If a picture is worth a thousand words… a one minute video can deliver an encyclopedia of information to your prospective clients via the web. We are going to cover some Pre-Design topics and three main pitfalls to producing a video for delivery on the web?
Who Gets the Information?
Consider how much information you truly want to broadcast to everyone before you start developing your video. If you decide you need to limit the information to only people that have paid for it you can set up a password system. If there are specifics that you want to enphisis yet details you need to keep close to the vest, usually you can discuss that with the art director and achieve your goal through the shots you choose and the editing process.
Decide Before You Design
This is a subheading that appears in most every article. The reason is that if you do not have a clear understanding of your ultimate goal for the project, no matter what medium it involves, you will not be able to achieve a satisfactory result. So, start by asking yourself a series of questions.
Ask Questions
Who is my target market. What about my product or service would appeal to them. Is there a call to action.
Those are the basics for any project, yet there are additional and very important aspects to producing a video for web delivery that you must consider before you start.
Pitfall One
Just because you can – doesn’t mean you should. A video allows for a wide realm of expression. However is that what will sell your product. Do you really need to show transitions that take up value download time, rather that showing how your product works? Decide ahead of time are you selling a “look” or a product. If the “look or style” of the video is bad, your customers may assume your product is also.
Pitfall Two
Probably one of the most important aspects of a video for web delivery is the technical side. Will everyone be able to view your investment in a video. Does your designer know who your target audience is, what computer systems, browsers and plug-ins will reach the greatest majority of people?
Pitfall Three: Time
Take a look at how you browse the web. Would you spend the time it takes to download a 60 meg file? That’s approximately 10.8 minutes with a DSL or cable modem, would you take the time – maybe not. So no matter how nice the video is, you are better off trading size (high resolution) for size (small file for quick download).
There are additional constraints that come with producing viable video for the web.
