Everything Small Business Journal » Audio & Video

Bringing Hollywood Technology to Your Smartphone

admin — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:54:08 +0000

Technology that was once used to film award-winning movies is now available for your smartphone. The introduction of Steadicam in 1976 revolutionized the world of film and video. Over the past 3 decades, Steadicam has been an invaluable, dynamic production tool in the industry.

Garrett Brown, Oscar-winning inventor of the Tiffen Steadicam, used this camera stabilization system to shoot nearly 100 movies including “Rocky,” “The Shining” and “Return of the Jedi.” Now, there’s a version to help camera-phone enthusiasts capture real life.

With more consumers using smartphones to capture videos, the Steadicam Smoothee can help create videos on the go without the shakes normally associated with handheld devices.

This easy-to-use camera stabilizer comes with a mount and can be used with the Apple iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 or the Flip MinoHD Video Camera.

A bracket on the steadicam attaches to a smartphone to keep it isolated from small, jerky movements. Panning and tilting can be done by nudging the hinge with your thumb.

Kevin Nalty Informs and Entertains in Beyond Viral

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 20:49:57 +0000

If you haven’t had the pleasure of getting to know Kevin yet, I encourage you to go to YouTube immediately and search “Nalts.”

As the most viewed personality on YouTube, Kevin Nalty continues to wow viewers with his lowbrow humor and comedic-like style. You name it; Kevin’s done it. Anything from heartfelt family moments to sophomoric candid-camera style pranks. He has actively participated in the growth of YouTube since its conception in 2005.

In addition to his antics in front of the camera, Kevin is a dad, consultant, video entrepreneur and marketer.

And five years after his YouTube debut, Kevin has created more than 1,000 videos with millions of views — and 100,000+ subscribers to his YouTube channel.

In his new book, BEYOND VIRAL: How to Attract Customers, Promote Your Brand, and Make Money with Online Video, Kevin Nalty shows us how to create cost-effective videos, engage customers, compel them to measurable behaviors (awareness, intent, and purchase), and how to sustain our brands online. Beyond Viral gives you the tools and tricks to successfully use online video to reach your business goals. Kevin joins well known authors including Brian Halligan, Jim Sterne and Steve Garfield in the successful New Rules of Social Media Series created by the sought-after speaker/author/expert, David Meerman Scott.

Viral video is dead and according to Kevin Nalty — this is a golden opportunity for businesses. But BEYOND VIRAL is not about how to become the next “Nalts” but how to make and promote video that will build customer loyalty, increase brand awareness and boost sales.

And believe me, Nalty knows video. Formerly a marketing director at Merck and Johnson & Johnson, Nalty currently consults leading brands–including YouTube, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Cox Communications, and Coke–on how to market via online video.

He has been blogging about this topic at willvideoforfood.com for the past three years, and several hundred thousand people downloaded his free e-book, How to Become Popular on YouTube without Any Talent.

Nalty has written for marketing trade publications, including Advertising Age and iMediaConnection, and he speaks globally at industry conferences. His unique style combines humor, passion, and practical advice.

With lots of insider prospectives, examples and first-hand case studies of leading brands including Microsoft, Starbucks, GE, MTV, Mentos, Holiday Inn, and Fox Broadcasting you’ll quickly discover why Kevin Nalty is the “go-to-guy” for brands like Coca-Cola Company and Microsoft.

For more information, visit http://willvideoforfood.com.

Common Craft Videos Now Accepting Custom Clients

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:19:38 +0000

The demand for Common Craft’s renowned explanatory videos has grown so high that the company’s husband and wife team, Lee and Sachi LeFever, has decided to start producing custom videos in their famous “Paperworks” style for a limited number of clients once again. To meet the great demand for custom Common Craft videos, Lee and Sachi have partnered with Switch Marketing, an animated video producer that was a founding member of the Common Craft Explainer Network.

“Working with clients on custom videos is a big part of how we got started and now that we have the support of Switch, we’re excited to get back to our roots. They have the team and know-how to help us work with more clients and maintain the high quality productions that people expect from Common Craft,” explained Lee LeFever, Founder of Common Craft.

The demand for Common Craft’s renowned explanatory videos has grown so high that the company’s husband and wife team, Lee and Sachi LeFever, has decided to start producing custom videos in their famous “Paperworks” style for a limited number of clients once again.

Common Craft’s unique style of short explanatory video is recognized worldwide as they have produced videos for the likes of Google, Ford, Intel and LinkedIn. Perhaps their best known video, ‘Twitter in Plain English’ was featured on Twitter’s homepage and has received more than 11 million views!

To meet the great demand for custom Common Craft videos, Lee and Sachi have partnered with Switch Marketing, an animated video producer that was a founding member of the Common Craft Explainer Network.

