Have you ever wanted to include more than one video when sending a video email but didn’t know how? You’re not alone.  It’s a frequent topic of support calls.

Ryan decided this week’s 1-Minute Tech Tip would be a great opportunity to demonstrate how easily you can take videos from your library and use them as links on your template. Read the rest of this entry »

Covideo is excited to announce we now have a downloadable desktop recorder for Mac users!  The new Mac version allows Snow Leopard 10.6 and Lion 10.7 users to download the recorder from their Covideo account back office.  Desktop functions include: Record, Preview, Save and Email much like the web version but with higher video quality, for better results.  Users can also access their Mac address book instead of loading all their contacts into our system for ease and time-savings.

Watch a Video Demonstration!

How-To videos are a great way to share your knowledge on nearly any topic and demonstrate the steps involved in completing a project. Whether your how-to video is about tying a scarf or proper tree pruning methods, the same basic planning and implementation approach applies.

Preparation
1.    Items you need: Gather a video camera, tripod (optional-depends on type of demonstration), items to accomplish demonstration (tools, recipe ingredients, art supplies, etc.) and friend(s) to shoot video and/or participate in demonstration.
2.    Choose a topic: Make sure your how-to video is on a subject you are familiar with and can easily demonstrate.
3.    Plan your demo: Determine the best way to present your topic by breaking it down into manageable steps.
4.    Write a script: Start with an introduction and work through all the steps required to complete the project.  A brief follow-up summary of the steps can be part of the conclusion.
5.    Memorize script: If you do not have access to editing software or are uncomfortable speaking off-the-cuff, memorizing your script will give you confidence and help move the demonstration process along more smoothly.  If the demonstration does not require your face to be on camera, a voice-over recording of the script can be added as an audio track on editing software.
6.    Choose a location: Pick one or more locations for your video, making sure there is adequate space and lighting available.  Watch out for busy or distracting backgrounds and check for echos when inside a large or somewhat empty room.
7.    Plan your shots: Decide how each step will be shot (angles, zoom, special effects)
8.    Place your props: Have everything you need for your demonstration in place prior to recording.
9.    Walk it through: Do several walkthroughs of the demonstration and make final tweaks before shooting begins.
10.  Time it: Instructional videos are generally most effective when completed in 2-6 minutes.  Longer demonstrations can work if the project is more complicated, but keep the process moving along to hold viewer attention.

Producing Video
1.    Speak clearly: Enunciate your words and clearly explain the process
2.    Avoid excessive zoom: While close-ups may be appropriate for certain segments of your video, repeated zooming in and out can be dizzying to the viewer.
3.    Be creative: If your initial shot plans come off a bit mundane, look for ways to add interest.  Remember-your video needs to be just as entertaining as it is informative.
4.    Be engaging: Infuse personality and charisma into your demonstration. Develop a style that sets you apart from other presenters and helps you build a following.

Editing Video
1.    Organize footage: Look over your footage and place it in the order that best explains the process.
2.    Include visual aids: Add onscreen numbers or titles to reinforce each step as it’s demonstrated, and include onscreen captions to emphasize important points made in the script.
3.    Add music: Though not required, music can enhance a how-to video.  Add a track to your editing timeline and preview to determine if it works.  Keep the volume low enough that your voice is clearly heard over the music.  If the music is distracting try another selection or go without.
4.    Give credit: Create a name for your how-to video then design title and credit pages as visual bookends around the demonstration.
5.    Preview and render: Watch and listen to the completed video several times.  Once it meets with your approval, render it and you’re done!
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Jamie Bidwell is a team member at www.covideo.com. Covideo provides video email software that helps companies build relationships quickly and reinforce their brands more effectively with easy-to-make video emails that truly communicate. jamie@covideo.com.

Email newsletters are a staple of online marketers. They provide a more casual approach to sales by inserting articles and industry updates, in between event sign-ups, new product releases and special offers.  Add in a short overview by the editor, a couple of social network links and an image or two and you have the basis for a solid company newsletter. Solid, but in today’s competitive online marketplace…boring.

With the decreasing attention span of consumers, businesses have to make a big impression quickly to keep them focused. Adding video to your newsletter is just the trick. Wow people with a video message from the editor that briefly touches on all the main points of the newsletter, right at the top of the page. Convert articles into video messages that only require a short, catchy, text lead-in. Include video links demonstrating new products. Give a video review of current trends or extend a personal video invitation to an upcoming seminar, convention or sales event. In short, inserting videos into all aspects of your newsletter can pack the needed punch to engage recipients quickly, and hold their interest.

The most successful video newsletters maintain brand consistency, but keep things fresh by changing up the look and feel of their videos. Creativity pays off, so put as much thought and energy into your promotional videos as you would written articles. Most importantly, relax and have fun! Viewers connect more quickly to someone who enjoys what they’re doing.

Start small (the message from the editor is a good beginning point) and expand from there. You’ll see magical results in no time. A well-executed video newsletter can become a focal point of your marketing, sales and customer retention strategy.
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Jamie Bidwell is a team member at www.covideo.com. Covideo provides video email software that helps companies build relationships quickly and reinforce their brands more effectively with easy-to-make video emails that truly communicate. jamie@covideo.com.

There are two items in today’s system update.

1)  Link Set Page – The link set editing page has been streamlined for a more intuitive process, beginning with the page tabs.  The old page had 4 tabs and required the user to bounce around a bit to make editing changes.    We’ve removed the ‘Set Default Link Set’ tab and integrated the default function into the main Add/Edit tab. The ‘Select a Link Set’ drop down menu has been eliminated.  Link sets are now displayed in list form with pagination options available.  Once a link set has been selected for editing, a pop-up overlay appears allowing the user to make changes without leaving the page.  This allows the user to edit multiple link sets quickly and easily.  Click on the link to watch a short demonstration of the new link set editing process.  LINK SET EDITING VIDEO.

2)  Manage Groups – The search function has been changed so that it displays contacts based on the tab you have selected.  If you are on the Add Contacts tab, your search will encompass all your imported contacts.  If you are on the Group Contacts tab, your search will pull from the selected group only.  This should eliminate confusion when searching for contacts to add to specific groups.

The videos in your CoVideo account can easily be integrated into a CRM, Auto-Responder or Email Marketing system using our Post Link #5 function.  Add the impact of video to regular text communications with the bonus of a branded funnel to your website for increased marketing exposure.

Watch the video demonstration to see just how easy it is!

WATCH VIDEO