Are you ready for your close up? Hang on, we're all going video.

The video generation is here and it's all grown up. In its thirties already, it's buying houses and buying cars. It likes to go out for ramen and it likes to go out for latte. But most of all, online research is showing that it likes video. It likes video more than it likes even a little bit of text. It likes pretty pictures and pretty moving pictures. And if you want to get and keep its and the following generations' attention, you'd better understand video. How to shoot it, edit it, where to post it.

 Why? Social networking sites are responding to this research and you'll have to respond, too.

• Facebook is preferencing posts with high quality images and any kind of video
• Twitter is allowing photos and videos of certain sizes to be displayed in the stream, NOT just as a link in a tweet.
• Youtube is poised to be the biggest social network in the near future
• Pinterest, essentially pretty pictures, is in the top ten social networking sites, despite being a relative newcomer
• Vine (micro-movie site) and Tumblr (big on animated gifs) are extremely popular with the younger generation

But, I can hear you think, how the heck am I gonna keep up? I've only got so much time during the day! Well, it's not as hard as it might seem and there is a comfort level for all of us.

Many movies out there are simple slide shows. This might be a great place for you to start. However, if you want to go down the live video route, fear not. 

First you need a lot of raw footage. Video that you can cut and paste to make a nice movie. Remember, much of the world's video content is coming from handheld devices, these days. The video can be basic. Some users even prefer basic video over slick, professionally produced video. But, whatever your concept for your movie, get a lot of video. And don't worry about getting things right in one take. Think more about small, punchy segments and hit those on the head.

Once you have your video, you need to edit it into shape. There are many solutions that are currently absolutely free.

1. Trust Microsoft. Microsoft's Movie Maker
   This sofware can do everything you need including upload raw video into one project, add titles, edit and organize video, add music, add credits, and publish. Professionals mock this software but it will do the job you need it to do.
2. Online Movie Making Sites
   Upload your video, edit, add titles, add music and other sound effects, and publish all with drag and drop menus and gooey interfaces. Try Magisto or Animoto.
3. Open Source Video Editors
   As you get farther down the road of video editing, you might want to consider using an open source editor like VSDC. These take a long longer to learn - VSDC doesn't have manuals! But they are well worth it if you want to start adding more advanced features to your movies. Mac also has free video editing software.

Some editing tips:

• Keep your movies short - under two minutes. This might allow you to use your footage in multiple movies but, also, allows you to keep posting and posting more and more new content. The internet is hungry for content; so multiple posts beats a perfect post every time.
• Don't sweat the small stuff. As you go along the road, you will get better and better and more efficient. Trust in that process and breath. Get the video done and get it out the door.

Now. Where to post?

1. Youtube. This is the most popular video site for videos large and small. If you have a presence, here, make sure you complete your profile in full.
2. Your own Vlog on Blogger (or other blogging site).
3. Your own website (though leveraging blogging and social media sites is preferable)
4. Vine. Only for small, six second looping video. The Twitter of video and acquired by Twitter not long ago.

But on a last word? Once you post it, don't let it sit. Make sure the world knows about it. Blog about it, talk about it, post about it, tweet about it and you will start to win yourself a following. Which is what it's all about, right?

If you need any help with any of this, just click on one of my social media buttons above to contact me. I'd be happy to help. Course, next time, I'm gonna do a video....  :)