Category: VIDEO PRODUCTION

Tips and Advise on Video Production

  • 4 Video Elements That Should Come Last in Your Priority List When Pitching For a Video Project

    In video creation, there are many important elements that when combined, results in a very successful quality production. But all of them are pointless if the story-line is not good.

    In this, I mean the script. It has to be very easy to understand. From here, when creating the video, you can incorporate other elements that you see necessary to spice it up and make it appealing.

    https://youtu.be/TAcSHXu-HKo

    While many newbie video creators think that Video resolution, audio quality, video effects, sound effects, and video format are necessary, it doesn’t beat how the video script is written.

    In this blogpost, I will focus on 4 video elements that should come last in your priority list when pitching for a project in video production.

    Video Resolution

    Don’t get me wrong on this, video resolution do matter especially in this day and age. Most young people own 50+ inches Television sets that are able to stream 4K to even 8K resolution videos. With this said, before any production, one should look at reasons they are producing the video as well as the behavior of their target audiences.

    black video camera
    Photo by CoWomen on Pexels.com

    In 2020, across the globe, 4K video resolution or higher is still a luxury to many as a lot of people watch videos on their mobile phones in HD. Secondly, It takes time to produce videos of this quality and uses a lot of data when streaming.

    Additionally, if 80% of the targeted audiences will watch the video on their mobile phones and PC’s, it will be pointless to produce it in 4K.

    So, it makes sense to weigh options and consider HD video as the best option in order to save time and money.

    Finally on the same note, if the video is being published on Youtube, it’s worth to note that video resolution is only used as the keyword to filter content when searching. It thus means that, even if the video quality is say, 4k, and the storyline is poor, the viewer will opt out early.

    Sound and Visual Fx

    Hollywood movies are good at this. They know how to blend it with the story. But if the story-line is not good, sound and visual Fx would not do much.

    low angle view of lighting equipment on shelf
    Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

    Ever watched a movie and after 15 mins you still wondering what the movie is all about? That’s what I am talking about. Sound and Visual effects might be good, but if the story is poor, it won’t bring the value desired.

    Variety of Shots

    Variety of shots are good. I can compare it with the spices added on food to taste. Sadly, some spices don’t work on some food. For the spices to blend well, the right procedure has to be followed when preparing the meal.

    This is same with video. A variety of shots with a poorly written script will result in a very poor video output. While this is important, again, it is never a first priority when planning a production.

    Casts/Actors

    Casts are people appearing on a video. Now, beauty and sex sells. That is a fact. Incorporating this on any video will create a lot of traction. But you need to ask yourself; how can I create scenes that makes it possible for every character in my imagination to appear on the video?

    Young audiences enjoy watching clips with beautiful girls until they realize they are being duped into watching it because of the amount of skin the girls are exposing. It’s here that they are awakened to identify the value they are getting from watching the video.

    Again, this means that the story-line or script is the King.

    In conclusion, every good video starts with a script and storyboard and then the rest follows based on your budget.

    If you find this article helpful, let me know in the comments below. And if you need help to produce high quality video tutorials, let me know here.

    You can send me an e-mail to connect@cheptiony.com

    Until next time, bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • Do You Need a VPN as a Freelancer Really?

    After a complete video review of close to 15 Premium VPN’s with the leading one having 10 Million+ users and others averaging at 1 Million+ users, the question that I have always asked myself during the review process is; do I really need a VPN as a Freelancer living in Africa on a day to day basis?

    Each time I ask myself this question, the absolute answer is No, I don’t. But once in a while, Yes.

    My answer is based on my past VPN usage. I have always downloaded a VPN only and only for use in activities connected to my freelancing business. In this I mean, if I have an assignment that requires me to access information blocked in my country, that is where I find a VPN in handy. And all the time when I am done with the project, I uninstall it.

    The second reason for my No answer is that I was once suspended from a freelancing site for using a VPN. I had used it to make the site think that I was based in US-yet I was not. Being suspended means that you will miss new freelancing opportunities for more than 30 days. This really hurt my earnings. I ended up leaving the site for this same reasons.

