Video? Just do it!

Community newspaper sites need to start putting videos on their Web sites in 2010.

We compete, even in small markets, with TV and radio Web sites. I think we should jump out of the print-only box and one-photo-every-10th-story box. We don’t want our TV and Radio and blog competition doing all the local video. Let’s jump into the video mix.

With a nod to those of you already doing regular videos, here are some thoughts.

We are not trying to compete with TV station quality video and editing at this point, so I would stay away from video editing as much as possible because it takes up too much time.

How can we do that?

The most important thing you can do for creating regular videos in a cost efficient manner is choosing what and how you decide to videograph. Stay away from high maintenance videos like one-on-one interviews and features. Instead, do simple stuff.

The easiest is “You are there” videos. For example, when the Red River overflowed last spring in North Dakota, the Wahpeton Daily News sent out a reporter and simply took video shots with no voiceover – the result was a compelling string of video segments comprised of policemen, firemen, cars stuck in water, and houses, roads, bridges underwater. No, or little, editing needed. Good stuff.

Edit with the camera. Think like a director and turn the camera on and off between segments. Don’t wave it around or talk over the audio unless you are prepared to say something relevant. Remember the audio won’t be that great unless you have the best equipment, so don’t rely on it.

Here are some suggested stories that could include “you are there” videos:

(Check all local events – look at your events calendar and local Chamber of Commerce)
Business openings
Parades
Car Shows
Sports events
School/college events
Government events
Weather-related
Music-related
Accidents
You get the idea….

When a story breaks or is suggested, one of your first thoughts should be, “Can I get some video for this?”

Check out the “you are there” videos that the Half Moon Bay Review is doing. A recent video was of an opening ceremony. The event participants did all the talking. Little or no editing needed: http://www.hmbreview.com/ (front page, right)

Create standard intro and ending segments. Keep It Simple by using a black background, white text and include the name or logo of your newspaper. Reuse these segments for each video, just change the headline and credits.

Create a Youtube.com channel for easy upload and display. Embed videos in stories and avoid bandwidth costs and associated problems.

Do you have the equipment you need? A perfectly adequate Flip Camera on Amazon is less than $150
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_5_5?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=flip+camera&sprefix=flip+

Virtually all PCs and Macs come with simple video editing software. Learn it. Use it.

For sites not doing video at all, I am suggesting one video a week so your staff can get their feet wet. I don’t think this will be a burden and will be a terrific training opportunity. I also think new reporters are versed in multimedia via their journalism education and will embrace it.

How about the topic of monetizing local video? It could be as easy as a small sponsorship button under each video. Perhaps a camera shop or video shop. Another idea: How about a simple overlay of text at the bottom of the actual video with a sponsor’s name?

Put your thinking cap on, I know you can do it!

In any case, your staff should have the basic equipment and expertise to create simple video. You may need it for an important upcoming event in your community or you may need it to meet your revenue budget. Be prepared.