Using Video Tools to help with success

Today’s another Tools of the Trade Tuesday. At first, I was hesitant to write about video tools that help affiliate marketers succeed. That's because of all the technicalities I would run into with it. However, Video tools are important if you plan on using video as part of your marketing strategy. The type of video tools available run into several categories:

• those that create or record
• those that process
• those that edit
• and those that play back (what you see on your browser, laptop, mobile device or tablet).

Of course some tools offer more than one solution. Another issue is the format in which the final video is made. There are a number of formats available, but some are better than others, and you want the format that is the easiest to upload to video share sites like YouTube. Here is an infographic that explains part of the digital video file format history and what is available currently: As you can see from the graphic, video formats can get to be quite complicated fast. As an affiliate marketer, the main focus is creating a video and then distributing it across marketing channels that can be seen by the vast majority of your audience. A secondary concern may be placing the video on your website where it, too, can be seen, responsively.

Video tools that relate to PCs

Since I am more familiar with Windows, my focus is on tools that relate to PCs (even though in some cases versions are available for Macs). Some of the tools are free and some are already available on your laptop or mobile device. Others require a fee, but can be worth it if you are generating the business income to support it. My video experience is limited, but effective. I have struggled through the development of different software options to make videos. I’ve used the built-in video creator/editor within Windows, as well as produced videos with Camtasia Studio and my more recent video tool, VideoMakerFX. I have used my built-in webcam and weak pick-up microphone on my laptop to record videos. Other videos I have created come strictly from using graphics and motion text (like with VideoMakerFX). I have even made a video using just PowerPoint slides. And I have added royalty free music to go with it.

Two Main factors to consider

The video tools you select will involve two main factors. What you want to accomplish with it (your marketing strategy). And what you can afford. Of course, since I am a “do-it-yourselfer,” my viewpoint is based from this vantage point. However, you can just as easily (and affordably) outsource your video productions to others and not have to worry about any of the technical details or tools (other than uploading and playback). This is a viable option as well. I have been told that it’s more powerful to appear in your videos. That's because it gives prospective customers a better sense of who you are to make them more comfortable buying from you. However, a personal video could also have an adverse effect if you cannot convey your message very well and it can actually become a turn-off. Once that happens, it is even harder to capture your audience. Deciding how personal and public you want to become in video is your call. I’ve done both types of videos, informational and personal with mixed results. For me, my informational videos have done better. I am sure there are others where their personal videos have done much better for them. It also depends upon what it is you are promoting. I know that I would be much more likely to buy a book from an unknown author than have a surgery performed by an unknown doctor!

Have a plan

The main point is if you're interested in using videos to help promote your affiliate products, then you need to put together an effective plan. You also will need to decide whether you will be doing it or outsourcing it to others and what you can afford. As I have said before, the price you pay is directly proportional to the benefit you will get out of it. If it costs $100 to do it and produces $1,000 in net commission sales, then it was worth it. From there, you can then decide whether to purchase the needed tools to do them yourself. Or you can find someone else and pay them to do it for you. If you want to do-it-yourself and expect to do a number of videos, then I recommend investing in a software program like VideoMakerFX. As always, I invite you to share your comments, observations, or questions and I do like to hear from you. :)