Before You Shoot Your First YouTube Video…

July 13, 2009

Ken Okel, professional speaker, convention speaker, workplace, stress, communication, productivityYouTube is a great way to give your supporters an inside look at your organization. This social media tool can add the, “personality” that traditional media like, newsletters, can’t offer.

But before you start sharing video clips withe the world, make sure you’re comfortable with your camera. Here are some tips to maximize your nonprofit fundraising:

Check the lighting: You’re camcorder may work great at a baseball game but how well does it “see” inside your office. You may need to turn on some additional lights to brighten things up. Outside light that comes in through windows can also cause problems.

Check the sound: Most cameras have a built in microphone. It may be able to get the job done well but there’s also a chance that the further away the subject is from the camera, the more of an echo you’ll hear. Make sure it’s clear and usable.

Listen for competing noises: Things like air conditioning, intercoms, and nearby conversations may make it hard to hear your recording. With air conditioning, you may want to cool down the room beforehand and then turn it off the A/C while you’re recording.

Check the image stability: In a practice recording, see how much your picture bounces. If it’s distracting, you may want to use a tripod or make sure the camera is on a flat surface. Remember as well that the more zoomed in you are to an image, the greater the visual impact of every move.

The video on the homepage of my website was shot with a tripod, a $175 camera, and a clip on microphone. Click here to watch it.

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