Online Identity

[DebraLloyd]

Chris - Ken Theriot is the Elite expert on all tings audio check out his site he has a great newbies course on how to do good audio without spending a bunch of money. I'd bet a $100 he could show you how to record something that sounds great - he has a great post on how to get rid of the um' and ah's http://www.homebrewaudio.com/8983/ho...r-jobs-faster/ some great tips on mistakes there.

Cheers,
Debra

[ChristineCobb]

I tend to stumble over my own words when speaking

This is only a problem when you are speaking live to a group. When you are recording and stumble, just stop, pause a few seconds, and start again at the last thought. Then simply edit out the stumble part. No one will ever know

[Chris2]

Christine... I love you. You always have such great ideas and input... thanks!

[CarolineJ]

Chris2 - I too am not going to let you off so lightly

As Chris says, the art of video making is in the editing IMHO, and after 82 videos I've proved it!

Plus, people don't want a perfectly produced, slick video that they can't relate to.

So edit out the errs and umms (which is what everyone does) and just be you, stumbles and all.

Caroline

[Chris2]

Thank you CarolineJ, I doubt you realize what an inspiration you are in what you and Davina have done, and continue to accomplish. I have been paying attention I'm looking forward to learning a lot from you.

[CarolineJ]

Aw you flatterer you! Seriously if we can then you can!

Can't wait for the 'bag-over-the-head-'audio - lol Could start a trend.

Caroline

[Lynn Terry]

Now if only I were half as articulate speaking as I am writing I'd be home free... as they say. (Sadly, even with a well-rehearsed script, I tend to stumble over my own words when speaking.)

I'm really getting some practice in with my personal video blog, lol. I wanted to say though that I actually do WORSE with a script and much better if I just freestyle it. I had to really practice looking into the lens too, and I actually imagine the individual people that are watching (those that I actually know in person "IRL") and that helps me to carry on a conversation as if they're actually in the room - which comes off much more natural.

I still mess up a lot. When I do, I pause for a 10 seconds or more, which makes the editing much easier. ;-) Then I resume. I also pause between points, in case I want to add in transitions - which gives the transition plenty of room without cutting off the end or beginning of sentences.

[rhelling]

ugh. well...i just had this exact situation play out. i have several anoyomous niche blogs...but i have a new mixed business/personal blog where i wanted to be real and post "real" stuff.

i decided to go with my real name / real picture. (sidebar: i have a checkered past and my background is not good if googled online...enough said.) well, i posted stuff regarding business...advice, etc. and i also posted stuff about life...what my kids are up to, whats new, opinions on personal things, etc.

well, my ex-wife caught wind of it and demanded posts regarding my children be immediately removed and then started what ill call harrassment and threats to comment negatively on my blog, etc. (...and im assuming all of her attack dogs are waiting to pounce too.)

im not sure if there are legal grounds to protect me or what....but it really doesnt matter. the point is...its a huge distraction. i could have easily started this blog as "joe smith" and used all my same pictures, topics, etc....and no one i know personally would have found it. (...at least with an easy google search) - maybe "joe smith" with a fake photo would be more protective.

[Chris2]

CarolineJ - Again, thanks for the encouragement. It really helps.

PhilT - Well, in my case, the people I would not want to discover my identity are not likely to be skilled enough to do the searching it would take to discover my real name. They are basically taught the internet is a very bad thing and to stay away, some do, some don't, but even the ones that don't are not very tech savvy else they'd get in trouble. As a whole, they are also discouraged from attending college, etc., too. It's very convoluted. I guess the best I can do is be as real with my readers as I can in what I write, while using a "pen name", obscure photos, and po box, etc.. Glad you mentioned aweber and the address, I didn't think about them having to have an address. This means I have to wait till after I move to sign up with aweber because I'll need a po box and you have to do paperwork/rent those in person, I can't do that till I'm there.

Lynn - I think I would do worse with a script, too. However, without one, I'll probably ramble a lot. Good to know about the 10 second pause for editing. I'll be referring back to this thread as I create my first video. I've received some great ideas, suggestions, and feedback.

Randall - what a bummer. Really ironic this happened while this thread is going huh? The internet has become quite a sticky mess to wade through in some ways. What seems so simple can become a maze before it's over.

Please don't let this event stop you from continuing all of your blogs. I believe each of us has worthwhile things to say and share with the world and to 'not' do that is a disservice to others as it deprives them of our experiences, knowledge and often hard-earned wisdom. Just use a "pen name" (sounds better than "fake" right?) and a caricature, cartoon, or obscure photo (see Lynn's earlier post), and keep on doing what you're doing. And thanks for sharing your thoughts and recent events in your own life on this topic with us here All of the comments in this thread have given me much to think about!

[rhelling]

Chris,
Yes...ironic to say the least. I was up all night thinking about this and I think I'm going to change all of my business dealings to a 'pen name'. Across the board. It's going to be a lot of work...but I think it's best in this case. That means my email address, my domain name, my forum accounts, my facebook, my linkedin, my twitter account, my article signatures, my paypal account, blah, blah, blah....will all change to reflect this "pen name". When I get on a computer I will now be known as: "Joe Smith" ...or something like that. ;-)

I'm still undecided on the picture. I don't really like cartoons...but I'll need to think more about that. I kinda think that my real picture with a pen name would be fine....but I'm still undecided. Unfortunately I like to share pictures of life, but I guess I'll stop. (I mean, what's different about having a personal/business blog and sharing stories vs a FaceBook account?!?) Whatever.

As for my children, I suppose it's best if I stop writing about their baseball games, etc. I don't think anyone will correlate "Joe Smith" with my stories, life experiences and activities with my children...but in the interest of satisfying my ex-wife and avoiding any undue hardship...I'll back down. It's just frustrating.

So...I'd love to hear feedback. But in the meantime...I may be entering this forum as someone completely new. ;-)