    But for a Freelance traveler, the story is different because VPN comes in handy in some countries- which is why in this blog-post, I will share with you 4 uses of a VPN as a Freelancer.

    To Unblock Content Restricted in Your Country

    Content can range from text, photos and videos. Also, it can be games, software’s and mobile applications. Many countries in the west restrict their content for copyright reasons.

    Of-course as freelancer, it is possible to be hired by anyone across the globe. Some assignments may require you to access restricted content. You will not be able to do it without a VPN. A good example of this is reviewing a Mobile application made for users in US only. If you live in Africa, You will not be able to find it when you search on PlayStore. And this is where a VPN come in handy.

    For Entertainment Purposes

    If you are a fun of streaming new movie content on Netflix US, Hulu, AMozon prime and more, you will require a VPN to unblock them unless you are a resident of US. With this said, it is important to note that there some content restricted to some countries like UK, China, Japan, India and more. This thus means that even if you live in US, you will need a VPN to watch them.

    To Stay Anonymous

    Popular browsers like Google chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer are well know for logging users data for business purposes. That is what you get in return for using these browsers for free.

    If you want your usage logs to be kept discreet i.e Sites you visit, and what you access on a regular basis, you will need a VPN. It is important that you check their Privacy policy before going ahead to purchase them. Some VPN’s logs users data and sells them to third party companies.

    For Tor-renting

    If you love to download torrents, then a VPN will come in handy. Browsers like chrome discourage tor-renting for copyright reasons. i.e Downloading software torrents.

    Also, the download speed of torrents with a VPN is very fast. However, I must mention that not all VPNs allow Peer to peer downloading so you must consider this before getting one.

    And that is it!

    These are 4 instances I know that you can use a VPN as a freelancer. Of-course there are many more things that you can do with a VPN.

    My question is, do you use a VPN ? What are some of the reasons you use the VPN that you choose? Share your views in the comments area below.

    And if you need help to create and produce professional screen-cast video tutorials or any other type of video, let know here.

    Until next time, take care.

    Follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • Scared of Freelance Work Disputes? Here Are Top Tips to Working Around Disputes Before or After it Arises

    When it comes to work disputes, your freelancing experience doesn’t matter. Contract disputes are unpredictable and can come knocking at your door anytime.

    That is why its good to be vigilant from the time a client contacts you. When you do so, you will be able to foresee a problem before a dispute arises.

    Remember, in a situation where a dispute has arose, all the communication you had with the client will be used as evidence and can act against you or in your favor.

    It is therefore important to state your terms clearly and ensure that your client is ok with them- by them writing back to you.

    Also, ensure that the language you use in your communication exchanges with the client is respectful.

    With this said, always try to eliminate predictable disputes by detaching your feelings or personal life with the work/contracts you are engaged in.

    In this blogpost, I will share with you top tips that will help you harmoniously work with clients and never be scared of disputes.

    Disputes are filed by either client or a freelancer if the;

    1. Client is not happy with work delivered by the freelancer and the freelancer wants to be paid.
    2. Freelancer has delivered opposite of what was needed.
    3. Client wants a refund after the freelancer has delivered the service.
    4. Terms of the contract changes along the way and the parties do not agree on additional costs arising from it.

    These are four among other many reasons why people file disputes on contracts assigned to freelancers.

    Here are my top tips to working around disputes before or after it arises.

    BEFORE THE DISPUTE

    Make Your Stand Clear From Start

    Propose a collaboration plan to your client. Be clear on how you work the moment the client expresses their interest in working with you.

    If you are on a different timezone, tell them. Let them decide if they are going ahead to work with you or not.

    If you offer 3 rounds of revisions, say it. Tell them how much they are expected to pay for the 4th round.

    Serious clients love such terms and will help them make a wise hiring decision.

    Be Kind and Professional in Your Communications

    Now, this is the key. Use words that are respectful to the client.

    Let them know that they are safe working with you. Show what you guarantee and stick to your word.

    If the client is mad at you, be sober, take time to look at the issue at hand and explain to them in detail why they shouldn’t be mad.

    You are a salesperson and by all means, you need to be very persuasive in your freelancing business.

