Jippidy Newsletter | 08.16.2010 :: Top 5 Tweets of the Week, Featured Videos, New Blogs, New Local Deals
For anybody in the creative industry, I think I can speak for the majority when I say we creative/tech guys can always use a faster, better, computer. Unfortunately, not every one of us has the money to exactly achieve that. For new videographers, or those still "in training", what exactly is the best hardware specifications to look for when buying or building a computer for video editing?
First, I'd like to admit that I'm biased toward Macs. While PCs can do the job just fine, the field of videography and cinematography is overwhelmingly Mac-centric. There are better tools, software, and discussion groups/clubs/support forums for the Mac. Brand aside, there are some things to look for when shopping for your first video editing computer. The first question to ask is what type of footage do you plan on editing? Will you be editing full-length films, short films, documentaries, or short commercials? The next question to ask is, what's your budget?
When we first launched Jippidy, we had nothing more than a catchy domain name and a mostly blank website. There was little content, and even less of a reason for people to visit our site. We were left with a typical Catch-22 dilemma – we didn’t have the content to attract users, but we couldn’t generate content without users visiting us and contributing to the site. We figured it would be easier to produce our own content rather than convince users to give us a try. So we decided we’d film free business videos for our favorite bars and restaurants, figuring we could leverage their popularity into a reason people would visit our site – to watch a video of their favorite establishment. We didn’t have to pay for a storefront or invest a ton of capital in equipment, so our sunk cost of starting a business took the form of us financing online videos for businesses that didn’t really know if they needed or even wanted one. Most business owners just figured it was free marketing, so there was no real gamble or potential for loss, so why not?
Perhaps one of the most exciting things in life is the pursuit of something better. Every so often, I get young aspiring videographers who ask me for tips on how they can improve their own videography techniques. What's flattering is how that question comes about! I'll admit, I'm not an expert in videography, but I do know some things about the industry and the process.. always try to surround yourself with successful people in your field who already possess the skills you're striving for and practice, practice, practice!
Dad – we love him, we respect him, we adore him, we are thankful for all that he’s done for us. Yes, at times he talks too much, he thinks he knows EVERYTHING, and he’s NEVER wrong about anything, but we love him just the same. And this Sunday, we take the time to show him that we appreciate him.
I've put together a list of ten businesses Jippidy has filmed that I think could serve as a good way to show your appreciation this Father’s Day. I’ve even included the videos and special discounts where applicable for your viewing convenience, so take a look. And no, none of them sell ties, so think outside the box!
As if you need any more reasons to go out drinking on a Thursday night during the summer in San Francisco, I present to you the top 10 reasons you should join Jippidy & Battledish as we combine forces to bring you a joint Happy Hour event at Eve Lounge on Thursday, June 24, from 5-8PM:
- Reason No. 1: Your first drink is FREE* from 5-6PM! For our Fans who have “Liked” us on our Jippidy Fan Page, your first drink is on us! Because we believe the best things in life, i.e. booze, should be free! (*limited; first come, first served before 6PM; must be a Fan)
With all the glamour in Vegas, it isn't at all unusual to notice the moving, large-scale, billboards mounted on trucks. The larger-than-life posters of typically semi-nude women, or images of party-goers having fun at clubs like Tao and Pure. I'll admit, I no-longer pay much attention to such ads no matter how large or in-your-face they are; but, what recently got my attention was simply another great use of video.
Without sacrificing creativity, very small businesses have to pay extra attention to improving the awareness of their brand and their company. Whereas Apple can simply throw an image of their ubiquitous white logo onto a screen and people would immediately know what they sell, how to contact them, and where to buy their products, SMBs have to be less subtle while creating awareness through their online videos. For a majority of Jippidy-produced videos, this is our mantra.
As a burgeoning video production company, Jippidy has come into contact with all levels of videographer talent. We have watched, critiqued and ultimately embedded on our website all caliber of online video ads. Our very first video was actually filmed by our chief salesman@Jeffrey_jippidy on his 5-megapixel digital Sony STILL camera – not a camcorder, not a DSLR that shoots high definition (HD) video. No, he filmed his first video, Jippidy’s first business video EVER, using the movie mode on his little digital camera. He walked into the store, asked for the owner's permission to film, and proceeded to whip the camera out from his pocket! Watch that video here.
The biggest takeaway is that with online video, you don’t have to be a Hollywood director, you don’t even necessarily need a video camera per se (though it does make things easier, obviously). Online video experts, web personalities, YouTube celebrities, they all agree – when it comes to online video production, be like Nike and Just Do It!
Groupon, FreshGuide, LivingSocial, HomeRun, TownHog… The list of group-buying coupon sites seems to expand almost daily with catchy, new URL’s offering huge savings on everything from Thai restaurants to fire-dancing classes. The proliferation of deals being offered is dizzying enough to make one nauseous, and that’s not just from the massively discounted food one can consume!
I love the variety and diversity of deals. In fact, I’m of the opinion that as long as all these startups continue rushing into the space to compete with each other, we as consumers should never pay full price for a meal. But the fact that there are SO many different sites, each offering their own unique deals daily means that potential customers miss out on most discounts not because they’re not interested or too slow to seize the deal before it expires, but because they simply don’t even KNOW they’re being offered. There’s just no way to keep track of them all, so I realize two days too late that my favorite restaurant was offering $60 worth of food and drinks for $30 (talk about a cheap date!). And there’s nothing I hate more than missing out on an opportunity to save money on my food and booze, or whatever your vice may be (no judgment here!).
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