Teaching PR

Amani Channel of My Urban Report is an expert at using video so he led a session about using YouTube. I went because I know nothing about it but find my students using it more and more in PR Campaigns class in particular.

Some tech-y tips from Amani:

• Anyone can do it: use Windows Moviemaker or on a Mac iMovie for editing
• A Webcam is okay for videoblogging but not much else
• Need good audio as well as good video -- use a microphone. If you're going to be using a consumer-grade camera make sure it has an audio input (they don't always) because you should use an external mike for better sound
• Shooting hi-def is not crucial for the Web but the quality will be better
• Always make sure you have enough light, especially indoors
• Get a tripod -- don't shake it like a salt shaker!
• Use compression software
• http://bliptv.com, www.tubemogul.com

Rules for shooting video:

• Wide shot to establish; medium shot; then closeups. Take all three every time you're shooting.
• Rule of thirds: place the subject in a third of the frame (breathing room on the side where their eyes are looking)
• Ask the person to talk to you, not look directly at the camera
• If you can, use three-point lighting (key light, backlight, and filter light) -- a light kit

Advice to the person being interviewed?

• Amani says, "This is a conversation, just ignore the camera and talk to me"
• He doesn't have any big speech because if someone's not good at being inerviewed there's not much you can do about it
• When you're ready to start ask them to state their first and last name; lets them know the formal interview is starting

Use tags to drive content to your video

• Include all the tags you can think of
• Be as specific and use as many simple tags as you can
• Use the keywords that really fit, not something very popular just to get attention

Final suggestions for vlogs and podcasts:

• Have a clear idea of the message you're trying to get across
• Use sound production techniques
• Always edit, but it takes skill and practice
• Keep videos short and sweet
• Use keywords and tags
• Blast e-mail your friends and associates for feedback (and be willing to accept criticism)

Labels: conference, social media, video