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Basic mistakes of a video editor

By josh.hamby Leave a Comment

Video editing can be overwhelming at times, especially when you have a lot of videos to edit in a day. This leads to “subconscious” errors along the way.

Most errors are basic ones that can be fixed immediately if you just watch your video every time you finish it.

 

If you’re just getting started in video editing, here’s the list of the basic mistakes that you can avoid:

 

Before Editing:

 

  • Usage of low authority videos for speaker reels.

A speaker reel (mission reel, sizzle reel, testimonial reel, keynote speaker reel) is a short piece, usually 2-3 minutes long, of edited video or film footage showcasing a person’s previous work.

 

We use high authority videos for this. This is to display the credibility of the speaker, or the event. Using low authority videos such as b-rolls will make it feel less credible. Please see here how to consider a high authority video.

 

So before editing, editors must compile the high authority videos that s/he can use for the showreel. 

 

During Editing:

 

  • Having a weak introduction to the video:

 

This is where we usually lose the viewers. The first 4-5 seconds are the most important seconds of a video, be it a showreel, or a one minute video. Most beginners in editing don’t pay attention to this. They use a weak introduction in a one minute video such as starting it with a question or a ‘bumper’. Please see here what a bumper is. In our case, we use a ‘hook’ as a strong intro. Here’s a video explaining what hook is. 

 

For the showreels, not leading with the highest authority shots makes a weak intro.

 

 

  • Missing lower thirds

 

A lower third is a graphic overlay placed in the title-safe lower area of the screen. This contains the basic information of the speaker such as his/her name, title and the company that s/he represents. Without this, viewers will be clueless on who is present in the video.

 

 

  • Editing videos that are not mobile friendly:

 

Nowadays, most viral videos are found on Facebook/Instagram. It is important to optimize videos based on Facebook’s standard by using their video dimensions. 

 

Recently, there are two sizes that are currently used in Facebook —

 

  • Square size (1:1)
  • Vertical size(9:16)

Using either of the two gives an upper hand by occupying more of the feed, as well as the clarity on a mobile device as opposed to posting your videos in default size(16:9).

Not working in a “sound-off” environment:

  • Being the most used social media website/app in the world, you can see lots of people browsing on Facebook everywhere, restaurants, train stations, beach resorts, anywhere as long as you have a data signal. 

But since most people use it in public places, they aren’t fond of watching videos with the volume on. Thus, creating videos that will work in a “sound-off” environment is an advantage. Besides, you don’t want the viewers ignoring your video just because they can’t understand what it is all about when it’s muted?

 

 

  • Usage of stock images/videos as b-rolls.

 

One factor of a good video is personalization. Personalized videos make it easier to market your products or your event and make it more engaging to watch. Showing a part of you and what you do in your videos will build trust from your viewers. Using stock images and videos as b-rolls will create the opposite. 

 

Reminder: When the use of stock footage is necessary make sure that you have the proper licensing, as well as with music assets in every video.

  • Weak audio – echoey, robotic

 

Raw videos with background noise automatically need to be edited on Adobe Audition or any software/app that can enhance an audio. If the quality of the audio is echoey or robotic and hard for you to understand, then the audience will not be able to understand either.

 

 

  • The background music is louder than the speaker’s voice.

In relation to the audio, it’s a major no-no to have higher volume background music than the speaker’s voice. 

After Editing:

 

  • Failed to check the caption on the first iteration:

This is a mistake that can easily be fixed if the editor would just check the video after exporting. It will help save time for the “Proofer” if the editor can fix wrong grammar, capitalization, and usage of punctuation marks. This saves time for the editor by not having to send the video back and forth just because of these basic errors.

 

 

  • Not using the proper naming convention:

 

We normally use a proper naming convention, so we won’t confuse which one is the updated version. So just using a general naming scheme, such as video1.mp4 or How to create a lower thirds.mp4, for the video will cause problems eventually. Each video should have a Date and Version at the end for example Dennis_Conference_Seattle_662019_V1.mp4

 

 

  • Sending a link that is not open to public or broken.

