This discussion has been super timely for a couple of reasons: 1) there will always be tension between doing it “quick” and doing it “quality,” and 2) the market is driving the 2 together, but only to a point.

I use Camtasia in my consulting work, making educational videos for physicians; I used to do purely audio podcasting. The leap upwards in production time from audio to video was, as you know, enormous, but not as bad as it could have been due to market competition making a $299 Camtasia program that does everything but brew your cuppa joe.

Compare that to audio podcasting…the cart recording software that I use and love, Podcast Station, is no longer available; its parent company discontinued it. To do what it did in hardware — no other company makes similar software for Windows — would cost many thousands for the console. A pro/prosumer quality dynamic mic for podcasting goes for about $300, and a decent vocal strip to massage your mic output (in hardware) goes for between $200-800.

Needless to say, the knowledge needed to properly use this gear exceeds the “plug and play” ideal for folks focused on business goals. Even using a software solution, a program with Camtasia’s chops in the audio only realm, Adobe Audition, goes for $349, and requires a bit of elbow grease to use well.

There’s no question things have improved dramatically — either a basic mic + Audition, or a Flip Mino + Camtasia, would set you back maybe $5-600, and give you capabilities that years ago you’d have spent 10 times that much to get, not including hiring the techs to use all that gear. The stumbling block will always be the energy needed to “veer off” and learn to use tech, to further your business goals.

Personally, I’m all for doing what you can with what you have, while keeping an eye towards the “quality” horizon. That bright line keeps getting closer (i.e. more integrated into the products, and cheaper) every year.

Leesa, I appreciate your willingness to step up and tell the world that most people are way closer to being able to publish their thoughts online than they think they are – it’s a very liberating fact and one that many media professionals might find a little threatening (if they realize they can do it themselves then why would they hire me?). But I also can appreciate Larry’s point that quality is in the eye of the beholder and a video that one person thinks is decent may be garbage in another person’s eyes – I struggle with this issue myself – where to draw the quality assurance line.

I have to say that simply getting the job done versus worrying over how I will get it done is quite a compelling argument for working within your means.

I am a past member of your success club and continue to follow you on your new life/business journey – I just want to say, good job. As you pointed out in a teleclass a few weeks ago, it’s all about balance – I try to remember your advice when I am trying to produce the best quality product within my current means (or my client’s means). I hope I apply it appropriately cause it’s good stuff.

I have found video to be a very helpful tool in making better connections on Social Networking sites since I have not had the opportunity to meet the majority of people face-to-face. Video provides a much better sense of who a person is compared to a photo alone.

Although taking that first step in creating video can be intimidating, I followed Travis Greenlee’s suggestion to just get out there and start creating your videos as part of his Virtual Practice Builder training program.

The key is just to get started and have fun!

P.S. Thank you for the mention in your blog post Leesa and I look forward to Part 2 on this topic.

I found this post via dM’s blog. I guess great minds think alike because I just spent the past weekend putting together a mini free seminar on digital video and photography. You can check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheHSG

No, it’s not a “professional” production, but it’s what I’ve learned and I wanted to share it with my email list of potential ad customers.

I’ve been podcasting since 2005, I was one of the first bath & beauty podcasters online. My first show was awful, but 173 shows later I’ve got it down.

My first vids weren’t that great either, but 88 vids later I think I’ve gotten the hang of it.

I have always focused on content and delivery. I get over 5,000 downloads a month of my podcast and I have over 400 subscribers on my YouTube channel. I upgrade when I can.

There is some awful video out there, but there are ways to make great video on the cheap.

By the way, Mv4 is AWFUL on youtube. I learned that the hard way. I compress my vids twice, Mv4 for my video podcast and Quicktime for YouTube.

When you need some beauty news check out my blog:
http://www.homespagoddess.com

Have a beauty full day!

@iris, check out the Microsoft website and see if you can download Windows Movie Maker there.

Thanx for this post. It is perfect timing. I have been thinking about using video for my newsletters, my blog and my training tools. This is perfect timing.

I am willing to give the flip camera a try. It’s great to get my feet wet and make my own decision as whether I wish to upgrade. I have many other service and software providers suggest the flip camera
for producing video – so I think you are very much inline with what is ‘acceptable’ right now, with an eye to the future as products improve and prices become more affordable for higher grade products.

One thing, my computer has windows xp and i can’t seem to find the Windows Movie Maker. Would it be under another name? or do you recommend another product cheaper than Camtasia for beginner videographers/video editors?

Thanx for your contribution Leesa!

Video is already the next Killer App. You don’t suggest it is ok to use a bad microphone for your audio podcast, or not proofread your blog before posting it, why give not give video the same respect. Is ok, or good enough really ok. I know that is not part of your mission statement.

I think individuals need to know that they can do it, they should do it, it doesn’t have to be big budget or come out of a place like YourStorys, but it certainly can be done in a way that is both cost effective and provide long term value.