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This is Part IIb in my series on adding video to your website. I could have called it Part III, but I wanted to emphasize that there are 2 ways to create video:

Which type of video should I use?

internet-marketing-create-video-with-powerpoint-1

There’s no question in my mind that video of you speaking can be more powerful, if done well. Video is the closest you can get on a website to your personal presence.

But some people either feel uncomfortable showing themselves on the screen or just don’t do a very good job of it. By that I mean that they

  • don’t speak very fluently or powerfully
  • don’t look at the camera (they seem to be looking anywhere but at the viewer)
  • don’t use their body very well — for example, they may fiddle with their hands or hair

If that’s you, there are 2 possibilities:

  1. Get training in speaking skills
  2. Forget video of you and create video using PowerPoint

For most people, the second option is much quicker and easier!

What kind of video can I create with PowerPoint?

A PowerPoint-based video is a combination of PowerPoint slides and your narration. Here’s an example, showing just 6 slides of what would need to be a longer video — but it will give you an idea of what you can do with PowerPoint.

I did some fancy timing of animation with the narration, but you don’t need to do that. My aim here isn’t to give you a lesson in PowerPoint, but here is some information on adding narration to PowerPoint, Secrets for successfully narrating a presentation. If you use PowerPoint’s narration feature, you can easily get the timing right.

To make the video, I simply used PowerPoint 2010’s convert-to-video feature. There are other ways to convert PowerPoint to video, including recording the screen and I cover them here. An option recommended by one of my readers, but which I haven’t tried, is EZVID, a free screen video recorder. If you try it, please let others know your experience by leaving a comment.

Another video capture tool is Screenr. It’s similar to Jing, which I mention in the post I linked to in the previous paragraph. Both limit you to 5 minutes, but here a trick! You can use YouTube’s editor to combine videos — this will help you get over the 5 minute limit.

When you narrate a PowerPoint presentation, you write the script first. You have to be careful not to sound like a robot, but  you can still look at the script as you speak.This is VERY helpful for people who have trouble remembering what they want to say. Then create a slide for each section of your script. The livelier the images, the more they will keep the attention of your viewers.

Many marketers use PowerPoint for their sales pages, because it’s easy. And for a longer video, PowerPoint might even be more interesting.

What next?

In upcoming posts, I’ll explain how to edit your video into final format and then how to insert it into a blog post or website page.


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    3 replies to "Adding video to your website–Part IIb: Using PowerPoint"

    • Phyllis

      Hey – nice video! Here’s my process. I create the PPT and put my script in the Notes section. Then I email the PPT to myself and pick it up on my iPad. I open the email on my iPad and open with Keynote and switch to the Presenter Notes view. Then I go back to my computer (with the iPad by my side) and use Snagit video capture. I start the PowerPoint in full screen and hit record. I manually advance the slides and use the iPad for my script. I used this same process over and over for a product I developed. It is the easiest way for they way I work.

    • EllenFinkelstein

      And you’re recording your voice in SnagIt?
      So you’re using the iPad as a teleprompter. Cool technique; it saves paper — I always print my script out.

    • Mark

      Hi Ellen!

      I’ve been on your list for a while, and I’m a little embarrassed to admit, this is my very first visit to your site! That just changed!

      I’ll definitely start sharing more of your extremely helpful content. Power Point is definitely a lot of fun.

      It will be great to see ‘how” many more useful tips I can discover! Thanks for sharing!

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