The latest information, tools, tips, techniques and best practices to help communications professionals excel!
I live in Sacramento, about 70 miles from the Napa valley, home to some of the world's most amazing wine and vineyards. The region is a tourist paradise, featuring gorgeous landscapes and quaint towns. It was Sunday morning, August 24, 2014, at 3:20 a.m. when a sharp earthquake suddenly jolted the city of Napa.
Read MoreAs a public health communicator, web video producer and emergency communications/ social media trainer, I know how critical it is to get information out to the public and media during an emergency. Disaster news breaks on Twitter, the media is on top of it immediately, and often we as communicators can feel like we are swimming to catch up.
Read MoreHave you ever felt like you just don't always have a steady stream of content to keep your agency or company's social media site (i.e. Twitter, Facebook) fresh and engaging? Studies show that when you add audio and video content to your sites, interaction (shares, likes, favorites) goes way up. (Dry text and bland links to news releases is so booooring!)
Read More
Making Your Smartphone Emergency-Ready
As a public information officer or communicator for your company or agency, your role likely includes emergency response. With today’s fast-moving world of social media and instant news, it is absolutely critical that you have the ability to work from anywhere. After all, when disaster strikes, you may be at home without access to the resources of your office, the power could go out, or you might need to report to a field command post.
Your smartphone is an incredibly-powerful tool, but is your phone disaster-ready? Does it have the apps that will allow you to function on the go? My recommendations below are based on programs available for iPhone and/or iPad, which are the most-often carried devices, but many of these apps (or similar ones) are also available for Android devices. (If you have a Windows phone, or Blackberry device, you’ll find fewer choices).
Getting Started
The first thing is making sure you have the essentials to keep your phone operating and connected. Get a small zippered pouch to carry your phone charger, its USB charging cable, and ear bud headphone. Keep this bag with you always – in your purse, messenger bag, briefcase, backpack or car.
Just as important is a backup battery to keep your phone charged. This is critical: your phone’s battery won’t last many hours with heavy use. My favorite is the Hyperjuice Plug backup battery with twin USB charging ports, which will fully charge an iPhone up to nine times. Keep the backup battery charged and with you.
Safety Apps
Flashlight
Your phone’s LED camera light will brighten your world when the power goes out. The flashlight function is now built into the iOS 7 operating system for iPhone, but if you don’t have that, flashlight apps can be downloaded for free from your device’s app store.
Productivity Apps
DocScanner
Need to make a PDF? DocScanner allows you to take a photo of any document, automatically crops it, and turns it into a PDF that you can email or post. Instantly distribute news releases electronically during a disaster!
Google Maps
Easily check out evacuation perimeters, streets and landmarks with Google Maps. You can even take a quick screen shot then share the image to social media.
Screen Capture
This is not an app, but a feature of most smartphones. It allows you to take a photo of whatever is on your device’s screen, such as a map of an evacuation zone. On iPhone and iPad, you snap a screen shot by simultaneously pushing the round Home button on the front of the device and the rectangular button on the top right side of the device. Look in the Camera Roll for your screen shot, then e-mail it or post it to social media in seconds.
Dropbox
Everyone needs cloud storage for backup or document-sharing, and Dropbox is one of the most popular. Set up your account, then install the app. You can use it for transferring large files to colleagues, or to file documents, photos and notes collected during an emergency for archival purposes.
Monitoring Apps
Emergency Radio or Scanner
Emergency response enthusiasts provide thousands of real-time audio feeds of police and fire radio scanners. These apps allow you to monitor public safety agencies in many communities as they roll units and respond to emergencies.
iHeartRadio
This radio station app allows you to listen in to the live broadcasts of hundreds of radio stations across the country, including news/talk stations that provide breaking news coverage of major disasters. It’s a great way to monitor what’s being reported when the power is out or you can’t be near a radio.
Multimedia Apps
iMovie
Social media excels at distributing content quickly during disasters, and video always gets lots of clicks and shares. Shoot a quick update by the event spokesperson at the Joint Information Center, open it in iMovie to trim the beginning and end of the video and add a title, then use one-button upload to share it instantly to Facebook or YouTube.
