Viral video is all the rage, and at the New Communication Forum this year, I have to admit that I caught the bug. Susan Getgood moderated a terrific session about viral marketing that got me to thinking about the possibilities for my own clients, and Phil Gomes came to the forum with his nifty Pure Digital video recording device, available at Amazon and Target for about $100, that made me feel that this had become truly accessible at last, at least for me. (See Shel Holtz’s review of the camera). I bought one as soon as I got home, and I am usually not one to buy the latest gadget.
I used the camera for the first time yesterday to record the local PRSA president talking about her goals for 2007. She did a fine job, but not something to rivet the readership of Communication Overtones. However, it was a great post for the PRSA San Antonio Byline blog. You can check it out here if you are so inclined and I plan to continue testing out my new skills, not yet polished, on that blog and this.
The interview only took a few minutes and I prettied it up using the Windows Movie Maker software that came with my computer and uploaded it to YouTube. The whole thing took me about 30 minutes.
Buckle your seatbelts and get ready for the ride, this tactic has just started to warm up.
For some great ideas about how to use video in a campaign, read Susan Getgood’s 5 C’s of Viral Marketing and Brent Hodgson’s excellent 7 Steps to Viral Internet Marketing.
UPDATE: I realized I should have given the Amazon.com links (60 minute and 30 minute versions) for this device, but you can also purchase them at Best Buy and Target. Amazon is showing a rebate for this item of $30 and $20 if you purchase by them by March 30, 2007. Sadly, I will make no money if you decide to make the purchase, but thought the readers might want to know. I took advantage of the offer, now I just have to send in the rebate form.
