YouTube Creator Academy Completion Certificate – Jenny Wilmshurst

A ‘YouTube Creator Academy Completion Certificate: Maximize Your Channel’ certificate was awarded to each student who completed YouTube’s inaugural video course. The course was completed in June 2013

It is worth your while going through the YouTube Creator Academy course yourself when YouTube runs these again.

You will learn what matters most to YouTube to rank, gain subscribers and produce a great channel.

Even after 18 months in YouTube masterminds I found this a good revision plus new learnings.

 

5 Youtube Video Marketing changes for 2012 – Tip #1

YouTube has recently made key changes to its look, feel and way you can get results from YouTube.

Check these out on this blog each day:

5 Video Marketing changes for 2012 – Tip #1

Today’s topic is about YouTube Homepage changes from late 2011.

What is the effect on your YouTube marketing with these YouTube changes?

1. YouTube Viral Videos are harder to achieve:

YouTube Viral Videos are harder to achieve.

Stumbling upon a random, funny video that is quickly going viral will be much harder as YouTube is programmed to deliver you relevant content based on who you subscribe to, and what videos you “like” & share.

2. Trending Videos:

The “most-popular” & “trending” videos are no longer predominately displayed on the home page.

3. Social Relevance & Subscribers:

Google has added Social Relevance by showing the latest content & activity from your “subscribers” will now show up right at the top of your YouTube Home Page.

So how we leverage video for 2012 matters.

Tomorrow we look at what is still relevant.

Later in the week we look at specific changes.

Come here daily this week for each tip to make the most of your YouTube marketing efforts.

Written by Jenny Wilmshurst, Tweet Twins Social Media, NZ’s first ROI producing Social Media Consultants

Speakers Videos: Clothing do’s and don’t’s

So you are preparing for your Speakers Video shoot! What are some of the do’s and don’t’s? What clothing hints and tips do you need to consider? This is equally valid for photo shoots. Following is a combo of ideas found online:

Here are some things to avoid:

1. These colours: black, red, yellows, oranges. Attention should be on your face not your clothing colours. The film will not colour your face naturally.

2. Distracting fabrics: avoid fabrics with loud patterns, bold stripes. Tight stripes cause a wavy, moiré pattern. Large designs will distract from your face.

3. Bare skin: again keep the focus to your face. Exposed arms and legs can be a distraction.

4. Jewellery: Avoid hanging  jewellery as it will jangle in the mic. Avoid flashy jewellery as it reflects the light.

What works well:

1. Contrast top and bottom: wear colour for high contrast. Keep colours in the same colour palette.

2. A top with an interesting collar or neckline: as it is near your face it will direct the viewer’s eye well.

3. A textured top: adds depth to the shot.

4. Solid colour: keeps the shot simple but strong.

5. Simple jewellery: low fuss to no fuss jewelery.

6. Clothing you feel comfy in: Your comfort or lack of will show in your body language.

7. Hands, feet: if the photo shoot will include full or half-length shots then pay attention to how your shoes and hands look.

8. Wear makeup:It has the practical purpose of reducing the glare of TV lights. Women: use natural toned lipstick rather than rich reds or lip gloss. Yes, even for the menfolk! TV lights can penetrate several layers of skin. You can’t shave close enough to prevent whiskers from showing without makeup. Remember to put makeup on receding hair lines or bald heads.

9. Glasses: glasses work fine so long as you don’t have shiny frames. Tip the bows of your eyeglasses up slightly off your ears. This angles the lenses down to reduce glare from lights.

10. Find out what background colour will be used so you can dress in colours to complement.

Written by Jenny Wilmshurst, Tweet Twins Social Media Strategist, Consultant and Speaker

What you Must Know to Create Professional Speaker Video

What you MUST know to create a decent professional speaker video.

Looking at creating professional speaker videos? Do you need a quick fix or are you solving a long-term need?  What technical things do you need to know before you hire?

For those of you who budget, information, read on.

 Here are several things you must know before you create a speaker video, or arrange for  the opportunity of using professionally shot video.

1.       Video Format – how it will be used short and long-term?  what  format will it be filmed in, edited, and output in? How will it suit your end purpose? How will you display your video? e.g. on YouTube and other hosting/submission sites? Use on a projector? On your computer (for client presentations)?  Will you need high definition? Low definition? In multiple widths? What quality? Will it be filmed in one format then provided to you in another format you can repurpose?

2.       Video Cost – Recently an organisation discussed getting a group together for professional video filming at $75 an hour. It’s a great offer. To be realistic – it could cost more than $75 to do what you want and really need, depending on the outcomes you need and how smooth the ‘takes’ are (the person being filmed). To keep longer term costs low you need to have a video donut (intro and outro) made so that you can reuse it. You would add your own new videos to it. Otherwise if the videographer keeping your film and only keeps it in a film production format, then you will have to go through all that production cost EVERY time you need another video. You need him to supply the donut in a version suitable for YOUR computer so you can use it for video edit yourself time and time again. It’s good value for money.

So you need to  have a really good idea of what you are getting into before you start hiring a film guy. The costs of doing intro and outro and a small video shoot & production can range to $1000. For example we did training on creating a simple video intro and outro, shooting multiple takes, a sample of shots in a 2 hour period. All at a heavily discounted rate. It was way too fast but that was all the client could afford. 

