2 Steps : Turn Your PowerPoint into a Video

Reusing your content and adapting can help same time and money.

How to Turn Your PowerPoint Into a Video

Easily making your PowerPoint web friendly.

Over the years we've seen a LOT of video and something that's becoming more common is adapting existing PowerPoint or presentations into video. It's a really good idea frankly, not only will your presentation be able to play on your website or on a mobile device but you already have the material to make it. Even better it's really easy to do.

Step 1: Find your PowerPoint 

• Really just find the file you want to save as a video and open it up.

Step 2: Save it as a Video.

• Click “File” in the top left of your screen and click “Save As”. From your format options click “Windows Media Video”.

Just so you know you can also save your PowerPoint as a PDF, which we think is dandy.

The video file will save and if you want you can always edit the video file to add sound and other elements that may not have been in your video. 

Here is the video result of a PowerPoint.

Loading player...

Turn Your Presentation Into A Video

Turn Your Presentation Into A Video

Tips on how to make your presentation into a powerful video presentation

Remember this is not just a chance to do the same old thing
take the opportunity to improve your traditional presentation.

Start with What You Have

Whether you have a brochure or a slideshow you can adapt it to a promotional video. Brochures take a little more effort to scan images or get the original image files but that is achievable still. The goal is to use what you have as a starting point so you don’t have to start from scratch.

How would You Improve It?

This is your chance to add in or change things you may have wanted to update already. Take this opportunity to look over your current presentation and make changes.

Here is a quick checklist:

• Is it up to date?
• Can you address common questions?
• Is the presentation too long?
• Are you missing visuals?
• Do you have a new product?

Prep it for Video

There are 2 types of Presentation Videos you can do, you will prepare for your video differently based on the type you want to create.

Spokesperson Video

These are videos that feature a real person or persons. They might be speaking, demonstrating a product or present in another manner. If you are using a spokesperson make sure you do the following items before you start recording.

Double check your equipment.

• Make sure your cast’s appearance represents your company brand
• Make sure your cast has a teleprompter, script cards or has memorized their lines
• Make sure the lighting looks good
• Make sure you equipment works
• Make sure you have water on hand for your talent and breaks!

Slideshow Video

Unlike a spokesperson video the focus isn't on your talent’s appearance but on the visuals you use. You can still use shot video (ex product footage) in addition to still footage (images, charts) but this form of production generally is less expensive. If you have a PowerPoint slideshow you already have everything you need. Preparing to create your video does have some items you’ll want to do before you start producing.

• Do you have Powerpoint 2010? If you do you can save it as a wmv right now!
• Are the images large enough to look good?
• Do you need additional images / charts?

Start Building

Now we can start, here are some resources to help you if you don’t already have a video production/editing software.

• CNet Video Editing Software
• TechRadar Top 9 Video Editing Softwares
• MakeUseOf Top 6 Mac Video Editing Softwares

Be sure to take breaks as you work on your video.
 Keeping a fresh eye is important to doing a good job.

Tips as You Work

• Save often
• As things load go and take a break
• Check the volume levels
• If you computer slows down turn off unnecessary programs as you work
• Keep the special effects professional
• Consider adding some quiet background music

Testing, Uploading

Once you complete your video be sure to watch your video to make sure it looks good from start to end. I’m not kidding when I saw watch it from start to end, I've helped many people who had missing elements at the end of their video where the audio track was longer than the video track substantially.

Once you are ready you can upload your video. (Supported Formats)

--------------------------------

For a good example of how a presentation can turn into a video check out how Impression Management who uses both types of presentation videos.

Impression Management's Videos are a great example of presentation type videos.

3 Examples of Approachable Brand Videos

A good video for a florist would be how to care for your
cut flowers, it would be informative as
well as give you a chance to make your staff
seem more approachable.

3 Great Examples of Approachable Brand Videos

Video can serve a lot of purposes in your company but building a relationship with your customers can often be overlooked. A brand video doesn't have to be void of personality, in fact as you'll see in these three videos personality can help make a video. People respond to emotion and a video that leaves them smiling or makes them feel that you are more approachable can be powerful.

