Let's Put on a Show

Making a video that no one sees is equivalent to singing in the shower. The results may be great, but no one will know. So how do you get people to see your work? If you have deep pockets, you could buy an hour's worth of air time on a local network affiliate to get your opus in front of the people. The downside of this route, other than the negative impact on your bank balance, is that you don't get to see your audience react to your work.

A better alternative may be to organize a "screening" for your video. Think of it as a Hollywood movie premiere on a smaller scale. For a screening you would set up a way to view the video (the screen in question), appropriate audio support (amplifiers, speakers) and a comfortable place for your audience to sit. In return, you get to see if the viewers laugh, cry and applaud during the pertinent moments of your show. In this article, we'll show you how to host a successful screening using a little equipment and good planning.

Money Isn't Everything
Audience feedback is especially valuable if you're planning to sell your video later. Your viewers become a marketing test group, giving you information to make adjustments to your program. And if your show works on every level and the audience jumps to its collective feet in ovation ... well, that's pretty nice, too.