Man it was a crazy year no? In some ways the best of years, and in some
ways the worst of years. But, no matter where you are in that
Dickensian continuum you can agree that THIS year will be another one!

Once again I take a look to ‘da future’ and gaze into my crystal
monitor and bring you

Mr Video’s Top Predictions for 2012

Here we go, get a pen and paper and follow along as you’ll want to see
how these all pan out. Mr Video Knows all and Sees all OOoooommmmmm.

Prediction # 1: Quality Quality
Quality.

While I’ve been touting “Done Trumps Everything”, K.I.S.S. &
K.I.C.K, those who step up the production value by even 10% will see
huge advantages over their competitors as well as gain respect and
credibility in the marketplace.

Consistancy is still king but as the video marketplace begins to
saturate, higher production values will set you apart from the noise.

Action Steps: Create an intro
graphic with signature music. Step up the audio (get a lavaliere Mic)
and lighting (buy a softbox).

Prediction # 2: Mobile Video Explodes

The stats for mobile use are quite impressive.
Did you know that 50% of adults in the U.S. own a Smart Phone?
That 48% of mobile users use their phone to watch video?
That 95% of mobile users looked up local information?
Do the math.
It all ads up to = Mobile Local Video EXPLOSION.

If you are not creating video that plays on an iDevice you are missing out on a segment of the population that is made up of affluent buyers.

Action Steps: Make your site mobile ready, thumb friendly and easy to navigate. Redirect to a mobile
site seamlessly and add push to call links. Finally MAKE YOUR VIDEOS MP4! (did I just shout??)

Prediction #3: Google Buys GoPro Video

I bought myself a GoPro Hero2 video camera for Christmas. One word…
AWESOME.

The camera has unbelievable quality and a super wide angle lens. Not
to mention comes with a waterproof case and a mic in jack! While
watching some of the amazing footage on the GoPro site I was
immediately take by the idea of iReporters Everywhere. CNN’s iReports
have been a growing part of their business model. Google has purchased
a number of place based tools and services. So, my prediction for 2012
is that Google will purchase GoPro video and create their own iPlaces
style interface. The Hero2 is coming out with a WiFi camera back this
quarter and looks like a clear choice for some large corp to snatch
them up. YouTube / Google seem to be a perfect fit.

Back to the Hero2… Wow. super fun and plenty of attachments/addons.
Here’s their demo video (one of the best demo videos I have seen in a
while):

WOW best video demo! These things are flying off the shelf at my local
Best Buy.

Action Steps: Just click and
watch the video above.

Prediction #4: Video Pros on Demand

This is already happening but will gain popularity this year big time.
Log on to a website and have access to over 5000 INTERNATIONAL
videographers. Don’t want to shoot it yourself or don’t want to travel,
set up, etc. etc? No worries, there are videographers standing by to
shoot whatever, whenever  and were ever. Half day rates start at
around $700. In a half day you can shoot 13 episodes of your web tv
show or do an amazing positioning/branding piece.

Action Steps: Get your ideas
down on paper for your next season of web TV shows!

Prediction #5: iPhone Movie Makers

With the quality of the iPhone video going way up, young and
cost-conscious creative types will use it to show off their story
telling skills and talents. Now some heavy effects companies (Bad Robot
Interactive) have taken this to the next level with iPhone movie
effects. Dial one up and impress your friends with your new Action
Adventure (Caution: So real it may cause heart failure!)

Here’s one I just did (I sent this one to my brother (Boat owner) with
the headline “We had some problems with the New Years fireworks…
Sorry”):

Action Steps: Show this video
to your local Insurance Agent

Prediction #6: Boom in Direct to Web
TV Shows

With Hulu Plus, Netfilcks, Amazon Video, YouTube and iTV it’s no
surprise that a large number of video viewers are watching web based
shows on their big screen TVs. I constantly run into folks who do not
subscribe to cable TV but watch a lot of DVDs, and VODs. There are
great niches that are crying out for web shows. Hunting, cooking,
boating, children’s video, hobbies, sports etc. etc. You name it, and
there will be a web TV show on it in 2012.

Action Steps: Write up your top
5 direct to web TV show ideas and do some keyword research to see the
supply vs demand.

Prediction #7: Printers going to full
agency model.

Large commercial printers have the gold – a Rolodex of clients who
spend money on marketing. While these printing companies see their
commodity based margins fall (they are trading pennies for pages) they
are moving, or want to move, to a full marketing agency model. And they
are going to need help. Social marketing, media marketing, video
marketing.

Printers have the gold, you have the ability to help them get into the
game with your online skills. Their client base, your skills. Partner
or white label your services.

Action Steps: Call your local
printer today and ask them how business is going.

Prediction #8: Webinar prices will fall

With everyone from Talk Fusion to Adobe to Mike Filsaime honing their
webinar offerings, webinar prices will fall as this service becomes a
commodity offering. Adobe Connect started out at $80,000 a year (I kid
you not) and identical services are now available for $30/month with
unlimited seating. Webinars are the best way to educate the marketplace
and close a sale. Period.

Action Steps: Host a webinar
this month. Invite your friends.

Prediction #9: YouTube will shut you
down.

Sorry, you violated the TOS on your YouTube channel. Sounds crazy? Some
BIG names in the industry got their entire YouTube accounts shut down
because of violation of the terms of service. Use YouTube at your own
risk if you fail to read the TOS http://www.youtube.com/t/terms. Use
other services that do not have such wide reaching and confusing terms
such as EZS3.com

Action Steps: Read the TOS of
your video hosting provider. Open an EZS3.com account today.

Prediction #10: You will create more
videos

You are intelligent, good looking and dog gonnit, people want to SEE
you. With all the tools and services available to you, this is the year
that you create a massive library of video assets. Using plugins like
“Retweet Old Posts” you will leverage your assets across a wide range
of platforms for years to come. Create it once, re-purpose it many times
in many places.

Action Steps: Shoot some video
today!

OK so you see that video continues to be a major part of the online
scene right? I have said that video will be the cornerstone of Web 3.0
and it looks like that is still the case. With the integration of set
top boxes with the internet, there are huge NEW opportunities all
around. Couple this with local businesses and crush it in your local
market like my clients and friends David Harbour in Virginia and Sharon
Buck in Florida.

Got some video predictions of your own? Post them in the comments below. I’d love to hear them!