Have you started your Social Video Marketing yet?
Unless you have been really blind to trends, you should know that videos are very HOT!!!
The best thing since sliced bread, baby!
I agree, video is THE marketing tool to use right now
Seriously, more and more people are not only watching videos for their information, but more marketers are starting to use them as well to get their messages to the end user…and if you are not using them, well, then you are missing a great opportunity to capitalize on this growing market.
Here – go read these for starters:
www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=1529
www.webpronews.com/topnews/2007/06/13/online-video-ads-lead-to-sales
www.online-publishers.org/media/131_W_opa_online_video_study_mar06.pdf
publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=62634
blog.compete.com/2007/09/06/video-market-share-july-2007/
blog.compete.com/2007/04/26/online-video-market-share-google-youtube-maniatv/
So, are you convinced you need to start using video?
The only logical answer is YES! 
“But, you reply: I don’t know how to create a video!”
Oh, come on…I have a solution for you…and it’s free!
Basically, you can create a video using screen capture tools – from capturing you surfing websites,
to making a video screen capture of you going through a PowerPoint presentation
(relax, I have a freebie for that as well!), to a video screen capture of you using Notepad!
And really, it is not very complicated.
What you will need is a video screen capture program, a cheap microphone, and if you want to create videos of PowerPoint / Word / Notepad presentations, you will need those programs as well (fear not, I have a free option for those as well!)
A few Video Screen Capture Programs:
Not Free:
Camtasia ($300) is without argue, one of the best screen capture utilities available – but it is also $300!
If you can afford it, I would highly suggest you get it. But it is not necessary
BECAUSE…..
Here are some alternatives – some completely free and one that is VERY CHEAP for what it can do!
There is a free version of Camtasia available for download.
Camtasia was actually created from a program called Cam Studio….
it is free for personal use.
You can download it here:
www.camstudio.org
CamstudioPro – this is not free, but VERY, VERY cheap for what it does!
it was only $29.95
last I checked on August 19 2008
It is also based on the original Camstudio, but has been greatly improved …
by a programming nut, Dave Guindon.
Dave has created a very cool alternative to Camtasia and has priced it so that just about anyone can afford it!
Please, you owe it to yourself to at least look at it … I think you will be VERY impressed with what it can do!
You can check it out here:
http://www.camstudiopro.com
Another free option is called The Jing Project.
The Jing Project is actually made by the creators of Camtasia, but is free and is super easy to use!!!
Check it out at:
www.jingproject.com
Ok .. now if you are a Windows XP user, you already have a built in video creator …
it’s called Windows Movie Maker!
If for some reason it is not installed, you can get it here (and learn more about it):
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx
Two more free options to look at:
www.smallvideosoft.com/screen-video-capture/
www.virtualdub.org
Now, as far as a Microsoft Word / PowerPoint alternative, one of the best ones available (and also FREE)
is a Suite of “Office-type” tools called Open Office!
You can download it here:
www.openoffice.org
So, go get those videos made!
Gunnar Berglund
Comment by Peter - KlikDeal Affiliate Tracking (1 comments.) on 20 August 2008:
Thanks! A great overview of video resources.
The only think I don’t agree with is to go with the free video recording software. Anybody working with Camtasia will never go back to working with camstudio. Camtasia is made by the same maker as Jing, but with much more editing possiblities. Read more here: http://www.camtasia-guide.com/
Cheers,
Peter