FAQ: Well-equipped

What kind of equipment should you have in order to create great video?

Well… something that can create videos, for one. But that something can be your phone. My entire FAQ video series was filmed on my iPhone, as are most of my videos.

Good lighting can be provided by a window, a lamp… or, yes, a specialized ring light. Quality sound can come from a dedicated USB microphone (I like the Blue Yeti), a lavalier microphone that plugs into your phone (here’s a cheap one that I like)… or just the regular microphone on your phone, computer, or camera. You don’t need a fancy backdrop. You don’t need expensive equipment. In fact, apps like Wave.video, Ripl, and Camtasia don’t require you to film any video footage at all; you can utilize their libraries to create your own video from pre-made content.

So… what’s the one true must-have for your video setup?

A great idea, clearly executed, preferably entertaining and educational.

That’s truly it.

FAQ: Live and Let Live

What are the advantages of live vs. prerecorded video content?

Some advantages of live video:

• Better reach on most social media algorithms

• Increased ability to engage with viewers

• Greater sense of immediacy, intimacy, and realness

• No need to edit; you do it and it’s done!

Some advantages of pre-recorded video:

• Easier to plan and control

• Can batch-create for efficiency

• Often allows for higher production quality

• Can add more bells and whistles

Advantages of making your own decision:

• You’ll be doing what your audience responds to, what works best for your content, and what you prefer creating!

FAQ: Video length

There’s a ton of advice out there on best practices for video length on various platforms. Here are some quick stats by platform:

Facebook (pre-recorded): 2 minutes

Facebook Live: at least 10 minutes; 15 minutes is a sweet spot

Instagram: 30 seconds

Twitter: 30-45 seconds

YouTube: 2 minutes

But stats are just that: stats. My advice is ALWAYS to explore what your own audience responds to, what works best to tell your content’s story, and, above all, what you actually want to do.

FAQ: Camera-shy

One big hesitation some people have with using video on social media is that they’re camera-shy. But the classic “talking head” video format is FAR from your only option on social media!

#MidweekMinute 4/4/18: Data squeeze

Facebook further diminishes ad targeting options based on user data, including severing ties with third-party app data and getting tougher on email marketing permissions (used for custom audience targeting), and makes it easier to remove yourself from apps & games you've previously approved. Facebook also adds HD video & 360 photos to Messenger, and improves the VR in its Spaces feature. Instagram also restricts third-party app partnerships, and brings GIFs back to stories (which now have auto full screen ads). Snapchat has beat Instagram to the video-chat-party punch, announcing video chats for up to 16 people. Pinterest splits its feed in two: one for exploration and discovery, and one for people you're following. LinkedIn debuts video on company pages & video ads. YouTube debuts short ads with a reach component.

Flipboard is acting wonky this week (Mercury Retrograde!), so the articles are out of order, but here's more info on all stories above & then some:

View my Flipboard Magazine.

#MidweekMinute: better visuals & more advertising power

Facebook is NOT limiting your feed to 25 friends; Facebook's Watch eyes more of a YouTube model; Facebook's audience insights get even creepier; Google Pixel 2 Visual Core enabled for Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp; Snapchat introduces more colorful text options, the ability to mute, and an in-app merchandise store; Instagram Stories has fun with type, introduces longer Story ads, and is still probably working on video chat; Maisie Williams introduces Daisie.

Facebook Friend Limit

Does a New Facebook Algorithm Only Show You 26 Friends? (Snopes)

Facebook limiting status updates in news feed to 25 friends? That's a hoax, pass it on (USA Today)

No, Facebook isn't limiting you to 25 friends' status updates (CNet)

Facebook Expanding Watch

Facebook is talking to advertisers about a more direct assault on YouTube (CNBC)

Facebook Is About to Declare War on YouTube(The Motley Fool)

Facebook may share ad money to lure creators from YouTube (Engadget)

Facebook Estimates Users' Socioeconomic Status

Facebook patent tries to guess users' socioeconomic status (Axios)

Facebook patents technology that would estimate users' socioeconomic status (The Hill)

Google's Pixel 2

The Pixel 2’s Visual Core photo processor now works with Instagram, WhatsApp and Snapchat (TechCrunch)

Google expands Pixel Visual Core’s HDR+ to Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp (9To5)

Google enables Pixel Visual Core for better Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp photos (The Verge)

Google Flips the Switch on Its Pixel Visual Core (Wired)

