Video. Just the word can send shivers down your spine.
Whether it’s a fear of the camera, failure or technology, video is an often overlooked marketing medium.
However, with the dawn of Google+ and Hangouts on Air, your ability to get “on camera” is more readily available than ever before.
One of the best ways to use Hangouts is to raise awareness around your business or brand.
There are hundreds of hangouts taking place each week. Why not identify those that are specific to your industry or area of expertise and request a guest interview?
Not only can the right video interview position you as an authority, but it can also build credibility.
Nevertheless, becoming a great guest and knowing what it takes to provide a perfect interview doesn’t happen overnight.
I was honored to join Ronnie Bincer, The Hangout Helper to discuss Google+, Hangouts and the power of video interviews.
If you’re ready to take advantage of Hangouts on Air and become the best interview guest possible, read through these top tips taken from our hour together.
Use Video Interviews to Boost Business Visibility
In the digital age where over 6 billion hours of video are watched on YouTube each month, video interviews are a marketing tool you don’t want to miss out on.
Not only do they offer unique insight into your business, but also an endless supply of content across your website and social channels.
So, let’s get you started!
STEP 1: Prepare
- Know your topic and focus on the key points you want to convey. Stick with three main points and don’t allow yourself to veer off-topic.
- Keep your answers short, concise and get to the point.
- Avoid complex industry speak – talk as if you’re talking to someone who doesn’t understand your industry.
- Ask for an outline or questions ahead of time so there’s plenty of time to prepare.
- Talk through your answers, but don’t script them out. You’ll come off feeling stilted and inauthentic.
- Do your homework on your host and understand their audience. You’re far more effective if you can speak directly to their needs.
- Don’t be afraid to ask your host for talking points and make suggestions based on content and topic.
STEP 2: Look Your Best
- First impressions are powerful. They create credibility and authority. Don’t miss an opportunity to make an unforgettable impression.
- For women, make sure your makeup is the same color as your skin. If not, you may appear pasty or pale or worse yet, the sunburned fake suntan look.
- For women and men, apply powder on your nose, forehead, and face to avoid looking shiny or oily under your lighting.
- Apply lip balm, but not liberally as to make you look shiny. Just enough to keep your lips moist.
- Pick bright, vibrant colors that pair well with your setting.
- SMILE!
STEP 3: Presentation
- Choose the right setting and make sure it’s bright, open and doesn’t include distracting items.
- Lighting is imperative – double-check yours before going live in any interview.
- Sound quality check is the same as above. Ensure that your sound is crisp and clear.
- How to feel comfortable in front of the camera:
- Look directly into the camera and hold eye contact.
- Don’t fidget – it only makes you look nervous.
- Lean forward, sit tall and breathe evenly.
- Use your interviewers name and speak directly to them.
- Talk to one person, not every person.
STEP 4: Don’t Forget
- Turn off your cell phone.
- Shut down everything running on your computer except the HOA or video.
- This should go without saying, but spit out your gum.
- Sit in a comfortable chair that allows you to look directly into the camera. Keeping your audience eye-level creates a relationship rather than looking up or down which can be threatening, or worse, diminishing.
How to Become the Best HOA Guest (and find awesome opportunities)
I had the pleasure to not only join Ronnie, but several additional professionals on the hangout. Each were kind enough to share their best tips.
If you’re eager to become the best Hangout on Air guest and want to find awesome video interview opportunities, below are ways you can get started.
Ronnie Bincer
Consistently share the video from a HOA Event or the HOA Event itself with some relevant, insightful commentary ‘up top’ while tagging the Host and panel members. Explain in that commentary why you think the content is helpful to your followers in a way that gets the attention of the Host of the HOA.
Another related idea is to follow the host you hope to connect with as they appear in other people’s HOAs as a co-host or a guest. Make helpful, insightful comments in the Event stream while tagging the contact in the relevant comments. There is a good chance that this person will appear in other people’s HOAs and if your comments are useful and interesting, that will likely help you get on the radar of the desired person. – Ronnie
Jeff Sieh
I’ve found that the best way to be invited as a guest on a HOA is not to ask right away but provide value to the host over time.
For example, a great way to be noticed by a HOA host is to become active in the comments. If someone in the program mentions a specific link or website, be the one who finds it and types that into the comments for everyone to have as a resource. If a guest mentions a Google Plus post that they have written, be the one who tracks it down and provides it for the audience.
Don’t do this one time and expect (or ask) to be invited to the next show. Adding value with thoughtful comments, and providing a helpful service to the host and their audience on a constant basis will help you stand out to the hosts and even their guests! – Jeff
Mike Allton
Just as in guest blogging, experts who want to take advantage of the reach and audience of a successful HOA Show should first research the show and the host so that there is a basic understanding of what the show is about and the typical format.
Then, compose a letter to the host that introduces yourself, your expertise, and specifically points to an article you’ve written or some other recent content that covers a topic you would like to address. Book authors have been doing this for decades to get on radio shows.
