A few weeks ago, I posted about one of my new traffic-building experiments; using short (30-60 seconds) PREselling web videos to drive traffic to my main web site, UltimateFatBurner.com. Basically, this is about creating short, compelling videos, and using them as a “tease” to compel viewers to click through to your web site.
Since my initial post on the subject, I’ve created several other PREselling video commercials. Not surprising, it’s taking less and less time to do so. In addition, I’ve developed a streamlined process and taken steps to address the issue I identified as being the biggest possible detriment to the success of my videos.
Before continuing, have a look (and a listen) at one of my newest videos…
I hope you noticed the soundtrack. If not, turn up your speakers and watch the video again. Because these videos are nothing more than basic slideshows and are not visually compelling, you really need all the help you can get to ensure your viewer makes it to the end of the video without losing interest. (Yes, this is the main detrimental issue I identified as I watched a few of my previous videos again).
To that end, I’ve made a point to include a compelling soundtrack in this video; a driving hypnotic beat with a touch of suspense. It drives the video along, and makes it easier to watch, don’t you agree? (I’ve appealed to the good nature of several friends to confirm this conclusion 
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That said, here’s the process I’m currently using for the development of PREselling video commercials…
1) Pick an appropriate article on your web site to drive PREsold traffic to: You may be tempted to drive traffic to pages that are effective income generators on your web site. This makes sense, but keep in mind that in order to find your video, folks need to be performing related keyword searches at video hosting sites. They are probably not performing searches on Internet Marketing related tools and what not, for example.
2) Write a compelling script: To keep videos to 60 seconds or less, you need 10-12 “slides” (in the above video, I used 10 slides, plus an entry and an exit screen). You want 10-12 pithy lines that piques your viewer’s interest and creates curiousity in the viewer. Try to keep sentences short, and if possible, tie some of them together, so your visitor is compelled to wait for the next frame. Keep in mind that the more material on the frame, the longer it takes your visitor to read it.
3) Try not to allow your video to creep much past the 60-second mark: Online, viewers want instant gratification. The longer your video is, the less likely a viewer is going to commit to watching it, or should he/she decide to do so, actually make it through the entire presentation.
4) Source some royalty-free music for your video (I use MusicBakery.com): Take your time here; find something that really enhances your video. Check out all sorts of genres of music to find just the right fit. For the last two videos I’ve created, it has taken longer to locate the perfect musical score than it has to create the video.
5) Assemble your video: This can be done with Camtasia or similar software. If you don’t have (or don’t know how to use) video creation software, you can do a pretty darn good job with the online service Animoto (which I review in complete detail here!). This video, for example, was created using their service…
… the only thing I had to do was create the actual slides to be displayed (as JPEGs, using PhotoShop). Even the soundtrack was sourced from Animoto.
When creating the slides for your video, try using different fonts, case, and colors for impact. Check either video posted on this page if you need an example.
6). Promote your video: To speed up the promotion process, sign up for a free account at TubeMogul.com. It is a service that distributes your videos to the top video sites, and provides detailed analytics on their performance.
Rinse, wash, and repeat. 
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