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Posts Tagged: Learning


5 Tips for Using More Video in Your Organization


YouTube for business, social learning, social media for business, Gina Schreck

 

YouTube Nation

Our society has an insatiable apetite for video.  It has grown steadily over the past 5 and a half years since the birth of YouTube.  According to statistics compiled by Website Monitoring YouTube now exceeds 2 BILLION views per day and that people watch an average of 15 minutes of video per day.  I might be one of those “average people” since I do tend to watch videos that come my way via blogs, Twitter, Facebook and, occasionally, through an email.  If I add in the regular TED Talk videos that I watch, I can probably hit that average.

Kids pass around more and more videos on Facebook and now for the Holiday season 2010, we have Video Barbie getting in on the action~(I do find this somewhat creepy to think little girls will be walking around secretly filming others through Bab’s camera that is embedded into her back and the lens is in her chest.)  They could have named her Stalker Barbie! Warning to parents: Pick up those toys in YOUR bedroom before you go to sleep!

 

Video, Barbie video, Gina Schreck, Technology trends

Stalker Barbie

YouTube is now the second largest search engine in the world, just behind its parent company…Google.  That’s right, people will go to YouTube to find everything from how to install a new toilet or how to speak with a British accent to finding deep intellectual messages through cartoons like Charlie the Unicorn.   So what does this have to do with business…besides EVERYTHING?


Take a look at some of these fun images from YouTube’s 5-year journey.

Businesses should be capitalizing on the fact that people are seeking information and learning from videos.  With video equipment getting smaller and less expensive, there is no reason why you and your organization shouldn’t be tapping into this insatiable appetite for video consumption.

Here are my 5 tips for getting your community tuned in to your message:

  1. Be Business Casual- When you over-produce or over-script a video, it feels like you are trying to sell us something.  When you turn the camera on yourself and talk authentically, we connect with you.  Look at some of the most successful videos on YouTube…they are not shot by a professional production team, they are simple and conversational.  What tips can you share via video? What’s on your mind that can be turned into a video blog post? You don’t need a professional set or well written script. Jot some bullet points down and hit that record button.
  2. Have Great Audio- There are many options now to boost the audio on many pocket video cams with bluetooth microphones and even the Flip Video has finally come out with an external mic port on their latest Ultra HD 8 GB.  People will forgive bad video skills as long as they can hear you clearly.  Don’t forget that while doing simple editing after, you can adjust and boost sound as well.

     

    The Flip

  3. Set a Fun Backdrop-  Look behind you before you start filming. I have seen videos with bright windows behind the person which turns them into a silhouette, or worse I have seen videos with pictures or lamps behind the person, creating a comical mashup of the person and the object.  Instead of sitting with a messy office behind you, create a simple but interesting backdrop that will enhance your video.
  4. Get the Camcorders into the Hands of the Community and Co-Create- Remember, YOU don’t have to be the star of every video, or of any videos if you’d rather stay out of the spotlight.  Put the cameras in the hands of your customers, your learners, your fans and let then tell the stories of your company.  Within your organization start a series of WINK videos (What I Now Know) asking everyone from the executive teams to the star employees, “What are 2 or 3 things you know now that you wish you would have known when you started here?” Have your customers create a “Day in the Life of a CUSTOMER!” People love seeing themselves be silly on video.  Create opportunities for participants to create content to use in a training program . Give teams the information they need and challenge them to create a fun, short (5 min in length) and content-packed video that will used to explain a new product roll-out to other teams or in a “Popcorn Learning Segment” in your next training program. Pop some popcorn and view the videos as a group with a debrief or quiz created by the same teams!
  5. And….ACTION! Get STARTED! Don’t let the need for perfection paralyze you.  Pick something easy to start with like 5 tips on a topic you have expertise in and just push that RECORD button!  You will find ways to get more creative and better with each video you create.

Keep in mind that when you post a video on YouTube, every word you say is transcribed and those words become searchable through Google!  Be strategic if you are wanting your videos to become viral or at least be found by a bigger audience!  You can post your videos on your blog, website, or a series of video hosting sites (YouTube is only one), like Viddler, Blip.Tv, Vimeo and more.

I love to hear the creative uses people find to incorporate video into their marketing, their learning, or other informative uses for business.  How else can we all get creative with simple pocket video?  Let us know in the comment section and let’s learn something together!

Happy Filming!

Gina Schreck, Technology Speaker, Social Media for Business

Gina Schreck

Gina Schreck
President & Chief Hooligan at Synapse 3Di

@GinaSchreck

November 7, 2010 | Filed Under Mobile Technology, Social Learning, Social Media, Video, YouTube | 1 Comment 

QR Codes out of Legos…Let YOUR Imagination BUILD SOMETHING

Thanks to Paul Simbeck-Hampson for sharing this fun video and to Phyllis Khare for passing it along.  Social Learning at its BEST!

See how technology and toys can lead to fun customer engagement and higher sales.  What will you embed in your codes?

QR Codes are like physical world hyperlinks!  You can add them to anything and let people discover clues, trivia, and more!