(Hint: Get a tripod mount and lavaliere (clip-on) microphone for your smartphone so you can shoot steady videos with great audio quality. Here’s a page on my web site that has my recommended phone accessories: http://www.kerryshearer.com/techstore/)
SoundCloud
Don’t forget the power of audio and sharing your content with radio stations. SoundCloud is the YouTube of the audio world. You can record sound bites with your spokesperson or subject matter expert, trim the clip using another app, such as iRig Recorder, then do a one-button upload to SoundCloud. You can share the link video social media and get your information on the air fast!
BFF (Broadcast For Friends)
BFF lets you do a live video broadcast to your Facebook page, and archives the broadcast for later viewing. Mount your smartphone to a tripod and point it at the podium during a news conference, then hit the BFF Broadcast button to go live!
UStream
UStream is another service that provides an app which allows you to webcast live from your smartphone or tablet. You can share the live link or embed the webcast on your web site, as well as archive the broadcast for later playback.
Skype
Skype is another popular live video app. Most TV stations are all set up to put a Skype interview on the air live, so it’s a great way to make your subject matter expert available. Remember to use your smartphone camera’s built-in LED light to illuminate your interviewee at night or whenever indoor lighting is inadequate.
Voice Recorder
Most phones have a simple voice recorder app that allows you to easily record briefings, take audio notes, or even interview subject matter experts for posting to social media.
Event Coordination
Voxer
Staying in touch with your PIO team to coordinate response during a disaster is essential. The Voxer app turns your phone into a push-to-talk walkie talkie, allowing you to send voice messages in near-real time. You can also send text, photos and location information. As a bonus, all conversations are archived for later replay.
GroupMe
No more laborious typing of multiple contact names into a text message header when you want to reach several team members at once. With GroupMe, you set up a list of recipients just once, then they are all on the list. When anyone in the group sends a message or replies, everyone on the list gets it at once. Photos can also be attached. It’s an efficient way to keep everyone in the loop.
This is just the start of apps that will help make your smartphone or tablet emergency-ready. There are many other great tools, such as the Red Cross’ series of emergency apps covering fires, earthquakes, floods and more. The CDC has an excellent app containing important health information and links to tools and resources as well.
Keep your eye open for additional apps that will help you work effienciently from the field, and you’ll feel a lot more confident knowing your phone or tablet are emergency-ready!
Kerry Shearer is a social media trainer, public health communicator, and member of NPHIC’s Web and Social Media Committee. You can reach him at kerry.shearer@gmail.com, follow him on Twitter @kerryshearer, on Facebook at KerryShearerFan, or visit his web site at www.KerryShearer.com.
o it’s a great way to make your subject matter expert available. Remember to use your smartphone camera’s built-in LED light to illuminate your interviewee at night or whenever indoor lighting is inadequate.
Voice Recorder
Most phones have a simple voice recorder app that allows you to easily record briefings, take audio notes, or even interview subject matter experts for posting to social media.
Event Coordination
Voxer
Staying in touch with your PIO team to coordinate response during a disaster is essential. The Voxer app turns your phone into a push-to-talk walkie talkie, allowing you to send voice messages in near-real time. You can also send text, photos and location information. As a bonus, all conversations are archived for later replay.
GroupMe
No more laborious typing of multiple contact names into a text message header when you want to reach several team members at once. With GroupMe, you set up a list of recipients just once, then they are all on the list. When anyone in the group sends a message or replies, everyone on the list gets it at once. Photos can also be attached. It’s an efficient way to keep everyone in the loop.
This is just the start of apps that will help make your smartphone or tablet emergency-ready. There are many other great tools, such as the Red Cross’ series of emergency apps covering fires, earthquakes, floods and more. The CDC has an excellent app containing important health information and links to tools and resources as well.
Keep your eye open for additional apps that will help you work effienciently from the field, and you’ll feel a lot more confident knowing your phone or tablet are emergency-ready!
