by Eugene Vasconi, owner of Communication Arts and author of "Say What? Do You Really Know What You Are Communicating!"

As a 30-year television/multimedia producer, you would think I’d be railing all over about how you should never produce your own video for your web site. That would, of course, increase my business and allow me to pay the government more money…my goal in life.

However, I am here to say that you indeed should create your own video especially if it consists only of you on camera speaking about a favorite topic. Videos are much better than text (oops) in getting your message across simply because the viewer can see your body language and hear your vocal inflections.

My book, “Say What: Do You really Know What You Are Communicating?” explains all of this and points out that the most powerful way to spread your word is face-to-face. Seeing eye-to-eye is much more powerful than any electronic format. But video is good and spreads the word when you are asleep. The first and biggest pitfall is believing that creating a decent video takes no work…EEK! Work? Yes, kids…the old saying is unfortunately true…anything worth doing requires some work to do it well. So, what are a couple of tips to make yours better than some of the more “intriguing” ones we see on YouTube?

First, have a plan. Please believe me when I tell you than even the pros rehearse their guest shots on TV or have pre-planned their “off-the-cuff” remarks. Ad libbing when you are on the hot seat is almost always suicide. And you will discover that the second that camera rolls, you will feel the heat. At the very least, sketch out an outline with bullet points so you have a road map. By the way (also in my book) figure out your target audience so you speak to them directly – don’t try to sell freezers to people living in the Arctic.

Next, be 100% certain you are correct in your information. The web has a very bad reputation for being full of lies and you don’t need to be contributing to that. If you use other web sites for references, check several – might even try reading a book!

Lastly, say something! Before you waste valuable electrons spouting off about your favorite topic, see if it has been said before and if you find it, orchestrate yours to be something different or with a new twist. Do not be the same as 50,000 other videos. Be unique.

Now, I really hadn’t intended this to be a commercial for my book but there are too many tips and hints to include here so, if you really wish to communicate better in ANY medium, check it out. It is called “Say What: Do you really Know What You Are Communicating?” and you will enjoy it and also benefit. Get it as a Kindal or as a real book (much better) from my personal site at www.genevasconi.com.

I am now working on the ultimate guide to producing your own video which I will pass along on this blog when it is finished. And yes, I am writing up the plan!

Good luck,