 3.       Styles of video – Professional speakers need all sorts of versions of video

1. Formal promo video – with quality lighting & set up
2. In action speaking video – with quality lighting & set up
3. The informal ‘this is the real me’ Social Media video

You need lots of video – yes – lots and lots. Of each of these types.

Why?

1. Google has changed its ways and favours lots of original content. In the last 6 months it has upped the ante on this. Google has cleaned up. It is called Google Panda or Google Farmer. Many sites with a history of great traffic, rankings, response for years are now relegated to lower spots. The ones that raised their rankings were those with high quality, regular, unique content. 

So you need to become  content creator. The more high quality, regular content, the better your results.

2. Video converts incredibly well. Compared to many other online tools, video converts to enquiries / sales the best and tops the search engines well. Video is highly influential in the decision-making process.

Why tell you this? In my partnership is 30 years of audio and video production experience (from the simple to high quality advice that is sought by major AV & event suppliers globally). When Kevin  is not available I have a very talented younger person to take care of the video work. We also have an immigrant from South Africa with oodles of talent who we can tap into.

We’ve been incredibly successful in creating and using video marketing combined with Social Media

• 1. A 2 step tactic that gets a call from a Fortune 50 Head Office for a $ multi million deal within 5 minutes of posting the video ( a coup for the little guys with the big guys! Small businesses are on a level playing field with big companies online now.)

2. Video drives so much enquiry that the businesses we have set video up for, run flat tack with enquiries. You have to know how to work it though! I want that for you too!

I say this that I have been in the shoes of one who did not know to ask certain questions. You don’t know, what you don’t know you need to know, do you?

Be prepared! Ask questions! Be informed!

Hopefully you will have a  greater inkling of what you must know about technical things before you create a Professional Speaker video. This is how the video AV guy’s sidekick sees things. Hey, I’m really the Social Media Consultant!

 

Written by Jenny Wilmshurst, Tweet Twins Social Media Consultant, Social Media Speaker, Social Media Strategist

mERRy cHRIStmaS anD HappY new yEAr

Well the year has ripped by at a speed that seems to be a new time record. How was 2010 for you?

One thing I know is that Social Media implementation is not an option. If you are in business and not using or planning to use Social Media then in the words of a former Kodak Marketing manager in the USA, you need to. It is a message that the Tweet Twins have said from the very beginning of our formation that Social Media is the great leveller. Perhaps you feel frustrated if you do not understand it, or cannot figure out how to monetize Facebook, your blog, or know about tools like Tubemogul or leverage from  article marketing. We want to help you bridge the gap between pondering Social Media and getting ready for ‘go live’.

So if you have not made a commitment to grasping social media with both hands then take heart, you have only lost 12 months since last Christmas. However that can be like a life time on the net.  So we encourage you to discover what Social Media works well for you as you before 2011 really gets underway.

Here is our Xmas entertainment for you. At the end of this post is a free gift you can access we want to pass on. Think of it as a lucky dip and if you want to use video then this will really help you in your endeavours with Social Media and Video.

Posted by Kevin Andreassend, TweetTwins co-founder and techpreneur at ICE AV Technology Ltd

Does Social Media have a role in the crazed high energy world of dance music?

“Absolutely” says HoloDesk founder and developer, Kevin Andreassend.

With Europe gripped in a snow blizzard running an international music tour brings it own share of headaches and MTV star and master of the dance floor, Joel Zimmerman, more commonly known as Deadmau5, knows that the smallest and biggest detail can bringing everything to a crashing halt. The ramifications of cancelling performances, delayed starts, faulty equipment, dissappointed fans are all aspects that need to be micro managed to get them over the hurdles.

Deadmau5 experienced one of those OMG moments when he discovered earlier this week he needed a special firewire cable for his rig setup for the evening concert in Cardiff. His legions of fans world wide, would have been unaware of the stress levels leading up to the concert when Deadmau5 realised his “we have a problem Houston”

An urgent request via Deadmau5’s Facebook account “deadmau5 hey cardiff… umm… does anyone have a firewire 800 to 400 cable? kinda um… need it for the show tonight. … please? lol

will dosh out tix. December 13 at 9:19am”
An avid fan saw the SOS came to the rescue and saved the Cardiff  concert. http://www.facebook.com/92JLee

This admirably demonstrates how a major entertainment business can connect with one individual whom it does not even know of, and shows the power of one person listening to his channel.

Deadmau5 will be playing a NZ developed and built 74 inch Holodesk (touch screen enabled DJ mix unit) at the Earls Court Concert on 18 December.  This new IT product development is by TweetTwins Co-Founder Kevin Andreassend through Kevin’s company ICE AV. It all had its beginning with a YouTube video and now is in demand with DJ’s world wide.

Posted by Kevin Andreassend, TweetTwins co-founder and techpreneur at ICE AV Technology Ltd

Post script by Jenny Wilmshurst: In this launch, Tweet Twins used Social Media; influencer, forum & video marketing to achieve buzz, and rapid response virally response. Technology like this is being used as the next generation of Social Media and interactivity combo’s – the future of Social Media.

Local-Social-Seo-Mobile

How can you get to Google page 1 for your local search and keyword terms?

Are you determined to make the most of Local search in 2011 and beyond?

What is Local Social Search?

Local Social SEO Search & Mobile empowers people to share knowledge and information using a range of online methods in various locations, whether they are organisations and communities or individuals.

What would it include?

