Before going any further, consider whether it's actually a video you need.

Remember what video is - a visual, linear medium.

In other words, a sequence of engaging, moving images, running for 2, 5, 10 or even 20 minutes (corporate videos are rarely longer than this), which starts at a beginning and ends at an end.

Is that what your audience wants?

Does the medium suit the subject matter?

Think of what you enjoy watching on television - and what sends you reaching for the remote.

Essentially it's the same medium.

Images that move are ideal for video, as are drama and lively interviews, which generate credible and often emotionally charged information.

Think about where people will see the video.

If it's part of a training session, away from the workplace, the viewer has time and is free from other pressures and distractions.

If it's at an exhibition, people drift up at any point in the video and rarely watch to the end; if the soundtrack is loud enough for visitors to listen to, it'll be too loud for the people on the stand next door.

Obviously these two requirements call for different solutions.

Do you have a captive audience, or will they need wooing? You have to know.

Do you really want a linear presentation?

If not, video can be created as individual clips or sequences and presented interactively on DVD or CD-ROM.

Clips can be mixed with text, interactive exercises such as quizzes and tests, simulations, software applications and so on.

Video can also be streamed over the internet/intranet.

Answering these basic questions in simple language will give you a head start from Day One, as you'll know what you want, why you want it, and what it needs to achieve.

Next: How to get approval for your video>>