Step by step Video production guide
This guideline leads you step by step on how to produce a video for PokerStrategy.com.
Step 1. Getting started:
We have established that you are a great poker coach who not only beats the games but also can teach our members how to beat them too. This doesn't mean that you can make a good video straight away, it is important to understand the technical side of making a video.
• Get familiar with Camtasia. If you are not, Read our Camtasia guide
• Be familiar with our 5 golden rules guideline: Golden rules of video production
• Ensure you have a good microphone - if you don't, please read our recommendation Good Microphone
Step 2: Preparation
Preparation is key! Preparing your video in advance will make your life easier and your presentation better. Overall, the appearance of your video can be greatly improved by a good preparation.
• Choose a clear, specific topic with a clear target audience in mind
• Have a clear idea about the desired length of video
• Create a structure and time line
• Prepare your tools (PowerPoint presentation, precalculated ranges, forum posts, hand histories, ICM trainer, etc..)
• Make sure you have a glass of water (not soda) available
• Due to contractual reasons we cannot release footage from non partner poker rooms, make sure your video will not feature any of these
Step 3: Starting the video
Many viewers decide to watch a video or not depending on the opening 5 minutes. For every video we release non-members are able to watch the first couple of minutes. You can never change a first impression and its important to be descriptive without speaking too much. Having a good preparation will help you a lot.
• Quickly introduce yourself by "this is XYZ for PokerStrategy.com"
• Introduce the topic and mention the target audience
• Keep the introduction within 30 seconds
• Be a perfectionist and don't be afraid to re-do the intro until it is perfect
Step 4: Mastering the production phase
A common theme you will see in this guide is that preparation is key. For the current step this is again the case. For the actual production phase its important to know exactly what areas you are going to cover and how the production will flow.
• Keep in mind that you can pause the recording at any time using the F9 button.
• Remain focused, stay on topic
• Avoid repeating yourself
• Reminder: Follow the didactics guide
Step 5: Ending the video
At the end of the video, it is important to recap some key learnings of the video. Make sure you ask members to leave their feedback, questions and opinions in the comment section as well.
• Present key learnings (takeaways, memorable sentences)
• Motivate users to ask in comments & discuss
• Cross link other material if appropriate
• Make sure that you SAVE the video in .camrec format. This keeps the best possible quality and allows good post editing.
Step 6: Editing the video
If you utilize the F9 option and take breaks within the production, then it is likely that there will be some seconds of pause or awkward disruptions in the flow of the video. Don't worry, this is normal and can easily be rectified.
Read our Post editing guide Editing your Video
Step 7: Uploading the video
(only for coaches - not for video contests!)
The hard part is over, all you need to do now is give us the video.
Read our uploading and releasing guide Releasing your Video
Congratulations! You now have successfully uploaded a video. Good job!
