| Nothing can take the edge off a good marketing video | | | | including removing unnecessary background noises. |
| and flip it into the realms of dismal amateur production | | | | This is done by using multiple "tracks". |
| or "deadly dud" faster than poor sound quality during | | | | Your Hardware |
| recording. Yes, it's true that candid videos do | | | | Another key element, however, is the hardware you |
| phenomenally well on YouTube, but you should never | | | | use. If your video making equipment consists of an old |
| confuse "candid" with "low quality". | | | | digital camera, you're stuck with a lot of background |
| When you're actually planning to sell that video you're | | | | noise (especially if you're shooting outdoors) and "tinny" |
| making, it becomes even more crucial that the sound | | | | sound quality. If your aim is a "candid" video, these are |
| quality creates no "glitches" or rough spots to distract | | | | faults that can be overlooked (in spite of what sound |
| viewers from your message. Fortunately, today's | | | | professionals would probably tell you): However, poor |
| video editing software (and hardware) can go a long | | | | sound to the point where your viewers can't really |
| way towards helping your video present a polished | | | | make out what you're saying is not acceptable. |
| and professional image. | | | | Investing in decent audio recording equipment, |
| Recording short segments, and putting them together | | | | however, is something you might want to seriously |
| after the fact in the editing process, also helps cut | | | | consider - particularly if your video marketing is going |
| down on and minimize mistakes such as you stumbling | | | | to include teleseminars or interviews. You can get |
| over a word and getting tongue-tied - which happens | | | | decent equipment and software for less than the price |
| more than even professionals care to admit. (Just look | | | | of a mobile phone nowadays - and one other |
| at all the "bloopers" shows there have been, over the | | | | advantage of modern sound recording software lies in |
| years.) | | | | the way it's so easy to learn. (You're likely to have |
| One of the first components of sound editing you | | | | more trouble programming your new TV remote, in the |
| need to know about, however, is "layering". You | | | | majority of cases!) |
| speaking on camera is the raw, unedited reality. Adding | | | | When should you invest in decent sound recording |
| in that soft soundtrack behind your voice, fading out as | | | | equipment and/or software? If you're planning to |
| you begin to speak, or setting a video entirely to music, | | | | specialize in any of these areas: |
| is "layering". | | | | Teleseminars |
| Throwing in sound effects is also "layering". | | | | Interviews |
| In most video editing software, inserting a sound effect | | | | Re-purposing content |
| (such as a crowd cheering, or a bird tweeting) is as | | | | Updating existing videos with new material |
| simple as dragging the sound clip and dropping it onto | | | | Archiving your material |
| the second (or third) "track" in your software editor. | | | | Video narrations or voice-overs |
| The same applies for inserting music. | | | | Sound is sometimes an overlooked element of video |
| Most video editing software allows you to apply | | | | marketing. Keeping it real is one thing - but not being |
| special effects to your sound clips, just as you do to | | | | able to hear what's being said is simply unacceptable. |
| your video clips. You can fade in or out, and adjust the | | | | Decide for yourself whether your present equipment is |
| volume at the basic level. With more sophisticated | | | | not up to the job, or perfectly fine - but don't leave it to |
| video editing software, you can do much more, | | | | chance. Know what you're doing, and why. |