I’ve been doing a lot this past week as far as expanding the Smart Passive Income brand. I created a Facebook Fan Page, which has nearly 100 fans already. Today, I setup a YouTube Channel and decided to post my first video, which I’ve embedded here on the blog for you below.
Part of branding is staying consistent with how you present yourself and your products/blogs/business/whatever. So, in an effort to do this, I’ve tried to create some continuity in the web addresses where people can connect with me. Here are some examples below:
I’ll also be using the picture below where ever I am online. It’s my profile image for all of the forums I’m in, it’s on my Facebook page, my YouTube channel – everywhere. Black and white, so it’s pretty unique, and I think the smile brings a nice welcoming feeling (correct me if I’m wrong…LOL). Again, it’s these kinds of things that start to brand yourself pretty much automatically. It’s like billboards, TV ads and magazine ads – constantly showing the same things to people over and over again, even if they don’t know it.
I’m pretty excited about all of this stuff. I hope it get’s to a point where people who I’ve never met before say hi to me on the street because they know I’m a part of this brand. We’ll see – I’ll definitely post about that if or when it happen.
In order to do this kind of thing, you definitely cannot be a shy person. I think that in order to go big, you have to put yourself out there. You can’t hide and succeed – especially today when everything is about being open with who you are online, social media, and all of those kinds of things.
Anyways, here is my first YouTube video below for SPI. There are some links to things I mention in the video underneath it as well.
Time: 3 minutes.
Here are the tools I mention in this video:
- Camtasia for Mac - for screen captures
- Camtasia for PC (Camtasia Studio) – for screen captures
- Bamboo Tablet by Wacom – to use the pen instead of a mouse
- Omnidazzle – to draw on screen
Thanks everyone! Enjoy your weekend!
Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links that will earn me a commission if you choose to purchase the programs/hardware.
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{ 16 comments (Click Here to Leave a Comment Below) }
Hey Pat,
Long time reader..first time commenting
.
I am glad you are expanding Smart Passive Income into videos. This blog is super useful for me…keep up the great work.
Also on an aside I would like to comment to other readers, particularly new ones. I emailed Pat a few weeks ago to for the first time for some advice and he wrote back with detailed useful comments. So in my my mind this is a sign of someone genuinely interested in helping others. Thanks Pat!
Anyway just wanted to make a few comments about the tools you used. I have been using Screenflow for my demos as it allows removing and replacing the cursor with you own image. This is really useful for iphone demos where you obviously don’t want a cursor. Used in combination with Sim Finger http://blog.atebits.com/2009/03/not-your-average-iphone-screencast/ you can create some great iphone demos.
Simon, thanks for the awesome comment. You didn’t have to do that, but I appreciate it – thank you
I’ve seen that finger used before on some demo vids, but I never knew how that was done. Very useful – I’ll talk to my iPhone buddy about it for an future demo vids we end up doing. Thanks!
Good stuff, mate!
I think the picture is very well chosen. It looks professional, but not sterile and interchangeable like some professional portraits tend to. (In my opinion, anyway). I also have a WACOM tablet, btw and it’s really useful for certain tasks. I’ve never thought of using it for a video, though. Cool idea.
Very cool post, Pat! I can definitely see where these tools will help you clearly convey ideas and “lessons” in the future. And I think you are doing a great job with your branding so far. Here’s to your continued success!
Really nice video for your first screencast attempt!
One suggestion…
I would record only the browser content window instead of the whole browser. You’re losing almost a third or your recording area to superfluous browser clutter (toolbars, etc.)…
Nice job!
Lon Naylor
Great suggestion, thanks a lot Lon! I do have a lot of toolbars =P
Great post, as always, Pat!
….just 2 general comments about your Blog, though….very minute….and, I guess I’m just bringing it up because I’m OCD and go crazy over even the smallest grammar/spelling error…. (although, I’m sure I’ve had plenty of them in my own comments here…lol)
Under your recommendations on your home page, it says “Pat’s Recommends”……
…shouldn’t it say “Pat’s Recommendations”…or “Pat Recommends”?
……….also, under your “Outsourcing Work” section under “Resources” (where you have companies like 99designs…)…..You should REALLY consider looking into CrowdSPRING, as well….
You can actually sign-up as an affiliate, through Commission Junction, and put an affiliate link here on your blog….if you…of course….like what they do….
Of course, there are Pros- and Cons- to Crowd-sourcing, however, CrowdSPRING is really a great website that you may want to think about adding…
….I’m actually holding my own “Contest” for the LOGO for my upcoming blog (I’ve planned to start a blog for the longest time, but it finally took reading yours to gain the inspiration to finally move forward with it…)…
http://www.crowdspring.com/projects/graphic_design/logo/a_soldier_and_a_glove_probing_life_relentlessly
I know I could get a LOGO done probably for way less than $527, but I was very interested in gaining alot of graphic designer interest, and submissions, because I had just so many elements that I was navigating for inclusion in the LOGO final product….
I do have a favorite already, but, feel free to click “Love this design” if you….errrr….love any of the designs….lol
Pat you doing great with online branding. I’m missing one simple thing that is my youtube channel…
Hey Pat, what do you think of Linkedin. do you have one of those accounts for your business?
Hey Parker, I actually do have a Linkedin account from when I used to work 9 to 5, and that’s connected to my exam blog. I don’t really get any traffic from it, but it’s a great way to make connections with others in the industry.
Camtasia is great, but for the Mac I prefer the simpler and cheaper iShowU, for only $20.
http://store.shinywhitebox.com/home/home.html
Cool tools. Question – do you know of any less expensive options Camtasia for creating online audio/video broadcasts?
Hey Jocelyn, do you work on a pc or mac?
PC
Hey Pat, do you know if there’s an equivalent to Omnidazzle for the PC?