So- you've learned how to beautify your site.
You've employed Bold and Italics... maybe a little color.You've dressed up your text with a picture or two.
Well... now it's time to get serious.
It's time for the next big thing- Video.
But where do you start? How's this?
In no particular order, here's a round-up of, in my opinion, the top ten video hosting sites:
YouTube - These are the famous people- the kings of video content. Who made them king? You did (and millions of others). Post there and you're a part of something familiar. So- what's not to like? Call me petty- but I don't like that YouTube splashes their logo on your videos. Also- though they discourage "questionable" content just take a look at the popular videos. It's a bit of a circus. Still- they're big for a reason. The service is easy and free.
Vimeo - I like Vimeo. I like it a lot. So why don't I marry it? Maybe I will. Why? Because they're free (like YouTube and others). But... have you seen YouTube videos on a full screen? Yikes. Sometimes it's a case of original quality. Upload a cell phone video and it's not going to look like a masterpiece... but with most services you're going to have a quality issue. Not with vimeo... they're the first to offer High Definition video streaming. Standard video (320 x 240) will never compete with 1280 x 720 resolution. (Math nerds... this is video that's a dozen times better than other sites.)
Shwup - This is a very simple picture and video sharing service. You can create albums for private viewing or send files by email. Upload by email?! Yes. That's right. Want to make a music video out of your pictures? You can do that here too... and it's easy. You'll look like a graduate of the latest film program without much work on your part. Give it a try- I think you'll be quite surprised.
Blip.tv - Let's see... what do we have here? Free hosting of your videos, RSS syndication built in (that's so you can share) and they'll let you make money on your content. Their your partner... you split the revenues 50/50. Welcome to the online television business, big shot! It's time that you start receiving a piece of the revenue pie.
Twistage - They promise to make video uploading and posting easy. Also they let you build your brand through custom themes. They aren't out to make your video a part of their service... instead your videos appear to be professional created by you on your site. It's as if you created your own station. It will look like you hired a crew and webhosting service. And... in essence, you have... but for much much less.
Ooyala - Their name means “cradle” in Telugu, (that's Southern Indian) and they are founded by some very smart programmers from Google ... heard of adsense? adwords? ... well they helped "invent that". They want your videos to show up when people search for things. In the old days (five minutes ago) your website or blog showed up when people searched for your keywords. Now... when you post videos that match certain keywords your videos could show up. They may be on to something. Venture capitalists think so... they're showering the company with money.
Userplane - They're the new kids on the block (minus Donny, the shy one, the cute one, the... ok... enough). In a nutshell, they're another free content platform. Upload as much as you want. Distribute your content easily. They'll even let you make money on the distribution. They also are keen on the social aspects of video allowing you to integrate a chat feature with the video. How's that for interactivity with your audience?
Kickapps - This is a video social network application. Rather than being a fish of any sized pond; with Kickapps- *you're* the pond. Do you have an affiliate of friends with whom you do business? Let each of have a separate channel on your network. Do you have different categories of content? Keep all related content in its own diverse zone. The possibilities are quite intriguing- this appears to be a way to grow your own scalable community.
Veoh - Wouldn't it be great is you could turn on the television and watch stuff that interests you? Veoh promises to be the video community that can read your mind. Tell Veoh what you like and, over time, it will deliver with increasing accuracy. That's a big promise. Are you up for the challenge? Create content of a specific nature and afficianados will be spoon fed a hearty diet of your yummy video treats.
Eyespot - Their system allows content providers, consumers and influence peddlers to converge. They do this by offering easy video creation software and a sharing platform. Post the video to your site or send it via email. Their videos work online, on your portable player and even on mobile phones. They're also keen on copyright protection- that's nice!
There you have it. Ten options. So- put your video camera to use and draw that new audience!
I'd love to hear your success stories.
Happy V-Blogging.
Chuck,
It is a man thing.....ya'll are never satisfied and always wanting us to try something new.....(just kidding....I hate public speaking so I am assuming I will hate video)
Thanks for the info.....I must break down and overcome my fear of the camera......
Thank you so much for taking the time to create this list. The information is cutting edge and very helpful.
Hi Chuck,
Thanks for the great info. I'll definately check them out. Have a great week. Michael A. Caruso
How did I miss this yesterday??? TERRIFIC information and VERY MUCH appreciated. Wow. I hit the jackpot this morning already.
Marti- Thanks for the compliment... I highly value your opinion.
Kent- I couldn't help myself on the opinions... with so many to choose from I figured it would be helpful to elaborate a bit.
Susie- Glad you found it... jackpots are good.
Chuck- Next time your turn, ok? :-)
Sara- You can always use other footage... I don't think I'll be turning the camera in my direction either.
Eric- You'll have to supply your own remote. :-)
Jo- The flip is very cool and easy to use. My daughter (9) has one and it couldn't be easier to operate.
Sam- You're welcome!
Chuck,
I have bookmarked this for later digestion and time to wrap my brain around it. I am just getting into video and have the flip video unit. Would you recommend first you tube or vimeo?
I will be back to check the comments as this post interest me a lot.
Mike- I think vimeo is the better path... better quality video and no logos. It's not as big as youtube but it's growing in popularity.
Melissa- This is not one of those topics that's easily digested... I hope I've given enough background to eliminate some of the groundwork.
Thanks for the great info. I guess it's time for me to venture into video blogging!
Tina in Virginia
I'm going to have to visit some of these. I've bookmarked the post. Of course I am on YouTube, and I actually signed up for Vimeo, too.
