Say what? “Vlog?”

In a sea of tweets, email newsletters and banner ads, you may need something a little more dynamic to set you apart from the rest. Vlogs are great for quick updates, short informational pieces or interviews with industry leaders.

For those of you who need that broken down, a vlog is simply a video blog. It is simple to execute for recently purchased computers equipped with webcams and decent microphones. There are tutorials on how to record video with a PC and with a Mac in case you need to get familiar with the hardware first.

We’ve got a few suggestions for anyone considering taking the vlog route:

• Be confident on camera
• Try not to wear white or other bright colors
• Find natural lighting if possible
• Choose your backdrop wisely. Find an interesting location and mix it up!
• Look into the camera, not into the screen
• Upload it to a video sharing website and cross-post to your Twitter, Facebook, email newsletter, Stumble, Digg etc
• Don’t forget to tag and properly identify your video online
• Keep it between 45 seconds (announcements) and 5 minutes (interviews).

Here is my 7th logged vlog. I break a few of my rules, but hey–I’m still learning too. Enjoy!

Photo credit: http://blog.lib.umn.edu

Most problems in the design and development space revolve around communication…or lack thereof. Great communication is absolutely necessary to ensure the success of any project — online or off. It is difficult to get lost in the sea of emails, tweets, Facebook posts, text messages and voice mails. What will ensure that a finished project eventually sees the light of day is open and honest communication.

Here are some things I’ve learned along the way. I’ve either learned it the hard way or I’ve been lucky enough to have a mentor to help me pick up the pieces.

1. Document everything. Keep records of all requests, questions and even file versions. It is always a best practice to resolve conflicts BEFORE they arise, but keep in mind that if the conflict gets out of hand, the statute of limitations for businesses are six years. If you use a third-party contracting site like Elance.com, there are sometimes mandatory arbitration agreements built in. That will save a lot of headache.

2. Get as much in writing as possible. If you take meetings in person, telephone, or Skype like we do, it is important to reiterate any verbal agreements in writing to ensure parity. If there are revisions being requested on a project, have a client submit a work order to ensure that you have it in writing.

3. Make yourself available. I’ve made myself available via telephone, VOIP, Skype, Twitter, email, and through my Web site. When you make yourself available to open and honest communication it generally finds its way back to you. Giving your clients many options helps them feel in control and more willing to work with you. You don’t have to be available 24/7 or on weekends, but do be available during your normal business hours to follow up.

4. Be realistic about deadlines. If you are eager to truly help your clients achieve their goals you need to make sure that you have the time to dedicate to their project. Despite the inclination to overbook, be realistic about how many projects you can complete in a month and stick to that.

5. Highlight all roadblocks to success. If excessive revisions or repeated adjustments have thrown the project off the targeted launch date, make sure to communicate that as soon as possible. Better yet, let your client know if a revision or adjustment will extend the project or incur extra fees.

6. For clients: If you notice something wrong, bring attention to it immediately. Are there horizontal scrollbars creeping up where you least enjoy them? Don’t quite like that shade of gray on your business cards? Does the design stink and you’d prefer to go elsewhere? Air your grievances early on to avoid the snowball effect. (If you don’t you may be held liable for additional fees, an extended project deadline or even *gasp* get fired.)

Let me hear your thoughts: What are your tips for honest and open communication?