Several people asked that I share tips for Mac users as part of my video workshop. Since I usually do my editing on a Windows PC, I found a tutorial someone else had created on Apple iMovie, which comes free with a Mac (there are also iMovie apps for iPhone and iPad). As my value add, below the video you’ll find an annotated index to the timestamps of the sections of this tutorial covering common tasks that would be relevant to a speech or presentation video.

A second video, at the bottom of this post, shows how to use iMovie to create animated GIFs.

iMovie is quite powerful, although there are some pro features that are reserved for Apple’s Final Cut Pro. There seems to be an iMovie counterpart for just about everything I do using a different program, Camtasia, which is available for both Windows and Mac PCs. iMovie might even do some things better. One Toastmasters friend who is a Mac user said her biggest frustration with iMovie is that it makes it difficult to move projects from one computer to another. However, the videos you produce with it are perfectly portable and ready to upload to social media or your website.

To create an animated GIF using iMovie, try these directions:

Thanks to Online Presenters member John Quick for allowing us to share this.

International Director and Online Presenters charter member Carol Prahinski shared lessons learned from her time as a District Governor and the mentors who helped her grow into her Toastmasters leadership role.

We are fortunate to have recruited a celebrity guest Judge for Monday’s Mini-Webinar Contest! You can learn more about Jim Key below. Click the RSVP button if you would like to join us as a guest.

The Mini-Webinar Contest is an unofficial Toastmasters format we developed to test online presentation skills. It’s a “webinar” in the same way that an International Speech Contest speech is like a mini-keynote. Speakers will have 6-8 minutes, including time fielding questions submitted via the chat function of our online meetings platform.

Meet Jim Key

(from jimkey.com)

Jim Key comes from a background in computer technology, sports, music, leadership, and public speaking. After entering the world of Information Technologies in 1987, Jim developed an IT consulting practice, working with leaders and managers from national non-profit organizations, manufacturing companies, and service companies across the United States. Additionally, he has volunteered for many years in his community and church, working with children and teenagers in various capacities for 20+ years.

Jim’s volunteerism and information technologies background converged in 1996, as he brought much needed automation to a national youth development program. His efforts led to an invited position of serving 6 years on the national steering committee for this youth program, and to a cutting edge computerized solution that is still in use today. Additionally, participation in the program more than quadrupled during those 6 years of Jim’s influence and involvement.

Simply put, Jim is a difference maker. He believes in pursuing excellence unapologetically, and without reservation. This passion for excellence enabled and drove him to become an award-winning speaker. Reaching the finals of the World Championships of Public Speaking an unprecedented three consecutive times, Jim set an unparalleled mark for continued presentation excellence on his way to becoming the 2003 World Champion of Public Speaking. He has subsequently delivered keynote addresses and workshops around the United States and in several other countries. Jim currently serves as an adjunct professor of communications at West Coast Bible College and Seminary.

Though Jim speaks to a variety of audiences, he always speaks from his heart directly to the hearts of the audience members. His presentations include examples to which everyone can relate, as he blends everyday humor with messages of gravitas to produce programs that yield results. You can expect his uplifting message to inspire your people to higher levels of achievement in your organization.

On a personal note, Jim is a devoted husband and father. He has three children: Jay (32),  Michael (28), and Veronica (21). He has been very active in coaching soccer, baseball, and basketball with kids in the YMCA sports program.