Example of Technology playing a roll in Politics - and its other uses
 

In the previous US Election Primaries, Howard Dean claimed to be making the best use of the Internet of all the Democratic Candidates.

This time around we find the Internet used far more. Candidates have online videos on their websites. They have Teams working blogs and chatrooms. Social Networking accounts. Whisper marketing is strong on the 'net.

And while last election it was Howard Dean, this time the undisputed king of Internet Popularity comes from Ron Paul.

In an interview with Google executive Elliot Schrage which can be seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCM_wQy4YVg (it goes for an hour - so you might want to run it in the background while you do other things), Ron Paul, at the end of the interview, expresses his Surprise at the roll the internet has played. At how such a Communication Device has worked in spreading the message. And it got me thinking... it [the internet] is a Communication Device.

There is no Official Team of Volunteers working to spread his message and only those people can do it. Nope. People hear it, see it, read it, watch it... like it... and pass it on of their own accord. Almost as a "hey, check out this" kind of thing. It's the Ultimate Word of Mouth in action. Where instead of one person telling ten friends they speak to on the phone or chat with over coffee, a single person can tell Hundreds and even Thousands of people. And thanks to the Digital Nature of the message, the message can be received at any time of the day or night, from any location, and at any length of time from when the message was given. It's not like a flyer or newspaper which is thrown in the trash once read and then forgotten about.

Now, if you watch the video I linked above there are other Lessons to be learned that are independent of politics. Lessons related to video production (turn off the audio if you don't want to hear Paul speak and just watch for the Education of Video Product Production)...

=> A simple table and two chairs sets the scene for the Interview.

=> A simple backdrop to help create Brand Impregnation - but it could easily be a single colored drape without a logo.

=> Mics are lapel mics.

=> A multi camera shoot - you could achieve this with just two cameras if creating your own Interview Video. They are cheap to buy, but could be hired if needed.

=> An audience - while not totally necessary as some infomercials prove by having an interview format without an audience - ads strength. The audience can be made up of past clients/customers or people interested in the topic and who are given free admittance (the way the self-produced "Home On The Range" cooking show was produced). Recording a free workshop is a Proven Way to create a video/audio-type product.

=> Pre-arranged questions from the interviewer. Some of the questions you can be sure were pre-known by the interviewee - and thus allowing the interviewee to prepare answers beforehand. But as the Expert on the topic, there would be certain questions you just know would be asked and so would be prepared for that any way.

Don Alm has mentioned in the past that he would create a Video of him going through the Info Package he was selling at the time. And he'd charge people a $20 refundable deposit for this video.

What Youtube and other Online Video allows is Free Distribution of the same kind of stuff - preview videos of things to be bought. And free how-to for physical items that might require it - such as free video on how to lay ceramic tiles provided by a tile selling company. Maybe a free office/production plant tour for those looking to use your services. Many many possibilities.

Michael Ross