It combines traditional directories, SEO, with the power of social networking, social media (think non written), and can even include mobile.  It  can include a mix of paid search (like Ad words based on locations) or SEO search. and I call it Local-Social-SEO-Mobile optimisation.

Local search is about using keywords to get to page 1 of relevant search engines e.g. Google so that your company shows up in search engines locally. 

Businesses have the ability to do some of local seaerch tasks for themselves. However not many local businesses have all the tools and skill sets in-house to create the entire range of online content and online presence necessary. To get the best online results a good media mix is required.

What it does NOT include?

It does not include 500 irrelevant directories globally to improve your searchability (or irrelevant Social Media. It will use those that your local market can relate to and find you on.

An example of irrelevant local search. Recently I got a call from a company claiming to provide a $700 package for $99 for local search. It included registration on a few NZ directories. Great!), plus submission to 500 global directories and Digg (questionable mix).

Let’s think this through

To a person not in online marketing it sounds like an awesome opportunity – just think of the numbers! Just stop right there!

• Do 500 global directories have any relevance to local NZers buying locally?
• Do NZers trust global directories?
• What will NZers really want if they search for a local company?
• Is there ability to provide quality info on these directores?

Submission to 500 will get you into approximately 200-300 irrelevant directories. Some will show in the search engines. It is possible for an online company to submit quickly to 500 directories if using the right tools. There are risks also.

Trust is a huge factor online. NZers would use convenient, known information sources. We are weary of the unknown. Several NZ directories provide opportunities to post high quality information.

The major players are earnest to serve quality local information to NZ’s local communities.

Today prospects and customers search for recommendations, detailed product information, the people behind the company brand, easy ways to research online through most of the buying cycle. A pure listing does not do that.

Use of Digg? Well it is a unique way to serve local product and brand information. It is a well-known and trusted Social Media tool. I’d be interested in feedback and local case studies from NZ SEO consultants.

Review of the offer

This prompted me to consider what I’d put into a Local-Social-SEO-mobile package. I would NOT include any of these offered by the telemarketer. The options proposed would be in the lowest of local online marketing priorities.

It came across like a gimic (a scam even, dare I say it!) and the staff were woefully illprepared for my questions. One claimed to receive monies directly from search engines for placing free listings! That really made me suspicious.

With the domain name I searched for the company behind the promo. It was connected with a hotmail address and quoted a brand name  (maybe a trading name). I searched for the company’s registration at the companies.govt.nz. No such company but it could be trading as a sole trader, Joint Venture or a partnership.  All are legitmate. However, a search on Google revealed zippo. The mix did not inspire confidence.

A start up can compensate by building a variety of quality online content in order to be verifiable. That company had NO trust source and was NOT findable. If it were findable and had thought leadership or quality information available it would look more trustworthy.

All in all if you want to provide your prospects and clients with  quality local search information and use an online local search consultant to help you, you will not pay as low as $99,!

Determined to maximise your local findability (local search)?

Many local or multi-site business want to learn how to maximise online opportunities to prevent losing business, reaching Google page 1 and include Social Media. Is your business one of them?

Are you determined to be on Google’s page 1 for chosen local & industry search keywords that also combines Social Media?

For a more holistic Local Marketing Plan that maximises a range of online options, contact Jenny at Tweet Twins Social Media

Are you determined to be on Google’s page 1 for chosen local industry search keywords that also combines Social Media?

Written by Jenny Wilmshurst, Tweet Twins Social Media, Social Media Speaker, Social Media trainer, NZ Social Media veteran, Social Media Consultant for a down to earth practical yet strategic approach

Video Skips and slow buffering speeds

 Video skips and buffering speeds are a bane to online viewing. It can be so frustrating to wait while a video pauses in mid-view to buffer. The process of delivering video to your browser is a complex one. It can be very erratic, changing drastically from one second to the next. In a video I recently saw, the video viewing speed ranged from a slow pace of 371 kbps (kilobytes per second)to a nice 2003 kbps to 900.

Want to see your speed right now? Go to http://www.youtube.com/my_speed#, drop down below the graphs, and click the Show Test Video link.

Here are some suggestions to prevent or decerease video skips and slow buffering speeds. Therefore this will  improve your download speeds (info courtesy  of a fellow US Social Media marketer):

1.Remove multi-tasking on your internet line. If three other people in your house are trying to download music, watch videos and talk on their VOIP phones while you’re trying to watch a video, everyone’s speed will be significantly reduced.

2.Turn off auto-pinging of internet services, like email, chat services, and other services that automatically access online data.

3.Remove VOIP and move your phone to mobile or landline services because VOIP services utilise your Internet bandwidth to operate.

4.Upgrade your bandwidth with your ISP. Many ISP’s are now offering tiered service levels, allowing you to pay more for higher bandwidth, rather than just upgrading their entire network. In USA, you can buy a faster speed for a few extra dollars per month. You also may find that you can get significantly better bandwidth by shifting to a totally different ISP for your service.

5.Shift your video viewing to less popular times. Weekends and nights are high demand times. Shifting your video viewing times to less popular hours may give you cleaner lines and have a better viewing experience.

6.When given an option, choose to access videos from a server that is closer to you than farther away.

7.If online speed is mission critical to your work, consider getting an additional Internet line just for your mission-critical tasks. The relatively small increase in costs may well be justified in higher productivity and decreased frustration.

8.If online speed is mission critical to your work, try moving to a different location (closer to the backbone of the Internet), or at least one that gives you multiple different internet access options.