    Persuasion should be your cup of tea/coffee.

    WHEN THE DISPUTE ARISES

    Don’t Panic

    I know it’s scary to read an e-mail saying the client has requested a refund.

    That is if you are in a case where you are in good communication with a client today, then the next day when you wake up, he/she has ended the contract with no reason and requested a refund on the funded milestone.

    Many people will panic and worried of what to do next. Freelancing sites will encourage freelancers to communicate with their clients and resolve issues with them before raising a dispute.

    While this is a good idea, if your communication with the client was not clear while on contract, you will proceed and file a dispute.

    But first, put yourself together before doing so. Take a deep breath boy:-)

    Compile Your Evidence

    For your to win a dispute, you need to have evidence.

    As I mentioned at the start of this blog post, if your message exchanges was clear with the client, compiling your evidence will be easier.

    Don’t forget to put your anger aside and stick only to facts supported by evidence.

    Argue Your Case

    Argue your case and let the mediator (which is your freelancing site) to intervene. It’s very important that you don’t digress out of the main topic. Give reasons why your have to be paid .

    Be patient and Wait for a Ruling

    Wait for the mediation representative to rule on your case.

    Don’t bother yourself by contacting Freelancer support team for an update. Once the ruling on your case is reached, your will receive an e-mail on what was decided.

    NOTE: If you feel the decision reached by your mediator is not fair, you can decide to take your case further to be handled by the an arbitrator-who in this case will be someone outside the freelancing site you are working on. This will cost you around $300. In my opinion, this is not a good path to take if the contract in dispute is less than $300.

    What if The Contract in Dispute was Entered Directly With the Client?

    If the client offered you the job directly, it is a different case. The complexity of it depends on the terms you agreed upon when you entered into contract.

    Chances are, you will end up not getting paid if you were not vigilant enough from the beginning to insist that the client makes a down-payment before you start work.

    The down payment is a confirmation that the client is committed to working with you.

    In conclusion, courtesy and clarity should be a way of life in the freelancing business. If you don’t have a clear stand, prospects will take advantage of you.

    That’s it from me here.

    If you need help you create and produce professional screen-cast video tutorials for your mobile applications, software’s or web apps, let me know here.

    Until next time, take care.
    You can follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • Five Reasons You Should Purchase Genuine Software to use in Your Freelance Business

    As we come to the end of the year 2019, many freelancers are reflecting on how the year was and putting down their resolutions for the coming year 2020.

    One of the driving forces behind putting down the new year resolutions is the ‘misfortunes that begot us’ in the past. In most occasions, the misfortunes is as a result of our negligence to small things that contribute largely to success.

    While some believe that ‘new year resolutions’ idea is a scam concept engineered by motivational experts to grow their businesses, to an extent, its effective if you apply it your own way without following anyone’s script.

    With this said, what many freelancers don’t always realize is that 80% percent of their bad luck is as a result of using pirated software’s to accomplish their work. Now, if you read this post to the end, you will be able to figure out the 80% that I am talking about.

    man using stylus pen for touching the digital tablet screen
    Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

    Fact is, almost all work done online relies on using a certain software to complete the job. And what does many freelancers use? Counterfeit software’s to complete the job.

    That is why I think purchasing software license should be one of your biggest 2020 resolution.

    In this blogpost, I will share with you five reasons you should prioritize purchasing licences to all the software’s that you use in all your work.

    Also, I will also tell you why this will help appreciate what you are doing more.

    Success Lies On Using Genuine Software

    I have been a victim of pirated software for years. Many IT experts who help install software’s in your computer are the main cause of this.

    You will pay them, and they will install cracked or torrent software in your computer. Owing to the trust you have on them(IT expert in your area), you don’t find out if the software is genuine or not.

    person using macbook pro
    Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

    When it hangs and crashes, and you call the IT expert who installed it for you, they tell you that its your computer which is slow and needs some upgrade. Other will say its a virus infection.

    Here they will recommend that you purchase an antivirus that they sell. At the end of the day, you will have wasted a lot of time trying to resolve an issue with your computer. Besides, the IT expert will be making money out of your ignorance without any resolution.

