By 2019 80% of the world’s internet traffic will be video. If there’s one new thing you try this year it has got to be video. In this episode I talk about the exact kit I use to create compelling and professional looking videos at a fraction of what you would pay someone to do. Plus, we share a tip on increasing landing page conversions by 300% and I review my candidate for book of the year. They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan.
Breakfast event in Sydney + Facebook Live Stream
In Sydney next Wednesday 15th of March? Come down for a breakfast presentation and fill your mind and tummy as I cover: Looking Through the Crystal Ball: The Top Consumer Trends of 2017.
Eventbrite tickets here plus we will be Facebook Live streaming the entire presentation, check back here later for the embed or visit facebook.com/redpandasco and stay tuned!
Buzz 1 – RIP Google Site Search
Google’s powerful Site Search, which allowed you to use their algorithm for your own site search is ending April 1.
It’s been replaced by a poor tool called Free Custom Search which displays ads on your search results!
More from Forbes on this news below:
Don’t fret! Here are some great alternatives:
- AddSearch
- Amazon Web Services CloudSearch
- Algolia
- Fact Finder – great for Magento websites
[Tweet “Google Site Search is Dead 🙁 Don’t Fret! Here are 4 better alternatives”]
Buzz 2 – They Ask, You Answer Marcus Sheridan Book Review
Candidate for Book of The Year, Buy Now from Amazon
[Tweet “Marketing book of the year? Honest podcast review of @thesaleslion new book, They Ask, You Answer”]
Buzz 3 – Featured Tip: Increase Conversions by 300% Using a Countdown timer
Research by Wishpond indicates conversions increases of 300% using countdown timers.
Here’s a screenshot of a page we’ve used this with to great success:
[Tweet “Increase conversions by 300% using a countdown timer PLUS how-to and examples”]
Buzz 4 – Featured Topic: Setting Up a Video Marketing Kit on a Budget
Here’s the first few episodes of a new video series we’ve created called ’60 Second Skills That Pay the Bills’:
[Tweet “DIY your own professional video marketing kit for less than $500”]
Here’s the minimum kit you need to achieve a professional result:
1. Lighting Kit – $135
Having soft boxes (or sometimes simply called light boxes) are a great way to highlight your subject in video. You can get away with a two soft box lighting kit but to really make your subject stand out from the background, you can’t get past a three soft box setup.
Here’s one I bought from eBay for $135:
And here’s a simple diagram to explain a three point lighting kit setup:
Does it make a difference? You tell me!
2.Tripod – $80
Again, eBay is your friend. With tripods the more you pay generally the more durable they will be. For the odd video here and there, honestly, a cheap tripod will do the trick. Mine is similar to the one below and I’ve been used it with no problems for over a year.
When it comes to brands. If you really want to get a great one, go manfrotto. Even their entry level stuff is great. B&H Video is a great place to compare and buy this sort of gear.
3. Smartphone holder for your tripod – $5
Seriously, smartphones are weapons these days. With good light and audio anything from Apple or Samsung in the last 2 years is a great phone. I rock my iPhone 6s all the time for video.
Again, eBay is your friend!
4. Camtasia Software – $199
This thing is the bees knees for marketers and small business owners. I have Adobe Premier Pro CC but this more than does the job. Like I say, why drive a ferrari to go to the corner store when a 10 second bike ride will do the trick?
It’s drag and drop interface, professional transitions, ability to ‘write’ on screen and lower thirds make it a no brainer. Also easy on processing power so any laptop made in the last 5 years shouldn’t have any problems.
Pro-tip: Buy a wireless microphone kit that connects with your smartphone – $200
You’ll notice in my videos I rock a lapel microphone. The other key ingredient to great video is audio and although smartphones and cameras shoot amazing video, the onboard microphone is often too far from the subject leaving the audio sounding light and echo-ey.
Lapel mics have come a long way. You can pay upwards of $700 for a wireless microphone system however I’ve been rocking this affordable Azden WMS Pro kit that wirelessly transmits from a lapel to a smartphone for years:
Bonus: Here’s another great article from George B Thomas on how to set up video on a budget.
Pick it up from B&H Video for around $185 + shipping.
[Tweet “The Sub-$500 Gear I Use To Create Professional Videos”]
