Alex Jeffreys video competition – my first ever video!

I’ve done it!

After several days and hours of trying to get my head around making a video for Alex’s competition I’ve finally produced something. It’s not perfect by any means, but I have got it going!

My first attempt was far too wordy and long winded – even I got bored watching it! Lizzie told me so too!

So I cut out most of what I had said and tried to make it punchier.

I’ve got lots to learn like I think the microphone was too close and some of the page changes might be too quick, but I didn’t want to lose the viewers’ interest.

I’d be really grateful if you could let me know what you think about it.

By the way all the photos are my own except for the 2 obvious ones.

I just felt that it was important to show what is important to me and why I am taking this journey.

A couple of months ago I would never have thought that I would be doing this so I’m mighty glad of that kick up the backside that I have been given to get this done.

And thanks for all your encouraging remarks on my previous post about getting it going. I appreciate them all.

Perhaps now I can go and have a look at some of the other videos.

I know that Garry Parkes has a list of some of those that he has already found and Gaielle has made a more complete listing of them here.

Once I’ve got that sorted out I can resume my blog hopping both inside and outside this group – I have been a bit remiss of late!

I look forward to your candid and constructive comments on my first attempt.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OeIt6MOANq0

22 thoughts on “Alex Jeffreys video competition – my first ever video!

  • January 21, 2009 at 1:49 am
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    Hey Hilary

    I saw your blog comment on Gary’s blog and so I thought I would check out your video..

    It is a great first attempt at making a video, your choice of slides complimented with what you wanted to discuss about and it seems like you had the video thoroughly planned and scripted on the ideas/message you wanted to put through in the video. Good choice of examples too.

    Overall, great video, oh and I noticed you attention to detail with your text too as on some slides you distinguished your text from the background. My suggestion is maybe next time you could try doing a live video i.e. like some of the students have done if you have time.

    Best Regards
    Nigel

    Reply
  • January 21, 2009 at 7:58 am
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    Hi Hilary,

    I’ve just watched your video on YouTube.

    You come across really well, a natural speaker.

    Some of the slides didn’t quite make sense to me. But as they say – don’t get it right just get it going.

    Congratulations on extending your comfort zone and getting your first video completed.

    I’m a bit behind on the video production front, myself, as I’ve an article being published in a couple of weeks and I need to make sure the squeeze page and links are all working properly. I’ve a problem with the PayPal button – as you might have seen me discuss on Gary’s blog. I think it might generate me alot of traffic and opt-ins for the free money-making e-book.

    I’ve a link on the ‘Resources’ page of my blog you may find very useful now, to a guy with +20 years of video production experience. Lots of useful advice on how best to use videos to increase your traffic and your profits!

    To your success,

    Dave

    Dave Pumfrey’s last blog post..My Goals For 2009!

    Reply
  • January 21, 2009 at 9:56 am
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    Hello Hilary, Vince here,

    Please read this Huge Special Announcement – and post a link to my blog.

    I don’t want anyone to miss out on this.

    I have worked out an incredible gift for you – and all of Alex’s members – read on…

    I now have the resale rights to CamStudio which is now Camtasia, This new recoded Internet Marketing Version is bug free and works just as good as Camtasia which cost 300.00.

    Soon you will see a new sign up form and video come up showing you this new software and I am giving it to all of Alex’s members for FREE.

    Why am I doing this…

    I am doing this for two reasons, First I want to help everyone out there and show them I really have some great value on my blog and second I feel that 90% of the members cannot afford Camtasia so this will be a great way to build a new list of all the members.

    I also noticed you have a video on how to use this software which I will post on my blog.

    Check out my post and you will see this is a new recoded up to date version with all bugs removed and special features added like fash out put videos in firefox and now you can redirect to a URL after the video has finished.

    On top of this I also package together a 70 plus page ebook on how to get more traffic to your website or blog as a bonus. This is a must read. Some really great strategies and techniques you can use.

