Different Types of Video Content

Video Marketing With No Regrets! Different Types of Video Content

 

Usually the first thing that comes to mind when you say "video" is  a recording which involves a person or people. However, there's many types of videos that you can create once you get into it.

Now you may prefer a certain type, but I suggest you mix it up to keep your audience interested. Not all kinds will appeal to all viewers.  Plus, different formats and types fit different genres and sorts of information better than others.

Screen Share

You don’t even have to be on camera if you don’t want to. You can share your screen with programs like join.me, Skype or Zoom and record the entire session.

The advantage is that if you're a coach or consultant training a client for example, you can edit and re-use your video for future similar training. Sweet!

Screen Capture

Screen capture is a bit different than screen share. Screen capture is not necessarily interactive.

You can do this type of video on your own from desktop software like Camtasia, AVS4You or Screencast-O-Matic. Record both video and audio at the same time or dub the video later.

Talking Head

You can do this for off-the-cuff, I-have-to-share-this-with-my-crew-now or vlog or whatever-in-cars kinds of videos. I'm sure you get what I mean..

It's a good idea to show your face every now and again just to prove to your audience you're a real human being.

Sometimes this is a challenge for introverts, but, you can intersperse snippets of talking-head video with screen recordings to add interest and hold attention.

It can be, but doesn't have to be fancy - a good smartphone or webcam will do the trick.

Interview Style

An effective form of video is a split-screen interview or one where the persons speaking alternate as in a newscast.

An interview can be a goldmine for video content because it’s simple to do, fun, and informative. However, better interviews happen from thoughtful, researched questions.

Don't expect your interviewee to do all the heavy lifting!


Live Videos

Live video can be challenging since you can't edit or "take back" your gaffes. But that can make it even more fun, if you have the stomach for the "unknown" and can roll with the punches. (Control freaks, this is not for you...)

Recorded "live" video though will still feel fresh, so it's something to consider.  Some of the best live video ideas are Q & As where the audience asks questions either submitted in advance or asked during the live event.

How-To Videos

A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Showing someone how to do something is a time-tested way to create videos. They are effective, solve a problem, and serve your audience in a valuable way.

Here's a hint: Keep the video as short as you can to teach "the thing". If a very lengthy video is required, break up the steps into multiple videos instead. Include examples and results in your how-to for the most effective video.

Vlog

This is a great way to produce video content. You pick a topic and talk to the camera. Ever watch Grant Cardone's videos?  He's a vlogging machine!

This works for him. You do have to have a "personality" to pull this off in my opinion. When you have conviction, confidence and mastery in your corner you don't need a lot of prep to do this kind of video.

You can do a “day in the life” of running your business, running your life, your household, or going on a trip. If it's something you know well, it’ll work.

Webinar

While you might not think of a webinar as a video, it is!  It's a group event or meeting conducted via video.

You can publish it as is, you can cut it up and publish sequential parts or make episodes by topic, and you can transcribe it and repurpose it into different formats such as audio and text.

Event

If you go to or host an event, it’s a great time to make a video. You can use a combination of different types of videos for every event.

You can vlog about the event as an attendee, you can record speakers if you’re the host, record your own talk if you’re speaking, and even edit in the slides that go with each presentation.

Presentation

Anytime you give a presentation before an audience, you should record it. Whether the presentation is live, or you want to just record yourself alone, you can do it by recording your screen, using video directly from PowerPoint or do it in person in front of a green screen or backdrop.

Either way, take advantage of these opportunities to record your work. You can then turn it into a product and add it to your collection of business assets to generate additional income.

Product Reviews

Anytime you want to review a product or service, doing it by video is a wonderful way to create a useful video for your audience.

Add it to a blog post with an affiliate link to the product you’re reviewing, and you might make some sales.

Case Study

This is an excellent use of video not only for your viewers, but for yourself as well. Especially when it's about how your products or services helped a customer.

You can include an interview of the subject or subjects, the problem to be solved, add your thoughts, statistics, the end result and other information to create a highly usable case study.

Again, to be repurposed in audio or text format as well.

Tutorial

Tutorials are some of the most sought and watched videos around. Just type in the keyword "tutorial" in the YouTube search bar...

Showing people how-to put on makeup, cut their own hair (yikes!), cook the perfect steak, use power tools without losing an arm – all are awesome ways to use the tutorial format.

Testimonials

You can also do videos giving a testimonial for a product, service, event, business, or person.

But, even better, ask your audience and customers to do the same for you and publish those on your site and other platforms.

One caveat though, give your customer an outline of what you expect in the testimonial. You're doing this for your business, so you don't want a testimonial like "Jane was fun to work with", that's not good...

You do want to have the speaker state the issue they had, your proposed course of action, how long it took and the end result. If the person does not want to be on camera, you can take the audio and dub it to a slide video of their words instead.

Animated Explainer

A fun type of video to create is an animated explainer video. It's a creative and entertaining way to get your point across. You can get software to make explainer videos or use an online service, there are many.

To sum up...

If you’re shy about being on camera, the best type of videos to start with are screen share or screen capture videos.

Then, try your hand at some explainer videos, and maybe an interview video.

Finally, give a talking-head video or vlog a try. Consistency is key - the more you do it, the more you’ll start liking it, especially when you get results!

 

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Photo:

Eugen Str

 

 

Posted in Special Series Video.