Friday's Digest Podcast

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Table of Contents

1. Preface

2. Main Article

3. Readers’ Favorite

4. Stuff

Preface

It's April.

But in Boston, it doesn't feel like springtime yet.

This week, I left for work at 5:30 am when it was still freezing outside. I had already shipped my heavy coat home, hoping I wouldn't need it again. So optimistic. Not smart.

So there I was, in my light jacket, zero degrees out.

Annoying. But bearable.

Then I noticed the snow on the ground.

I was wearing sneakers 👟, but for some reason, I thought I could make it.

Three minutes into my walk, my feet began to get wet.

Bearable. Yes.

Smart? No.

This is how you get frostbite.

So, I hurried back home and changed into my snow boots.

In April!

There are many things I'll miss about Boston, but the weather isn't one of them. ❄️

This week, I gave some pointers to a friend who was filming a video abstract.

What exactly is a "video abstract"?

It's a video featuring a doctor or scientist explaining their research.

So, I found myself watching numerous video abstracts made by others.

Unfortunately, many of these videos fail to capture the viewer's attention. The research is fascinating, but the videos can be boring.

And it’s a shame because they're so important!

So, in today's newsletter, I want to help you create an engaging video abstract.

Whether you're a student entering a competition, a doctor or scientist trying to increase the visibility of your work, or just looking to improve your on-camera speaking skills, this one's for you!

Number 85!

Let's do this!

Main Article

The trend of doctors and scientists creating videos is on the rise.

In the past, scientific communication was confined to manuscripts and abstracts.

However, video submissions have recently become increasingly popular. They enhance the visibility of your work and are sometimes even required.

In the past, I shared tips on delivering a lecture and giving engaging talks on Zoom.

Creating a video, however, is a different ballgame:

👉 You have to interact with a camera.

👉 Your audience is not obligated to watch. They can easily click away.

👉 Technical aspects of filming can make the process overwhelming.

Some doctors and scientists choose to outsource their filming. Pay some “professional” to do the job.

However, this approach has one major drawback: the person holding the camera doesn't understand or care about your work.

They primarily care about producing a visually appealing video filled with impressive effects to justify the money you paid them. 💰

So, how can you convey your message?

Let me simplify it for you.

With decades of experience in teaching (can I say “decades” after doing it for 28 years?), and after filming videos for a while, I can overwhelm you with data.

I can teach you how to make your video look professional, discussing angles, lighting, lenses, editing software, you name it.

But you don't have the time, and quite frankly, you don’t need it!

Here are 4 things that will make your video abstract stand out.

Four aspects that most doctors and scientists overlook in their scientific videos.

Here they are:

🔵 The Microphone: Key to Quality Video

The microphone is the most important part of your video.

By far.

Many underestimate the importance of sound.

But here's the thing: Viewers will continue watching a video with poor visual quality if the sound is good.

But if the sound quality is poor, people will stop watching. Even if the visual quality is superb.

Take home message?

Invest in a good microphone.

Options include a lavalier microphone that clips onto your shirt (from popular brands like DJI and Rode), or a dynamic microphone placed on your desk. I recommend Shure MV7.

More on that in the “stuff” section.

🔵 Simplify Your Explanation (10-year-old kid principal)

As doctors and scientists, we may worry that simplifying our explanations will make us seem less intelligent.

However, viewers don't want to struggle to understand your work.

They're not students being graded, and they'll stop watching if they don't understand you!

Imagine explaining to a 10-year-old.

Use colors, minimize text, repeat your main message, and explain why what you're saying is important and how it affects their life.

🔵 Maintain Eye Contact (with the Lens)

It's a simple tip, but often neglected.

While filmed, we often look at the screen or at the people behind the camera.

But if you don't look at the camera, your viewers will feel like you're talking to someone else.

It will make the video less engaging.

Take home message: Always look directly at the lens! You'll be amazed at how important this is.

🔵 Be a Teacher, Not a Speaker

Remember, people are used to classroom settings. They enjoy an in-person experience.

But when filming a video abstract, we're missing the in-person experience.

What do we do instead?

We give a speech, read text, and sound monotonic.

To overcome this habit, think of it as a class you're giving. Use your hands, refer to your slides, and smile to make the experience more enjoyable for you and your audience.

Follow these 4 tips, and your video will stand out!

There's much more I could share about producing professional videos and how to make your videos stand out.

But I'll save that for a YouTube video I have on my to-do list.

Once I find time to film it…

Readers’ Favorite

Understanding the principles of how to give a great lecture will change your life.

Learn how to use them in your lectures here.

Stuff

🎤 Microphone time!

I could discuss microphones for hours, but let's stay focused 😀.

I've been using the Shure MV7 for a while now. It's an excellent dynamic microphone for doctors and scientists, perfect for video lectures and Zoom calls.

This microphone delivers excellent sound quality and connects to your computer via USB.

I really like its XLR output, which allows you to enhance your sound in the future without upgrading your microphone.

Just make sure you purchase a stand for it. I use this stand, which is robust and portable.

I wouldn't recommend a condenser microphone!

The Blue Yeti is an extremely popular condenser microphone, and I own one too.

However, its high sensitivity picks up environmental noises. In your recordings, you might hear conversations from the next room, traffic noise from outside, or even your refrigerator humming.

This is particularly important when filming at your workplace, which is what you'll do as a doctor or a scientist.

Epilogue

If you received this newsletter from a friend and would like to join Friday's Digest, visit: https://newsletter.shaysharon.com

That’s it for this issue.

Hope for better times.

Shay