How to Use Free Video to Build Your Personal Brand

Got video? If you have a microphone attached to your computer, and know how to put together a 5 or 6 slide PowerPoint presentation, you can use free video to build your personal brand and market and sell your book.

It’s that easy! I can prove it. I went from 0 to 60 in one afternoon…and didn’t spend a dime to post my videos on Twitter.

Want proof?

My first video may not be perfect, but it’s up and running! I’ve Tweeted it to my followers, who have further ReTweeted it.  I can ReTweet it at any point. I’ve also embeded links to it in e-mails, blog posts, and my websites. Best of all, I can delete it and replace it whenever I want.

There was nothing to buy, nothing to read, nothing to set-up and learn, and no files to upload!

My first video took several hours to prepare, but my second took about 1/3 as much time–and was much better!

All for free!

Introducing Screenr.com

Screenr.com is a free web-based video recorder designed for instant production of screencasts for Twitter.com.  There is no software to purchase or download. It works equally well on PC or Mac computers.

Screenr.com hosts your videos, and automatically uploads them when you’re satisfied with their quality. This means there are no files to upload. Screenr creates a unique URL for each video, plus copy-and-paste HTML text for embedding links in your e-mails, blog posts, and websites.

There’s virtually no learning curve; Screenr.com uses an easy 1-2-3 interface.

Screenr.com is the perfect entry point for individuals who may have shied away from more complex video solutions with longer learning curves.

What do you need to get started?

There are a few things you need to get started with Screenr:

1. Twitter. To take advantage of Screenr.com, you need to be registered at Twitter.com.
2. Microphone. You’ll need a microphone, or headset, connected to your computer. I recommend a headset so your hands will be free to advance the visuals.
3. Presentation software. I recommend getting started by basing a presentation program like Powerpoint as the basis of your initial videos. You can also use mind maps, or any other program you can use to illustrate your points as you describe them.

3 steps to success

Here’s how to create your first videos:

• Step 1: Identify your core message and main ideas. Use a 5 or 6 slide presentation to plan, illustrate, and pace your message. Start by creating a title slide which you’ll display as you introduce yourself. Next, create 3 or 4 blank slides that you will use for the 3 or 4 main ideas that you want to describe in your video. Think in terms of 3 or 4 tips, steps, recommendations, or strategies for the core of your video. Finish by creating a closing slide that you’ll use for a next step, or call to action.
• Step 2: Flesh out your ideas. The next step is to add text and graphics to your PowerPoint slides and prepare a word-processed “script” to accompany the visuals. Script is perhaps the wrong term, because it implies you’re going to read it during you visual. You’re not going to literarly read it, like a speech, but you’re going to use your word-processed document as a guide to discussing each of the visuals. Keep your visuals simple; a few keywords and simple graphics that illustrate your key points are enough.
• Step 3: Record, delete, and re-record. No one gets it right the first time you record. Chances are, you’ll have written far more words than you need. Watch the elapsed time indicator on Screenr’s recording screen; continue to edit and delete until you’re down to a few short sentences for each visual. Soon, you’ll be discussing your ideas with your market, instead of reading to them.

Don’t over-complicate things! Construct your videos around a brief introduction, followed by 3 or 4 examples, recommendations, steps, suggestions, and tips. Conclude with a call-to-action.

Moving on

If you haven’t been using video, because of its presumed complexity, and are looking for a free video solution to build your personal brand and sell your book, you’ll find Screenr.com the perfect starting point. It gets you started with no cost and minimum hassle. It will encourage you to distill your messages down to a few, short, message units delivered as concisely as possible. Working with Screenr.com will help you get comfortable in a new medium. After that, the sky’s the limit! In the meantime, if you’re already working with Screenr, or know of other, similar, options, please share your experiences and recommendations with others interested in using video to build their personal brand.

Author:

Roger C. Parker is book coach who shares ideas for planning, writing, promoting, & profiting from brand building books in his daily writing tips blog. His latest book is #BOOK TITLE Tweet: 140 Bite-Sized Ideas for Compelling Article, Book, & Event Titles.

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