Posted by Jenny Wilmshurst, Co-Founder of Tweet Twins Social Media, Relationship netwroks, Innovation, Interactivity, ROI analytics

Social Media Rise and Fall of Adoption

Social Media Rise & Fall of Adoption is a way to describe how some see Social Media as the bane of all, the saviour of modern business or the middle road we really need.

This cycle of adoption is nothing new. It does explain varying attitudes and adoption though.

Maybe it even could be an explanation of potential adoption risks / perception of succss risks in a company’s early use of Social Media. Take a look at this diagram. It explains all! 

 

 The timeframe used here is not accurate to the actual introduction of Social Media as online conversation tools. have been with us prior to 2008.

Graphics courtesy of http://socialcommercetoday.com/

Written by Jenny Wilmshurst, Tweet Twins Social Media – Social Media Training, Social Media Consulting, Social Media Strategy, Social Media Planning

Social Media Debate Auckland Chamber of Commerce

Social Media debate. The Auckland Chamber of Commerce recently staged a Social Media debate before 200 odd people. Afterwards, a Chamber of Commerce debate participant commented on the debate.  This inspired this post.

The Auckland Social Media Club also ran its own debate. I attended the Social Media Club debate. In each debate, the against team won.Oodles of fun it was too!

In some pockets of Auckland business there is reserved acceptance of Social Media. In others it is wholehearted or yet with others there is cynicism.

Some do not believe that Social Media could power up a business!  Maybe I would not have either if I had not been part of it myself, I wonder.

So here are my pondering & observations on lifting our views of Social Media:

• Some NZ businesses run 100% on Social Media and get phenomenal results. The non Social Media business we have been growing capabilites of over the recent years, using Social Media, has yielded individual leads valued between $1k and $4.2 million, globally. The company’s Social Media use reaches the key influencers and it attracts conversation & relationships, then sales result from there. He’s launched several key products this way. The owner would say Social Media is THE SOURCE,  the ONLY future of his business. How else can you globally reach and convert without leaving your city? This is not an isolated NZ example.
• Social Media tools aren’t the vehicle for the future? If not then the Social Media Way is. Social Media Tools + Communications Strategy + Business Strategy = ROI. Tools keep changing. Just like any product in a live market, they ebb and flow as flavour of the day. Use tools with the discernment of a media planner. What are the demographics? What are the tools’ strengths weaknesses, personality and etiquette? Which match your target market? It’s psychographics as well as demographics. We can never rely on the tools wholely. It takes a tool’s policy change and your social media profile is wiped in an instant. Control your IP regardless. Take charge. Back up what you can. Leverage the Social Media Way despite this. It is the globe’s new marketing culture (albeit in migration from traditional media)
• It is the way the tools are used strategically in a communications strategy within your entire business planning that counts. Think about tailoring each of your communications messages. How do they fit with each tool? Consider how you’ll integrate Social Media and traditional media. So important while markets are still in the process of migrating to Social Media.
• The unique psyche and ethos that runs behind Social Media is way more than developing relationships and networks. Communication and relationships are foolish if they do not result in profit. I’ve heard open, large-scale conversation that leaves me wondering that maybe some Auckland Social Media aficionados’ practices are random and un-targeted?! We all really enjoy the social side so much! A bit of a trap? I bet someone will not like this being said! However we have to move Social Media skills upward in our sector.
• Social Media is WAY more than the tools. The tools are way more than Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. Their functions serve less than 25% of the types of Social Media activities and objectives i.e among 4 quadrants of interaction intensity and types of interaction. There are thousands of Social Media tools, applications and plugins. Our organisations need to strive to run as Enterprise 2.0 ‘s (Web 2.0, HR 2.0, Customer Service 2.0, IT 2.0, Ops 2.0, Business Planning 2.0) with a strong engagement centred culture. A change managers dream!
• One size does not fit all. How this statement has been quoted time and again after I wrote it way back when! Different markets and niches have different requirements. A Social Media marketing mix may even exclude Twitter Facebook, LinkedIn. Other Social Media tools may suit better. What about video, podcasts, webinars, recommendation /review sites, discussion, article sharing sites, media and content sharing sites? These were all part of our original pioneering Auckland Social Media workshops. I believe it is a disservice to clients if we do not expose them to these broad options.
• Get the right Social Media mix. Ignore the ‘results take many months’ myths If the right Social Media mix and activity level is not used then the powers that be will stifle the initiative head on. Get the right mix of relationship intensive and low risk, medium to low intensity Social Media activity. Globally marketed products and services can get results within weeks NOT MONTHS if you choose wisely. Benchmarked repeatedly over several years! It is true that  short term test and measure must be used as each client and sector differs.
• Each specific niche has its own set of tools that your markets favour. Each needs to discover them. Not all Web 1.0 tools are dead. Forums in some niches are vibrant! With foresight paln and be in the media while waiting for your market to arrive.
• It is not who you know. It is not even who knows you. It is who knows you who is the INFLUENCER WILLING TO PAY.  Tweet Twins sayings are spreading! So we added to our own saying again after a few new insights.
• Leverage the ‘Empty Forest’ way. Be the RARE animal that everyone in your niche is looking for. Be so findable online & offline that they cannot help but find you.

Let’s OPEN OUR MINDS to possibilities for leveraging our business?

If you got 90% of business from Social Media would you say Social Media doesn’t work?