Thanks.
Mara- Your flip video is the easy part... it's a breeze to operate... the big part is getting it to your computer... then online. Then, I assume, to learn how to avoid the paparazzi when you become famous.
Tina- You and me both... I'm at the research stage (which is this post) ... now to do some editing.
Lane- you're off to a great start.
Great ideas. I need to start the video blogging. I am going to check the resouces you mentioned.
John Thomas - Certified Mortgage Planner
This is awsome I have to check all of them out I only knew of youtube!
MTR
Chuck....GREAT INFO! You know...a year ago it was hard to find any source at all other than YouTube. I used it and didn't care for the quality. I was shooting video of home tours and white walls turned into rainbow waves when the camera moved.
I hear a lot about the Flip Video, I assume that's just the camcorder though. I use a mini dvd camcorder, so I assume the quality there is good. I think I'm going to check out the Vimeo.
NOW...if you get REAL BORED....you might want to post a video post like the picture in your post above and have a "clickable" link to EACH video host having uploaded the SAME video so we can click on each and "see" which has the best quality. Be sure to let me know if you get the urge LOL
Thanks again!! I'm definitely bookmarking you.
Debbie- I hope this info helps you.
Chris- I'm betting we'll be seeing more opportunities as video gains traction.
David- Regarding sample videos at each site, I was hoping *you* would be doing that. :-)
Hi Chuck. Thanks for sharing the great tip! Keep them coming.
Great list....here are a few more video services if decide to make your top 10 a top 20.
helloworld.com it is a social networking site, that allows you to video chat with up to 4 people, embeded video email with ad banners, live stream (your own tv or webinar), podcast, video phone, and vlog. All your videos are stored on their servers so it doesn't take up any room on your hard drive. It also transcodes into just about any format with just a click and generates code to embed your video anywhere. You pay to be on this site $10 to $40 a month.
firststream.com This is helloworld's business site not free but will make you look like the corporate big boys at a fraction of the price.
jing.com This is free and does screen captures, so you can show people how a computer or online task is done.
camtasia.com This is screen capture video software with picture in picture & power point capabilities...not free. High quality though
Visual Communicator This is video production software. You can do anything with this software, create backgrounds, insert clips, audio, virtual commentators, music, pictures. You can easily do virtual tours of properties with this software. It has a teleprompter to put a script on. Not free but really cool.
Bridget... Wow! that's a blog worthy comment unto itself. I've used jing and camtasia. I own Visual Communicator... but it's still in the box- I should really crack that thing open, shouldn't I? (I won it in a raffle and forgot about it.)
Chuck - Graet post, and very helpful! I shot my first video on Tuesday (out of town interested buyer, and I thought... we need video!), and was instantly hooked. I uploaded to YouTube but loved the resources you listed in your post, and am off to give Vimeo a try since I didn't like the compression of my video on YouTube. Now I just have to find some better video editing software and I'm off to take over the world! Thanks so much for the helpful post. Oh, and check out my first video here. Not perfect, but a start. :)
OK, one question - vimeo says no commercials, infomercials, or other type of advertisement. Wouldn't that include a video advertising a listing? Has anyone gotten into trouble using it for video tours, etc?
Kirsten- did you notice any difference between the videos? Regarding trouble with video tours it is possible that your local MLS will have issues with outside vendors... it's always good to ask them or check their terms of service.
Thanks - very helpful and will be used a great deal. keep the ideas rolling. I can't get enough of this stuff! I'm new to the rain and am becoming a sponge.
Now I need a post on how to make a video from still pictures -- like a home tour.
Ann...I might have missed something here, but "why" would you want to make a video of "still pictures"?
Kelly- Glad I coulld be of help.
Ann- You could use Picasa... I wrote a post about it here: How to Create and Embed a Free PicasaWeb Slide Show Into Your Blog. Also you could use Microsoft's Movie Maker.
David- I think it's related to creating slide shows.
Chuck, I just saw your comment to my comment thank you!! Sounds like you are out there using all of the sources available. Visual Communicator (The one in the box still) is one that Ann could use to turn photos into a video. You should check it out, it takes a little time to get the hang of it but once you do you can do quite a bit with it. I haven't updated the videos on this site in a good long while but you can go check them out as a reference. www.helloworld.com/seeclearly click on the computer monitor on the left hand side (videos) and then you can click through the folders get the one labeled real estate, you will see how we used VC to make stills into virtual tours. We got better later but it definitely gives you idea.
Great post! Thanks :)
Bridget- It's very cool how many video options we have these days. I'm going to have to crack open the Visual Communicator and see what I've been missing.
David -- Chuck is right. I do my virtual tours from still photos also. This has been very helpful. Thanks guys!
Ann- All my virtual tours so far have been taken from still pictures as well.
I look at it as "quality levels of marketing" graduating from one to another in order of quality...
You can go from:
1) No Pic
2) 1 Pic
3) Max # of Pics
4) Slideshow/Moving Pics
5) Real Video
6) Beam me there Scottie (not yet invented)
You rock, great article/post! I was so frustrated with the format change the video company I was using, (Helloworld) that I haven't "video blogged" in over a month. So I was going to bite the bullet and start researching the next best option since my clients keep asking what "happened" and after about 10 minutes of nonsense/research on the Internet, I thought, "I should check ActiveRain for a post" and what do you know, you wrote a great post! Thanks Chuck, have a great weekend, you just saved me about 5 hours of research!
Be Blessed!
Travis