To get started:

1. Download a FREE scanner app on your smartphone by searching your app store for BARCODE SCANNER or SCANNER.

2. Go to one of these sites to create your code for FREE!

http://zxing.appspot.com/generator/ (This site lets you add additional information aside from your website URL.  Type in a message like I did on the code below.

QR codes, Gina Schreck, Technology speaker, social media business, Getting Geeky

Scan This

http://QRStuff.com   (This site is fun because it allows you to create a QR code from a URL, text, a Vcard with your contact info on it or even a Google map with a specific location pinpointed! When you create your code you can order fun merchandise like hats, shirts, coffee mugs, and more)

TIP: To add some analytics to your QR Codes, create a short URL over at  http://bit.ly  or http://Goo.gl and then use that link to create your codes so you can track the numer of clicks and more.

Where can you put these fun codes?  Where will you take people?

Have fun playing and learning~

@GinaSchreck

Gina Schreck, Technology Speaker, Social Media for Business

Gina Schreck

Gina Schreck
President & Chief Hooligan at Synapse 3Di

@GinaSchreck

October 13, 2010 | Filed Under Marketing, Mobile Technology, Social Learning, Technology | 1 Comment 

SOMETHINGS GOTTA GIVE: Making time for social media

Time for social media, social media for business, making time for social media, social media training

Time Squeeze

Yesterday someone sent me a question that really got me thinking.  It doesn’t take much to send my brain off on a 2-hour tangent, but this was a question we all struggle with.  Her comment and question was this:

“I am marginally involved in social media, but, like most of us these days, I’m so busy taking care of the “have-to’s” that there is little time to devote to keeping things current on Facebook and LinkedIn.  I recognize, however, that I always manage to make time for the really important things.  How important is social media? “

Now I am no life coach or productivity expert (that made me laugh just typing it!) but when it comes to prioritizing activities around social media here are some questions you must FIRST ask yourself:

  1. What are my goals?  What am I trying to achieve in my work and personal life (if they are separate?)
  2. What activities must I be engaged in to get me to these goals? If your goal is to move into a leadership position (which hers was) then personal and professional development are essential activities.  If your goal is to start your own business, then networking, learning to market and sell become essential.  So we must first identify the activities.
  3. NOW- what are the best ways to perform these activities? What tools can I use to do these activities better, faster, BIGGER?  If your goal is to learn management skills, take a class, but also find and connect with other top leading managers and leaders on Twitter to learn from the best (go beyond the book).  Network with others in management classes on Facebook or LinkedIn to share knowledge and accelerate our learning.  Through social media you can create your own mastermind group of experts where you can listen, ask questions, and grow faster than you could on your own.  You are also putting your name and expertise out there creating more opportunities for yourself.  My oldest daughter is a zoology major up at CSU and I have encouraged her to connect with and learn from others in her field on Twitter.
  4. Lastly, what are those other “HAVE TO” activities that I am filling my day with and how can I re-prioritize or become more efficient while doing those?
    If you are spending 2-3 hours attending meetings that are not productive…ask for agendas, call in instead of attending live, etc.  If you are spending too much time on email, commit to becoming more efficient with that by creating rules and telling people to send you messages only when necessary- no FYI messages.   And at home how are you spending your time?  If you are spending time watching television at home, well then….. YOU HAVE TIME!

Social media tools are just that…TOOLS.  They can help you perform some of these activities on a much bigger scale and less myopic than other activities (ie- going to Chamber lunches or Association meetings)  (Yes, I am anticipating the hate mail on that comment), but the bottom line is you have to start with the end in mind.  What are your goals and how can social media tools help you reach those goals?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this~ What are YOU doing to make time for social media? Is it working for you?

Gina Schreck, Technology Speaker, Social Media for Business

Gina Schreck

Let us help you set those goals and find the right tools to get there FAST!  We help organizations use today’s technology to connect in meaningful ways with their communities.

Gina Schreck
President & Chief Hooligan at Synapse 3Di

@GinaSchreck

October 2, 2010 | Filed Under Facebook, Facebook PAGES, Gettin Geeky, LinkedIn, Social Media, Technology, Twitter | 2 Comments 

The Controversy Around the Digital Divide

Technology Speaker, Social Media Expert, Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants

 

I grew up with 3 TV channels (not including the mysterious UHF channels which never had anything of value to a kid), I was the remote control.  I played records not MP3 files, on my Fisher Price record player.  The only phone we had was one with a very long cord that could be pulled into our bedrooms for privacy.  I am a digital immigrant.

I hear many people complain about the labels, “Digital Natives” and “Digital Immigrants.”  I’m assuming what they really don’t agree with is some of the stereotypes that tend to go along with those labels.  Some will say ALL digital natives LOVE technology and ALL digital immigrants RESIST it.  Obviously that is not true, but it doesn’t change the fact that there are those born into a landscape of digital technology and those of us who have had to make that mental shift and MOVE.

I am a native to the United States, but that doesn’t mean that I know everything about our great country.  There are those who have immigrated over from other countries and I am amazed at those who know more about our history and landmarks than I.