Snapchat Redesign

Snapchat redesign gets colorful text, while all users can mute specific chats (Digital Trends)

Snapchat slips in features like fonts and do not disturb amidst redesign (TechCrunch)

Snap Store 

Snapchat’s new Snap Store teases in-app commerce potential (TechCrunch)

Snapchat launches in-app merchandise store, opening the potential for mCommerce (Mobile Marketing)

Snapchat opens in-app shopping section with Snap Store(Marketing Land)

Instagram Type Mode

Introducing Type Mode in Stories (Instagram)

Instagram Adds Text-Only Feature to Stories (NY Mag)

Why Can’t I Change My Instagram Story Font? Type Mode Is A Game-Changer (Bustle)

Instagram Carousel Ad Format

Instagram triples length of Story ads with carousel format (Marketing Land)

Instagram’s Carousel ad format is coming to Instagram Stories (TechCrunch)

Instagram Video Chat

Instagram Leak Reveals Radical New Video Feature (Forbes)

Instagram video calling leak hints at major future feature (Slash Gear)

Report: Video chats coming to Instagram (Phone Arena)

Daisie

Actress Maisie Williams to launch Daisie, a social app for talent discovery and collaboration (TechCrunch)

#MidweekMinute: Fighting Snapchat & killing Storify

Facebook adds video music library, AR for Messenger, and tries to resurrect the Poke, while quietly removing the ticker feed (who knew that was still even a thing?); Instagram takes messaging out of the app with Direct, and also now lets you follow hashtags; Tinder will be showing your matches your Insta & Spotify activity (if you let it); Twitter Threads kills Storify, while the platform will also now let you view counts on public videos.

Facebook Sound Collection

Facebook Sound Collection lets you add no-name music to videos(TechCrunch)

Facebook adds a sound and music library you can use for video (Engadget)

Facebook offers free music and sound effects for video makers (The Next Web)

Facebook AR in Messenger

Sorry, Snapchat: Facebook just unleashed its own 'dancing hot dog' studio (Mashable)

Facebook Messenger adds Snapchat-style AR objects (Engadget)

Facebook Removes Ticker

Facebook Removes Ticker News Feed For Monitoring Friends’ Activity (Search Engine Journal)

Facebook's Ticker that showed your friends' activities has been removed (Tech Spot)

Facebook's 'ticker,' aka creeper feed, is no more (Engadget)

Facebook Resurrecting the Poke

Facebook is trying to make the Poke happen again (TechCrunch)

Is Facebook bringing the poke back? One-click greetings are in testing (Digital Trends)

Instagram Direct

Instagram is testing Direct, a standalone messaging app that replaces the current inbox (The Verge)

Instagram Tests Standalone Direct Message App (Geek.com)

Instagram is reportedly separating Direct messages into its own separate, Snapchat-like app (Business Insider)

Instagram letting you follow hashtags

Radical New Instagram Hashtag Update Is a Real Game Changer (Forbes)

Instagram becomes an interest network with hashtag following (TechCrunch)

Tinder showing your online activity to matches

Tinder is testing a feed of real-time updates from your matches, including posts from Instagram and Spotify (TechCrunch)

Tinder is testing a chronological feed of your matches’ profile updates and Instagram posts (The Verge)

Twitter Threads kills Storify

Twitter will now let you publish an entire tweetstorm all at once (Recode)

Twitter adds thread tools to help you craft epic tweetstorms (Engadget)

Twitter Makes It Easier to Compose and Read Threads (Variety)

Twitter Just Made the Tweetstorm a Real Thing (Slate)

Twitter Will Show View Counts on Public Videos

Twitter Starts Showing How Many Views Videos Get On Its Platform (AdAge)

Twitter Will Finally Display View Counts On Video Tweets(Tubefilter)

Twitter Makes View Count on Videos Public (TheVideoInk)

Which social media platforms should you be on? (VIDEO)

Today I had the honor of speaking to two of Sterling National Bank's women's networking groups, Sterling Women and Extraordinary Women of Sterling, in their Montebello, NY office. One of these groups includes some of their corporate banking clients (including small business owners), and the other comprises Sterling employees. I spoke about the differences between some of the major social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook), and how to know which ones you really need to be on. I'm giving a talk on the same topic Wednesday night to a very different group - and I expect it will be a whole different talk!

