Using Animoto to Increase Your Sales

If you’ve watched the Selling Travel video you’ll have an idea of how the Animoto video creation tool works. There are three versions of Animoto - the Lite version is FREE however you can only produce a 30 second video. I use the Plus version which costs $5 month and allows for videos up to 10 minutes duration. The third level is the Pro version at $39 per month with more tools and video durations up to 20 minutes. For travel marketing purposes 3 minutes or just under is the right video duration.

 Once you subscribe to Animoto you simply click on Create, upload your images and video clips, add captions to your images, add text to lead into each image or groups of images or video clips. Animoto also offers you access to their free image and video clip library. It’s basic but handy when you need something to fill in a gap. Animoto also has a full music library that you can access and review clips of each theme before you select the one you want.

 Tip #1: I use PowerPoint to create all my images, scenes and image with text combinations. Then I use SnagIt to screen capture those images and save to my Animoto folder for the current video. Come time to upload my content, I select all the images and video clips in the Animoto folder and complete the task in one go. Once you have your images loaded you move them around, putting them into a sequence  so that your video tells the story you want it to tell.

 Tip #2: Your video will play according to the beat of the audio you select. So if you are featuring a travel product that is exciting, you may want a rock and roll theme versus a classical piece. If you are promoting a Valentine’s Day offer you’ll want to select something a little slower than that rockin’ beat. Or not! Just keep it in mind that the beat drives the video.

 Tip #3: You can edit your video anytime and add to it or delete certain images. Each time you edit the video it reconfigures and plays slightly differently than the original. All driven by the beat of the audio once again.

 Tip #4: Once your video is produced you have a few choices. You can email it, embed it into your website, post it on your blog, share it via the usual social media channels and you can upgrade it to HD for a small fee. If you email it, you can check a box that reports back to you who actually opened and watched your video. This is a wonderful tool for following up.

Review the Selling Travel video once more and the above will make more sense. You’ll see exactly how to create the flow of your video. Now – to check out Animoto, click here: http://animoto.com/?ref=ivnyfkxc – it’s my affiliate link and you can have one too!

 Last but not least: Paul has arranged a special discount for you at The Selling Travel Store. Enter this code AARC100 upon checkout and you’ll save 20% on all purchases and bundled products. 

Learn how to become a home based travel agent and open your own online travel agency. www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.ORG