Use of video in point/miles blogs [and YouTube, Tiktok et al]
Jun 22, 2014, 1:25 pm
#1
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Use of video in point/miles blogs [and YouTube, Tiktok et al]
What are everyone's thoughts on the use of video in point/miles blogs? I like using video as a medium and think it could have some nice uses for blog posts. I know TPG uses it for Q&A, but thought there might be other uses as well.
Some of my ideas:
Is that something that you would want to watch? Or would you rather just read it? I believe in the power of narrative and think that some stories are just better when someone is telling them as opposed to writing them.
Some of my ideas:
- Previews of trip report posts (telling the story in person instead of just writing about it)
- Lecture-style explanations of beginner-level MS concepts
- ITA Matrix demonstrations
Is that something that you would want to watch? Or would you rather just read it? I believe in the power of narrative and think that some stories are just better when someone is telling them as opposed to writing them.
Jun 22, 2014, 1:29 pm
#2
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In other words, my suggestion is to give the reader a choice.
Photographs are a viable third option.
Also, ensure that your video is not too long. If it is, consider splitting it and placing the segments into separate articles, as some readers may only be interested in a specific portion of your trip report or demonstration — and ensure that the titles of those articles are clear and concise.
Jun 22, 2014, 1:35 pm
#3
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Both.
In other words, my suggestion is to give the reader a choice.
Photographs are a viable third option.
Also, ensure that your video is not too long. If it is, consider splitting it and placing the segments into separate articles, as some readers may only be interested in a specific portion of your trip report or demonstration — and ensure that the titles of those articles are clear and concise.
In other words, my suggestion is to give the reader a choice.
Photographs are a viable third option.
Also, ensure that your video is not too long. If it is, consider splitting it and placing the segments into separate articles, as some readers may only be interested in a specific portion of your trip report or demonstration — and ensure that the titles of those articles are clear and concise.
The trip report videos will definitely be segmented, I was thinking it'd be a video covering the topic of that post, so if I was doing a post about Venice, that's what the video would be, if it was about the flight from Paris to Dubai, that'd be another video and another post.
Jun 22, 2014, 4:10 pm
#4
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Thanks for the feedback. My idea was to include the video as a supplement to the written post, not a replacement. I'm a firm believer that any video should be shorter than 7 minutes, due to American attention spans that have been formed by sitcoms on TV (7 minutes is the average time between commercials).
The trip report videos will definitely be segmented, I was thinking it'd be a video covering the topic of that post, so if I was doing a post about Venice, that's what the video would be, if it was about the flight from Paris to Dubai, that'd be another video and another post.
The trip report videos will definitely be segmented, I was thinking it'd be a video covering the topic of that post, so if I was doing a post about Venice, that's what the video would be, if it was about the flight from Paris to Dubai, that'd be another video and another post.
I laughed about the 7 minute attention span, which is probably true but I hadn't ever thought about it! Some people may not even last that long
Jun 22, 2014, 7:54 pm
#5
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I've heard that the average on YouTube is much shorter. Like in the 90-120 seconds range. Not sure I can find that stat again, but it has guided some of my efforts in making little clips from trips.
Jun 23, 2014, 5:38 am
#6
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I find video TRs tacky... I have no way to skip content and have to listen to narrative rather than speedreading it. That said I only have tried to watch the modhop video reviews.
Jun 23, 2014, 6:41 am
#7
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Jun 23, 2014, 6:49 am
#8
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Well I think what I want to do on the videos on trip reports is only post a video if there's a story worth sharing verbally. Like I said, I'm a big believer in the power of spoken narrative and think it could enhance a trip report in certain cases. Too often what I see are video slideshows and I think it could be done better.
That TPG video was kind of cheesy (I'm sure Brian would be the first to admit it), but good for him to be able to do that.
That TPG video was kind of cheesy (I'm sure Brian would be the first to admit it), but good for him to be able to do that.
Jun 23, 2014, 6:50 am
#9
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Although, come to think of it, I don't think I have seen once since the last megado.
Jun 23, 2014, 6:53 am
#10
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Plus no way to skip to content, I never bother to even look at most.
Jun 26, 2014, 2:08 pm
#11
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Ok, here's an example of a post I did that has both video and text: http://andystravelblog.com/2014/06/26/boardingpasspsa/. The video definitely needs some work, and I have a microphone ordered so the audio will be much cleaner. (I also didn't really do a bunch of editing on what I was going to say, kind of just turned on the camera and started talking)
On a different note, I had absolutely no idea you could do screen recording in Quicktime until yesterday.
On a different note, I had absolutely no idea you could do screen recording in Quicktime until yesterday.
Jun 27, 2014, 2:01 am
#12
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I cannot tell you how little interest I have in adding video to Head for Points. I don't watch video segments by others and can't face doing my own.
That said, I know someone who does YouTube videos of his luxury trips (BA First etc) and makes a pretty decent sum each month from only a handful of clips.
That said, I know someone who does YouTube videos of his luxury trips (BA First etc) and makes a pretty decent sum each month from only a handful of clips.
Jun 27, 2014, 1:33 pm
#13
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Ok, here's an example of a post I did that has both video and text: http://andystravelblog.com/2014/06/26/boardingpasspsa/. The video definitely needs some work, and I have a microphone ordered so the audio will be much cleaner. (I also didn't really do a bunch of editing on what I was going to say, kind of just turned on the camera and started talking)
On a different note, I had absolutely no idea you could do screen recording in Quicktime until yesterday.
On a different note, I had absolutely no idea you could do screen recording in Quicktime until yesterday.
As ever, JMHO and YMMV!
Jun 27, 2014, 1:53 pm
#14
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I appreciate the critique. The average viewing time on youtube reflects exactly what you just said as well (average viewing time on that video was 3 minutes).