    In fact, you may find yourself wanting to purchase another computer. In many years that I have been tricked into this, I have found myself in an endless loop of wanting to purchase a new computer, a new software which in turn got me no where. I mean, you will be broke spending all your money in something not related to the problem being solved.

    Learning to acquire, install and resolve issues with software’s installed in your computer you use for work is very important.

    When you do so, you will be able to quickly resolves issues before they get out of hand.

    Purchasing Genuine Software’s is Connected to Good Luck

    In the spiritual realm, good luck and success come hand in hand with gratitude. When you purchase genuine software’s, you are expressing gratitude to the genius developer who created the software.

    And whenever you do so , good things comes back to you. So if you want good luck in your freelancing business, put your house in place by getting a genuine software before going out to look for work.

    That way, you will be confident in assuring the client that they will get what you promise.

    Peace of Mind

    We all work in order to make money. When we have money enough to gather for our personal needs, our minds are at peace. This is the same with purchasing genuine software’s. You will have peace of mind.

    You will work knowing that if the system crashes regularly as a result of using the software, you will have someone experienced to help you out.

    Since the major interest of the developer is your success, they will help you resolve the issue amicably without tricking you to purchase another plugin or hardware to support it. In this case, the help you will receive will save you a lot of money.

    Quality Assurance

    In any case, before you invest your money in anything, you are aware of all the qualities they offer. Now, what I have found out over years is that pirated software’s or torrents do not deliver what the developer promises.

    cutout paper appliques of insurance inscription under umbrella
    Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com

    That is why you will be lied into thinking that your RAM is not enough, your windows is good thus your computer needs formatting and many more.

    I can tell you for sure that genuine software’s rarely hang or crashes. If it crashes and you send the crash report to the developer, in few days, you will receive a notification that there is an update. That update will resolve your problem.

    So, when I compare the performance of a torrent software and non torrent software installed in the same computer, I am amazed by the performance and quality it delivers. It’s out of this world.

    I now love and enjoy my work more.

    Show of Commitment to Your Success

    We all do what we do because we trust it will lead us to success. Now the question is, what shows you are really committed in succeeding? Having the knowledge in what you do is half the journey.

    So investing money to purchase genuine software despite knowing that you can get counterfeit software is showing full commitment.

    There is no guarantee that you will get job when you purchase genuine software, but why not purchase it anyway?

    There are many more things that comes along with owning a software licence. You will be proud to say you are a freelancer.

    My question is, do you own a genuine software that you use in your Freelancing business? Do you know if the software you are using is genuine?

    Let me know in the comments section below.

    And if you need help to edit video or develop video content for sharing on your website, let me know here.

    Until next time, take care.

    You can follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • 4 Things That Identifies High Budget Gigs

    If you were in the middle of something and you receive a message from a new prospective client; and upon checking, you realize that the client is a fortune 500 company; what will you do?

    Video summary

    Well, in this, reactions will vary depending on your experience in the freelancing business. A common reaction will be excitement. You will stop what you were doing to respond to the e-mail. It’s only the response strategy that will only vary with different freelancers.

    New freelancers will immediately respond to the e-mail without a second thought while on the other hand, seasoned and experienced freelancers will first let the excitement cool down; then analyze the message to make sure that it’s not another ‘spammer‘ claiming to be a fortune 500 company. Once he/she is sure that the mail is real, he will plan to respond.

    We all know that all fortune 500 companies have resources to put into a given project.

    And this takes me to our today’s blog-post.

    How do you identify a high and a low budget gig apart from seeing what the clients’ budget is?

    Clients Brand Name

    You will first tell by looking at the clients’ name. One way to know if you can quote high on a project is by first researching about the company requesting to work with you. Most big brands prefer to pay more for quality work.

    If you have at one time worked on a high budget gig, you will know the real value that one gain from the job.

    It’s good to note that there are some big brands that are less known so your research should not end at just searching on internet about the company.

    On the other hand, projects by new enterprises and individuals are usually low budget because they are after saving money.