Some key takeaways from this morning's talk:

LinkedIn:

• Everyone who does business
• Have a picture
• Keep it current

Instagram:

• Tangible product
• Visually engaging
• Feeling, not telling

Twitter:

• Informative communications
• Joining larger conversations 
• Direct engagement with others

Facebook:

• “Main Street” of the internet
• You’re on their turf: be relevant
• All types of communication

#MidweekMinute: TWO MINUTES of news this week!

Facebook, as usual, dominates this week's news, as they attempt to bring corded-quality VR to the wireless masses, pizza to the starving gamers playing it, AIM-style away messages to us nostalgic folk, and JOBS to all. LinkedIn continues their "new features every damn week of 2017" streak with sponsored auto-play video ads. Twitter is changing its video ad game with Video Cards that launch a playing video over a clicked link. Back to Facebook, who's finally letting brands create Facebook Stories. But if they don't succeed in stealing the Snap demographic there, it's all good: Facebook has also acquired tbh (don't worry if you don't know what that is), which is the rare anonymous platform that's all about positivity. Snapchat's still very much in the "constantly developing new stuff" game, though: they just announced a partnership with NBCUniversal (& Donut Studios) for new, scripted programming.

Facebook Announces Inexpensive Oculus VR Headset:

Facebook Announces $199 Oculus Go Standalone VR Headset (Variety)

Facebook announces a wireless $200 virtual reality headset (Chicago Tribune)

Facebook unveils "portable" Oculus VR headset (Axios)

How Oculus and Facebook Are Attempting to Make VR Social (DesignNews)

Facebook food ordering:

Facebook's Newest Feature Lets Users Order Food (Refinery 29)

Facebook launches new food-ordering feature (Philly Voice)

Facebook Adds Options For Ordering Food (Forbes)

Facebook's "Order Food" feature officially launches across the US (TechCrunch)

Facebook Status Messages:

Facebook Tests A Return Of The Status Message (BuzzFeed News)

Facebook Goes Retro With Its Test of Text-Only Temporary Profile Status Updates (Adweek)

Facebook Testing Resume Feature, challenging LinkedIn:
 

Facebook is testing a Resume/CV feature--watch your back LinkedIn! (Social Barrel)

Facebook is testing a LinkedIn-like resume feature (Engadget)

Facebook is reportedly testing a new resume / CV feature (Mashable)

LinkedIn autoplay video ads:
 

LinkedIn launches autoplay mobile video ads (Marketing Land)

Video Ads Are Finally Coming to LinkedIn (Adweek)

LinkedIn would like to add autoplay ads to your professional network (Engadget)

LinkedIn is testing autoplaying video ads (betanews)

Twitter Video WEbsite Cards:

Twitter introduces a new video-centric ad format (TechCrunch)

Twitter’s New Ad Unit Pulls a Video Above a Website to Make Click-Throughs More Interactive (Adweek)

Twitter’s new Video Website Card ad format uses video to push link clicks (Marketing Land)

Facebook launches branded Stories:
 

No one uses Facebook Stories, so now they're available for #brands (Engadget)

Facebook Stories open to Pages, bringing brands to the ghost town (TechCrunch)

Facebook acquires tbh:
 

Facebook Acquires Teen App (Reuters)

Facebook acquires anonymous teen compliment app tbh, will let it run (TechCrunch)

How tbh hit #1 by turning anonymity positive (TechCrunch)

Facebook Acquires 'tbh,' an Anonymous App for Teens (Fortune)

Snapchat and NBCUniversal scripted programming:
 

Snapchat and NBCUniversal Are Creating a Digital Content Studio for Scripted Shows (Adweek)

Snapchat & NBC Are Teaming Up For Scripted Shows (Refinery 29)

Snap teams with NBCUniversal in drive for TV shows on Snapchat (CNBC)

Snap and NBCUniversal team up on Snapchat scripted shows (TechCrunch)

Social: a live video about live video!

I actually met Robert C. Stern (aka The Social Leader) on a livestream - his, where we (along with mutual friend Karen Yankovich) were promoting MRCC Social Media Day, at which we were all going to be presenting. His presentation at the actual event was about 22 ideas for how to use video, a presentation spun off from a popular blog post of his. So who better to come on and talk live video ideas?

Top tips from our chat today:
- Don't be afraid! The camera is not your enemy.
- Be yourself! Connect with people the same way you would in real life.
- What to talk about? Anything! Business. Your life. Your community. Your charity work. Whatever you know how to talk about.

#MidweekMinute

A new $99 Twitter ad subscription plan, Facebook's mysterious touch screen speaker device, LinkedIn website demographics, and your very own Snapchat drone.