Why would you use any other method?

So, have a strong desire to succeed with your online growth.

Desire to figure out the strategy and tactics. Or seek help

Stop settling for less than what is possible for you! Ask for the help you need to move your business  results forward.

Written by Jenny Wilmshurst, Tweet Twins Social Media – Social Media Training, Social Media Consulting, Social Media Strategy, Social Media Planning

Movies for a Coffee Break

I thought I would bring you what I call a Coffee Break Movie. Interesting movies that deliver a different perspective on and about life.

If you are familiar with computer code and platforms you will know of .net, java. However for a large majority of folk, they have no idea of these two code sets and who are the companies that own them. Now java and net for those that are not aware, are a crucial element to your social media experience, they sit in the background doing their stuff so that you can connect, follower, build relationships, watch online movies and all those other activities we engage in.

However there is a sinister underground culture  that is captured in this mini movie. Ladies and Gentleman I present a movie full of dysfunctional family attitudes, love and romance, secrets and discovery, freedom of expression, heartache, sudden death …wow I never knew so much of life’s drama could occur in 3.15 minutes. Enjoy your Coffee Break Movie….you do have a coffee in your hand don’t you?

A new way of life is coming that will divide families, corporations, nations. Relationships will be changed for ever.

Posted by Kevin Andreassend, Tweet Twins co-Founder and Managing Director of NZ based technology company ICE AV Technology and creator of The HoloDesk

Lady Gaga demonstrates how you can be an Influencer

Yesterday the TweetTwins shared at the National Speakers Association workshop series here in Auckland on how the new way of doing business is here now and not something coming soon. That the data stream is flowing at full force in your face, that the information highway….wow that is a throw back term! has become 1,000 highways going in every direction.

One comment I made was how once upon a time broadcasters and advertisers told us what was popular, Governments told us what is acceptable, who we can talk to, magazines just shout at us, newspapers would allow select few who write Letters To The Editor to be published and get their point and message across.

Today YOU and I determine what is important, popular, relevant, famous and successful.

This is aptly demonstrated with one of the music world’s fashionista and artists who dominates online and the music world. You might have heard of her and dismissed her as a just another singer. For many she is a young talented and loved artist called of Lady Gaga.

Mum I want to buy a new outfit just like Lady Gaga

She is thought provoking, captivating, loved by millions, provocative, sexual and challenging the status quo. Lady Gaga is leading a generation of virtual citizens and fans. and probably your children.  She is adored and appreciated by the public and the industry.  Last week she did a sweep of  the music Awards in Hollywood. She is the Tiger Woods of the music world but without the shame.

Ladies and Gentleman, Lady Gaga has the ears of millions, she sets fashion trends, girls the world over copy her fashion sense and make up styles. On the 16 September 2010 Lady Gaga posted a video on YouTube that describes her concern about the USA Government’s “Don’t Ask” Dont Tell” policy as it relates to gay military personnel.

She is not gyrating on a stage, showing some sexual stance, or performing in her underwear. No Sir, Lady Gaga is business like, to the point and has a message about a Government policy that affects 1,000s. She is the voice of millions. She can fill any concert hall she cares to perform in. When Lady Gaga speaks millions take notice, and by all accounts she actually makes a lot of sense on the whole from what this writer has read and seen.

Now whether you agree or not in regards to homosexuality is not what this post is about, so don’t shoot the messenger, (thats the TweetTwins or Lady Gaga). What you need to consider is this.

Within 3 days almost 1,000,000 YouTube viewers have viewed this message as of writing this post. Notice also how many times the video has already be copied and REPOSTED. Probably by the time I go to bed tonite it will easily be over 1,000,000. Can you imagine the number of viewers who have seen this video by the end of September, December.

Notice the group Lady Gaga states that she is speaking on behalf of at 2.10 minute. Lady Gaga as an American citizen has a global audience, she could arrive in any city around the world and be the lead TV story, every journalist would glamour for an interview and every airport security plan would be implemented due to the fans waiting to greet her.  Do you think the US Senators would receive the same attention if they arrived in your city…highly doubtful I would say.

My point is that there is a new generation of influencers and new ways YOU can be an influencer. Now keep this point in mind it has cost ZERO $$$$ for Lady Gaga to share her message and whilst I do not have the stats, it can be reliably assumed that she has had an influence and others have followed her call to action.

Understanding the way the new communication and influence network operates is crucial if you wish to grow your brand, create your business, influence others and find hungry buyers for your services and products.

The Information Highway has now become the Communication Highway, the Influence Highway, The Connected Highway, The Following Highway, there are on and off ramps at every mouse clicks.  Entertainment at every corner, turn a corner an you literally can be in another world.

And as Jim Reeves once crooned… Welcome to My World….you Little Monsters (Lady Gag byline for her fans)

By the way Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta) is the most popular and searched for woman on the Internet  at 85,900,000

FOOT NOTE: As I knew would happen, there have now been 1,242,930 million visitors by the time I went to bed.  Would you you like even 1% of this traffic in 3 days to your video? If so then become relevant, loved and respected by your Little Monsters and they will follow and listen.

Posted by Kevin Andreassend, Tweet Twins Founder and Managing Director of NZ based technology company ICE AV Technology and creator of The HoloDesk

Love it or hate it, Broadcast Television has met its match.

Love it, hate it, fear, or milk it for what you can, what ever your take, television is undergoing fundamental changes around the world and New Zealand.