    Now this is only going to be up for a short time for all the members to get it. Then it will be taken down forever as I am selling it on the internet.

    So Please Scream this from the roof tops because anyone that gets this new software will now be able to teach fellow students anything they know through video and bring more traffic to their blog or website.

    This complete video software comes with a step by step PDF file that shows you exactly how to install and run the software. Once installed you will love it.

    UPDATE:

    The Give-away pages are all set and all I have to do is flick the switch. The video will be up soon with a sign up form. Check back soon. Thanks Vince

    Vince’s last blog post..CamStudio – All The Features Of Camtasia (Re-Designed)

    Reply
  • January 21, 2009 at 10:02 am
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    Hi Hilary,

    Well done on getting your video up and running. It was very well done with a very personal touch. I liked it very much. I’ll add it to my list of all the student videos when I do the next update. Just smack bang in middle of doing the Profit Pulling Project Issues #3 at the moment. (Thanks for offering to contribute – I will be in touch)

    I loved the comment you made in the video ‘You don’t have to get it right, you just have to get it going’. Lovely quote, just another way of saying one of Alex’s favourite sayings ‘Failing Forward’, but yours gives it a bit more of a personal feel.

    Oh, and sorry but I noticed you left a comment on my blog yesterday which I missed. Just posted up a reply.

    Garry Parkes
    http://garryparkes.com

    Garry Parkes’s last blog post..Higher Page Rank: Missing information

    Reply
  • January 21, 2009 at 5:52 pm
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    Hi Hilary,

    Just watched your video finally, I tried to earlier on but my 2yr old kept screaming at me so I couldn’t hear you! Thought I wouldn’t waste my time so just caught up now.

    I really liked all the personal photos you have used, I think that it definately helps create that feeling of knowing someone. And well done on being brave and using your voice (braver than some eg. me!)

    Glad to see all the positive comments you are already getting, its reassuring for us newbies to get some positive feedback isn’t it.

    Anyway, well done. Just off to read PPP3, bye for now.
    Becky

    Reply
  • January 22, 2009 at 2:33 pm
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    Hi Hilary

    Back from my vacation now and pleased to see your first video..congratulations!

    I thought it was a fantastic first effort and I look forward to your next one.

    Well done!
    Mark

    Mark Austin’s last blog post..The 4 Hour Work Week

    Reply
  • January 22, 2009 at 11:47 pm
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    Hi All

    Sorry I haven’t replied to all your earlier comments and thanks for the positive feedback so far.

    I know that I can improve on what I have done but I’m so glad that I have managed to get it going.

    Nigel

    Thanks for noticing what I had done with my slides – I do try to pay some attention to details.

    I didn’t use a video of myself for the simple reason that I do not have a video camera at the moment and cannot afford one – I’ll have to wait until I make some sales! Our webcam is poor quality so I did not want to use that.

    I’m going to see if I can borrow one in the future, but I wanted to get something done with my first video. Hence this offering.

    Dave

    Was it the wording on the slides or the pictures that didn’t make sense to you?

    I’ll be happy to give you an explanation if I can. Some of them are straightforward, though others are a little more obtuse. I wanted to make people think!

    I’ll go over to the resources page on your blog to have a look at what you have. Good luck with your own article and the squeeze page. I had problems with my original setup and loading and so far haven’t done any more. I need to have another go though!

    Vince

    Thanks for your information about the resale rights on CamStudio. I used Camtasia to record this video and I will certainly be interested. I’ll pop over to your blog to have a look and I’ll add a new post soon where I’ll mention it for you.

    Garry

    I’m glad you liked the personal touch – it is who I am and what means the most to me, so I just had to be real about it.

    I’m not as good with the comedy side of things – and I loved your video – it really had me laughing, as did others. So I have stuck to what I know I can do. After all we are all different.

    Thanks for all your hard work with the PPP it is so good to have a place where the talents of so many people are brought together for us to find.