Twitter subscription plan:

Twitter Is Developing a Subscription Plan That Promotes Your Tweets Automatically (Fortune)

Twitter Tests $99 Subscription for Auto-Promoted Tweets (Engadget)

Facebook smart speaker:

Facebook reportedly building smart speaker with touch screen (TechCrunch)

Facebook is Building a Video Chat Device and Smart Speaker to Debut Next Year (Business Insider)

LinkedIn demographics:

LinkedIn Unveils Website Demographics Tracking Tool (Demand Gen Report)

LinkedIn Offering Businesses More Information About Who Visits Their Sites (Fortune)

Introducing LinkedIn Website Demographics: Understanding the Professional Audiences Visiting Your Website (LinkedIn)

SnapChat Drone:

Snap Is Said To Have Worked On A Drone (NY Times)

Is Snapchat Developing A Flying Camera? (Daily Mail)

Snapchat is Reportedly Building A Drone to Take Photos From Above (Wired)

Social: How To Make Great Videos!

My friends The Nerdy Duo Productions - aka Melissa & Erin - know how to make great videos.
They also know why other people keep making crappy videos. They gave us some of their best tips on today's #cgsocial.

PLANNING

Whether you're using professional equipment or doing a basic Facebook Live with your iPhone, know where your video's going (and the best aspect ratio for it) and what you're using to film it. You can also manually adjust the settings on your phone or computer camera in advance of your broadcast.

If you can't plan beforehand, plan afterwards: take stock of what you did, what worked, and what you can improve for next time.

LIGHTING

From cheap clamp lights from Home Depot bounced off a dollar store car windshield shade, to a full lighting setup, remember: in video, if they can't see you, what's the point?

SOUND

Don't trust the microphone on your phone or computer. Better microphones are cheap and easy.

SUPPORT

Don't hold your camera; your hands aren't as steady as you think they are. Tripods are inexpensive, and some can even fit in your purse!

I put together a whole wonderful, juicy set of equipment links - and then Squarespace decided to delete it. So... that sounds like a new post for Monday! I will post about it, I promise!

#MidweekMinute 7/19/17: Alexa, let's chat

In this week's social media headlines, three major players are dipping their toes into new formats:
Amazon is entering the messaging arena with development of a new app called Anytime.
Facebook takes the popularity of its new GIF feature to the natural next step: enabling users to create their own looping videos.
And LinkedIn is releasing auto-play video posts (FINALLY!).

Amazon Anytime:
Amazon Possibly Working on New Stand-Alone Messaging App Called Anytime (AFTVnews)
How Amazon’s Own Messaging Service Could Beat WhatsApp and Messenger
(Techradar)

Facebook GIFs:
Whoa! Facebook Camera Now Has Built-In GIF Creator (TheNextWeb)
Facebook Rolls Out GIF Maker (MediaPost, Digital News Daily)
Facebook Secretly Turned Its App Into a GIF Maker and We Didn’t Notice (FossBytes)

LinkedIn Video:
LinkedIn Starts Letting People Natively Upload Videos That Play Automatically (Marketing Land)
LinkedIn Video Sharing Could Be a Revelation (Business Insider)

#MRCCSocial: 22 Livestreaming ideas with Robert C. Stern

I first met "Social Leader" Robert C. Stern when he graciously extended an invitation to fellow #MRCCSocial presenters to participate in a Facebook Live broadcast on his page promoting the event. I was a guest along with the incredible Karen Yankovich, who I'd met at the previous year's Social Media Day. Technical glitches aside, it was a great time, and I look forward to sharing a livestream with Robert again sometime soon (Karen too!) (future Social guests, for sure!)

Like myself, livestreaming is Robert's "thing." So many people and businesses know it's an increasing part of the social media landscape, yet few know how they can take advantage of it. "What do I livestream about?" Well, Robert knows what you can livestream about. And he's a generous guy, so he shares.

As any good content marketer knows, when you have a good piece of content, it's best to get as much mileage out of it as you possibly can. Robert created a blog out of 22 Ideas for Video Content months ago. He then created a more engaging post a few months later by adding video to the original content and reposting. This caught the eye of MRCC's conference planners, and Robert was able to adapt that same premise into this presentation at Social Media Day. Brilliant!
(And now, I suppose, it's still rolling, as certain conference attendees are getting their own mileage out of it by sharing their tweets from his presentation and blogging about them!)