The pros, cons, and best practices of incorporating videos and podcasts into an alumni communications program

It's worth watching Bill Gates recent CEO Summit address to help think about how video and other media changes are going to progress on the Internet over the next few years.

While the address is obviously geared to vision and not as tied to technology that is necessarily widely implemented, it presents an interesting foray into a whole set of strategic directions that the world's most successful sofware company is heading in the new media arena.

http://www.microsoft.com/ceosummit/default.mspx

If our alumni web presences are going to be at all competitive with other more appealing web properties such as news sites, we really need to bring more interactive media into our space, and be particularly creative as how we do it. We need to begin to actively recruit and develop these skills in house.

The good news is, we're surrounded by great stories. From new discoveries to interesting classes, from community service to outside speakers. Most people and places run into three big hurdles:

1. The Gear. Recording and audio or video that's good enough to show the world requires decent equipment. Invest in a good "prosumer" video camera; in today's market, you're probably looking at $2000 to $4000. Spend another $400-$500 on a wireless microphone so that when you interview someone, their voice is clear. Harvard's AA&D communication office uses ______. Your video gear can also double as an audio recorder, if you just use the audio track. To edit audio and video, you'll need a relatively new PC or Macintosh and some editing software. For beginners, iMovie on the Mac works great. On both platforms, Final Cut (available in several packages at different prices) is the standard. For advice about equipment, and training in how to use it, check with your communications faculty.

2. Intimidation. As any new journalist will tell you, it's really hard to walk up to a stranger and start asking him or her questions. It's even harder (and the stranger's answer is more likely to be "no") if you're carrying a video or audio recorder. To get over the hump, start with people and stories that you know well. As you graduate to new stories, spend some time without the camera running first, so your subjects will get to know you, and vice versa.

3. Covering Your Institution's Butt. Before you start recording someone and sharing their image with the world, you need permission. Draw up a release form (or adapt one used by another instutution, if they're willing) and use it. If you want to tape seminars or presentations by outside speakers, the best approach is to include the release language in your institution's standard speaking contract. Most speakers don't mind, but every now and then one will.