Radio was going to put an end to print, television was going to squash cinemas, print is going digital (aka Kindle), radio is going online, internet is challenging newspapers, cinema’s are heading home and television is going 3D.

Now the internet and television is converging and pulling in mobile television. Google intends to be a player and certainly is going to be disruptive in viewer behaviour and where you receive your entertainment.

A range of fundamental issues need to be discussed and considered. Have your viewing habits changed in the last few years. Depending on your age I would say that the viewing habits of a 21 year old are completely at odds with a 53 year old. The content viewed today has shifted from being BBC perfect or a “Hollywood” to what is almost anything goes. The mobile phone is going to play an increasingly important role which is interesting as now we have TV screens that can be 103″ dia wide to a small pocket size cell phone. This is really the first time ever such platforms and choices existed and broadcast channels to the production gear is available to all who care to access it.

Video has become as important as writing and it is imperative that business owners get their head around how to create video, edit, create content and gather their viewers and leverage it for their brand, products and services.

Everyone one is a producer, director, narrator, camera person and editor. But most of all we can all be a star in our own right.

Posted by Kevin Andreassend, Co-founder Tweet Twins, specialists in converging technology and social media with you online.

The Power of Video – back when it started in another era.

I have been reflecting on the power of video as it relates to Social Media of late. Why, well I was here when the video production industry first started in New Zealand. To this day I can still remember long before video production equipment of ANY sort was available in NZ, before digital cameras and even reflex photo cameras that only the pros used …. and the day I finally got access to my first video production gear.

With the current celebration of 50 years of broadcast television in New Zealand this is a timely time to reflect not on the pass but the future! Where is it going and how can you as a business owner ride this fantastic media opportunity.

Allow me to indulge you in a little childhood memory reflection. I remember the day my parents decided to rent a TV, it was black and white and maybe made by Phillips. As with many devices it eventually needed a bit of service and like any technically orientated child, I decided I could say Dad a few pounds, hence my career began in the television industry… at last I was apart of this new media industry that I had started in a few yeas earlier when I started my first home cinema.  So out came the screw drivers and I went to repair the power plug as some of the wires had come loose. Back then we did not have the black pre-moulded “jug cords” used on TVs today.  Much to Dad’s alarm he saw me in time reconnecting the phase and neutral cables in the power plug. I could not not understand his alarm at the time, surely it was just a matter of poking the red and black wires back in the two sockets. That day I might have killed myself or shorted out the transformer in the TV and created a major problem and how was Dad going to explain this to the rental company.  A few things I learnt from this experience.

1- Something simple may have a complex background and infrastructure.

2 – The obvious may actually hide something you have no knowledge about.

3 – Never stop trying or finding an alternative way to solve a problem.

4 – If you do not try, you never learn.

5 – Sometimes a gentle rebuke by another is made for your own future good 🙂

6 – Something small may lead to paths, directions and opportunities you can not even fathom at the time.

I remember the day about 12 months before it hit the public, of reading a brochure about some technology that was going to be launched in NZ that actually allowed you to take the television radio waves out of the air and actually record it onto an almost identical magnetic tape I have been using to record audio on.  What was also more exciting was that if you placed a lens and some recording circuitry it would be possible to not only record the TV programmes but actually film whatever your eye could see. Now for a recently married guy this was science fiction (almost like finding my first love !) and I had to get my hands on somehow when the Government released the huge licensing restrictions on importing TV recording and playback gear. Eventually I setup up one of the first early wedding video recording businesses in NZ.

I am proud to say that I bought tears to many bride and groom as they viewed my productions. Emotion, momentum, ebb and flow are essential elements in any successful video or TV programme is an absolute requirement. I discovered and learnt the technique and language of motion picture language.  Today I came across a fun video interpretation of a Lady Gaga song and it had me laughing even though it is filmed on  a static and what we call in Motion Picture language a Master scene wide shot.

Have a listen and enjoy these guys doing a bit of fun entertainment. Now before you hit play, contemplate this…what if that was your staff creating a fun video as a team building event, how that would increase some staff bonding and your clients perception of a fun, interesting collaborative company. Some of your more shy staff might just come out of their shell a little and learn to be a little more confident and outgoing..that is just one side effective of positive Social Media.

Already up to 5,291,190 – Get that, that is five million potential clients viewing your video and growing, that COST ZERO ZERO DOLLARS. I think that many people do not realise  that this was impossible to accomplish a couple of years ago. That is the true power of Social Media. However initial knowledge is not only what you require but experienced veterans who live and breath technology, Social Media and the internet and most importantly are bringing $1,000’s of dollars of business income from around the world whose clients include blue chip to one man companies.

Now here is what the guys were mimicking in the car park.

Almost 330,000,000 million viewers! Go Gaga.

So my challenge to you today is organise to get yourself a video camera with sound recording (can cost as little as $100) learn how to use Movie Maker (you already have it if you have Windows XP), create a Youtube account and you are now a broadcaster. Man if it was only as easy and cheap when  I first started in the video industry. If you attend a TweetTwins workshop we even show you how to moneytise your professional videos with a few mouse clicks.

My daughter must have been following her Dad’s early adoption of video. Here you can listen to an angel sing with her professional Australiasian Pop Opera sensation music group – Tre-Belle. Three amazing ladies.

