I probably don't need to tell you that online video is hot right now. It's easier than ever to create, cheap to publish and most Internet users can watch it without downloading special software.
But it isn't easy to create high-quality video. You have to worry about lighting, background, image, grooming and other factors unique to video. So many speakers, trainers and other experts drag their heels with video.
And that's a pity.
Online video is hot right now, and it's easier than you might think.
Here's the secret:
A video clip doesn't have to show you on camera.
Sure, some of your video clips can show you. But that's not necessary. Think of "video" as a way of presenting information visually, and that will open up many other possibilities.
Here are ten other ways to use this visual medium ...
1. Interview other people
Max Hitchins uses video a lot, but he hardly ever features in his own videos. Instead, he makes other people the stars: Clients, audience members, staff and others. Check out his YouTube channel, which has 385 videos - mostly of other people.
2. Add narration to a slide show
After I spoke at the Thought Leaders conference in Sydney in February, I wanted to publish my presentation on-line, but the conference video wasn't available yet. So I uploaded the slide show to Slideshare.net and re-recorded an audio narration for it.
Watch the video here (click the picture):
3. Add an audio recording to a slide show
Later, when I did get the video for the presentation, instead of putting the video itself on-line, I extracted the audio track and attached it to the same set of slides. It's essentially the same presentation, but now includes audience reaction.
Watch that video here (click the picture):
(I'm not suggesting you do it both ways, as I've done here. Just pick one or the other)
4. Add slides to an audio program
You can use the same technique for any audio program you record - e.g. a radio interview, podcast episode, audio CD or anything else you've recorded.
Here's an example of a podcast episode I recorded recently with Chris Pudney as part of our Focal Point podcast. We recorded and published that podcast, then I later created a PowerPoint presentation to go along with it.
Watch that video here (click the picture):
For the sake of the exercise, I didn't edit the original audio file at all. However, you might choose to do so.
5. Create a PowerPoint/Keynote slide presentation
Even without the audio, you can still have impact with just a slide presentation uploaded to Slideshare.net. Sue-maree McEnearney does this with an educational slide show that also promotes her new e-book:
Watch the video here (click the picture):
6. Combine slides with music
While still on the topic of slide presentations ... Sometimes it's music rather than voice that adds value to the visuals.
Here's a simple PowerPoint slide presentation I created, which I then put to music and published.
Watch the video here (click the picture):
Of course, you have to be careful with copyright issues when using somebody else's music.
7. Record your screen as a tutorial
You can use Camtasia Studio or similar software to record what's happening on your screen, narrate an audio track while doing it, and publish that as a tutorial.
Here's an example we use as part of our on-line support manual for Web site clients.
8. Publish already-recorded material
If you've already created video material and you have the rights to it, publish clips from it elsewhere. For example, one of my clients, Matt Hern, has appeared often on a breakfast television show, so he uses some of these video clips on his Web site.
Watch the video here (click the picture):
9. Record a webinar
If you conduct webinars, record them and make the recordings available on-line for those who missed the live event. I've been doing that a lot this year, making the webinar recordings available for members of my First Step Community.
10. Sketch out an idea
There are new technologies available to present material in innovative ways. One of them is the LiveScribe Smart Pen, which allows you to combine drawing with audio.
Watch an example from my blog (click the picture):
11. Create animated cartoons
OK, I know I said 10, but here's a bonus ... 
You can also use animated cartoons to make a point. They look very impressive, and you don't have to be a Picasso to create them. Sue-maree McEnearney uses this on her blog to illustrate communication skills.
Watch the video here (click the picture):
So what's stopping YOU?
If you're not using online video much, you're missing the boat. I hope you've got some ideas here to add video - even in small ways - to your Web site, blog and on-line footprint.
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