The first step to getting started with video is to watch what others do and learn from their successes. Go to the major video sites and start viewing. Pay attention to things such as pacing, framing, lighting and production to see how others pull it off. Once you’re clear on how your business can use video, these sites can help you create, post and distribute your videos.
YouTube is certainly the leading site for hosting and sharing online videos—according to comScore, it accounted for one-third of all videos viewed online in the U.S. in January 2008. To post your video directly on YouTube, consult the “help” section to get step-by-step instructions. Once it is posted, you can link to it from your site, or better yet, embed the video onto your Web pages or into your company’s blog.
Veodia can be a low-cost way for businesses to broadcast live video and archive content for on-demand viewing and podcasting. Veodia targets a business audience, with tools to help publish and manage videos online. The site offers a free trial.
First Stream is another hosted service, helping small and mid-sized businesses create and broadcast streaming video, develop video e-mail and create video podcasts and blogs. The parent company DigitalFX also runs HelloWorld, a video-driven social network that lets users conduct live streaming webcasts, send video e-mails, and hold chats via video IM.
These are two of a growing number of online video editing and mixing services. They let you upload your video, edit it online, add effects and transitions, and ultimately share the video via sites such as YouTube.
To post your video, you may need to convert it to a different format. Zamzar offers free online file conversion, as well as the ability to save and convert files from YouTube and other video sites.
These video search engines are the place to locate videos on the Web. Once you’ve posted your video, go to the “help” areas of these sites to find out how to submit your video.