Using Video to Grow Your List

My friend Keri has started her very first list. But she wants to grow it quickly so she asked me for suggestions on what to do. And I recommended she post videos to social networks.

But each network is different in the types of content that your viewers expect as well as how long your videos can be. So I'm sharing some tips with you…

Facebook Live for Discussions

Facebook Live is one of the best social networks for getting engagement in the form of likes, comments, and messages. It’s also the social network where viewers stay the longest. That means followers are more likely to watch your videos all the way to the end, rather than abandoning them halfway through.

When you start a broadcast (live video) on Facebook, the social network begins letting your friends and followers know that you’re on video. This notification system boosts the number of viewers you get. 

But Facebook doesn’t start telling your followers about your video until you’ve been recording for around 10 minutes. Many of your viewers will expect a longer video as well. So you’ll want to plan to be on Facebook Live for at least 15-20 minutes.

Instagram Stories for Behind-the-Scenes

While Facebook Live is great for discussions, Instagram Stories are designed to feel a bit more personal. That means they’re perfect for behind-the-scenes moments and quick check-ins.

Keep in mind that Instagram Stories are limited to sixty seconds or less. That makes it easy for you to create a lot of content but it also means you need to keep things brief. If you have a large amount of information to share, try to break it up over the course of several stories.

YouTube Videos for Search Results

When it comes to videos, don’t overlook YouTube videos. YouTube is considered the second most popular search engine in the world. That means you can send a lot of traffic back to your website or blog by simply posting videos to YouTube.

But YouTube video content is different from Facebook Live or Instagram Stories. The content on YouTube tends to be educational in nature. 

It’s also expected to be more polished and less “off the cuff” than other video sites. For this reason, you’ll want to use YouTube for tutorials, product demos, DIY content, and tips or “hacks” that your audience would find helpful.

Have a Link Ready

In your video, you’ll want to invite your viewers to check out your website. But take it a step further and provide a link. This link should be a landing page with an offer for a free gift with a sign up option. When visitors fill out the form, they should be automatically added to your email list so you can contact them in the future.

Video can be a wonderful way to reach your community and grow your list. But before you press record, make sure you have a few content ideas and a landing page prepared. This will make your videos flow much smoother and be a more enjoyable experience for both you and your viewers.

6 Steps to Turn Your PowerPoint Into a Powerful Video Blog

If you’ve ever attended a live presentation, then you know PowerPoint slides can be very powerful, or really boring. But if you want to have a truly great presentation online, you'll need to learn how to make your PowerPoint video blog both engaging and entertaining, as well as informative. It’s not hard if you keep these steps in mind.

1) Have a Story to Tell

Everyone loves a good story, and your blog’s audience is no exception. When creating a PowerPoint presentation you plan to use in video, be sure it tells a story complete with a beginning, middle and end. If it doesn't, your audience will fast become bored and lose the point. No matter what you're teaching, chances are there is a solid story behind it. Find your story, and you won’t have to worry about boring your audience.

2) Use Images and Text Sparingly

Don't just do an old fashioned PowerPoint with tons of bullets, silly clip art, and blocks of text. Remember, your PowerPoint is there to enhance your presentation, not to be the entirety of it. Every word and image must serve its purpose, not just take up space.

3) Less is More

Letting each slide have only one point will go far in getting your message across. When it comes to PowerPoint presentation, less is always more. No one can read all those bullet points and pay attention to what you're saying during the presentation. Keep in mind that images, less text, the right font, and charts will help the viewer understand your story better.

4) Use Quotes

Try using famous quotes to get each of your points started. They'll jog your memory but also intrigue your audience.  A good quote can get you started on your point and even make your point for you. If all they remember when they watch your presentation is the quotes, they'll retain a lot more than normal.

5) Limit Fancy Effects

Flashy transitions, text that bounces onto the screen, and other eye-catching effects have their place, but too much will only distract your audience. Limit their use to those places where you really need the emphasis. In addition, mixing and matching effects will lead to a chaotic-looking presentation, so be consistent in your choices.

6) Practice, Practice, Practice

You don't need to be perfect, but practicing ensures that the sound and appearance of your PowerPoint video is understandable and as professional as possible. If you use the right tools, such as PowerPoint with Camtasia add-ons you'll be able to make excellent, professional PowerPoint videos.

Finally, try using PowerPoint as a starting point, then combine other technology to help you make your video more interesting. For example, it's easy to use green screen technology to put your image inside your PowerPoint slide. You can also use a huge TV screen as your monitor while standing beside the presentation. You'll need to have the right kind of camera settings in order to record the screen correctly, but the results can be fantastic.