    Their Project Description and deliverable’s

    clarity is the key here. High budget gigs are always unique. It is easy to tell this from the title of the job to the project description. If you are prone to shallow descriptions and click bait type of projects, you will quickly notice the difference when you come across one.

    Most freelancers will pass a project like this because of the complex language used to describe the assignment. Also, when they notice that it is a big brand, they are hesitant to bid for the fear of being rejected based on the volume of the applicants who will bid for it.

    Now, anyone who knows the value that comes by working with a fortune 500 enterprise will take the chance and bid anyway.

    Budget For Trial

    On occasions where budget of a given project is high, the client will offer to pay for trial. For example, if a project costs $500 to complete, if they see your potential, they will offer to pay you the $500 to work on the trial.

    If you compare this amount with a low budget gig, it might be 3-5 times more. And mark you, clients with low budget gigs rarely spend money on trial projects. Moreover, they will want their money back if you fail to deliver.

    High reasonable budgets are good as it motivates you as a freelancer to work and give the best that you can to win the full contract.

    Workflow Architecture

    If you get a chance and you are hired to work on one of the high budget gigs, you will realize that they have a clear workflow on what is expected and how it be will delivered.

    You job will only be to focus on the project they have assigned you to complete. You will get a lot of value by working with their team of professionals.

    These are four among other many things which include quality feedback, timelines and longevity of the project being worked on.

    Do you have a way to identify a high value gig? Let me know in the comments below.

    If you need help to create and produce professional quality videos, let me know here.

    Until next time, take care.

    Follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • Creative Rights Every Freelancer Should Know and How Much to Charge

    When it comes to user rights, not every freelancer know much about them leave alone charging clients for the same. It’s ok to use ‘creative user rights‘ as a marketing tool when you are a newbie in the Freelance marketplace. I mean, you can get people buying from you if you are giving them ‘rights‘ to use your work as a discount.

    Watch Video

    But with time, once you have established yourself, you can introduce a fee for rights to use your work. Again, not every person you serve know or understand anything about rights.

    That is why you need to understand the two common rights that every freelance creative in the audio and visual business should know. This same rights apply to graphics design works as well.

    Commercial Rights

    When you grant your client commercial rights, you allow them to use the audio, video or design you created to market and promote their business, product, or service. They can use it anywhere they choose so long as it is not paid for.

    As a client, when you purchase Commercial Rights; in addition to the basic rights, the Seller grants you the license to use the work they produced for any corporate, promotional and non-broadcast purposes.

    Corporate, promotional and non-broadcast purposes means any business related use for the creation of, or to promote a for-product profit or service.

    This is with the exception of paid marketing channels i.e Explainer videos posted to company websites, social networks or email campaigns, audiobooks, podcast intros, and strictly excludes any illegal, immoral or defamatory purpose. 

    This is the next level of rights transfer. This is for the Buyer who chooses to use the video or VO recording to promote their product/service for profit but with limited public reach.

    Information source: Fiverr Forums

    Full Broadcast Rights

    According to wikipedia, Broadcasting rights are rights which a broadcasting platforms negotiates with a seller with a commercial concern.

    retro radio tape recorder in workshop
    Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

    In short, this is the use of ‘work’ produced to promote product or services in a paid platform. It doesn’t matter if the platform is online or offline so long as it is paid for, the buyer need broadcast rights.

    By purchasing a Full Broadcast Rights (Buy-Out) with your order, the Seller grants you with a license for full broadcasting, which includes internet, radio, and TV “paid channels” including (by way of example): television commercials, radio commercials, internet radio, and music/video streaming platforms, and strictly excludes any illegal, immoral or defamatory purpose. 

    This is for companies who profit from the largest type of public reach.

    Information source: Fiverr Forums

    Why Learning about ‘copyright(s)’ is Important to All Creatives

    With above information in mind, you will be well informed and you will be in a better position to educate and inform your clients on why they are paying for the rights ownership separately.

    On the other hand, you can also use it to market yourself. e.g You can inform your client that you have commercial rights as a package. Then tell them that you will give them the rights for free on their first order and charge them for the proceeding orders.

