According to its own statistics, YouTube has 800 million unique users who visit every month. Over three billion videos are viewed every single day. More video is uploaded to YouTube in one month than the three major US networks have created in 60 years! Those numbers only refer to Youtube and don’t include other video hosting sites. Video is one of the best ways to share information. It provides the opportunity to reach millions through a medium that grabs the heart of the viewer.
One question that I hear is, “Isn’t video expensive and hard to do?” When it comes to professional video production, that might be true, but it’s not true of social video. Today’s YouTube watcher isn’t so concerned about seeing TV-quality video. They are more interested in the content. With that in mind, video becomes very affordable and relatively easy to use. Most point and shoot cameras and smart phones offer high resolution video and even have a direct upload to YouTube. Social sites such as Facebook also offer apps to upload video directly. There are many tutorials online showing how this is done.
So get out there and record some video to present the gospel! Here are some tips for using video to that end.
Keep it compact. Don’t drag out your video. People aren’t interested in someone droning on and on. If you have something to say, then say it quickly and concisely. Remember, it’s the power of the Word of God that will bring people to Himself. Usually, any video longer than a few minutes will not be watched, so keep it short and to the point.
Make it creative. Throw in some humor and color—just don’t be condescending or silly. Everyone talks about wanting the next viral video, but it doesn’t have to be crazy or off-the-wall. Take some time to think about what you want to accomplish and plan it well. There are some different styles you can try:
1. Testimony. This is where a person is in front of the camera and telling a story. Try switching angles and changing how close the camera is to the speaker to keep it interesting.
2. Film. In this format, you tell a story through the use of locations and sets. This is more intensive but can produce excellent results.
3. Text and images. This style is easy to put together using music, images, and text, and can be very effective.
Keep it simple. People don’t care about elaborate sets or perfect lighting; they care about whether the content is captivating in some way. So get out your regular camcorder, smart phone, or point and shoot, come up with something creative, and start filming.
Make it relevant. Don’t just produce random videos but make sure the same clear message of hope and salvation is evident. Pick topics that people can relate to and will want to watch more of. Think of practical ways to share the gospel. The Lord used everyday objects to relay His truth.
So give video a shot! Set up an account with Youtube or Vimeo and put your videos out there. It can be fun as well as being an excellent way to reach the world for Christ. Here are a few websites you can check out to see others doing video for the Lord and to get some ideas:
www.skitplanet.com
www.skitguys.com
www.ignitermedia.com/mini-movies