Posted by Kevin Andreassend, Serial Technology Entrepreneur and owner of various internationally focused technology companies, President of the AucklandICT and co-partner of the TweetTwins.

Anne Frank, The First Blogger

Recently The Tweet Twins (aka Kevin and Jenny) presented at two conferences on Social Media and how it can enhance your brand, profile and connection with customers.

In this excerpt from one of the presentations, Kevin talks about one of the world’s most famous bloggers before the phrase became the in buzz word, and before she had access to a computer. In fact it would be some 60 plus years before people really hooked in to what Anne Frank knew and before blogs became the in thing to have. She never lived to see the power and global influence her blog would become. In fact she never set her eyes on a computer let alone used one. One thing that Anne Frank knew and consoled herself in was the power of the written word …. even it was just for herself.

Now imagine the power you have at your finger tips to influence, empower, understand, provoke, and call to action … great reasons for you to start your blog today.

I found it a moving visit when I visited her nondescript house in Amsterdam, climbed that stair case where behind the door Anne and family would live like church mouse in fear of the Nazi’s. I pondered as I stared out the small window in her bedroom to freedom below and the large tree in the distant garden and contemplated the power of her diary that brings 1000’s of visitors to have the same experience I was having.

The Tweet Twins is a branded partnership to empower and assist you with Social Media and related tools to grow your brand,
bottom line and online authority.
Contact the Tweet Twins for your social media needs.
The Tweet Twins, Kevin Andreassend and Jenny Wilmshurst
tweettwins at gmail com http://www.tweettwins.com
Published by Kevin Andreassend, Co-partner and founder The Tweet Twins

20% of Internet Browser Traffic is video. This is why it is important for Business.

With the implementation of broadband internet access, the holy grail of music, video, audio and animation has really taken on a life of its own.

So much so that today, online video has become a huge growth path as more consumers, businesses, trainers to name a few, take to the internet to deliver and receive video in every form, from file streaming to live real time television, videos and the like.

The various technology channel types for communicating to customers are in a real flux of change in the last few years and more so now certain channels are taking on a real focus that previously was impossible to achieve.

The various formats have developed individual channel streams such as online radio stations, or mainstream broadcasters placing their schedule online, or sites where Hulu deliver online (sadly not available in NZ), Podcasts have taken on a brand presence for what is simply an audio file that you can download onto any one of a number of media platforms including the computer you are using to view this web site.

The benefits of video online and utilizing such sites as YouTube, Viddler, Vimeo and the 20 or more similar sites are growing in importance for companies wanting to demonstrate, engage, share their products, information and personality. Once was a rather costly exercise to get any degree of quality, is easily achieved with a $150 camera and free software. This places a strong emphasis on one thing…content that someone (hopefully 1000’s want to view) and from a business perspective will create sales, buzz, or a more informed buyer.

Would you go to sea with Emma to get a full reef experience for your next tourist experience?

TweetTwin partner Kevin Andreassend regularly relies on online video to demonstrate certain products to numerous off shore clients and inquirers in his technology businesses …either being directed or they find the videos themselves and subsequently makes a sales inquiry.

Wellington based Skulls and Bones saw an opportunity and got this site up overnight over the storm brewing over the Hollywood replica in Wellington. Of course we could not resist building a sign on the hill 🙂

Click the picture to create your own Wellywood sign and post it you Facebook.

Of course if you have that      special message here is your   chance to do something a    little different.

STOP PRESS: Did you hear the announcement that Sam Morgan (Tradme) and Stephen Tindall (The Warehouse), Rod Dury (Xero) are planning on creating a new digital virtually unlimited broadband connection costing $900,000,000 to connect New Zealand to the USA. Clearly a sign that rich media, video and data intensive communication online is going to be a very core element of business in the future.

A timely look at the broadband capability around the world can be viewed here at the BBC.

Fascinating look at numerous aspects of the Internet and the virtual world

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Video Workshops for Online and Social Media

Realising the importance of video for businesses today TweetTwins will be running workshops that cover the wide gamut of video online. This will include production, editing, SEO, analytics, broadcasting. Kevin will draw on his extensive video and multi-media expertise and background, to enable companies to easily implement Video as part of your business strategy.

If you are interested to learn how to create, use and benefit from Video Online leave a comment below (it will be a private message) or simply click here to send a email. tweettwins@gmail.com

If you are already finding the power of video within your company, feel free to write a few paragraphs of your success and we will publish here for you.

Ezine Article Video Exposure.

Become a part of our latest collaborative video project and shamelessly promote your article writing and marketing success to the world!

Ezine Articles have a new free promotion showing how almost anybody can be an EzineArticles Expert Author and use their service to help build your website, blog or online store … and we want to prove it using video. Now instead of hiring actors and using representative data, Ezine Articles are calling on their members, to tell their success story through video.The best ones will be collated together into one cohesive production that they intend to share with the world.

So what’s in it for you? Well if your video is chosen to be part of our video, your story will be seen by a potential audience of over a quarter-million EzineArticles members, not to mention several thousand other people. That kind of exposure will get you increased credibility, additional visibility and more traffic to your site … plus the accolades of the entire article marketing community.

Tweet Twins conducts workshops on Social Media and Audio and Video production techniques. Contact us further further details.

Does that sound like a worthwhile investment of your time? If so, take about 5 minutes to watch this video – it’ll tell you everything you need to know. Plus you’ll get to see a cool Hollywood-ish explosion!

