What’s the #1 question you have about creating, editing or marketing Web video? I’m asking you to tell me because I’m trying to decide how to focus the 2.0 version of OnlineVideoToolkit.com. Yep, I’m upgrading it, and it will still be free! Thousands of people have enjoyed it so far and now it’s time to help thousands more!

So, go here and ask me the question you most want to know about Web video. I’ll answer your questions live on the preview call next Friday. If you can’t make the call, don’t worry, I’ll send you the recording if you sign up.

What’s the #1 question you have about creating, editing or marketing Web video? Ask me right now.

In this world, you have to give to get back. So when I started getting about 10 emails a day asking me how I make my web videos, I had two options.

1. Create a guide about how I do it and sell it for profit. Or…
2. Create a guide about how I do it and just give the darn thing away, for free.

I choose the free route. Introducing, OnlineVideoToolkit.com. A free video guide that shows you everything I know about making web videos using inexpensive equipment. I produced about 10 videos showing you all my secrets about lighting, set design, cameras to buy, clothing tips, sound, etc… It’s all there, with more to come.

I even have a contest for the launch. Want to win my Flip camera? Watch the video below. Note: The dates have been extended on this video, you have plenty of time to enter, don’t worry about it.

I hope you enjoy it!

When producing online videos, remember that it’s not the quality of the video you’re producing, but rather, the quality of the content you’re producing. Your viewers care about one thing, and that is getting helpful or fun information from your videos.

Stop worrying about the equipment you need or don’t need to make good videos, and start thinking about what your viewers expect, which is good quality information, regardless of video quality. Then start making videos!

Subscribe to my email update list. No spam.	Subscribe to my YouTube channel.	Grab my rss feed!

Also watch at:
YouTube, Metacafe, Google, Revver, DailyMotion, Blip.tv and Veoh.

Ready to learn how to start video blogging? Want some tips and tricks for your new vlogging efforts? I interviewed Steve Garfield, a video blogging entrepreneur and online video mastermind who gives some excellent advice for you on how to start your new video blog.

By the way, did you know that Steve is really awesome?

YouTube link: How To Be A Good Video Blogger?.

Also watch at:
YouTube, Yahoo, Metacafe, Google, Revver, DailyMotion, Blip.tv and Veoh

TheDailyFlip.com is a web show about online marketing and being an entrepreneur. Jim Kukral is an award-winning and long-time blogger, as well as speaker, writer, online marketer and web entrepreneur. You can read more about Jim Kukral here.

Subscribe to the rss feed for a chance to win your very own Flip Ultra video camera.

If you aren’t watching sXephil on YouTube yet, you should be. His main site is PhillyD.tv. The guy does a daily show that is one of the best I’ve seen. No, not as good as ZEFrank (who is?), but he’s close which is a pretty big compliment in my book.

The other day Phil talked about the things you need to know if you are trying to make videos for YouTube. Watch his video first, then my video response below.

YouTube link: How to be a YouTube Star?.

TheDailyFlip.com is a web show about online marketing and being an entrepreneur. Jim Kukral is an award-winning and long-time blogger, as well as speaker, writer, online marketer and web entrepreneur. You can read more about Jim Kukral here.

Subscribe to the rss feed for a chance to win your very own Flip Ultra video camera.

Here’s the video short version of my previous post about how to sell ads on a low-traffic blog.

Click To Play

Tune in today at 4pm, est, to hear Steve and I speak to none other than the video master Tim Carter of AsktheBuilder.com.

Tim is not only a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist, but he is also the owner and creator of one of the Internet’s biggest and wildly successful niche publishing portals focusing on the “do it yourself” world of home improvement, etc…

Why have Tim on a show about videos? Because Tim is leading the way in developing high-quality video how-to tips and commercials that are spreading across the globe helping the world solve problems. On average, Tim creates about 3 videos per day.

Here’s a sample.

Tune in today at 4pm live at WebmasterRadio.fm to learn more about how you can get started doing video yourself.

Also, be sure to visit our video channel at VideoNinjas.tv.

Ready to start doing online video, but don’t know what equipment you need to buy? I know, I know, the costs can be high. But as I’ve been saying, if you do it right, it will pay off for you down the line.

Don’t believe it yet? We need to look no further than Google’s Universal Search announcement last week to realize that video is a MAJOR part of the future of search.

