Announcing “Subscriber Appreciation Week” on YouTube July 30, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : YouTube , 11commentsAnd this thank-you melody goes for you WillVideoforFood visitors especially.
Emerging Community for Serious Video Creators July 25, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Making Videos, Online Video, Profit, Video Advertising, Video Business, advertising , 23comments
The Daily Reel’s “REELED IN” seems to be growing as serious video creators post their online videos to gain visibility from the site and its every-so-networked partners. I’m also finding it’s a nice way to connect with other creators, and a few WVFF readers and YouTube buds have jumped in.
We’ve all been burned populating profiles to which we never return (like my silly MySpace account). But I’m hoping this was worth the 20 minutes. If no other reason I’m hoping to win points with the every-so-cool TDR team.
Don’t wait for a personal invite from ‘em. Jump on in.
Oh- I’ve set up a “crew” for any other viral-video “sellouts” that actually hope to make money in this space. BTW I’ve been taking some criticism over this ambition and finally had to vlog about it today. Everyone has their own goal for participating in the online video community. Mine happens to be to cover my insanely high cost of living. Stone me, Ian.
XLNTads Nearing Launch July 25, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Future of Online Video, Making Videos, Online Video, Profit, advertising , 6comments
If you want a “sneak peak” at a rapidly evolving website that’s connecting marketers with online-video creators, check out Xlntads.com.
Note- I’m on the company’s “creator adviser board,” so don’t expect complete objectivity in this post. But I love that they found me, and that I’ve been able to help shape this company. I only wish I had gotten to them before they chose their name. 
Here’s the idea. We video creators are looking for exposure, revenue, and prizes. Yet the ad-sharing model (Revver, Metacafe and now YouTube) is still in its infancy. So in the meantime, video creators can enter contests or do custom ads for marketers.
As a creator I know that doing custom videos is a lot of work. And as a marketer I know the hassle of running a program or a contest. So I like the idea of a vendor devoted to being a valued intermediary. Agencies aren’t consistently good at this, and many online-video sites have lost money on custom contests. They’re a distraction to the core business, and not profitable unless you make it your core competency.
Most importantly, marketers are happy to pay significant dollars for good video content (especially if the creator has an established channel with predictable views). And since most creators have day jobs, the cash or prizes go a long way.
Check out the Xlntads site and the surprisingly populated blog for a company that’s just beginning.
Note- I’ve sent some of you to this site via my early video (Baby Food). A new upgrade just launched that has a slick upload process that’s fast and allows you to customize your thumbnail.
YouTube: “The River of Dung” July 23, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Making Videos , 18comments
In the most thought-inspiring article since Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” award cover story that named me, Maxim writer John Walsh has written a piece called “You Suck!” in the August issue.
“All that user-generated content you’re posting on the Web? Please stop,” writes Walsh. He likens browsing YouTube like “panning for gold dust in a shallow river of dung.” Some other interesting points:
- When Gutenberg invented movable type, was there a sudden explosion of self-indulgent horshit? Nope. Bibles and scientific treatises.
- When Morse invented the telegraph, it “nurtured a vigorous economy and informed electorate.”
- Walsh tracks the decline as we moved into television, magazines and now… MySpace and YouTube. Will Ferrell, he writes, is an exception. But you and me? We’re not Will Ferrell.
“Ask yourself,” Walsh rants. “Would I want to waste five minutes watching what I’m about to make? Odds are, the answer is no.”
Guilty as charged, Walsh.
Is Online-Video Advertising, PR or Marketing? July 23, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Online Video, advertising, marketing , 14commentsI’ve been using the term advertising when speaking about online-videos that promote a product. But is it that, or is it public relations (PR)? Is it marketing or something else?
This MediaPost article by Alan Schulman of IMC2 (an interactive agency) reminded me that it’s about marketing not advertising. Says the creative director:
Advertising will remain a critical component of the marketing continuum, but here in the digital world, it’s really not the core of the business anymore.
When I was at Johnson & Johnson I worked in the new media group that happened to live in the public relations department. There was a similar group in the J&J advertising group. The way we thought and behaved about the online media was often quite different. If you’re in PR you’re looking at the blogosphere and transparancy. If you’re in advertising you’re generally looking at paid media and how to construct campaigns that break throught he clutter.