    This can be another way of growing your income. When you sell commercial rights on top of basic rights, you will be way much better financially.

    How Much Should You Charge?

    Well, it relies on how much you charge for the service you offer. For example, if you charge $50 per Minute of a video produced or $50 per project, it will be fine to charge the same amount for commercial rights and full broadcast rights.

    Note: When charging, have each right(s) priced separately. i.e Commercial rights $50 and Full Broadcast rights $50. This way, if a clients wants both, he/she can purchase them and you will make more from it.

    Also, it is important to note that the rights costs are fixed. This means that if you charge $50 per minute and someone orders a production that runs for 5 Mins, you will charge them the same amount of $50.

    I have seen people charge 2x the amount they charged for the service they offer. For this to work, you must be very creative and convincing to a buyer. When introducing the rights to them, tell them how having the rights will give them peace of mind.

    You can do further research on this topic to learn and understand more. Also seeing the kind of opportunities it presents.

    And that’s it from me today.

    Until next time, bye bye and take care.

    If you need help to create and produce professional screen-cast video tutorials for your website, software or app let me know here.

    Follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • How to Differentiate Between Serious Clients and ‘Time Killers’

    These two type of clients have a role they play in the internet business space. If you are a part-time or full time Freelancer, you have met one of them or if not, you are yet to meet them when looking for gigs.

    Watch video to learn more

    So, who is a serious client and who is a time killer? It’s really harder to differentiate the two because both of them will definitely hire and pay you. Most seasoned Freelancers with experience and those who have built a reputation online are the ones who can differentiate the two type of clients.

    Having worked online for now close to 10 years, here is my definition of ‘serious client’ and ‘time killers’;

    Serious Client

    Has defined goals from the time they contact a freelancer. They have outlined instructions on how their project should be completed. They also have a set standard of quality to be met by the Freelancer. At the beginning, their demands may be intimidating and the freelancer will be tempted to walk away but at the end, if you get a chance to work with them, the experience will be worth it.

    Time Killers

    They have a rough idea of what they want and need guidance from an expert in the field they are hiring on. They only have one problem, they are not open enough to be guided. Also, they are not ready hire yet. If you are a serious Freelancer, you will find yourself doing a lot of things beforehand hoping to make the client commit.

    Here are 8 things that differentiates the two.

    Serious Client Time Killer
    Have clearly written down their requirements before contacting a freelancer for work. They just have a rough idea of what they want and expects a freelancer to guide them towards ‘what they really want.’
    They are sure that what they want will work for them thus they commit/hire faster.They are 50/50 and thus they fear to commit. They rely on conviction from the freelancer.
    To show their level of seriousness, they hire a number of Freelancers and pay for a ‘test’ project. They ask for Free tests.
    They address freelancers by their names. They just write ‘hi’ at the beginning of the mails despite knowing the Freelancers name.
    They set timelines and require a Freelancer to commit to it before they hire them. They don’t have any timelines. In most occasions, Freelancers are the ones setting the timelines in order to push them to pay.
    They provide detailed easy to follow feedback once the project is completed. They give shallow feedback which is more generalized. The Freelancer hired is forced to ask them for more clarification.
    They are Flexible on Budget. e.g If there is an additional cost, they are ready to meet. They are are always negotiating. They never accept additional cost if it arises later.
    Once they get what they were looking for, they are happy. They are never happy with the work you deliver to them. They are picky.
    Table comparison between serious clients vs Time killer clients

    These are common differences. There are many more. Who would you like to work with between the two?

    If you enjoyed reading this blog-post, let me know in the comments section below. Also, subscribe to my blog-post to for updates.

    And if you need help to create and produce professional screen-cast video tutorials for your software, app or website, let me know here.
    Until next time. Bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on twitter @cheptiony.

  • How to Record and Edit Mobile App Demo Video

    One of the ways mostly recommended to market a mobile app in App store or Google playstore is through a demo video. Now, the way you create and present the video is up to you.

    The common and most effective way to do this, is by developing a professional screencast demo video. So, what is an app demo video? It’s a video demonstrating how an app works in real time. This way, interested users can watch it before downloading the application.