They send a letter that says, “Hey! I have this great new book out that is making all kinds of waves in my industry, and I think it would make a particularly interesting show for you and your readers. Here’s a copy for you to check out, and I would love to book one of your future shows to come on and talk about the book and this topic and answer questions.”
So similarly, you offer the host proof (as in a blog or a book or an article or whatever you have) that you know what you’re talking about and can bring to the show a new and interesting perspective on a topic or issue that is relevant to the show and viewers. If you frame yourself and your expertise properly, you will make the show host’s job easy! Every HOA host is always on the lookout for their next guest and are thrilled when someone interesting and qualified approaches them. If you can come on the show and provide value, you’ll make that HOA host look great, so don’t be afraid to reach out and clue them in to the value you can bring. – Mike
Debi Davis
1) Be an active participant in live HOAs.
2) Be prepared to be invited (because active participants are sure to be noticed and invited). E.g., If someone approaches you about being on their HOA, know what your key messages are; your call-to-action; your objective for being on G+. Write these things down and rehearse saying them out loud. If it feels natural, you’re ready to be a guest on the panel of an HOA. – Debi
Thanks for your post. I have used Google Hangouts to chat to my friends, some stuff with Youtube channels and now I know this. Maybe to do like you said it will take time. But your tips are so helpful. Bookmarked
Good article and very informative. It is true, this may not be for everyone but it is for those who are willing to use your tips and try.
I do trust all of the ideas you’ve offered for your post.
They’re very convincing and will certainly work.
Still, the posts are very quick for starters. May you please extend them a bit from subsequent time?
Thank you for the post.
Hi Rebekah…I love video – self and HOA – but as one of your other commenters said about herself as the one watching her preference is reading and I think it is also equally important- while the word might send shivers down you, sometimes those shivers are good telling you that it isn’t for you – and some videos I have seen, make you cringe – like really cringe…and while there is an audience for everyone, it is important that you do what is your purpose rather than because it is the latest marketing fad 🙂
You’re absolutely right Sarupa, video is not for everyone. If not done correctly, it can have a very negative affect on business.
With that said, I don’t believe it’s a fad. It’s here to stay and while getting on video might not be for everyone, there are other ways to integrate it into your marketing plan. Animoto is a great tool to create simple ,visually appealing videos!
Hi Rebekah, Thanks so much for your information on doing video and Google+ Hangouts to boost business visibility. I am going to start checking out some hangouts and follow your advice. Your tips are so helpful!
Have fun Shelley! You’ll love them!
Terrific outline Rebekah. I’d just like to add 2 cents from a listener perspective. I think it’s helpful to keep in mind different communication styles because not everyone is a fan of visual or audio. Given a choice I will always opt to read a post rather than watch a video. Some people include a text portion – either the entire transcript or just a summary – in addition to a video or podcast and I will often read that first and if the information is something I want to learn more about then I’ll watch the video or download the podcast. Thanks for the inspiration and great tips!
Great point Marquita! It should always be a top priority to learn the style of your audience and understand their medium of choice.
Hi Rebekah, these are great tips for video interviews, thank you. I often watch Ronnie’s hangouts, at first to learn how to do a google hangout and now I watch them whenever google makes a change. I haven’t used hangouts to do interviews, but I do use them for team meetings and webinars.
Rebekah, fantastic write up of what it takes to leave a great impression as a Guest in a Hangout on Air video show.
What you’ve done here is a fantastic example of a guest adding value to the HOA video after the fact by publishing this great post as a follow up to the show. Thanks so much for doing that and for being such a great guest live in the HOA Show itself. … You’re Awesome!
Rebekah,
I definitely understand the shivers down your spine. I wrote about this topic recently and actually post my first video online a few weeks ago. It is not pretty but it is my first step.
I’ve wasted too much time making up reasons why not to do…so I finally just jumped in. It didn’t kill me and actually kinda made me laugh because it’s a little goofy. I know it will get better as I do more.
My next tackle will be Google Hangouts. Not sure I’ll be getting interviewed for awhile, but maybe I’ll do the interviewing. Thanks for a great post!
LeslieZ
This was very educational and I appreciate all that you have imparted to all of us who are trying to learn. Thank you.
Glad to hear it was helpful Gina!
Maybe someday. I think these are valid points, even for a blog like mine. I’ve always felt I had the perfect face for a faceless blog, though … not a vlog!
That’s funny Eli! It will happen…someday and hopefully sooner than later.
Love it!!
At VidCruiter, we see the huge future of using videos for businesses, especially video interviews.
Video is a huge medium. I’m hoping we can encourage more people to get on board!
Hi Rebekah,
You have really opened my eyes to the possibility on the use of Videos. I’ve been traditionally hooked to the old means od promotional methods and not really thinking about the use of videos at all.
Thanks for sharing this, I’m mostly happy.
There’s nothing wrong with traditional marketing James. Video and social media simply complement everything that you’re already doing.