    You obviously have a little more time to do that sort of thing than I do, so well done and I look forward to being able to contribute later – perhaps about trying to do this as a working mum and the importance of planning and ” not getting it right but getting it going”.

    I have had that phrase on the wall over my computer for quite some time now. I first heard it from Mike Litman . It’s the header on his blog page and I really like it so was pleased to hear Alex use it too.

    By the way, was this your official visit? If so you didn’t leave me a passport number!

    Becky

    Thanks for your positive comments. Yes it is important for us to get them – especially when you are struggling with screaming children or being mum’s taxi.

    I love what others are doing to help us and especially Gary Simpson’s comments about women in the Profit Pulling Project Newsletter. Means more now that Q has been revealed!

    Mark

    I hope that you enjoyed your vacation -it’s good to see you here and thanks for your positive comment – see my reply to Becky above.

    I meant to say thanks for your help with my PPP and opt-in box. I knew how busy you were and I was offered further help which I took.

    Looking forward to your interview!

    Reply
  • January 23, 2009 at 12:50 am
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    Hillary ~
    Congratulations! Great video!!
    Terrific voice, awesome message and nice editing with the text graphics!
    Keep on keeping on! You Go, Girl!
    Jim from Colorado, USA

    Reply
  • January 23, 2009 at 3:28 am
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    Hi Hilary,

    Heh! I see you are falling into my damn trap with those replies. Boy, does it take TIME! But you know that already, huh? Still, I do believe people appreciate it.

    I just wanted to say first that I tried to get here about THREE times since yesterday and was dragged away every time by somebody or something that needed my immediate attention.

    I liked your voice. I thought it sounded very, hmm, regal… a bit like HRH QEII. Now, please take that as a compliment coz I actually quite admire the Queen (putting up with that bloody drongo family of hers – deary, deary me!) and she has got a good name huh? LIZZIE!

    Now, what is this I hear about you, young lady, criticizing your Mum’s 1st attempt at making a video? I thought it was fine but I did wanna see the REAL Hilary. Well, I suppose that will be next.

    Hope you enjoyed being introduced to Linda, Hils. You gals have got a real strong and feisty one there. She even bloody-well tells me off! Humpff!

    Well done.

    Gary

    Gary SIMPSON’s last blog post..INTERNET MARKETING – Music & Lyrics That Inspire You

    Reply
  • January 24, 2009 at 1:28 am
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    Jim

    Thanks for the kind comments. I think you are new here, so I’ll pop over to see you tomorrow.

    Gary

    I’ll give you the Queen – nothing like her! (though my maiden initials were HM!)

    Having spent 11 years as an Air Traffic Controller, where I had to make sure that my instructions were clearly understood, I lost most of any accent I had.

    Lizzie wasn’t just criticizing – she was being honest and constructive, which was a great help. My son approved my second version.

    Enjoyed being introduced to Linda – I like being with other strong women and the more of us the better…! Grrrr!

    As for long comments – actually I like to read them from others so I feel that it is only right I do the same here.

    Reply
  • January 24, 2009 at 4:09 am
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    Hi Hilary, I’m rapt tht you got your video into your blog. I was about to suggest a great wordpress plug-in called Viper’s Video Quicktags which I use & is very simple. It has instant acces to all the major video viewers. Anyhow, I understand how this has taken all of us (newbies) off the main focus of updating our blogs, but hasn’t it been a wonderful achievement for SO many?! I’m amazed at the ingenuity of the students. It’s the best task so far for me. It opens up new doors. Congratulations on your video. It’s really charming. Nice blog too. Bye for now,
    Gaielle

    Gaielle’s last blog post..Alex Jeffreys Video Competition

    Reply
  • January 24, 2009 at 4:12 am
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    Gaielle here again, I just noticed your little heart next to submitter’s last post. I like that. What a great way of linking to other sites. Is it a plug-in? If so, what’s it called? I’d love to use it to promote other people’s blogs.
    Cheers,
    Gaielle

    Gaielle’s last blog post..Alex Jeffreys Video Competition

    Reply
  • January 24, 2009 at 9:44 am
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    Hi Gaielle

    Thanks for coming back to offer me help with getting the video embedded in the blog.

