How To Live With WiFi
Danish Students Attract International Attention with Cress and Wifi Experiment
Wow… Apparently we shouldn’t be sleeping cuddled up to our phones.
How do we live with WiFi now that it’s so ingrained in our everyday lives?
I’ve long been a proponent of hard-wired networking in a home and have learnt to do my own runs of Gigabit Ethernet. But even at home, the cable ends and wifi is needed for smart devices…
Q-College Video Marketing Class
Success! 2 Hours of Video Marketing 101 went great!
Presentation: Video Marketing Strategy 101
I’ll be presenting at QCollege on March 26th!
Synopsis: Creating and distributing videos that work doesn’t have to be difficult, and, the tools are now inexpensive and readily available:
I will be presenting the basics of a video marketing strategy and what is needed to make a video a success online.
The focus will be on Do-It-Yourself (DIY) options for attendees planning on doing their own in-house video production.
Using templates I’ved used with my own clients and other real-world case studies, you will be seeing my tried and tested procedures when preparing to produce videos for clients. Then I will break down the elements of a video marketing strategy, as well as touch on pre-production, production and online distribution!
In addition, attendees will also receive a resource list of my personally recommended equipment, editing applications, tools, and, tips and tricks!
Be sure to bring your questions for the Q&A session at the end, or contact me here in advance!
How to Inspire People Using Video?
I was recently honoured by blogger Maura D’Andrea with his request for sharing my thoughts on how to use video to inspire. My response was coupled with over one hundred other bloggers in his article 101 Experts Share Their Tips for Online Success! Some very impressive people on this list, it’s worth browsing! I’ve supplied my answer below for you to read too:
Q: What’s the best way to inspire people using video?
A: Most often people ask me technical video questions about how to make videos go viral, or how to make promotional videos, but in reality, they’re missing the core ingredient: honestly sharing the best of themselves.
What’s the best way to inspire people using video?
Answer: Be real; genuinely share your personal story with your viewer.
It really is that easy, and most people misinterpret this a two step process, yet, this is the only way to do inspire viewers to hear you and feel you which results in action! Let me explain…
First, be real. If you’re going to speak on camera, don’t waste time talking to your viewer’s minds – skip right to their hearts. Use the true power that video has over all other digital medium – jump through the screen into people’s souls. Look at the camera, show yourself for who you are, don’t hide all hints of the stage fright, and talk one on one.
Too much polish can hurt the ‘reality’. In many cases, too much rehearsing, make up, lighting can come off as staged.
And yes, I’m a video producer saying this. But it’s true – I often wouldn’t let the people I was interviewing for their own videos rehearse too much, and it worked!
Second, be candid and share your perspective, your story.
Find your personal ‘Why’. Why you were inspired to help by offering the insights, product or service. Oddly enough, often the more personal the pain, the more universal it is. Touch on your hardships, what sufferings you had before you had your revelation. Remind the audience that inspiration is a flame that must be lit from within. Lead by example, showing the viewer that there is a better way.
Word of advice: video is influential and changes lives; be true to your fellow man and be authentic and genuine, and good will come of your efforts.
You can do it, there are plenty of examples out there.
Dig deep if you need, and find that seed of inspiration that called you to action, share the journey and hand out the fruits of your success.
To inspire a good video will fundamentally be you and the viewer becoming friends!
Downtown Victoria BC Hotel, Video Tour
Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites decided it was time to make an honest foray into video marketing and sought the assistance of Chris Ruffell and Spice Creative. The result is a short ‘teaser’ video tour of the Hotel’s most popular room type – the one bedroom suite.
The suites, while the most abundant and spacious providing comfort and value over a ‘standard’ room, are still easier to see in person than describe.
This is where video comes in:
Downtown Victoria BC Hotel, 1 Bedroom Suite, Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites
Rather than describing all the features amenities to a potential guest in detail over the phone or front desk, or taking each guest on a room tour one by one, this video is a sound solution. Hit play, and all the best aspects of the room types are displayed in a compelling visual package.
In addition to the brilliant HD visuals, for search optimization, mobile and table friendliness and embedding options, the video is hosted on YouTube! Only a week in, and it got over 200 views organically through YouTube – will update soon.
Video Marketing Strategy Presentation
I presented at Social Media Camp 2012 covering Video Marketing Strategy for Beginners! The room was packed, and tons of notes were taken and questions asked – feedback was the information was good! I covered three clients, their goals, their strategies, and best of all – their results. What was learnt, what worked, and what tweaks will be made to their campaigns!
2012 Aclara Promotions Promotional Video
Aclara Promotions’ promotional video refreshed! New footage from 2011 – 2012 – let me know what you think!
Video Marketing PowerSession, Social Media Camp 2012
I’ll be speaking in the Sidney room at Social Media Camp 2012, which takes place June 8th and 9th in Victoria, BC! Come see my presentation at Power Session on Saturday at 1:00PM - all about Video Marketing and strategies for beginners and intermediate marketers:
Session Title
Video Marketing Strategy: Plans that Works!
Session Extract
Video is taking over. In the world of online marketing, video is now seen as an integral part of any serious project. But just having video doesn’t mean your project will succeed. In fact, if you don’t start with an effective game plan your video could even do damage!
In this highly insightful presentation, veteran promotional videographer Christopher Ruffell will guide you through the hurdles of building an effective video marketing strategy. Using real life examples from a variety of industries, causes and budgets, he will show you the step-by-step building blocks that will take the mystery out of great video implementation and lead your project to success.
About the Speaker
Christopher Ruffell has been a professional videographer for over a decade. He has developed viral video such as the UVic Lipdub, promotional video for developments such as internationally recognized Dockside Green and music videos which have been featured on Much Music TV. He is the founder of ReelMarketer.com, an online source for video marketing experts and entrepreneurs which features high profile interviews, featured tips and tutorials. Christopher owns and operates Aclara Promotions, a quality oriented video marketing company located in Victoria, BC.
Nest. Super Simple, Super Effective
Ex Apple iPod executive Tony Fadell left Apple in the late 00′s to found Nest, and what they’ve come up with is pretty cool. An Elegant, organic-feeling, smart Thermostat with an IP-address.
Also, this video introduces the product well, and wets one’s appetite – I feel I could use it now, just by letting this video show me how. Zero narration, simple shoot, YouTube hosted = throughly effective. No, I’m didn’t have anything to do with the video, but give it a peek: