It's time for a wake up call if you have not yet embraced the web and what SEO (Search Engine Optimization) can do for your videos. So, what are you waiting for? In this article, we will take a look at what you need to know about producing web video and learn about SEO for video, to help drive more traffic to your productions.

Web Video Production Techniques Primer

The general rule for web video is keep it short and sweet. People on the Internet have a short attention span. Any detractors, such as inaudible dialogue, confusing transitions, and poor video quality can send them away to the next option. A high-quality video production captures your viewers' attention and can help you attract more visitors (we'll discuss this concept later).

Do a quick search on YouTube for a home improvement project of your choice (e.g., "building a deck"). You'll find that the top ranked videos are from Lowes and The Home Depot and the production quality is broadcast TV worthy. That's tough competition, but you can certainly meet the expectations of users with a few simple rules.

Tripods: A Leg Up on the Average Joe

Many YouTube videos are shot entirely handheld. Using a tripod to stabilize your shots and perform thoughtful pans and tilts will easily set your production apart. Certainly there are times when a shot calls for handheld shooting, but when in doubt keep the camcorder stabilized. Your loyal viewers will thank you for it as they watch multiple videos from your channel.

Mic It Up

The average set of computer speakers is horrible. Laptop speakers are even worse. And mobile devices have equally (if not worse) speakers, if the user is not equipped with headphones. This makes capturing the best audio possible an absolute must for you. Don't cheat on this one. Learn how to mic up your talent the proper way and record good audio levels. Videomaker has a collection of articles that can teach you how to use a mic properly. Good audio will save you from quite a few nasty comments on your video as well.

Get Close-Ups Closer

Before broadband Internet and HD video were commonplace, most web videos were at best 640--by-480 pixels. That's a relatively small viewing area. While there has been many improvements in resolution, for the most part, screens connected to computers and laptops are smaller than the typical behemoth HDTV sets. Furthermore, the rise of smart phones and tablets put smaller screen sizes in the hands of viewers these days. Knowing this, it's generally a good idea to push in a little closer in your shots. Don't go overboard, but do keep in mind that smaller details are harder for your web viewing audience to see on smaller screens.

Choosing the Right Online Distributor

If you want to be found, put your video on YouTube. On May 25, 2011, Youtube.com reported that more than 3 billion views a day were occurring on their site. That's a lot of eyeballs. YouTube is the obvious choice for anyone who wants to be seen. Plus, loyal viewers can subscribe to your YouTube channel and be notified when you upload new YouTube videos.

With brevity, good production quality, and a consistent stream of new videos to your YouTube channel, you're on your way to building a great web video experience. Now let's take a look at that all-important technique of SEO for video to help get the most eyeballs to your production.