Afterglow
As the audience left, I started feeling drained. While I was packing up, the crew began dismantling everything. The day before, they spent hours getting the room just right. In mere minutes, the preparation was vanishing in front of me. Life goes on. Instantly.I've had requests for a recording. The session was a one time event for a specific audience. I recorded the audio but that's of little value without the visuals. Also, I used "so" as a crutch word every few sentences. That didn't happen during rehearsals.
Video
Video is very powerful, but I struggle with this medium. I still don't feel comfortable in front of a camera. Audience expectations keep rising but I don't know basics like editing. Yet I know I must become as proficient as the average 11 year old.As an experiment, I recorded this HD video of my presentation. If you like it, read on to see how you can make your own videos.
What do you think?
Complications With YouTube
YouTube limits videos to 15 minutes. That's up from 10 minutes but still a tad confining. I edited my content to fit.If 15 minutes is too short for you, consider splitting your content into smaller segments. You could also record the highlights as a reminder for past audiences and a teaser for future organizers. If you must post a full length video, there are sites like Vimeo or Screencast. Since YouTube is the #2 search engine, you'll probably lose traffic.
Microphone
Audiences are demanding. Great sound compensates for poor video but great video does not compensate for poor sound. You need a high quality microphone for professional results.I've used different mics over the years. USB is better than using audio jacks. Wired is better than Bluetooth. You might prefer a headset/mic but I use an external microphone. I got a Samson C03U Podcasting Pak in 2009. There may be better choices today but I'm still very happy with the results.
Software
You'll want to do some editing to add polish. Recording the Riscario Insider podcast with Audacity has given me experience editing sound. There are 116 episodes already and you'll find them on iTunes. Editing video is similar.I use Camtasia Studio from Techsmith. The current version is 7.1. At $299 US, Camtasia is pricey but works well. There are excellent videos for training. You get a 30 day free trial to see if it's right for you. If you want a free option, you might try CamStudio. Some reviewers rave and other say you get what you pay for. I didn't want to spend time experimenting.
Recording and posting video is quite easy even without experience. Results will improve with practice. Maybe I'll even be comfortable on camera one day.
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