All future scripts and storyboards for Common Craft videos will be developed by Lee and Sachi, and Lee will continue to be the voice of each video while Switch Marketing’s creative in-house team will be working on the production and management side of each project. Production spots are currently being booked for August and September and are expected to fill up fast.

Over the last 2 years Common Craft’s focus has been on licensing their own videos. While this will continue to be a focus, working with clients again is an exciting change for the company.

Common Craft was founded in 2003 by Lee and Sachi LeFever in Seattle Washington. They were one of the first to create short web video explanations and their unique “Paperworks” style is recognized worldwide. Their ‘In Plain English’ series, which takes complex subjects and breaks them down into simple, fun and carefully crafted lessons, is what created such buzz around video explanations.

Common Craft’s most recognized video, ‘Twitter in Plain English’ was featured on Twitter’s homepage and since its creation in early 2008, it has gained more than 11 million views. Overall, Common Craft videos have been watched over 25 million times. Their custom video clients include Google, Intel, Ford, Dropbox, LinkedIn and more.

Cool Tools: Freemake’s All-in-One Free Video Converter

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:05:19 +0000

There’s a new player in the market of video conversion — and the good news is it’s free.

Freemake Video Converter enables fast and easy conversion to AVI, WMV, MP4, 3GP, DVD, MP3. The converter prepares videos to be viewed on devices: iPod, iPhone, iPad, PSP, smartphones, mobiles, and PC.

The range of input formats is vast: the program is capable of importing videos from DVD, mobiles, Internet, cams, PC. It is also possible to combine photos with background music or audio with visuals to create videos.

With Freemake Video Converter, it is easy to burn up to 20 hours of video to a standard DVD disc and apply different DVD menu styles. The converter tells if it is possible to write a high-quality DVD judging by the duration of the input files, not by their size.

Freemake Video Converter offers such editing options as cutting unwanted video parts, joining several videos into one file, rotating, and flipping.

It also makes possible to upload files to YouTube directly, without using the original YouTube interface. These can be converted videos, music with visualization, photos or even DVDs. The program will cut videos into 10-minute parts inserting them into one YouTube playlist, and save the account information.

In short, Freemake Video Converter is a new free program that can bring forward the functionality comparable to that of paid ones. Absolutely free downloading and upgrading, ergonomic and engaging interface, high speed of conversion allow users to fulfill tasks of different complexity, without time and money spent in vain.

How to Inspire Word of Mouth with Customer Service – (VIDEO)

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:30:42 +0000

In his Word of Mouth Supergenius class, “How to Inspire Word of Mouth with Customer Service,” Lane Becker shared how his company used awesome customer service to get their customers talking.

Lane covered how to make the customer relationship personal, how to set clear expectations for online interactions, and how the best way to gain your customers’ respect is to not be afraid to say sorry.

Word of Mouth Supergenius is produced by GasPedal.

Website Presents Video Contest for “The Start Up Job”

admin — Wed, 19 May 2010 18:50:20 +0000

Grab a camera, or find a person with a camera and have them make a video about your start up business. It could be worth up to $750 to you!

ActualJobsActualPeople.com showcases people at work. These individuals are dedicated and passionate, they take pride in their work, and they do it well and have fun doing it.

They are interested in seeing folks at their job and have them share their experience with viewers.

Here’s what they are looking for:

A well lit video that is no longer than 5 minutes in length with clear sound.
The video can be of you or anyone you know that you have written permission to record.
Subject of your video must be an Actual Person at their Actual Start Up Job.
For samples of other acceptable videos go to: actualjobsactualpeople.com
Submissions must be received by 11:59pm PST on July 1st, 2010.

Giving Credit Where Credit’s Due: Traci Sits Down with Propadoo

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:44:03 +0000

Everyone enjoys getting a pat on the back — and, in a time when social media has become part of our global consciousness, the power of social proof is perhaps stronger than ever before.

It is with this thought in mind that Jim Mueller and his partners launched Propadoo.

Propadoo puts your testimonials & referral requests on auto-pilot. Here’s how it works:

Streams Real-Time Testimonials on your website — increasing your conversions
Generates Leads with referrals from happy customers
Boosts SEO with user generated content & search-engine friendly Propadoo profile

Yesterday I had the chance to sit down with Jim to discuss how he got started, why folks should use Propadoo, and how this service can fit into your overall marketing strategy. In this twenty minute audio, you’ll quickly discover why Propadoo should be in every small business arsenal.

New Radio Show for Affiliate Marketers Debuts on WebmasterRadio.FM

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:45:12 +0000

WebmasterRadio.FM has launched a new program, AFFILIATE WIRE — an industry-leading Think Tank radio show hosted by the team at RevenueWire.com that offers knowledge and analysis on e-commerce conversion strategies and current issues in affiliate marketing.

