How DO you teach gardening by video?

THE OFFER
I recently got an email from a video production company looking for someone to create gardening videos for a website to be launched next month. (They’d gotten my name from a friend who’s a local community garden organizer.) You can see the actual offer by clicking "Continue reading" at the bottom of this post.

I just love the concept - that thousands of how-to videos will be available on line, presumably all created by people who know what they’re talking about.  I think it’s actually pretty cool they chose a Gardening Coach for the assignment - even if it IS me - and I’m looking forward to getting help from their other experts - maybe instruction in bleeding my radiators or restoring my deck. 

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION
So the upshot is that not one but TWO gardening videos by this very gardenblogger will be coming to your Internet soon.  They’re titled:

• How to Create and Care for a Low-Maintenance, Eco-Friendly Garden (or whatever title the producers in their wisdom choose.

• How to Choose, Use and Care for your Gardening Tools (with the same possibility of a better name being assigned).

In the two days I have available to prepare for the taping this Friday (!), I have to write the 8-12 clips that make up each video, choose locations for each that will demonstrate what I’m saying, assemble the materials I’ll need to show, some of which have to be bought, and get any necessary permissions (which indeed I got because we’ll do some of the taping in my neighbor’s garden).  Hey, could all this be called being "in production"?  Sounds impressive!

So come back soon for a report on the big day.  This time if the result isn’t more than 2 minutes of airtime, I’ll know it’s me.  (But wait - on the web we can’t call it "air time," can we?  Maybe screen time.)

THOSE POOR BOOBS ON HGTV
You know, I’ve already gained something from the experience - sympathy for anyone trying to demonstrate something as complex as gardening in a stand-still, one-time video.  NOW I understand why we see so many demonstrations of "How to Plant a Container" - because it can actually be done easily enough in front of a camera, all at once.  Compared to, say, my HUGE first topic above - planning, implementing and caring for a whole fricking garden.  (What was I thinking?)  More or less in one spot and all demonstrated in one afternoon?  Ha!  The video about tools seems doable enough, but more will be revealed.

Now tell me why the offer below mentions TV and not the Internet.  Does everybody still want to be on TV?

Share your expertise on TV!

 

Are you an accomplished expert? Looking for a simple, effective, and free way to promote your business or hobby? Want to dramatically increase your credibility with the public, and expand your promotional efforts through the latest Web and new media technologies? Here is a brand new way to accomplish all of those goals…free! The only cost to you is a small commitment of your time, and a willingness to share your expertise with prospective customers, and other interested viewers around the world.

 

The “go-to” site for how-to videos
Knowlera Media is developing a consumer-facing website that features experts like you in “how-to” videos that consumers around the world can view online for free. As we build our library of videos prior to launch, we are looking for subject matter experts from all walks of life to feature in our videos. We do all the production work, and pay for all the video production expenses. All you need to do is provide the environment that permits you to demonstrate your expertise in the best manner possible, and of course, share your expertise on-camera.

 
The selection process

Each video represents thousands of dollars of broadcast quality video production. For that reason, we can’t create a video with every expert we encounter. Successful subject matter experts must have an outgoing personality, exhibit excellent communication skills, and possess extensive knowledge in a particular field or topic. Our video production experts will work with you to develop one or more ideas for “how-to” video segments within your realm of expertise. The video can be shot at any location where your task or project would typically be performed. You’ll provide the tools, materials, or any required supplies, along with a desirable location and the expertise. We’ll handle all of the production tasks, and everything else required to present you to the world as the “go-to” expert in your field.

 Benefits to you

Just prior to our public launch, we will initiate an aggressive marketing plan to generate millions of visitors to our site. This will provide experts with the opportunity for massive exposure through our Web site, and through many other outlets across the Web through viral distribution. Each video will be accompanied by an expert biography, and if desired, a link to your website and/or a method for consumers to contact you directly via email or phone. Aside from the free video production, participation as an expert in this program conveys significant potential benefits:

 

• Create valuable new business – Consumers      from around the world will view your video to learn the scope of a      particular task or project. If the task is easily accomplished by the      average individual, some will elect to take it on themselves. Most will      use this video as an education experience to make them better informed      consumers, and aid them as they select a company to provide products and      services. By demonstrating your expertise at the precise moment consumers      are researching their project, you will be in the best position to help      them at the most critical moment in the purchase process.

 

• Increased credibility – Prominent      worldwide exposure on our Web site will provide you with invaluable added      credibility with your current or prospective clients or customers. Through this experience, a knowledgeable      and engaging expert has the potential to gain national notoriety.

 

• Create valuable content for your own      promotion: If you are selected      as one of our subject matter experts, these high quality videos will be      created at no cost to you. You’ll      also receive the additional benefit of being able to add links to your      expert videos on your own Web site. You may also choose to embed a Knowlera Media video player on your      Web site to play your featured videos. All of these capabilities and      technology are provided to you just for participating as one of our      featured experts. All you bring is your own knowledge, along with any      supplies and materials necessary to demonstrate your particular area of expertise.

How to be one of our featured experts

Only a limited number of individuals in each topic area will be selected to become a Knowlera Media Subject Matter Expert. If you’d like to be featured in one of our videos, please contact us by phone or email using the contact information at the top of this sheet. In no time, you could be at the forefront of the digital media revolution, sharing your expertise with the world!

 

About Knowlera Media

Knowlera Media, LLC is an exciting new company that is creating a uniquely-branded Web site that provides consumers with free access to a wide-range of “how-to” videos. We will be the leading and most trusted source of “how-to” videos on the Web, known for the broadest and deepest collection of useful videos featuring detailed demonstrations by credible experts.

 

Using the latest generation of high definition video production equipment, Knowlera Media will produce most of the initial video content prior the Web site launch. After the Web site goes live, the Company will continue to build its library at a rapid pace through its own production resources, and through an exclusively developed network of skilled video producers and subject matter experts from around the country. Content will also come from existing sources and eventually from experts with the skill and resources to produce their own how-to videos. The Company will launch its Web site in the second quarter of 2007.

 

Management Team

Knowlera Media brings together a highly specialized team of video production and software development experts, managed by an executive team of successful entrepreneurs with deep experience in video production, Internet marketing and new media technology. Call or write if you’d like more detailed information on the team.

 

Getting started

To get started, please provide the following information by email or phone:
- Your name
- Your location (City, State)
- Your area of expertise
- Years of experience
- Any licenses or professional certifications you might have
- Your contact information
- If you have an idea of a subject, task or project that you’d like to demonstrate, include a brief description of that as well.

 

 

Don’t wait!

Experts in your field are being selected now.

Call or write today!