true
true
Get Your Publicity On!

Consider the text below. Then submit your response(s).

Whether you are seeking to entertain, inform, or persuade, public speaking in the context of new media often requires an ability to use technology effectively, as well as experience promoting your message in new media environments. In a group assigned by your instructor, use a camera or a smartphone to create a short video on any topic (e.g., advertising a new invention or product, explaining how to do something, or promoting a social or political cause — it does not matter what the video is about). Upload the video to a video sharing service like Vimeo or YouTube.

Over a period of time set by your instructor, try to publicize and promote your video on the Internet, following any guidelines set by your instructor. The point of this activity is to learn about what works and does not work for garnering publicity and encouraging circulation. After the set period, examine how many “hits” or “views” your video received, then consider the following questions:

1. What promotional techniques worked to increase your viewership? What techniques failed?
2. Did the content of your video effect how many hits or views your video received? Why or why not?
3. Did you use deceptive techniques to promote your video? Why or why not?
4. What kind of reaction or comments did your video receive? Did any of these surprise you?