Thalasar Ventures

With the proliferation of tools for easily generating podcasts and with YouTube’s distribution of
video files, how can you make the right choice when to generate a video blog vs a podcast?

Video blogging by definition is a more engaging product provided you set up your video blog properly. Here’s some tips on setting up your video blog and hopefully some advice when to use a video blog vs a podcast.
You have a voice for radio
Your physical appearance isn’t all that great. Let’s face it – pretty skinny people look better on camera. Your appearance shouldn’t distract from the message you are trying to bring to communicate. This is a sad fact of life but it does explain why successful video bloggers are young attractive females like Amanda Congdon. Attractive sells. Attractive and geeky as demonstrated by Lonelygirl15 really sells!
Talking Heads isn’t exciting
Blogging Heads TV is a perfect example of what not to do with a video debate format. It’s simply web cam shots of people talking about political issues. They take turns talking about political issues. In this case the video feed adds ZERO value. Since these are shot in the pundit’s homes, you get very uneven production values, various levels of personal grooming and let’s face it, many of these people have a face for radio. No value by the use of the video. You would be better off with a professional headshot and a podcast.
Use the medium
Watch CNN and Fox some time. Notice the scrolling information graphic at the bottom? That’s effectively using the medium by adding additional information. If you are using video, really use the video. Include appropriate branding elements (your URL should be spelled correctly. Hat tip: Matt Coddington’s 10 worst internet marketing videos post). Add informational graphics that actually add value. For example regularly summarize the points in your presentation. Let watchers know what is coming up next, add additional information to the subject. Don’t look unprofessional. I realize that working from home means that you simply don’t shave every day but when shooting a video, please be well groomed.
When in doubt, test
Not sure which format is gonna take off with your users? Simply do a podcast of your video blog and see how many subscribers really prefer the podcast format. Split testing is typically done to gauge performance of offers in advertising. By offering a podcast of your video blog and tracking the results through feedburner, you can track the uptake of your podcast.
Performance Varies
You will be surprised how many people might like your content but might be on a low bandwidth connection. For example I use Google Analytics which tells me roughly 70% of my users are on a high speed connection while 28% are still on dial up. These users might be traveling or simply not within reach of a high speed network. They are going to prefer the lower bandwidth of the podcast. So know your users (you know what percentage of your users are using dial up right?)
I hope I have given you some ideas on the when to use each format. But as always the case with my posts, it’s meant to be the beginning of the conversation, not the end.
Useful Tools & Information
Webmaster Podcaster
How to podcast
Podcasting Made Easy
Google’s Official Blog for Google Video
How to embed a link in Google Video
Video Blogging Tutorials
Web Cams at Earlymiser.com
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