I’ll always content that the online expertise in any company should live in one place. The marketing group. The closer it is to “inline” marketing the better it will be.
The Profile of a Second Life User July 23, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Viral Video, YouTube, advertising , 2comments
I tried Second Life last weekend, and was so perplexed I decided to spoof it in this video called “Drunk Naked Flying in Second Life.” The video viralinated (became a top video in the “Gadget and Games” section), and I started receiving dozens of friend invites from people (I’m named “Nalts Writer” on Second Life but don’t plan to check it often). Two of the progressive marketers I know (who lead interactive at big consumer brands) are experimenting with Second Life and sharing learnings.
Here’s an interesting perspective from Besty in ”Notes from the Digital Frontier.” She reminds us that Second Life users are creators — whether they’re bored with their first life or looking to try new technology to connect with a community.
This has important implications in how you market to them. Many YouTube users are also creators, and we don’t like to be marketed “at.” We trust other creators. Which means if you’re a brand looking to plunge into online community, you’d better behave like a creator or affiliate yourselves with them.
Nalts on Cover of “Wired” Magazine July 23, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Online Video , 13comments
I’ve been critized lately about having a big head. Naturally I can’t resist satirizing criticism. So here’s the ultimate manifestation of my big head. My cover story on Wired Magazine.
Thanks to JD Lasica’s Social Media blog for helping me find the “Make Your Own Wired Cover” promotion by Xerox.
How to Compress Video for YouTube (5 Vital Tips) July 18, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Making Videos, YouTube , 17commentsCourtesy of ZackScott, here’s a nice piece from CrunchGear about how to ensure your video is optimized for YouTube.
- Make your file a .mov or .mp4.
- Set it to the YouTube-native size of 320×240 (aka QVGA).
- Expect letterboxing if your HD camera shoots at a different aspect ration than the 4:3 that is 320×240. No way out of that unless you want to crop or stretch (yuck).
- Make it as “bit-rich” as you can. Use a bitrate as high as you can up to 1200kbps (overkill). Somewhere between 700kbps and 1000kbps should do the trick nicely.
- Use the MP3 audio codec (either CBR of VBR), which should be standard on your editor.
Do this and your video will look better and encode faster (reduce post-to-view lag).
Also note that there’s software out there that has automated YouTube features, such as VirtualDub. These programs are great time-savers if you’re and hardcore YouTuber, and they should be considered.
Why Dark on YouTube? July 17, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : YouTube , 18commentsI’ve gone dark on YouTube for a week (July 16-22) to decompress from the NYC 777 gathering and the drama that followed (see most recent video called “Going Dark: DoMyStuff Intervention.” Since I was making a video for DoMyStuff anyway, we decided to have this cap the video.
The truth is, someone in NYC told wifeofnalts that he gained a new perspective on “his addiction” by taking 30 days off, but I figured 7 days is enough for me. If anyone know who told this to my wife, could they please punch him?
Here’s the interventionist that is helping me take one day at a time (actually GetOverNalts is a friend of ours that was visiting for the weekend). We never knew this guy could act, but I think he’s hysterical. The three videos we did were all one take, and I gave him virtually no lines. So I gave him my PureDigital Point & Shoot ($100 videocam) on the condition he continues to post.
So far I’ve only had the shakes for about 50% of the time I’ve been off. The down time is made a little easier by the recent barrage of “he’s an egomaniac” criticism (hater comments I can overlook but you know something’s up when you get about 5 voicemails from friends reading you collections of negative comments). And you know you’ve offended people when they’re going on stickam and posting the URL (in disguise via “Tiny URL”) that unsubscribes you to my YouTube videos. Oh the drama!
So I shall return with new humility, and get back to videos of my kids, running with scissors and farting with Spencer.
My Dad Found Me on Wikipedia July 11, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Online Video , 34comments
My dad just sent me this… a Wikipedia entry for me. Let’s be clear. I didn’t pull an Adam Curry and create that listing for myself (or I would have used Nalts or Viral Video Genius of course). But thanks whoever put this up.