Trying my hand at video reviews

[George Russell]

Check out the following video and tell me what you think of this idea. I have added this video review to my facebook and web sites. I have already learned that I need to shoot indoors and with something nicer than the front door in the background.

[Marc]

At the risk of pissing you off, I'm going to offer my honest opinion:

Lose the baseball cap and shorts. Tuck in the shirt. Get rid of the background noise and camera shake. Location actually looks good to me. That outdoor light seems great.

Can't judge the 'message' because I can't hear, but you can have a decisive impact on the audience if it's right.

Marc

[George Russell]

Not gonna piss me off at all. I'm not one for telling millionaire clients how to dress though. I was just happy that he was kind enough to do it for me.

[Robert Jones]

I think Marc might have thought that was you George. My recommendation would be a camera stand to help with the shaking and to place the camera/interview somewhere out of the wind. Good idea.

[Bain]

It IS a good idea, but there was no sizzle or pop. I can't imagine that video swaying anyone who's fence-sitting to opt for you over a competitor.

Just an opinion.............

[Marc]

Not gonna piss me off at all. I'm not one for telling millionaire clients how to dress though. I was just happy that he was kind enough to do it for me.

Ya mean that the guy in the video was a client? Jeez. Sorry man, the language woulda told me if I could have understood it.

Marc

[Nolan Kienitz]

George,

Here's a cut/paste of what I replied with to you over at IN.

What point does that serve? Customers searching for good inspectors and inspections can see that such is a blatant setup ... even though you mean very well as does the client it is such a hype that can turn many folks off. I've checked with many, many folks (some clients and some not) and almost all of them have laughed such videos off.

Again ... I know you mean well as does your client, but bottom line is such (even if professionally produced for good audio/video quality) going to sway a future client?

Now ... that is MY input from many years of dealing with public, media, marketing, construction (~ 20+ years) and 20 years of commercial inspections and 7 years of residential inspections.

Just food for thought. I'm sure others will have other observations and they will all be well intentioned. As I noted I spent many years in the media world and that is part of my background and view of many of the "home-grown" marketing items that folks (including inspectors) come up with.

[George Russell]

You are right Nolan. It may not help at all but it isn't costing me anything to try. I thought the youtube links might help with SEO.

[Ben H]

Hey George. I don't know how "techy" you are, but you can remove that wind noise no problem with a free program called Audacity.

You simply take a sample of the wind noise, and it will take the noise out for you. Here is a video tutorial I did a while back for an old friends website.

.

I'll be happy to help you, if you need it.

[George Russell]

Thanks Ben!

I'm going to be real busy this week but will look at it when I can.

[George Russell]

Hey Ben,

Just checked out your tutorial. Good stuff! I've downloaded audacity and am in the process of trying to learn it, your video will be a HUGE help.

Thanks!! BTW close to 140 views in one week so far.

[Michael Brown]

You are right Nolan. It may not help at all but it isn't costing me anything to try. I thought the youtube links might help with SEO.

You are correct!

Michael