There are a number of factors that affect how you are going to encode your video so you can publish it on the web. These include the efficiency of the encoder and, ultimately, how it looks to the end user. Two key factors play a significant role in the encoding process: source quality and frame motion, so let’s take a closer look at them.

Once you have pressed record on your camera, you have determined the source quality of your video. What you want to achieve is the best quality video possible so here are some basic guidelines to help you get great source video quality and achieve maximum quality in your final compressed video. Use a tripod to reduce camera movement.

You must get this right, because any camera movement means that the picture moves as well. This means that a high percentage of pixels in the video are changing from frame to frame. This results in worse quality at lower compression rates and although camcorders are fitted with an anti-shake device, the more you can do to keep your camera steady the better will be the result.

Even with a tripod and a high-end camera you can still produce a low-quality image if there is not enough light. Low-light or light-gain filters produce video noise on the image; this is different for each frame of video and so it is more difficult for the codec (compressor/decompressor) to compress the file and give a good quality result.

Use the best camera possible. If you have a secure, steady, camera – and the lighting is right – you will get a reasonable result from even an inexpensive camera. BUT, it is best to have one that can capture your footage in digital format, and personally my business partner Neil Travers and I prefer using miniDV to capture our footage.

When you start out you don’t always have access to professional equipment, like high end consumer camcorders, a tripod, and excellent lighting conditions. Do the best you can with what’s available and always remember: the higher the quality of your video source, and the less noise in that source, the lower the data rate required to render a good playback file. Whenever possible, always encode a file from its uncompressed form.

If you convert a pre-compressed digital video format into the FLV format, the previous encoder can introduce video noise. This can occur because the first compressor has already performed its encoding algorithm on the video and has already reduced its quality, frame size, and rate. Digital “effects” or noise can be added. This additional noise affects the FLV encoding process and may require a higher data rate to play back a good quality file.

This is another important factor to consider in your encoding formula and refers to the percentage of the pixels that change from one frame to another. There are a variety of things that can affect this, from people or objects moving, camera effects or even post-production effects.

So watch out for the following points as they can all have an impact on frame motion:

- People and objects moving can include someone walking past the lens, tree leaves blowing in the wind, cars driving by, or an extreme close-up of a face.

- You can get nearly 100% pixel change from frame to frame from camera effects like panning, zooming, and having a hand-held result in almost There is also a high percentage of pixel changes from frame to frame when you use post-production effects like dissolves, fades, wipes, or complex video effects. Clips with a lot of motion in them mean the encoder has more information to compress than with static clips like one person talking to camera.

- An interview or conversation with two people works best if it is fairly static, like our own ‘kitchencasts’ where we are seated at a table while talking.

- Encoding works by the video codec using a method of dropping frames and then encoding a series of fully uncompressed frames. Key frames, which is what these are, are used to calculate and “rebuild” the missing frames during playback.

So I hope you can see that video is a great tool to use in your marketing, and it can be simple and cost effective. Just take your time, experiment, and enjoy yourself.

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Neil Stafford is Editor and Publisher of the Internet Marketing Review the UK’s longest running PRINTED Internet Marketing Newsletter. ‘Test drive’ the Newsletter for FREE – Visit this special web page for more information: http://www.internetmarketingreview.com/2months

Originally, squeeze pages are text based, offering success stories and other teasers that would get a consumer to arrive at a buying decision. These days, however, it is fast becoming a trend to incorporate videos into squeeze pages to make them more compelling and effective in appealing to the audience s emotions.

Elements of a squeeze page

In essence, the same concepts are still intact. To create a video squeeze page, you need to have the following elements present:

* A compelling headline

* A rundown of what the consumer stands to gain by purchasing the product

* A call to action

The only difference is that a video serves to offer more details to the message that these elements want to convey. To create a video squeeze page, you will need an embeddable video player such as Flowplayer. Simply download the software from its website and you ll find instructions on how you can embed your clips on your squeeze page.

Crafting a headline

Just like traditional text based squeeze pages, you re going to need a catchy headline for your video squeeze page to get your visitor to stick around and hit the play button. You want to arouse the curiosity of the viewer so you need to make your headline stand out. For one, you need to use huge block fonts. Great fonts for writing headlines include Tahoma, Georgia, and Impact.

The video content

The video content s purpose is to include the second element of the traditional squeeze page. It presents the benefits that a user stands to gain by signing up for your mailing list, downloading your e book, or buying your products. The good thing about video clips is that they can make it easier for you to sum up in a few minutes a sales pitch that could take pages to write.

To maintain the consumer s attention, you want to keep the video clip short. Two to five minutes should suffice if you have a lot to say. It s also a good idea to incorporate a human side to the video presentation, taping a real individual talking directly to your audience instead of using voiceovers or slide shows.

Call to action

Of course, a video squeeze page cannot be complete without a call to action or an opt in box. Make sure to place the opt in form directly below the video. You can include a call to action on the video presentation itself and follow it up with actual text right below the clip. You just need to tell the viewer what he should do next. Don t assume that he knows what to do after viewing your video.

Author Resource : Watch your conversion rate increase exponentially by using videos to your sales page. For effective and affordable video squeeze pages, visit http://www.hotvideolandingpages.com

But just like any marketing and advertising strategy, using videos does not guarantee sales conversions unless the tool is used properly. Here are a few tips on how you can increase your conversion rates by up to five times with video marketing.

Distribute your videos to various websites

Content distribution is just as important in video marketing as in any other online promotional strategy. There are many websites where you can upload your company s videos for free. Take advantage of websites such as YouTube and Veoh, and the traffic that they can direct to your website. Make sure to optimize your videos for these sites as well.

