site and walk through the steps.  It will record everything your screen shows plus your voice

Jing at jingproject.com is also free.  It is fun, quick and easy.  The only drawback is that the videos created with Jing are not YouTube friendly.  However, with most things digital, I'm sure there is a way to work around this.