Produced by RevenueWire.com, a comprehensive e-business platform for affiliate marketers and merchants of digital products, AFFILIATE WIRE listeners can expect a wealth of educational, actionable information and expertise from a company built to increase affiliate revenue in the digital product space—one that practices elevated principles of sustainable and ethical online marketing and e-commerce.

Topics to be covered in their debut episode will include a recap of this year’s Affiliate Summit West tradeshow in Las Vegas, an in-depth discussion about the industry trend toward market diversification and globalization in 2010, and what affiliates can do to capitalize on these emerging opportunities over the course of the coming year.

New episodes of AFFILIATE WIRE air every third Thursday of the month at 1PM Eastern / 10AM Pacific on WebmasterRadio.FM or on-demand in the WebmasterRadio.FM archives inside the Affiliate Marketing Channel or through iTunes.

iSyndica Makes Creating Content Pay

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:30:06 +0000

iSyndica, an online management and distribution service for microstock portfolios, has just announced the launch of its audio category.

This newest addition complements iSyndica’s three existing categories-photos, videos and vectors. It supports five agencies, Revostock, Catooh, Pond5, Audiomicro and ClipDealer, with more expected.

iSyndica’s platform allows users to upload, manage, distribute and check statistics on their photos, videos, vectors and audio tracks from a single location. Used by hundreds of digital content creators, it has been described by users as “No less than magical.” With more than 35 stock agencies natively supported, it is fast becoming the standard content delivery platform. Pixmac, a stock photo agency, recently announced iSyndica as its exclusive upload platform.

“I used to upload to all sorts of stock sites which would take up most of my working week. I now upload to iSyndica, allowing me more time to do what I really want to do – compose! ” says Bobby Cole, owner of Catch 22 Music, an audio production company in the UK, and an iSyndica user. “I just hope more agencies get on board to help create the ultimate resource for composers and producers.”

“We are very pleased to partner with iSyndica,” said Ryan Born, CEO of AudioMicro. “The ability to upload content once, yet syndicate to multiple licensing platforms, makes iSyndica a fabulous resource for music and sound creators.”

You spend a lot of time, creating and uploading your content. Why stop now? You need to promote it and sell it. iSyndica helps you share and promote your photos, footages and other digital content. It’s free for photos and illustrations, and only 2 credits for videos. Best of all, it’s easy & safe.

Where can I promote my images?
We have added several channels to let you share your work. The following is a sample list of sites that are supported: Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, YouTube, Viddler, TwitPic & TwitVid.

How easy is it?
In the promote screen of iSyndica you’ll find the same familiar interface that you use to distribute your content. Simply select which sites you want to promote your content on, and within seconds it will be there.

To learn more, please visit www.isyndica.com.

Author & Social Media Guru Chris Brogan on WebmasterRadio’s Market Edge

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:11:41 +0000

WebmasterRadio.FM, the world’s largest online B2B Radio Network, is proud to announce that Chris Brogan, President of New Marketing Labs and co-author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling book Trust Agents, will appear as a guest on Larry Weber’s hit Internet Marketing radio show, “Market Edge” to discuss how to utilize the power of social software and networks to build your business online honestly, effectively, and profitably.

“What an exciting conversation I had on “Market Edge” with Chris Brogan.” host Larry Weber said. “His new book is one of the best out there on the use of social media for building trust and relationships for companies. I couldn’t recommend it more. “

Written by authors with over ten years of online media experience, the book defines Trust Agents as digitally savvy people who use the Web to humanize businesses using transparency, honesty and genuine relationships. The book expounds that because trust is the most valuable currency in the online world today, these Trust Agents wield enough online influence to build up or bring down any business’s reputation. “Trust Agents” combines in-depth coverage of case studies of how people are using online social tools to assemble networks of influence with practical step-by-step guidance on how to build profitable relationships with trust agents, or becoming one yourself.

Chris Brogan is president of New Marketing Labs, a new media agency based in Massachusetts. He is coauthor of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust. He blogs at chrisbrogan.com, and speaks professionally at conferences and private events on the business impact of social media. He is co-founder of PodCamp, the international new media conference series.

New episodes of Market Edge air every Tuesday at 12PM Eastern / 10AM Pacific on WebmasterRadio.FM or on demand in the WebmasterRadio.FM archives inside the Internet Marketing Channel or through iTunes.

About Market Edge:
Hosted by Larry Weber, chairman of the W2 Group, a global marketing services ecosystem that helps CMOs in their new role as builders of communities and content aggregators, Market Edge takes on the future of online marketing with help from the analysts, entrepreneurs and technologists who are taking us to a new age of social media, e-communities and the blogosphere.