Gerber's Taste Testing Video

Not only is it easy to tell it's Gerber (even muted you see the logo on all the highchairs) but they show the product being enjoyed or at least experienced by babies who are always a win. This video is cheerful, friendly and therefor popular.

Great Points

• Happy
• Adorable - babies always are
• Funny / Charming
• Brand Obvious
• Product Featured
• Short

Melissa & Doug Anniversary Video

This video may run a little long but it's definitely charming and makes the company feel more approachable. The placement of product in the video also adds to the charm, and helps showcase what it is they do.  

Great Points

• Humor
• Tells company history
• You meet the owners - very endearing
• Product placement

Coke Happiness Machine

This video is longer and like the above is meant to be fun so you associate those good feelings with the brand itself. It's hard not to smile as the video unfolds and you get to see the reactions of those getting the pleasant surprise.



Great Points

• Fun
• Happy
• Great reactions
• A bit of the unexpected
• Brand still obvious
• Product Featured

The above are just examples of how other companies have successfully used video to create emotion in their viewers. You may have noticed they range from high production to a more affordable level. Showing that you don't need to use your entire marketing budget to create a successful video. 

Other Resources:

• Small Business Video Creation Tips (2 Parts)
• New Content Checklist
• How Others Make Money Using YouTube
• Use Video to Improve Conversion Rates
• Reusing Your Blog Articles – How to the most out of your content

New Content Checklist

New Content Checklist

Making a habit out of promoting your new content

A helpful guide to keep on hand the next time you publish a new page, create a new blog post or publish a new video.

• Is it ready to be published? (Double check it for spelling and other errors.)

A basic guide to things you should be doing when you publish new content.

The Basics

• Copy the published URL (get it ready to start sharing it!)

• Submit to Google Webmaster
• Submit to Bing Webmaster
• Add it to your Sitemap (if you do that manually)

Social Promotion

• Pinterest - if it has something visual and ties with one of your boards publish it here and tag it.
• Twitter - be sure to post with an image and keep the description short.
• Twitter Bonus - if it’s something about a customer or just for a customer be sure to tag that customer.
• Facebook - if this fits in an album be sure to place it there otherwise a general post will do. Remember to post the link with an image and a description (doesn’t need to be as short as Twitter).
• Facebook Bonus - if it’s something about a customer (like a case study) be sure to tag that customer’s Facebook account.
• Google+ - if you use blogger you can automatically post to Google+ otherwise use a similar format to what you do for Facebook.
• LinkedIN - only post things that others in your field will find useful. You don’t want to spam your LinkedIN colleagues.
• Blog - if this ISN’T a blog post would it be worth making a small blurb on your blog about it?
• Email Marketing - don’t send it if you don’t think your customers will want to read it. You don’t want to be reported as spamming so make sure you send it only to people you think will care.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

We hope this basic new content checklist is helpful and that you can customize it to meet your company needs.

For more Social media and Content tips check out our collection here: http://www.pinterest.com/bizideo/social-media-content/

Reusing Your Blog Articles

How to Get The Most Out of Your Content

Your time is worth a lot, get the most from what you create.

You have probably heard that “content is King”, it can help users find you through search engines, establish you as an authority in your field, resolve consumer issues, sell products and more. Just as well known is how much work creating content can be. Many experts suggest you make a routine out of creating blog posts about relevant topics but if you are going through all that work to create content why not get more out of it?

Your blog article can be turned into a variety of media resources, allowing your users to pick and share the format they like best.

Take your blog entry and use it to create:

• Video, just add visuals and a vocal track to the content you've already written
• Even better if you create an SRT and offer Closed Caption
• Pinterest, hop on over to Photoshop or just include a Pinterest button on your completed article and be sure to share it to a board.
• Audio, podcasts were one of the most popular forms of media for years but even though video is more available that doesn't mean the podcast audience is extinct. Offering a podcast is a nice alternative because users can stream it while they do other things.
• PDF, sometimes you really just need a document you can send off to people so they have all the information right there. This also allows you to reach users who would rather print things out and have the information in hand (literally).
• Many field experts collect their blog entries and create a book or digital book as well.

You took the time to make that content, get the most out of it.