I’m quite fussy about the video editing apps I recommend. There are so many of them in the app store or at Google Play but there aren’t many that I use in my smartphone video training. For years the only free app I recommended was iMovie. But now I would definitely add VN (Vlog Now) to that and I’d argue that it’s the best free video editor available for your smartphone. Why VN is better Read more…
The best website is the one that does what you need it to do. In the early days of the World Wide Web, it wasn’t so easy for websites to do many of the things we now take for granted. Images took 10 seconds to load (on a fast connection), high quality video was out of the question and some businesses wondered if they even needed an internet presence at all. One of the best Read more…
That’s an interesting question and one we hear a lot. But is it the right question? Sometimes that question can be a sign of bigger issues. What platforms should your business be on? What are you trying to achieve? Who are you hoping to speak to, with this ‘reach’ you strive for? Do you even like social media? How do you intend giving your business the multimedia, visual ‘assets’ it often takes to succeed? If Read more…
Strategy. Business strategy. Communications strategy. Marketing strategy. Social media strategy. The word is everywhere. Books. Ted Talks. Conferences. It’s been heralded, ridiculed, given MDs and CEOs sleepless nights and inspiration. But what does it even mean? Why is it important? How does it help? Where does ‘strategy’ fit alongside its cousins ‘objectives’ and ‘tactics’? I’m not saying I have all the answers, but I’ve a few ideas and a take on it I’d like to Read more…
Continuing our theme of New Year housekeeping, this is another good exercise – a quick post to explain your business name. In our work with small businesses, we often find an obsession with brand. I’ve met small business owners with no clients, no money and really not much of an idea about what it is they actually do or how they’ll find work, spending hours and hours obsessing about what they’re going to call themselves. Read more…
Happy 2021! Emma and I hope there is a happy, healthy and successful year ahead for you. The New Year is a good time to take stock and re-visit some of the basics. As your business grows, you have to remember new people are constantly joining your audience, and you shouldn’t assume they know everything about you. If you are fortunate enough to have a leisurely start to this new year, publishing a blog post Read more…
If you want to make video content regularly on your phone, it’s helpful to have your kit set up and ready to roll at all times. It will save you time and increase your productivity. But in a small office space tripods and light stands take up room. You have to move them to the side between takes. This slows you down forcing you to reset your angles and framing for each new video. A studio Read more…
Comsteria’s Colin Kelly and Gary Ennis from NSDesign team up again for the UK’s most engaging and one of its longest running social media training workshops. ‘Embrace The Space‘ has been successfully adapted to run as a webinar, with an interactive, up-to-date, fully participative programme designed to help ensure your business or public sector organisation gets the results you need from social media and all things digital. From squeezing the most out of the Facebook Read more…
The right microphone can make a real difference to the quality of videos you produce on your smartphone. In this video, Comsteria’s Emma Baker reveals her preferred choice of smartphone video microphone and explains why. Remember our full range of recommended equipment for video production, podcasts and more is available from the Comsteria Store. Want more support with your smartphone video content creation? Check out our full Smartphone Video on demand training course. Watch the Read more…
Singer songwriter Yvonne Lyon is our very special guest this time on the Comsteria podcast, discussing the release of her new album ‘Growing Wild’. You can buy it on CD from Yvonne Lyon’s website or visit Yvonne Lyon on Bandcamp. where you can choose a digital download. Yvonne is one of the country’s brightest and best singer songwriters and has shared the stage with Eddie Reader, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Dougie MacLean, Boo Herwedine and many Read more…