Recently I was able to purchase some equipment that will enable me to take lots and lots of videos. So I figured I’d show you what I bought here, and why, so you can use this as a benchmark for your future plans. Don’t want to read my full analysis? Just scroll to the bottom for a list of links and a summary.

Jim Kukral’s How To Make Online Video Equipment Toolkit For $3k Or Less

First off, let me talk about what kinds of videos I wanted to make. The goal of this setup is flexibility. I wanted to be able to shoot inside and outside, and in low light and in bright sunlight. I also wanted to be able to get good sound. That being said, here’s what I bought. All through Amazon.com because I needed it fast. (My affiliate link is in every product below).

First Off, The Camera…
The first thing I went to find was the camera. I knew that I needed something better than a home camera, but I knew as well that I wasn’t going to drop $10k on a used betacam. These types of cameras are called “prosumer”. Get it? Professional and consumer mixed together?

Based upon insight from my video gurus I know, I went with a Sony for quality and durability. I ended up choosing the Sony DCR-VX2100 3CCD MiniDV Handycam Camcorder.

This camera has a 5-star rating on Amazon and was reasonably priced at $2,216.29. A few technical details include:

* Digital MiniDV Handycam camcorder with a 58mm aspherical lens and 380,000-pixel CCD
* 12x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 48x) with Super SteadyShot image stabilizer
* 2.5-inch rotating LCD and color viewfinder
* Manual controls for shutter and exposure, Stamina Power Management, and intelligent accessory shoe
* NP-F330 InfoLithium Rechargeable Battery

A few reviews from Amazon on the Sony camera.

This camera is excellent! I used something very similar as a Videographer at the local TV station. This camera to me is just as nice as the $40,000 DVC Pro camera!! Great quality picture, excellent for Johnny’s Soccer games! Has a built in digital stabilizer for those with shaky hands. Overall the best small camera I have EVER USED!!!

I purchased this camera to use with my previous church’s media ministry, based on my trial use of the VX2000. That was three years ago. This camera is STILL running as well as it did when I bought it. I use it upwards of 3 times a week to create content for web and DVD production, plus, I get great digital audio recordings when I plug directly into my current church’s sound system. The ability to tweak audio and video input on the fly is incredible. Now that I am creating a multimedia team for our church, I’ve convinced the church to buy one for themselves.

My assessment so far? I have to say I’m pleased with the camera. I’ve only shot about an hour of video with it so far, but it’s easy to use and takes excellent quality video. The sound is fantastic, although I would recommend getting a wireless mic too, but not needed.

I was a bit surprised that they didn’t include a few key things with the camera. Those being a Firewire cable that you need to connect to your computer and a Mini DV tape. Both of which I had to go buy on my own at the local Circuit City. The Firewire cable was about $50 for a 6-foot cable, and the Mini DV tapes were about 10 bucks for 4 60-minute tapes.

Note: You can spend another $900 or so and buy the HD version of this camera if you want to. Sony HDR-FX1 3-CCD HDV High Definition Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom.

Next, The Tripod…

While the camera does have a thing called “steadyshot”, which “steadies” the picture as you’re holding the camera, there is a point in filming when you need to set the camera on something and take shots of yourself, etc… To do that right, you don’t want to put a $2k camera sitting on some table and hope it doesn’t fall off and break.

Instead, you need to get a tripod that is sturdy and can give you enough range in height to shoot at eye-level and lower if need be. I ended up going with the Sony VCT870RM Tripod w/Remote for Sony MiniDV, DVD, HDR-HC5 & HC7 Camcorders.

This tripod is built for this camera and also has a nice remote camera control built into it. It’s priced at $119. I’m very pleased with the quality of this tripod and I feel like my camera is safe and secure when it’s sitting up there. It would take more than a misstep by someone to knock this tripod over. I also like that the tripod goes up and down very easily and gives me the ability to shoot at eye level (I’m 6′2) and can lower down to use to sit on top of someone’s desk too if I wanted.

Lastly, Some Accessories You’ll Need…

Get the Sony LCSVCB Camcorder Carrying Case for most Sony Camcorders and be safe. While this isn’t a hard case, it’s good enough to use to transport your camera around so that you don’t break it. Priced at $139.56.

You don’t “have” to have the following, but I highly recommend them.

Get an extra battery. I got the Sony NPF970 L Series Camcorder Battery for the DCRVX2100, HDRFX1, HDRFX7 & HVRZ1U.