Kerry Shearer is a social media trainer, public health communicator, and member of the National Public Health Information Coalition's Web and Social Media Committee. You can follow him on Twitter @kerryshearer, on Facebook at KerryShearerFan, or visit his web site at www.KerryShearer.com.
Canon XA25 HD video camera
I'm always on the hunt for the best gear for communicators and public information officers to use to step up their communications efforts using video and audio tools. I think one of the best camera choices for many applications is the newly announced Canon XA25. It's the successor to the popular XA10, but it has features on sterioids.
The small HD camera has great image quality, wonderful low-light performance, and features a full audio head/handle to connect professional XLR microphones. (You want to have pro audio connectors so you can use professional mics and also easily connect to P.A. systems or mult boxes to record your own news conferences and public meetings).
Its 20X lens lets you zoom in tight, and the CMOS sensor is 1/2", an increase from the 1/3" sensor in the XA10 model. Video is recorded to dual SDHC memory cards.
Built-in WiFi allows you to immediately transfer files from the camera over FTP. This camera is a powerhouse and sells for $2,499 at B&H Photo Video.
The XA25 has HDMI and SDI outputs. (Note: A non-SDI version, the XA-20, sells for $2,199). SDI is kind of a big deal. You don't usually see SDI outputs on a compact video camera, especially in this price range. SDI is the way professional broadcast cameras connect to video switchers, recorders, news gathering vehicles and lots of other HD equipment. Audio and timecode data are embedded in the SDI output, and the image quality is even better than with the regular HDTV format.
So if, for example, you could connect one or more XA25's to the very affordable $995 BlackMagic Design ATEM Television Studio product (video switcher). You'd then have full HD video production and streaming for a very low price.
Check out more information on the XA25, including a video interview from a Canon representative at April's NAB 2013 Show, from Streaming Media Today.
Check out some of the cool video and tech things I found today!
What's new at the annual NAB Show? I'm roaming the aisles looking for great gear!
As a public information officer or communicator for your organization, your role
likely includes emergency response. With today’s fast-moving world of social
media and instant news, it is critical that you have the ability to work from
anywhere. After all, when disaster strikes, you may be at home without access
to your office, the power could go out, or you might need to go to the field
command post.
Your smartphone is a phenomenally-powerful tool that will allow
you to work from anywhere, but is your phone disaster-ready? My video below shows some
must-have programs, most of them free or very low cost. (Note that this video uses an iPhone as an
example, but many of the apps I recommend are made for both iPhone and Android
devices):
(If you have trouble viewing the video above, here is the direct link to the video YouTube. If you still have trouble, it may be that your agency blocks YouTube from appearing on agency computers.)
I've noticed that more and more communicators, public information officers and organizations want to get started with basic video editing, yet the choices (and complexity) of video editing programs can be confusing. Here's some basic information and software options to consider as you start creating your own great video content.
Typical editing timeline (Adobe Premiere Pro CS6).
Video Editing Workflow
Most video editing programs are based upon a similar
workflow: You import all the video clips you've shot with your camera into an
editing "bin." You then use your mouse to drag clips from the bin into
a horizontal editing space called the "timeline" and arrange the
clips in the order you want them. You can trim the beginning and end of the
clips so each starts and ends exactly where you want. The timeline has multiple
layers, so you can layer "cutaway" shots over top of your main video
track. Then, apply "transitions" (such as dissolves, wipes, or zooms)
between the segments wherever you want to add special effects. Drop in some
titles using the program's text editor, perhaps a music track, and you're ready
to output your production to a YouTube-friendly format for distribution via
social media.
All programs do these basics, but the differences between a more expensive video editing program and a cheaper one come down to capabilities and professional features. A less-expensive program will be more limiting, but may in fact do what you need it to do to get started producing basic videos for your social media sites. Here are some free or relatively low-cost options for both Windows and Mac users.
Windows
For PC, the most basic and best-priced (free!) is Windows Movie Maker 2012, which can be downloaded free from the Microsoft
site. It requires a PC running Windows 7 or Windows 8 (which may pose an issue
if you work for a government agency that still views Windows XP as cutting
edge! In that case, download Windows Live Movie Maker 2011).