Regardless of which side of the digital divide you were born on, it doesn’t change the fact that we must find ways to continue learning to use the tools of today.  My old record player won’t allow me to do all that my iPad will, I watch more videos on YouTube than shows on my television (unless it is in 3D -then our 3D TV delivers the goods!) and my Google Nexus One phone can do just about everything from helping me review restaurants online, making dinner reservations without having to call and be placed on hold. My phone can hail a taxi  or talk me through directions to get there all without having to drag my phone into a room for privacy…wait…PRIVACY…what’s PRIVACY?  Perhaps that’s yet another thing digital immigrants are struggling with understanding!

@GinaSchreck

 

Gina Schreck, Technology Speaker, Social Media Expert, Twitter and Facebook training

Gina Schreck

 

 

August 4, 2010 | Filed Under Education, Social Learning, Social Media, Technology | Leave a Comment 

List of Twitter-Chat Events

I am always asked for a list of places or events to get involved with like-minded people on Twitter.  A live meet up coordinated through Twitter is called a “Tweet Up,” but a virtual meeting of people on Twitter is called a Twitter-Chat.  I keep a running list as I come across tags, but there are new groups starting up every day and some events are one time only conference tags,  but still worth checking out if the conversation seems interesting.  If you want to know more about each group, simply type the tag into Google and you will find information on each group.  If you know of any other great Twitter chats, be sure to leave them in the comment section here~

List of Chats in Alphabetical Order

#agchat: Tuesdays, 7:00pm to 9:00pm CST. (Agricultural topics)

#agencychat: Tuesdays, 1:00pm – 2:00pm CST. (Advertising & marketing folks)

#ageOp: Thursdays, 8:00pm to 9:00pm CST. (Age of Opportunity- 70 is the new 30!)

#amwriting: Not a specific time-just a group of writers offering encouragement & tips

#assnchat: Tuesdays, 1:00pm-2:00pm CST. (Association community)

#blogchat: Sundays, 8:00pm to 9:00pm CST. (Blogging tips & best practices)

#brandchat: Wednesdays, 10:00am to 11:00am CST. (Chat about branding issues)

#carchat: Wednesdays, 7:00pm to 9:00pm CST. (Interesting info for automotive industry)

#editorchat: Wednesdays, 7:30pm to 10:00pm CST. (Professional writers & editors)

#edchat: Tuesdays, 6:00pm to 7:00pm CST. (Technology & education)

#eventprofs: Tuesdays, 8:00pm to 9:00pm CST and Thursdays, 11:00am to 12:00pm CST. (Event Professionals)

#ffparty: Pretty much a virtual office party all day on Fridays.

#foodchat: 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00pm to 9:00pm CST. (Anyone who produces, consumes or just loves food)

#GEOchat: Tuesdays, 3pm-4 (GeoLocations Based Services; QR codes and more) Contact @WayneSutton for more info

#hcsm: Sundays, 8:00pm to 9:00pm CST. (Healthcare, communication and social media)

#hcmktg: Fridays, 12:00pm to 1:00pm CST. (Healthcare marketing)

#imcchat: Wednesdays, 7:00pm to 8:00pm CST. (Integrated marketing communication)

#innochat: Thursdays, 8:00am to 9:00am CST.

#journ2journ: Currently taking a break from regular Twitter-chats but you will still see the tag from those journalists sharing ideas.

#journchat: Mondays, 7:00pm to 10:00pm CST. (Journalists, bloggers and those in PR world)

#kaizenblog: Fridays, 11:00am to 12:00pm CST. (Those interested in Kaizen in social media)

#kidlitchat: Tuesdays, 8:00 pm-9:00 pm CST. (Children’s literature)

#litchat: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3:00 pm-4:00 pm CST. (Book lovers of all kinds)

#lrnchat: Thursdays, 7:30pm – 9:00pm CST. (Those interested in the learning industry-corporate or academic)

#pr20chat: Tuesdays, 7:00pm – 8:00pm CST. (Social media & PR industry)

#prstudchat: Monthly at different times. (PR students & professionals)

#sbbuzz: Tuesdays, 7:00pm to 9:00pm CST. (Small business & social media)

#scriptchat: Sundays, 8:00pm GMT for Euro and 7:00pm CST for U.S. (Aspiring & seasoned screenwriters)

#smallbizchat: Wednesdays, 7:00pm to 8:00pm CST. (Small biz owners & those considering it)

#smbiz: Tuesdays, 7:00pm to 8:00pm CST. (More small biz chat just different night)

#smchat: Wednesdays, 12:00pm to 1:30pm CST. (Social media discussions)

#talentnet: last Wednesday of the month, 8:00pm to 10:00pm CST. (Those in the recruiting industry)

#tbc: Typically the 2nd Monday of each month, 8:00 pm-9:00 pm CST. (Virtual book club)

#u30pro: Thursdays, 7:00pm to 10:00pm CST. (Professionals under the age of 30)

#writechat: Sundays, 2:00pm to 5:00pm CST. (Writers)

#yalitchat: Wednesdays, 8:00pm CST. (Writers of young adult literature)

January 23, 2010 | Filed Under Social Media, Twitter | 12 Comments 

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