You may also want to get a battery charger that you can plug in that extra battery into while you’re filming with the other battery.
Sony BCV500 Dual Battery Charger for MCVDFD100/200, DCRVX2100 & HDRFX1

Lastly, I recommend you consider getting the external light as well. I found that this light adds a nice level of brightness onto my recording that lets me not have to adjust my levels.
Sony HVL-20DW2 Video Light for use with DCRVX2100, HDRFX1 & FX7

One More Thing? You Need Video Editing Software?…

If so, I highly recommend the Sony Vegas 7 + DVD Production Suite. While it is priced at $400 or so, I do think it’s worth it. The software is easy to use and the extra DVD suite allows you make some pretty neat DVD’s.

If you have a Mac, well, just use Imovie or Final Cut (if you can afford it), you don’t need this software.

Video Toolkit Summary

I hope you enjoyed my guide above. I’ll update it as I can, but I believe that if you use this setup you’ll be able to begin to produce high-quality videos that will get your business more exposure in the coming future of search engine marketing.

Here’s a summary list of the products I’ve recommend above.

1. Sony DCR-VX2100 3CCD MiniDV Handycam Camcorder – $2,216.29

Optional HD Version – Sony HDR-FX1 3-CCD HDV High Definition Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom.

2. Sony VCT870RM Tripod w/Remote for Sony MiniDV, DVD, HDR-HC5 & HC7 Camcorders – $119

3. Sony LCSVCB Camcorder Carrying Case for most Sony Camcorders – $139.56.

4. Sony NPF970 L Series Camcorder Battery for the DCRVX2100, HDRFX1, HDRFX7 & HVRZ1U – $102.44.

5. Sony BCV500 Dual Battery Charger for MCVDFD100/200, DCRVX2100 & HDRFX1 – $96.99.

6. Sony HVL-20DW2 Video Light for use with DCRVX2100, HDRFX1 & FX7 – $86.17.

7. Sony Vegas 7 + DVD Production Suite – $405.99.

Total: $3,166.44

Ok, I know I said in $3k or less. If you just want to go bare bones, I recommend the camera (of course), the tripod and the case. The rest you can live without.

Digg this story?

Brian Solis strikes again with some good tips on how to make good online videos.

There are several ingredients to consider when developing a video or screencast, and the choices you make for their implementation will determine the success or failure of the campaign.

1 – Be genuine. This isn’t yet another opportunity for PR to spam the world

2 – Know your targets, their pain points, and why your product will help them. And please don’t use the word audience. Viewers today are considered the people formally known as the audience. This ensures that we engage by conversing with, not marketing to, people. This is Jay Rosen’s philosophy, which many social media purists hold sacred when discussing how to participate through social media.

3 – Keep it focused on what’s unique, interesting, and compelling.

4 – Experiment. Don’t just stop at one…keep the line of communication open through video much in the same way you would with blogs, marketing collateral, newsletters, and press releases.

5 – Place the videos on the company site and offer RSS feeds for them.

6 – Ensure that the videos are placed in the social networks where the people you want to reach search for new and interesting content.

7 – Simply placing videos online isn’t enough. Just because you place in social networks doesn’t mean it will be viewed and shared. You have to do “PR” for it through the folksonomy of strategic tagging, linking, and having others point to it and republish it to spark the viral potential of your content.

8 – Be creative.

9 – Worry less about polish and more about content.

10 – Listen to feedback

Thanks Brian. I will be following this list as I continue on my path to video glory!

CNNmoney.com writes a piece called ‘How to Score with How-to Video‘, Niche players are resuscitating the subscription model to make money off homemade instructional websites.

(Business 2.0 Magazine) — When Evan Margolin launched SalsaBootCamp to sell instructional video clips online, everyone he knew told him it was a crazy idea. Why would people offer up their credit cards to him – a dance teacher known only to his students in San Francisco – when they could watch thousands of dance videos for free on sites like YouTube?

Yet aspiring salsa dancers have signed up in droves, even as Margolin has raised the monthly subscription price from $9 to $37. Four months after its launch, SalsaBootCamp.com is making $20,000 a month.

Here’s a question you need to ask yourself right now. What do you know a lot about that you can film and sell subscriptions to?

Think about how easy it would be to upload this content to a private member’s area and let people access it on a subscription?