    Yes the video stuff has taken some while, but I’m so glad I’ve done the first one.

    I was supporting a student doing video technology yesterday and when I said that I had just got my first video up on YouTube he told me that he hadn’t done that yet! One up to me!

    I was interested in what they were doing as this is the first time I have worked with those studnets, so I hope to learn some useful things while I can!

    As for the heart – yes it is a plug-in and you can find it at:

    http://www.commentluv.com/download/ajax-commentluv-installation/

    I think it is great.

    I found it originally at Ian & Becky Carter’s blog where they have got a useful links section.

    Have a look as there may be others you can use.

    Hope this helps.

    Reply
  • January 25, 2009 at 11:37 pm
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    Hi Hilary,

    Just wanted to say as a fellow AJ student,congrats on your first video.
    I’m sure you are glad that the first one
    is done,the next one should be much easier.
    Thanks, for your comment you don’t have to
    get it right, just get it going.Keep up the
    good work.Don’t worry you will not lose the
    viewers interest.

    Michael Burton

    Michael Burton’s last blog post..Internet Marketing Strategies that Won’t Hurt Your Savings Much

    Reply
  • January 26, 2009 at 9:19 pm
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    Hi there, first of all thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.
    I think as this is your first attempt at video then its very good. You get the message across clear enough, and the video is short which I think is better.
    Good luck in 2009
    Andy Beveridge

    Andy Beveridge’s last blog post..Future plans.

    Reply
  • January 27, 2009 at 6:52 pm
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    Hillary,
    You did a great job with your first video. Congrats for getting it going!

    I love the music you selected, too. Gaille was very smart for putting our vids on her site. What fun to see how creative everyone is.

    I always enjoy hearing accents from around the world. Your’s is especially lovely.

    Warmly,
    Theresa

    Reply
  • January 27, 2009 at 9:41 pm
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    Thanks for those comments – it is good that others think that my first attempt is good.

    What I believe is that by having started I can now go on and learn from that. I’m looking forward to having another go when I can get some more time!

    Yes Gaielle has done a great job – I need to keep having a look at what others have done.

    Thanks for the comment about my accent Theresa! Gary told me I sounded regal (not that I sounded especially like the queen…)

    Reply
  • January 28, 2009 at 2:08 am
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    Refined then darls. How’s that?

    Glad to have been able to introduce you to Linda. That little lady has a big cook happening and it smells delicious.

    Keep your diary free for when you are invited over for dinner- coz it WILL be delicious. It always is. She has the most wonderful exotic spices that make ALL the difference.

    Former air traffic controller huh? That tells me a LOT about you in a very SMALL snippet of info.

    Gary

    Gary SIMPSON’s last blog post..Protected: SEO Group

    Reply
  • January 28, 2009 at 2:30 pm
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    Hi Hilary,

    Congratulations on your video it is terrific. I am ashamed to sday I have not put one together as I do not have either a web cam or a video camera or the knowledge needed.

    Heres to your success
    Christine

    Reply
  • February 2, 2009 at 12:07 am
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    Gary

    I like good food, so I’ll wait for the invitation.

    Lots of snippets of information I could give – I’ll put some into the next post after you tagged me on your 25 things you didn’t know post, but you’re not going to get them all yet!

    Christine

    I’ve commented on your blog and I look forward to helping you. I’m a newbie too in all of this.

    New post tomorrow I hope!

    Reply
  • February 13, 2009 at 7:06 pm
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    That’s alot better mum!
    Short but snappy and straight to the point, welldone!

    Lizzie

    Reply

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