Creating simple videos using Windows Movie Maker is a highly effective way to market your website and you don't even need a video camera. A video will engage the audience much better than written content. This is because visitors can watch, listen and read instead of just reading the text version of your content. One of the greatest fears of video marketing is actually creating the video. Put those fears to rest by reading the steps outlined below to quickly and easily create a simple video.
Seven steps for creating a simple video with Windows Movie Maker
1. Open Windows Movie Maker
Every PC already has Windows Movie Maker software installed. You should now see a list of movie tasks on the left side of the window. These include capture video, edit movie, fish movie and movie making tips. At the bottom of your screen. You should see a timeline displayed. You will be adding video, audio and text to this time line.
2. Import a picture
Click on the import pictures link to find a beautiful photo that will serve as the background to your video clip. Make sure the photo is not too dark because you will be placing text on top of it. You can use as many photos as you wish for your video however I've found that one beautiful photo works fine. It saves time and prevents viewers from being distracted by displaying multiple photos.
If you have seven points you wish to make in your video, copy and paste the same photo 7 times into your timeline. Add the photo two more times for the introduction and end of your video. You should now have a total of nine photos on the timeline.
3. Add titles to the photos on your timeline
The first photo should contain the main title of your video clip plus your contact information which should include your website address. Add the titles for the main points in the next seven photos. The last photo should thank your visitors for watching and include your website address or a link to your products and services.
4. Import audio
Music will greatly enhance your video by appealing to your visitors auditory senses. Choose your music wisely. For example, you don't want to have a person singing or rapping loudly in the background while your visitor is watching the video. It may appeal to a small number of people but will probably turn off most of them.
How to find your music for your video
Rip music from a CD. If you already have a music CD simply pop it into the CD player on your computer. The Windows Media Player will start automatically because it is already installed on your computer. At the top of your screen click on the “Rip” tab. This will give you a drop-down box. Click on format - MP3. The MP3 format provides the best quality music. Also select bitrate-320Kbps for best quality.
Alternatively, you can also select your own choice of music from iTunes or other music sharing websites.
Import your audio file into Windows Movie Maker by clicking on the capture video — import audio or music link. Browse to the audio file on your computer, click import and it will appear on your screen. Drag the audio file onto your timeline, where it says audio/music.
5. Adjust your timeline
Adjust the video, audio and text on your timeline so that all plays together harmoniously. Play your video several times for optimum performance and to inform and entertain your visitors.
6. Upload your video to YouTube
Save the video first on your computer in case you wish to edit it later. Save your video clip as a .AVI file. This preserves the quality of your video. Open your YouTube account and click the upload button. While the video is uploading fill in the title and description of your video clip. Make sure you include your full website address and an attention getting headline in the title description. In the description box clearly describe what your video is about. In the tag box insert all the main keywords people would use to find your video on YouTube and in the search engines. Be sure to include these keywords in the title and description boxes as well.
7. Promote your video
YouTube provides both the website address to your video plus the embed code for inserting your video within a web page. Share your video within a post or article on your blog or website, social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook and&fraasl;or include a link to it in the resource box at the end of your articles. Submit these articles to the top article directories. This will result in attracting visitors to your website plus build back links and increase search engine traffic.
For quickly and easily placing videos on your website without relying on YouTube get a copy of VideoWebWizard at: drostdesigns.com
More Graphics Design Tips:
• The Blender Gamekit
• CSS Button Designer
• Anti-Aliasing
• Getting Started with Blender
• How to Make a Simple Animated Banner in Flash CS3
• Paint.Net Ink Sketch, Oil Painting, and Pencil Sketch Artistic Effects
• How to Use Draw Bezier
• Graphics Design for Beginners - Cropping Images
• The Game Maker's Apprentice
• Graphics File Formats for Your Web Page