    This is the best avenue to impress your prospects.

    In this blogpost, I will show you step by step how I do it.

    Step 1 – Install the App You Want to Demo

    Install the app that you will like to demo on your phone. Open and preview it to make sure that everything is working well. Write a step by step script to guide you when recording the video. This is very important as the script will safe you a lot of time.

    Step 2 – Download Screen Recording App

    Note: For apple users, you don’t need this as most iPhones come with an inbuilt screen recorder.

    There are many applications available on google play-store that you can use to record the screencast on phone. I recommend the one I use called Screen Recorder -no ads offered by Kimcy929.

    download screen recorder app
    Download the app

    Step 3- Open the App and Adjust Recording Settings

    Recording settings will vary based on your requirements. I recommend recording your video in full HD at 25 fps and 6mbps bit-rate.

    screen recorder app settings
    Adjust your app settings

    The app allows you to record your own voice as well; so you can turn on the audio recording option. Your settings are saved automatically.

    Step 4- Record Your App Demo

    Note: As a rule of thumb, I recommend that you switch your phone to flight mode and use WiFi network if you need internet. This is unless you are using your mobile data for this task. This will help you focus and avoid interruptions from people calling you and messages coming in during the recording.

    Library of screen recordings
    Start your recording

    Tab on the recording button to start. Open the target app and start your demo. Hit the recorders stop button when done with your demo. Your recording will be saved on your phone. It’s important to review the video recording before transferring it to your computer.

    Step 5 – Upload Your Video To The Editor And Start Editing It

    You can edit the video with virtually any video creation program. In the past, I have edited it on Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe after effects and Camtasia Studio. But to date, the easiest editor to use is Camtasia studio. The newest version of the program has more tools that simplifies the editing process. So let me take you the process of editing your video on Camtasia studio.

    Upload Your Recording(s) to Camtasia Studio

    Once you have uploaded the video, drag it to the timeline.

    Camtasia studio video editor
    Videos uploaded to Camtasia Studio

    Change the canvas setting to 1920×1080 pixels.

    Camtasia studio video settings
    Canvas setting

    Next, crop out the Black sections and resize your video to fit the screen.

    crop video
    Crop the black sections on the video

    Search for a Mobile Phone Image on Google

    mobile phone image
    Mobile phone image from Google search

    This is the phone that you will blend with the video to make it look like it’s a real phone in action. Download transparent .png image format for use here.

    Focus Your Attention to Details

    This is very important. A little miss when scaling the recording to fit into the phone screen is very noticeable when rendered. So, look Keenly into details and ensure that you achieve it perfectly.

    Adjusting video to a mobile screen
    Details noticeable when fitting it into the phone

    Once done, you can start editing your video and removing all the choppy sections. You can add a voice over, zoom in and out and add any other necessary effects to make it nice and attractive to watch.

    Learn How to Edit Video on YouTube

    If you are new to editing, you can search and find several videos on Youtube teaching people how to edit with the program of your choice.

    And that is it.

    Now that you know the process of creating a demo video for your mobile app, you can start practicing it until you are perfect in it.

    But if you are a busy professional and you have less or no time to create a professional mobile app demo videos, let me know here.

    Until next time, bye bye and take care.

    You can follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • 5 Things that Will Make Clients Work in ‘Your Own Terms’

    Most freelancers would rather work under the clients terms and overlook theirs. Well, that has been the way all along. I mean, even educational institutions teach people this – work ethnics, how to retain your job and climb up the corporate ladder e.t.c

    Watch Video: 5 Things That Will Make Clients Work in Your Own Terms

    But have you ever attempted and reverse this psychology using the freedom that Freelancing offers?

    Well with proper planning, it is possible. That’s how highly paid freelancers do and it thus makes them stand out.

    In this blogpost, I will share with you 5 things you should do in order to make your prospect work in your own terms and love you more.

    Master Your Craft

    Any person who has mastered his/her own craft stands out from the crowd. Be the master of your own. Now- the secret lies on the time when the opportunity is presented to you. ‘Show don’t tell’ rule applies here. Let the client be wowed by your deep knowledge and understanding in the field they are hiring for. Don’t leave anything to chance. Find your clients sweet spot based on their job post in the freelancing site of your choice. This way, he/she will be wanting to know more about you or your Agency.

