YouTube Captions Underwhelms

In one of its most underwhelming functionality changes in the past decade, YouTube now offers captions. Qui donne une merde? You’ll need to look for it by clicking the arrow button and selecting “captions” but it probably won’t exist in your language. That’s because the creator has to use special software and can only translate…

| | | | | | | |

The Attack of the Killer How-To Video Sites

Lately it’s “The Attack of the Killer How-To Videos Sites.” We’ve already seen ExpertVillage, Instructables, AOL’s How To, VideoJug, and of course YouTube’s How-To section. While uploading on TubeMogul.com this morning, I noticed three more sites that have surfaced. Most of these models depend exclusively on advertising revenue. While that’s a nice interim model for…

|

Top 10 Ways to Get Started on YouTube (For Dumb, Stupid Idiots)

Editorial note: This is not for you, dear WillVideoForFood regulars. This is for your illiterate friends. You see, the unaided recall of the name “YouTube” is probably closer to the brands of Google, Amazon and eBay than the rest of the online video sites. In layman terms, that means the majority of U.S. citizens who…

| | | | | | | | | |

How to Win a Contest (Case Study)

ZackScott, one of my favorite fearless video creators, returns for a guest blog post about winning a recent Xlntads ProQuo contest (disclaimer: Zack and I both contribute to Xlntads as members of a “creative advisor board, and he wins contests while I think about them). Zack told me yesterday, “I’m hoping people think I’m such…

| |

Be the “Life of Your Office” With These Tasteless Pranks

I love a slow-boil video, and this one delivers some hysterical prank bits that become increasingly tasteless… from desktop and fax pranks to “shivving” and murder. All with whispy 1940s commercial music. “Five April Fool’s Office Pranks” on Break.com. I also enjoy the repetition of a gag, like this skinny Brit’s unbridled enthusiasm when his…

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

The Marketeter’s Cheat Sheet to Viral Video

You’re running a brand that is trying to “dip your toe” into social media and online video, and you’re facing some important questions: Is my brand right for this? How can I experiment without ending up as a “case study” failure? Can I convince my company that we should do this? What are my options…