The way users consume information is becoming increasingly visual. Technical communicators can address this need and increase user satisfaction by creating video tutorials. Ben and Fer present some best practices for choosing topics, creating, sharing, promoting, and measuring the success of video tutorials in YouTube.
See http://wp.me/p1EUMN-aC for full topic description.
We hope that you can apply some of the information we present here to what you are doing with videos at your work.Between the two us, you should be able to relate. Ben brings with him a Fortune 500 company, thousands of videos, millions of views, and from me you’ll see the other side of a technical communication department just starting this project with no dedicated “video” staff, a hundred videos, and thousands of views.From this you can see the many levels of a video initiative
New data from comscore, August. Mostly the same, Google numbers increased and is actually a little further ahead than the huge margin it had last JanuaryJanuary 2012: http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2012/2/comScore_Releases_January_2012_U.S._Online_Video_RankingsAugust 2012: http://www.comscore.com/Insights/Press_Releases/2012/9/comScore_Releases_August_2012_U.S._Online_Video_Rankings
Grab a camera or screen recording software, set up, and start recordingCapture the videoLighting can be simpleHigh resolutionRecord the script Microphone, quiet place, default audio recorder (CD quality settings) and scriptSimple options for editing videoDon’t aim for perfectionWindows Movie Maker, Adobe Premiere Elements, etc…Avoid ‘cool’ effects
What is UGC?YouTubeUsing UGCStart searching for videos about your productsReview the videos for accuracy and appropriatenessNot a bad idea to review the user’s channelCreate playlists using your videosStart linking or embeddingAdvantagesUsers generally trust other users more than they trust youUse what’s availableCover topics without a significant ROIDisadvantagesThis content is outside your control – the user might pull the contentGoogle / self advertising
48 million deaf and hard of hearing users – 15% of audiencehttp://blogs.adobe.com/accessibility/files/2012/03/future_video_access_sxsw2012.pdf
Cross promoting your contentIt’s about promoting your content, not you, your company, your channel etc.
Encourage links to your content Social promotionTwitterLet people know what you’re creating
Average 5,000 views per month on YouTube and this average has doubled since last Spring