Video isn't so easy after all
You've just finished coding your WordPress plugin and are pretty excited to share it with the world.
You decide, in your delight, to shoot a quick video to demonstrate some of it's features. After all, you can buy Screenflow, right?
And it can't be that hard. You know your plugin better than anyone.
And that's when you realize that you've built an entire system optimized for writing code. Not producing videos.
Is there a slight buzz of your hard drive in the background of your video? Yeah, that's not good.
Did the kids run into your office right in the middle of your recording? Yeah, that's not good.
What about those verbal ticks (“um”, “uh”, and more)? Yeah, that's not good.
Or the audio that sounds like you were in a tin cup? Yeah, that's not good.
Then you get it all done, upload it, and discover that the aspect ratio is off? Yeah, that's not good.
It turns out – it's really easy to create a video that doesn't show you in your best light.
Can I introduce you to two resources you need to know about?
The first is my friend Jason Tucker. He's my partner and the host of WP Watercooler.
His site is filled with tips like these:
- How to control your microphone
- Useful tools for video conversion
- Putting video in your dashboard (for your plugin)
If you happen to live in Southern California, he can be found at many of the various WordPress meetups – helping record or stream their content. And, of course, you can reach him on Clarity.fm where you can ask him questions. Jason is the perfect “do it yourself” resource that will help you figure things out on your own.
My other friend, Shawn Hesketh, is better known for his video tutorials at WP101.
Just like Jason, he's also available to answer questions on Clarity.fm.
But more importantly, Shawn can create videos for you (if you ask nicely, and tell him I sent you).
If you don't feel like learning the difference between three different categories of microphones (omni, uni, bi), or video compression options, never fear. Shawn can solve all of that for you.
When I think of quality video tutorials, there's really only one name in the WordPress space – and it's Shawn Hesketh.
Three things about Shawn Hesketh
If you walk into Shawn Hesketh's man cave (sorry, I meant office), you'll immediately notice three things.
- First, he keeps his office ten times cleaner than mine. (I hate him for that.)
- Second, he has a dedicated environment for creating optimal videos (with great lighting and sound).
- Third, it's really a man cave. He has a sign to prove it.
What matters most, however, is only the second point.
He has a dedicated environment just for video creation.
I don't have that. Do you? The reason we likely don't is because we're not professionals at it.
Shawn is.
I like professionals. Because they'll do the job faster and better so that I can focus on what I can do faster and better.
You have two options
In the end, you really have two options.
The first is that you spend more time at Jason's site so that you can learn everything you need to know to do it yourself.
This gives you the most control with some cost savings, but may take a little time.
Alternatively, you hit up my friend Shawn and ask him to create some videos for your plugin. It may cost you a bit more, but the quality will immediately impress your audience.
Either way you choose, I'm pretty sure you'll be thrilled to know my two friends.
Good luck and let me know how it goes.