my first video, inspired by the #WBC09.
Another year, another Wine Bloggers Conference has come and gone… And instead of talking about the wine, the amazing people, the lack of (some) winery knowledge on social media and wine blogging, the divide in wine bloggers and the people “observing” or the bus sing-a-long / Absinthe trip (thanks again to the rowdy Mutineer Magazine boys, Russ the Winehiker, El Jefe Twisted, Rob Bralow, Thea the Wine Brat and Miss Wenchie for proving some LOUD non-wine fun), I wanted to talk about the one session that inspired me the most.
Sunday’s panel Beyond Words: How Video Content is Changing the Wine World with Bob Asher, Lisa M. deBruin, Hardy Wallace, and John McWeeny which was sponsored by the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley was the educational highlight of the conference for me.
Each of the panelists had a different perspective of the world of online video and each has equally interesting tips on how to integrate video into the social media landscape.
Hardy first talked about how easy it is to jump in and get started with simple tools like a Flip Video camera and some editing software on your computer (even better if you get a new laptop with a web camera and this software already built in).
“I have 0 talent and 0 skills, but video content is the total future. If you are not doing video, you are not on the edge. Video appeals more to non-wine people….. People might think, I don’t want to reach Wine Spectator or a blog, but hey, maybe I will check that 55 second video out”
Lisa came out stating that she was going to be a Buzz Kill – “Hardy makes it look easy… He is talented even if he says he is not…. And if you are a brand and want to use video to show off your winery, it really is not that easy… The tools make it easy, but to create good content is, you need to know what you are doing.”
She suggested that we need to do our research on what other are doing. Skipping through the vineyards with classical music is a cliché and it has been done.
She also reminded us that brands already have a story to tell through video — Through fun events, new wine releases, good personalities, good customers (all possible talented camera friendly people) all stories that wineries have going for them. There is also no formula for viral.
“Let subjects lead and pull the story.”
Hardy’s final words were that no one started off a “good” blogger – They just jumped into writing and developed their audience and skills over time. His advice to people is to not just sit there and wait till your videos are good, don’t hold yourself back… Get comments and feedback and put yourself out there. Practice makes perfect.
So inspiration kicked in and I decided to create my very first video below.
Cheers to seeing you all next year in Walla Walla.
*shana.