 

When sending videos to clients, make sure that you share the proper link with them. Set the link to be view-able by “All with the link” or add them to the specific drive folders permissions so that they are able to view it.

 

By following these processes you can save tons of time on your edits.

 

Filed Under: Advice, Project Management, Viral Content

Our leader was accused of exploiting third world labor — a view from one of the “exploited”

By mytch plete Leave a Comment

A few months ago, the social media community had been on fire about a comment made by Mark Williams, an executive at LiveWorld, Inc., on a post of Dennis Yu, Chief Technology Officer at BlitzMetrics, saying that hiring offshore at $3/hour rate is exploitation.

Ironic isn’t it? Considering his role at Wal-Mart was managing the negative social comments about how they mistreat their employees.

This statement gained a lot of comments and reactions from different people. 

 

 

Standard wages are relative to the national economy.

John Jonas, Founder of onlinejobs.ph commented “The original trolling was actually about the ethics of paying someone a different amount than what a job was “worth”. That argument doesn’t hold up even in the USA as companies move from expensive places (San Fran) to less expensive places (Utah) to save money. Sometimes the moves are necessary just to stay in business.”

More of his comment are shown in the image.

The standard cost of living varies from country to country, and so does the standard wage. A dollar in the Philippines goes much further than a dollar in New York City. Ten dollars will pay for much less stuff in America than its equivalent in peso will buy in the Philippines.

As such, paying someone a wage based on their economy is in no way exploitation – this is what Matt Plapp, Head ROI Expert at Driven Media Solutions said in his comment; giving examples of how his friends in Kentucky, New York and L.A. have the same job but all paid different wages based on the economics of that region.

Outsourcing gives growing businesses a competitive edge.

The natural outcome is for businesses get labor from less developed countries because they can hire at a lower cost than they can locally. Thus, reducing cost but not compromising the quality of work.

Outsourcing benefits not just the clients but the employees as well. John Huntinghouse, the Digital Content Manager for Epic Marketing, said, “Outsourcing a great team = better results for the clients and improved living wages for employees. This is a main driver of how countries grow, economically speaking, to allow them to thrive and have higher standards of living. Every life matters and efforts in improving the lives of families in other countries shouldn’t be constantly viewed as a negative.”

 

Let’s take a look at some of the comments made by other business owners who outsource.

John remarked on the pains of hiring locally and expressed how VAs in the Philippines helped him achieve his mission.

Julia McCoy of Express Writers shared her thoughts on hiring offshore.

Chris Ducker, also known as the the “Virtual CEO”, a serial entrepreneur who owns and operates three businesses in the Philippines, also made his comment about his incredible Filipino staff.

Jeff Hunter, an Outsourcing Tycoon  said he does not discriminate when it comes to talent.

And the accused, Dennis Yu, who actually treats his VAs like family.

There is no doubt VAs can make reliable, cost-effective employees for businesses, but how do they feel about their wages?

Here are the comments of some of BlitzMetrics VAs that are paid with a starting wage of $3/hour.

Ping agreed that the same job in New York won’t get you the same pay in another state and that $3/hour is just the right rate for new hire.

“I don’t feel exploited.” Alain said. He believes he is receiving a fair rate as the cost of living in the Philippines is lowered compared to the Western countries. And, as his skill set grows, so will the pay.

While having time to enjoy his family and hobbies because of the flexible schedule, Tom is okay with his pay as he gets to work with awesome brands. “Exert more effort if you want to rise faster,” he said.

G’Ralz explained why $3/hour is way above than the minimum wage in the Philippines. He values the relationships built and the opportunity to create impact more than a few extra dollars per hour.

Kim feels that she gets more than what she contributes right now. The training and guidance from the company helps her improve everyday. Besides, nobody said it’s going to be $3/hour forever!

Working is never about JUST the pay.

More than just receiving great pay, we, employees seek more — satisfaction, good work relationships, and training and development. We are all human beings, after all.

Being treated as family is what really counts. That’s why I am just so blessed to be part of BlitzMetrics! We are not machines, we are a team working together from different parts of the planet, coordinating online and in person.

                                                                                                                         

And, we don’t just work and learn, we also love to have fun!

