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How to Start Recording and Get Noticed on YouTube

Well-recorded videos are a great marketing tool. Video blogging is becoming more and more popular and the equipment is getting cheaper, so there is no excuse not to use it in your marketing arsenal.

A few years ago, you would need to pay a lot for a high-quality camera. It would be heavy, cumbersome and would require few weeks of studying to use. With the introduction of HD video, and thanks to websites like YouTube and Vimeo, publishing and editing movies became not only cheap, but also very easy.

Getting the right equipment to record in HD

High-definition videos are crystal clear, and picking the right camera can save you a lot of time and frustration during editing. There are two options to choose from when deciding which camcorder to buy. You can go for a dedicated HD video camcorder designed especially for this purpose, or you can go for a compact still camera with HD video recording built in.

You should think this through and ask yourself when, where and how often will you use the camera for recording video. If you plan to use it in a controlled environment like your home or conference rooms, you will need a camera with a good sensor, suitable for recording in poor light conditions. On the other hand, if you want to record videos outside or in well-lit room/studio, you can go for a compact still camera with HD recording.

Compact cameras are smaller, easier to use and you can carry them in your pocket. However, they tend to have poor quality microphones that generate a hiss in windy conditions and limited or no optical zoom. Dedicated HD camcorders are more expensive, bulky and difficult to carry, but offer great zoom and usually come with nice microphones for outdoor use.

If you are looking for a compact camera, the Canon IXUS 130 retails at 140 euros right now on Amazon UK and offers HD video recording in a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. It ships with software to simplify YouTube uploads, making it really easy to use for video blogging.

If you are interested in a dedicated camcorder for your video recording needs, have a look at the Sony HDRCX115EB for 305 euros on Amazon UK with full HD resolution and 25x optical zoom and image stabilisation.

Both options are very good, and the videos are even better if you use a good tripod for stabilisation like the Velbon CX-440 for 30 euros on Amazon UK.

Uploading and editing movies

Once your video is recorded, you have to download it to your computer and prepare it for online upload. Depending on your technical skills, you can add captions and transitions between takes and fix some errors in your reel. It's always better to spend more time recording the perfect take than struggle with editing software afterward, so be patient. With time, you will get better results, and you will get to know your equipment.

Once the video is prepared for upload, you have to log into your video hosting provider, like YouTube or Vimeo, and upload the file, giving it a catchy title, interesting description and keywords. There are size limitations, so make sure your video is the right size and type. Currently, YouTube allows you to upload 2GB per file (up to 15 minutes).

Make sure the privacy on your video is not too strict. After all, you want this to be seen by as many people as possible.

Promoting your videos and getting attention

Once your video is available online, and you are happy about its content and quality, it is time to promote it in social channels. Both YouTube and Vimeo offer links to your video and embed codes. Use them on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and HubForce to promote.

YouTube offers full integration with your social profiles, so whenever you upload a new video, it will automatically be shared on your social profiles for your friends to watch and comment. You can also embed the videos in your blog posts. Over time, your video will receive some organic traffic from YouTube, but promoting your own content is the quickest way to get feedback and speed up the viral effect of your video.

What is your experience with video recording and marketing on video hosting sites? Did you succeed? Did it prove efficient for your business? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.