    Clearly Outline Your Approach

    After you have shared briefly about yourself, start addressing his/her need and how you plan to go about it. Be as detailed and clear as possible. From this, they can gauge whether it suits them or not. When outlining your approach, indicate the timelines for each item as well as each milestone. E.g scripting – 2 days- $250 e.tc. It might be helpful to share a simplified workflow from previous projects.

    Don’t Quote Cheap Because You Want the Job

    If you are a Top rated Freelancer or a Freelancing Agency, and you quote low, big companies will not take you seriously. Provide a reasonable quote and let the client know that you are not working alone. Mention the people in your team, who will be working with you on the project.

    This way, the client will not think that you will be working on it alone.

    Make Your Terms Clear in Your Proposal

    At that point in your proposal where you are sure the prospect is impressed by your work, introduce them to your terms service.

    Inform them that these terms are very important and it enables you to deliver high quality service to them on time without any delays or excuses. Your assurance to solve their problem hassle free is what will inspire them to hire you.

    If they hire you, it means they have agreed to work on your own terms. And they will be excited to do so.

    Tell them what to Expect

    Even though the client already know what they want, still, tell them. Add some bonuses to the deliverable’s. This will raise their eyebrows. Do everything to ensure you win the contracts. That should always be your aim.

    Summary

    Making a client work on your own terms is not a crime. Most of them like it that way because they can penalize you if you fail to meet some of their terms. If you have mastered your craft, your terms will work in your favor and you will stand out as the highest paid Freelancer or Agency.

    And that is it.

    If you need help to create and produce professional screen-cast video tutorials for your website, software or app, let me know here.

    Until next time, bye bye and take care. You can follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • 3 Overlooked ‘Golden Rules To Succeed’ in Freelancing

    Everyday, we go out in search for ways to succeed. Freelancing and Entrepreneurship share common golden rules.

    Often, the simple approach wins. But how often do overlook the power of the simple rules and go out in search something complicated hoping that it will separate us from the crowd?

    In this blog-post, I share with you 3 simple powerful yet overlooked golden rules to succeeding in the Freelancing world.

    Repetition

    When you repeatedly do something you become a master- and your chances of succeeding is high. It starts with first identifying a niche, then repeatedly bidding for projects that matches it. Everyday make sure you bid on 2-3 jobs that are related to your skills. Don’t worry that no one is responding to your bids so long as you have adhered to the terms of service in the Freelancing site you are working on. Do it repeatedly until it becomes an habit. This may sound simple-but the effect is beyond your imaginations. Some entrepreneurial experts recommend that you do just one thing on a daily basis to push your business a step further. Think about it.

    Being Specific on Your Niche

    I will use the Video Production industry as an example. Most people don’t know that it’s divided into many thriving sub-categories or niches. There is video editing, motion graphics, 3D animation, 2D animations and more just to name a few.

    Being specific in the category of jobs you take gives you an edge. We are living in a generation where people rely on keywords when searching online. For example, if you are a 3D animator and someone is searching for someone to hire for 3D animations, you will appear on top of the search results as the most preferred candidate. Now you see why this is important in marketing yourself as well as your business right? Go now and make the necessary changes on your profile and see how relieved you will be.

    Providing Value Each time You Get a Chance

    This is more self explanatory and it’s magical. When you have this implanted on your subconscious mind, you will never be surprised when a client gives you a 5 star review without requesting them to do so.

    Such simple acts of appreciation from your client is good for your growth. Also, you will sleep knowing that have helped someone somewhere to succeed in what they are doing.

    Bonus tip

    When you know that the service you are offering is helping someone succeed, you will be very happy. You will be more creative in your craft. You will always think of different approaches to improve it. What else do you need? Go out and apply these rules today.

    If you need help to create and produce professional screen-cast video tutorials for your website, SaaS app or software applications, let me know here.

    Until next time, bye bye and take care.

    You can follow me on twitter @cheptiony