   

                                                                                                        Pardon the crappy picture. ☺

So, to sum this up:

  • The value of a dollar varies from place to place, and so does the standard wage. A $3/hour rate in New York is way too low, but it can feed a family in the Philippines.
  • Outsourcing helps businesses grow as it is cost-effective, efficient, and strategic. At the same time, it gives life-changing opportunities to offshore employees.
  • $3/hour is just a STARTING rate, which means, you’ll get a raise based on your performance. Your pay depends on the effort you exert. Plus, you’re not going to do it on your own, you have mentors and teammates to help you out!
  • Working is more than just the pay that we’re getting. It’s a big check to be in a company that offers respect, provides opportunity, extends appreciation, and above all, remains open to feedback on how the company could do better to serve clients and build the team.

A $3/hour STARTING rate to work from home with a flexible schedule and a very supportive team is definitely a great catch for us here in the Philippines. You see, I’m a full time mother and a full time employee at the same time. Others may see the pay as exploitive but believe it or not, I earn more than my husband gets from working locally!

If exploiting can help build a family’s future, then I’d love to be exploited! LOL

That’s my take. How about yours?

 

P.S.

The power of the community has turned Mark Williams around to see his error. He said that it was not his intention to hurt anyone’s feelings or disparage anyone and he apologized to everyone he has offended. Now, he is studying the programs of BlitzMetrics and sees the awesomeness of the VAs —  loyal, joyful, hard-working people.

Filed Under: Facebook, Viral Content

How Isaac Irvine got 70 million views on his Facebook video, step-by-step

By Dennis Yu Leave a Comment

Meet Isaac and his son, Bodi. Their video drew over 70 million views on CBS, BuzzFeed, and Ellen Nation. Want to know the exact steps they took to go viral?

  1. Have a purpose with the content.

Bodi was bullied at school for his long hair, grown to donate to kids with cancer. Isaac pulled out his phone and made a 2 minute video in the shower, posting it on Facebook and boosting the post.

  1. Use social proof as testimonials to target larger audiences

The local news picked up the story. We boosted that post to people who work in the media– BuzzFeed, Ellen, CBS News, ABC, and so forth. Over 100 targets.

  1. Amplify to media outlet audiences

Other media outlets picked up the story over the next few days. We shared their posts and boosted to a combo audience (their audience and the media workplace target).

  1. Engage the top influencers on the posts

Millions of people watched, commented, and shared the videos from these outlets. We replied to the top influencers, which included other media wanting to run the story, often in another language.

  1. Create follow up content. Keep the viral energy alive.

Outlets worldwide asked him about bullying, how Bodi’s doing, and whether they could share his story. Isaac made follow-on content, so that he wouldn’t be a “one hit wonder”. Using the same style of video, he made more videos on related topics in the same shower location.

Here are some of mentions and shares on Facebook:

  • Living Tree: 111,000 views
  • Love What Matters: 522,000 views
  • China Times: 22,000 views
  • Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament – Myrtle Beach: 10,000 views
  • BuzzFeed: 8,669,176 views
  • Ellen: 2,300 views
  • The LAD Bible: 5,425,593, views
  • Café Mom: 100,000 views
  • Parents: Shared video from Isaac’s page
  • Mic: 25,724,728 views
  • Shauna Zeck’s video response with David: 4,300 views
  • CBS: shared video from Isaac’s page

The feature from Mic drew the most views– over 25 million!

The nearly 400,000 shares on that post is far more impressive than the 26 million views.

Isaac’s video was translated into Chinese for the China Times.

The video even got a response from Medieval Times!

  1. Leverage the viral attention.

Next, Isaac used the momentum from the video to build his personal brand and share his story on what it was like to go viral.

Some videos go viral passively, but you can see here that you can do so intentionally as well. As you get picked up on different outlets, share, and re-boost to their audiences to piggyback off their authority. More outlets pick up your story, and you continue to boost. Isaac’s viral adventure is proof that going viral is an outcome that can be driven by a step-by-step process.

Filed Under: Social Media, Viral Content Tagged With: Bodi Irvine, Buzzfeed, CBS, Ellen Nation, Issac Irvine, Viral Video

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