Offer your videos both for streaming and download

A good way to reach a wider audience is to make your videos more accessible through various vehicles. You want to provide your video clips in both streaming and downloadable formats. Streaming will cater to users with faster Internet connections while those with lower bandwidth can download the files to view them at a later time. Also, when videos are downloaded, your target market can easily replay them through other devices such as mobile phones and portable media players and the files can be shared to other people who are potentially interested in your brand.

Convey your message clearly

The good thing about videos is that they allow you to create a more personal message to your viewer, appealing to his emotions through sounds and images. When creating your videos, use real people to relay your message instead of mere voice overs.

Don t make your videos a waste of time for your viewers. Create materials of great value. Unique content is also important in your videos. You want the clips to remain in your viewer s memory so you need to make them creative and compelling. As such, it pays to understand your target market s current interests to appeal to their taste.

Include a call to action

If you re distributing videos to other websites, you need to create a compelling call to action to convince visitors to go to your website. Offer incentives like free downloads, your latest product promos or, if you have serialized the video, you can tell them to watch more of the story on your website.

Serialized videos

People are more apt to remember interrupted or incomplete materials better than the complete ones. This is why instead of creating a full length promotional video about your product, it s better to cut it up into small clips, post the first part of the series in video sharing websites, and invite viewers to visit your website to learn more.

In this day and age, incorporating video marketing into your online promotional strategy is a sound move particularly because videos are becoming just as effective, if not even more than text content. Just make sure to adopt the right strategies so your effort will not be for naught.

Author Resource : Watch your conversion rate increase exponentially by using videos on your sales page. For effective and affordable video squeeze pages, visit http://www.hotvideolandingpages.com

But just because video sales pages are effective doesn t mean that you can be complacent about the quality of your content. Videos are effective in drawing customers but they can also turn them away. Here are five secrets to a successful video sales page that you should always bear in mind.

1. Keep your video clips short

It s a known fact that Internet users have really short attention spans. Unless they are particularly interested in your brand and what you can offer, you can t expect them to stick around. This is why you need to keep your video clips short. About 15 to 30 seconds is more than enough to deliver your sales pitch without running the risk of being tossed aside for another web page. A follow up video always works if you really have more to say about your product. Don t cram everything in one clip.

2. Incorporate a human side to your clips

The thing about videos is that they allow you to reach out to your consumers on a more personal level because it is as if you re directly talking to them. Take advantage of this opportunity by going beyond the impersonal voiceovers on your video clips. Show real people and impart your message in a more personal manner.

3. Encourage users to view your videos

If the video clip on your sales page is not set to automatically play, you want to entice users to click on the play button by pointing out three good reasons why they should do so. Place this teaser or call to action right next to the player to pique the visitor s curiosity.

4. Create a series of videos

As earlier mentioned, it s not a good idea to cram your whole message into a really lengthy video clip. Consider serializing your videos, breaking the message into short clips using the same narrator or following the same thought. You can update your sales page to include new installments of your ad. Just place links and references to previous clips to encourage visitors to go back to them in case they landed in the middle of your video series.

5. Never lie on your video sales page

Finally, remember that videos present vivid representations of your product more than mere words can. Make sure to accurately present your products or services through a clip that you will be proud to put your company s name on.

When it comes to video marketing, your efforts can make or break your whole strategy. After all, this is just like any other online marketing tool. When it is used the right way, you can almost expect the conversions to pour in.

Author Resource : Watch your conversion rate increase exponentially by using videos on your sales page. For effective and affordable video squeeze pages, visit http://www.hotvideolandingpages.com

Increasing prevalence of online video ads

It s only understandable that Internet marketing would grow beyond the use of mere images and text content. These days, the use of videos to promote products and services is fast gaining popularity. Marketers are starting to tap into the potential of online video ads as effective promotional vehicles. Video marketing is a new strategy but it is showing a lot of promise.

Advertisers now use online videos to reach their target audience. And based on surveys, this ad format appears to be more effective than other online promotional tools when it comes to presenting a clear message.

Consumer perception of video campaigns

Studies by Dynamic Logic suggest that consumers are now more receptive to video marketing campaigns. Originally, advertisers simply transferred their TV commercials on the Internet but soon they started seeing the importance of creating more compelling clips that are specifically made for the online medium, leveraging its influence and power to entice sales conversions.

In a survey on the effectiveness of video campaigns by the Feed Company, it was found that majority of its respondents where pleased with the results of this marketing strategy, with brand engagement being one of its prime benefits. According to many companies, online video advertising has resulted to as much as a 40 increase in sales for various products and services.

New technologies for video marketing

Videos are engaging and that makes them effective in getting a user s attention. The development of the latest technologies such as faster Internet connections, new image production and editing techniques, and more advanced software has allowed video clips published online to play instantly and offer high quality sound and images.

Related applications for video marketing

Video marketing now figures as an indispensable tool in various online promotional efforts including sales presentations, product demos and press briefings. It is also now popularly used for internal communications and even for recruitment.

The thing about video marketing is it continues to be more cost effective as the expenses incurred for producing and sharing videos on the Internet become even lower as technologies develop.

Suffice to say, online video marketing is definitely here to stay. In the coming years, more advertisers will warm up to the idea of incorporating the strategy into their campaigns. Websites will use videos as one of the most important elements that will make their own pages stand out from competing brands and products. With search engines such as Google developing a universal search method, even videos will become crucial tools for establishing online popularity through search engine marketing.

Author Resource : Watch your conversion rate increase exponentially by using videos on your sales page. For effective and affordable video squeeze pages, visit http://www.hotvideolandingpages.com