Web development and programming information

Let me ask you a question. Have you ever wanted to get a simple message out on YouTube, but you were just too intimidated by the idea of video recording yourself?

If so, don’t worry, you’re not alone. I have the same problem. Consider the following video creation issues I discovered after a quick look through Google.

Right off the bat, I was told to buy the most expensive camera I could afford, since the quality of the video will suffer unless the camcorder is first rate.

Second, I discovered that EXPENSIVE tripods are a must. The tripod must cost at least $100 – $200 or it will wobble. I also learned that you need something called a “Lavaliere Microphone”. While I was trying to figure out what that was, I learned that you also need a portable microphone.

I learned about narration, editing, panning, zooming, composition, lighting, and even equipment organization and sorting.

We haven’t even gotten to the question of memorization vs. cue cards, inflection, noise minimization, facial expression, and my personal favorite – STAGE FRIGHT.

All of this would make a lot of sense if you were re-making “Gone With The Wind”, but it’s way over the top if you’re just trying to explain or sell something.

If you’re reading this, then presumably you understand the incredible power of video sites like YouTube, and you know that video accounts for more and more total internet traffic (52% to date). If you want the most pairs of eyes to see your message, you have to go video. But you may be asking yourself at this point how you can avoid all of the above nonsense to do it.

Good question. You could go for some expensive video editing software and – after overcoming a steep learning curve – create one of those masterpieces you see on YouTube from time to time. You know what I mean – a clever series of written messages which fade in and fade out, or leap on to the screen and then leap out, or dance around in a circle – all accompanied by perfectly synchronized music, of course.

Or, if you think that all of the above is a bit much just to get a straightforward message across, then why not consider something called “text to video” software?

It’s actually been around for a little while, but don’t worry if you’ve never heard of it. I hadn’t either until fairly recently. Basically, text to video software allows you to paste or type language into your computer. It then converts that language into audio speech. They developed it to the point where it’s far less robotic than in the past.

This type of program makes creating a video as simple as writing an email. When you consider that more and more people prefer watching and listening to a message, rather than reading words on a screen, you can see the value in this.

The main question to ask is how the software handles the video portion. I would personally recommend that you choose a program that generates some kind of computer image, rather than simply flashing the words on a screen as they’re being spoken. Most viewers feel more comfortable actually seeing someone talk, and you want viewers that feel comfortable watching your message.

Learn more about a new text to video program called VideoGoRound.com at Jennifer Gordon’s site: VIDEOGOROUND.COM. Find out how VIDEOGOROUND will address these issues.