Articles to Videos: a Short How-To Guide
Some folks are pretty good at writing content. One-a-day is not a problem for them. However, let's assume that you are 'challenged' in this regard and can only manage one a week. That is still acceptable, since you can use submission software and plaster it all over the Internet. You can also post it on sites such as Hubpages and Scribd, with very little extra effort. Once you're on a roll it does not take long.
Now wouldn't it be nice if you could take that same article and turn it into a video as well? After all, you have already done all the hard work! Some people don't find this a difficult task at all; they just whip out a Flip camera and shoot a little video of themselves. But what do you do if you hate doing videos, or can't stand the look of your own face, or simply dislike 'talking head' videos in general? Well, let's turn that article into a video without using a camera!
One approach is to use purpose-made software such as Online Video Story. However, if you really want control over the process, then I suggest you use a proper video editing suite such as AVS Video Editor, Pinnacle Studio, Corel MovieMaker or Sony Vegas. I happen to use Pinnacle Studio Plus 12.
This is what you do:
- Edit your article down to about one sentence per paragraph. I prefer no fewer than 5-8 sentences, but no more than 15 sentences in total. Limit your sentences to a few words each. Short sentences are better since they are easier to read.
- Open up PowerPoint and create a slideshow with blank slides, one for each sentence. Copy and paste your sentences, in sequence, onto the backgrounds: one sentence per slide. Keep it simple, white on black is easier to read than the fancy stuff; I use white Arial 44pt bold on black. The last slide should contain your URL and a call to action. When finished, 'Save As' individual JPEG files (just confirm when prompted) so that you end up with slide1.jpg, slide2.jpg and so on.
- Now you need a picture (also in JPG format) between each two text slides. Use your own, or check out MorgueFile or Stock.xchng for royalty-free pictures. Be aware of copyright issues if you use other sources. Store them in the same folder as the text files. Ideally you should name them pic1.jpg, pic2.jpg, etc.
- Run your video editor, then drag and drop (and alternate) your text and pictures on the story line. Adjust the clip lengths to taste. Play the video to see if you like it, and adjust the duration of each clip time-wise. We are almost done!
- Select a transition effect and repetitively drag the appropriate transition icon to the junctures between consecutive frames. Don't agonize over a choice of transition effect here, any one will do.
- Now it is time to add the music. Pinnacle Studio Plus 12 has a music library built in. As an alternative you could look for royalty-free music online. Start with Jamendo. Do not 'rip' tracks off CDs as you will run into copyright issues. You need to copy and paste, or drag, the music clip onto the soundtrack, then cut off any surplus music, and add fade-in and fade-out at the ends. It should not take you more than a minute to do this. Your video is just about complete!
Only one more hurdle needs to be crossed. Your video still has to be 'rendered'. I usually take the easy route out and select a Flash (FLV) format. Then I make some tea while the video is being built. And that is it!
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Deon H Reynders is the CEO of Visionary Marketers and lives, with his wife and an assortment of four-legged and feathered friends, near Toodyay in the Western Australian wheatbelt. Deon is a marketer, electronics engineer, private pilot, prospective around-the-world yachtsman, international traveler, published author, granddad, educator, and coach. He believes that we should all work hard at creating extraordinary lives.