Lightworks is an award-winning editing program that has a free version as well as a paid version with a $60/year licensing fee. Obviously, the free version has far fewer features, but may be a great way for you to get started. (Check it out here on the company's site, as well as in this review I found from ZD Net).
Adobe Premiere Elements 11
A step up to low-cost purchased software would be Adobe Premiere Elements 11, a less-capable version of the full-featured Adobe Premiere Pro. (View info here on the Adobe site). It can often be purchased for around $80, or bundled with Adobe Photoshop Elements for around $125. I personally like this as an entry point, because once you realize how much you love editing, you'll want to go all Hollywood and advance to Adobe Premiere Pro CS6!
Sony Movie Studio Platinum 12 Suite sells for less than $100. It uses the familiar timeline editing approach and has lots of effects and output options. (See it here). For about $125, Sony Movie Studio Platinum 12 Suite adds in additional transitions and more professional tools, including Sound Forge Audio Studio software (great for producing podcasts!). (See it here). Sony does a great job with their software, and has a higher-end video editing product line called Sony Vegas.
Cyberlink Power Director 11 has Deluxe, Ultra, Ultimate and Ultimate Suite versions ranging from $70-$225 (depending on what level of adjectives you're comfortable with!). For example, the $115 Ultimate version includes 22 effects from the highly recognized effects company NewBlueFX, as well as Cyberlink's own Creative Design Packs. (Check it out here).
Other programs to check out, some of which sell for only around $50, include Corel VideoStudio Pro X5, MagixMovie Edit Pro, AVS Video Editor and Pinnacle Studio 16.
Apple iMovie 11
Mac
For Apple users, there's iMovie 11.
It's part of iLife '11 and
included with every new Mac computer. Among its capabilities are templates that
allow you to produce movie trailers, a fun feature when you're trying to build
buzz on Facebook or Twitter for your organization's program, product or
service.
Unlike many other programs, the professional level of Apple editing is not super expensive. Final Cut Pro X is only $299, way below the normal $500-and-up price point for other pro-level programs. (See it here).
Adobe Premiere Elements is also available for Mac (view info here).
(I'll have more extensive information about Mac editing options in an upcoming post, but just wanted to mention a few of the top choices).
A Word About Hardware
Before purchasing any video editing program, it is essential to check the
System Requirements for the product, and see if the computer you're going to
run it on meets those requirements. I work with a lot of government agencies
and associations, and generally find that the standard-issue computer from the
I.T. department is not properly configured to give you a satisfactory editing
experience. Video files are big, so you need plenty of hard drive storage
(including an external drive or network location for backup), plenty of ram, a
speedy dual or quad-core processor and a decent-size screen. You will also want
to have Administrator access to your computer, because you need to be able to
download updates, plug-ins and add-ons periodically to keep everything up to
date and give you additional features.
Adobe Premiere Elements 11 editing interface
My Recommendation!
Here's the deal: Any software program you choose will have a learning curve,
especially if you're starting from scratch and don't have experience editing.
My preference is to stick with the major companies whose products range into
the professional realm, such as Adobe, Sony and Apple. That way, as you (or a
member of your staff) becomes more proficient at editing, there will be an
upward path to a pro-level of the product without having to learn another entirely
new interface. There is so much helpful free training on line that it is never
hard to get a fast answer via Google search to a vexing question about how to
accomplish a specific task with your editing program. I don't necessarily
subscribe to the notion that low-cost, less-featured programs are easier to
learn. Not every one is as intuitive as it could be or has the input of a vast
user base of experienced users helping to make it better. It is very possible
to install the full-featured Adobe Premiere Pro and just begin by using basic
cuts, dissolves, and a YouTube export pre-set at first. Then, over time, you'll
learn more features as you need them.
Video editing a great skill to have, and if you handle communications for your organization, it is a capability that is absolutely worth learning - not only for the benefit of your agency or company, but to your career advancement as a cutting-edge communicator!
Let me know how it goes for you, and be sure to sign up to receive my periodic
free resources via my home page at www.KerryShearer.com .