Uruguayan firm has been offered a $30m Hollywood contract for Panic Attack

The power of online video is becoming a key means of international success for a few early adopters such as this Uruguayan firm with its video clip called Panic Attack.  I would guess that most companies have yet to get their heads around how to use video for business and that many are still in the “corporate video” 5 minute promo costing $5,000 send a  DVD mentality.

Social Media is turning and challenging this mentality at every point as is aptly demonstrated in this article.  A producer from a small Uruguayan firm has been offered a $30m contract after uploading an animation video to YouTube. Fede Alvarez’s short film “Ataque de Panico” (Panic Attack) featured giant robots invading and destroying Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. The movie will be sponsored by director Sam Raimi, whose credits include the Spiderman and Evil Dead films.

There are a couple of points I take away from this:

• Social Media video platforms are being taken seriously by those who matter.
• Social Media shifts the centre of influence and creates a level playing field.
• The distribution reach is far beyond what you could achieve by traditional means.
• It is not who you know, but who knows you.
• Hollywood is not the only place creating the destruction of the planet.
• Creating attention pays off with the right message.

Backstage behind the making of video clip.

Posted by Kevin Andreassend Co Partner of Tweet Twins

Social Media benefits Sales Management

Social Media benefits Sales Management – but how? This may be new thinking to many.

NZ Sales Management today published an article today which highlighted these points:
* The connection between online and offline relationship building
* Ways Social Media can be used in the supply chain and marketing process
* Improved ROI potentially
* How specific types of Social Media tools save budget by handling the sales/buying process
* Using your strong Social community of loyal brand evangelists to protect your brand
* What tolerance your suspects, prospects and clients will permit in the use of online tools, without compromising the relationship
* NZ examples of Social Media in the sales cycle. How even exported high tech products can be sold through Social Media!
* That by using online relationship building, you will be swapping methods and where you do business – not necessarily compromising time. The tools and how the process is handled may differ compared to traditional ways.

Confession – the NZ Sales Manager article was written by Tweet Twins Jenny Wilmshurst

The article will leave you wondering more on the how to specifics of Social Media. So check out Tweet Twins Social Media Hands On workshop dates.

December 2009 to March 2010 dates TBA any day now. Please email an expression of interest in Social Media workshop attendance, with your email, phone numbers – mobile & landline, personal & company names) at tweettwins[at]gmail[dot]com. We will let you know the dates once formalised.

To access the Social Media Benefits Sales Management  article or  subscribe here to electronic inspiration from Jenny Wilmshurst of Tweet Twins & other writers at NZ Sales Manager

Is Rock music setting a new trend online?

U2 Live on YouTube. I missed the live show yesterday. Now available for replay at YouTube.  The 10 minute YouTube restriction has been blown apart with U2’s 2hr 21min concert.

I am not aware of YouTube live streaming before and also hosting videos of this length, is this the start of soemthing new and aimed at taking on the likes of uStream, Vimeo and the other video sites.  What is your perception of YouTube role in video broadcasting are we seeing a new trend.

Ever since I heard about technology that could allow a person to record a TV programme and replay it the next night I knew that video would be an indulgent media to be involved with. We are now teaching video as part of our Social Media workshops. Anyone else using FlipCam? Do you see this as a unique enabling video technology? https://tweettwins.wordpress.com

U2 Live on YouTube. I missed the live show yesterday. Now available for replay at YouTube. Click here for the u2 Youtube Channel.

Posted by Kevin Andreassend Co-Founder of the Tweet Twins

http://www.simdeck.com http://www.iqrite.com http://www.digitaldaytime.com

How will Social Media benefit my company?

Answer – It’s all about giving good content for both Google and searchers to find you through. How much would Google Page 1 benefit your company? How would two way communication with your prospects and customers benefit your company?

If you could drive more qualified prospects and customers to reach your site would you be interested? If you could reach Google page 1 (or close to it) with the words they search with would it be worth it to you? If you had so much information about your products and services online that it makes it easier for prospects and customers to find you would you appreciate that?

Here is an example of one conversation a Tweet Twin recently had that illustrates this.

Query – Video doesn’t fit our views of advertising. Nor does YouTube. Why our company? How does it video with Social Media?
Answer – More and more customers and prospects research and problem solve ONLINE before they visit offline, to the actual store. Every company needs to be found on Google page 1 for the words customers and prospects search for. The more products, information, solutions you can be found through, the better it is for your brand and your clients.

Not everyone enjoys reading, some people are more visual and video communication suits them well.  Video builds reputation, trust, authority, and informs. You can see passion, and show how to’s and hear genuiness in tones – characteristincs  print don’t convey.

Businesses can creatively use it to provide valuable information to your prospects in a way that print cannot. A business could create a series of purpose created, value-add videos as a campaign.

Have you ever thought about how your business could become an authority for an industry. As an alternative, by interviewing with existing national or international authorities you can position yourself strongly in the marketplace. Alternatively have you thought of how your company can be positioned as the ‘go to solution centre’ for your target markets?

Video is a perfect showcase. It is a perfect complement in the online marketing toolbox. It helps your site to rank well  and build your brand positively.

Tweet Twins believe in this so much that we offer SEO/Social Media packages to achieve these results, and by leveraging your time. The service provides a broad range of Social Media tools to maximise your SEO & Social Media potential. The 2 options are the Professional Package or the Novice Package

Posted by Jenny Wilmshurst, Tweet Twins
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