Kerry Shearer is a broadcaster, communicator, social
media/communications consultant, and Chair of the National Public Health
Information Coalition's Web
and Social Media Committee. He's a frequent emergency communications
trainer and speaker at national conferences on social media and web
audio/video techniques.
As noted in my previous post, it's easy to get started shooting and editing video for your web site or for use in presentations. But after you complete the initial edit, you realize there's something missing. What is it?! It's MUSIC! The right music bed for your video can do many things:
So where do you get music for your videos? As much as we'd all like to use some of the latest pop hits in our productions (i.e. wouldn't you just love to drop "Call Me Maybe" into your informational video about how your city's 211 call center operates?), you can't do that without a steep price: it's copyrighted material. Unless you have access to a composer and band that will create custom material for you, the best approach is to use royalty-free production music. That's production music that you buy and own - you don't have to pay licensing fees to use the music for a limited term.
My favorite source for low-cost, royalty-free production music is Footage Firm. The music is free, but with a catch: each themed disc you buy has an $8.41 shipping and handling fee. That means that you can buy, say, 10 discs for $88.41 and have a nice start to your production music library! For example, here is the link to their recently-released collection of Rock production music: http://www.footagefirm.com/freerockproductionmusic.html . I signed up for their mailing list, so I get notified anytime new music is released. I probably have 50 discs in my collection now, and I use the music in all sorts of productions, such as this quick recap video I produced on a Kodak Zi10 pocket camera for the California Association of Public Information Officials: http://youtu.be/VpwpIOIS5Nw .
Another company, Digital Juice, sells affordable production music as well as video production aids such as animated backgrounds and transitions. Their "Toxic Traxx" collection currently offers a free disc when you spend $99 on any of their other products: http://www.digitaljuice.com/products/products.asp?pid=2540
These are just a couple of options for low-cost production music for your videos. If there are other vendors you know about or like, go ahead and include the information in the Comments section for this post!
Kerry Shearer is a broadcaster, communicator, social
media/communications consultant, and Chair of the National Public Health
Information Coalition's Web
and Social Media Committee. He's a frequent emergency communications
trainer and speaker at national conferences on social media and web
audio/video techniques.
Web video is exploding in popularity, with over 800 million unique visitors watching over 4-billion hours of video each month on YouTube alone! And with more agencies and organizations participating in social media spaces like Facebook and Twitter, it's important to realize that videos get more clicks and "shares" from users than plain old text-based content alone. So how do you get started creating your own content? It's easier than you might think! Here are some tips:
What To Share
Your agency does many everyday activities that can make great video content.
Holding a conference or on-site forum? Do a brief recap video summarizing the
key points. Holding a community event? Release a promotional video in advance, then
post a quick "update" during the event itself for immediate sharing.
Got a hot topic making news in your are of influence? Sit down with your
subject matter expert and do a short interview concisely covering what people
need to know. Getting unfairly bashed by the media? Shoot your own video
telling the whole story.
Cameras
You don't need to spend a lot to get a good video camera. The Kodak Zi10
(currently available for about $99 on Amazon.com) is the only small pocket
camera of its kind with a removable SDHC memory card and a connector to plug in
a microphone. Another option is the iPhone or iPad. The newest models have
excellent built-in cameras that record in HD, and tripod mounts are available
so you can shoot rock-steady shots. Canon Vixia video cameras are known for
great quality and start at about $300. If you plan to shoot a lot and have the
funds available, you may wish to invest in a more expensive camera with better
image sensors and professional audio connectors. (Visit my web site at www.KerryShearer.com for
recommendations on all these options).
Audio Technica ATR-3350 wired lavaliere microphone - less than $20
Audio
Lesser-quality video is forgivable, but poor quality audio is not. That's why you never want to use a camera's built-in microphone to record interviews; it will sound hollow or echoey when the person speaking from several feet away. When buying, choose a camera that allows you to plug in an external microphone. Inexpensive cameras use a 3.5mm connector (the size of a mini headphone jack). Higher-cost cameras ($1,800+) use heavy-duty 3-pin XLR audio connectors, the professional standard. Clip-on lavaliere, hand-held, or wireless mics are available no matter what kind of connector you have.
Shooting Video
If you have a high definition camera, always shoot in HD, which creates a widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) image at the highest quality. Even if you are going to output the final product in standard definition widescreen format for the web, it will look a lot better if the original footage is HD. Make sure you have adequate lighting, and never shoot interviewees in front of an office window, as the backlighting will fool an inexpensive camera's auto-exposure mechanism and darken the image. Use a tripod whenever possible. Most cheap tripods don't allow for smooth panning or tilting, so get a fluid-head tripod if the budget allows. Be sure to capture a variety of wide, medium and tight shots to allow yourself plenty of editing options. If you go hand-held, hold the camera securely with both hands and lock your elbows to the sides of your torso, When you pan left or right, move your entire upper body. This will allow much steadier shots. During interviews where an off-camera producer is asking questions of your subject matter expert, place the producer just to the side of the camera so the interviewee is not looking directly into the lens.
Transferring Your Video
Once you have recorded all the elements of your video, it is time to transfer the files to the computer. Because virtually all of today's cameras capture video directly to memory cards instead of old-school DV tape, the process is fast and easy: you can simply place the memory card into a card reader connected to your computer and drag the video files right onto your computer’s hard drive and start editing immediately. Many cameras also allow you to connect to your computer via a USB cable to transfer files.
Video Editing Programs
Whether you are PC or Mac-based, there are many editing program choices. For PC, the most basic (and perhaps least versatile) is Windows Movie Maker, which can be downloaded free from the Microsoft site. Next up is Adobe Premiere Elements, a less-capable version of the full-featured Adobe Premiere Pro. For Apple users, Adobe makes a Mac version of Premiere Pro. Or, you can use Apple’s iMovie, the less-expensive version of its pricier Final Cut Pro X. If you plan to invest some resources, consider Adobe's CS6 Production Premium suite. It's expensive, but offers a whole suite of integrated programs to aid you in your productions, and the overall cost is far less than buying the programs individually. These suites typically contain programs that allow you to manipulate and prepare still images, create compelling animated opens and closes for your videos, and burn DVDs with menus. If you're shooting on iPhone or iPad, download Apple's $4.99 iMovie app. You can edit and upload right from your i-device!
How To Edit
You’ll need to dedicate some time to learning the video editing program you select. But they all use the same concept: You drag your imported video clips down what is called the editing “timeline” and line them up in the order you want to use them. Selection tools let you trim the starting point and ending point for each clip. You can then apply video effects, such as a smooth “dissolve” between clips, or perhaps a “wipe” or “zoom” transition. Editing programs offer many options – the key is to keep it simple and not overuse effects, which can dilute the impact of your production if not used effectively. The timeline offers multiple “layers” of audio and video, so you can stack effects. For example, you might have a medium shot of the on-camera host on video layer one, then put an over-the-shoulder graphic on video layer two. The host's audio would be on audio layer one, and background music on audio layer two.
Outputting Your Completed Video
Once your production is done, it’s time to output it. The great thing is that video editing programs have export "presets" for specific services, such as YouTube or Vimeo. For example, when I export videos, I generally use the "YouTube HD" preset, which creates a high-def file in a web-friendly H.264 compression standard format. I also recommend saving a copy of your project in its full, original quality (usually .AVI or .MOV). You can also burn the project to DVD.
Producing your own web videos can be very beneficial for your agency and really ramps up your social media engagement. It allows you to create content quickly and update it as often as needed. Start simple, and expand as you develop more skills.
I'll be posting training on my web site to help communicators develop their video, audio and social media skills. Please visit www.KerryShearer.com to be notified about free training materials as they become available.
Have fun, and I'll look for you on YouTube!
Kerry Shearer is a broadcaster, communicator, social media/communications consultant, and Chair of the National Public Health Information Coalition's Web and Social Media Committee. He's a frequent emergency communications trainer and speaker at national conferences on social media and web audio/video techniques.
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