Tutorials/Videos

Videos are an important part of Minecraft, ranging from gameplay, to minigames, to tutorials.

Gameplay
Gameplay videos are usually recorded and uploaded to sites like Youtube, and generally show off playing the game in vanilla, with mods, or on a server.

Animation
Animated videos are harder, although still pretty popular, and can range from stories to music videos. These are made in external programs, and rendered to a file. For animating, you can use programs such as Adobe Flash, Blender, 3dsMax, Autodesk Maya, Mine-imator, Cinema 4D.

Tutorials
Tutorials are another type of video, ranging from how to use Redstone, to installing mods, to livestreaming or server creation.

Record or livestream

 * If you plan on recording the game, you can use video recorders such as Fraps, Bandicam, DXtory and many others. (Hypercam is also an option, however video/audio quality isn't it's finest feature) An in-game mod that you can use for recording jerk free Minecraft can be Minema. However, it should only be used to make non-commentated videos.
 * If you plan on streaming to OwnedTV, you can use Xsplit Broadcaster, however it costs money, and the free version is very limited. See /Livestreaming/ You can livestream directly to Twitch without mods or programs from the game, but you need to connect your Twitch account to your Mojang Account to use it (1.7.4 and up).
 * For video editing, you can use Sony Vegas, Windows Live Movie Maker, or iMovie. Adobe Premiere is also an option, with the Elements and Pro versions, depending on your budget. VirtualDub is a high quality open-source editor for those who do not wish to pay for an editing program.
 * If you wish to record your voice and the audio from Minecraft in two separate streams to be edited together later, you will need a program like Audacity. Or you can use the DXtory recording program which automatically records sounds in separated streams.

Tips

 * If you are doing repetitive/boring tasks, you should either not record doing it, record the first and last part of your boring task and then piece them together, speed up the boring task, or just cut it out. You do not want your viewers to be bored, especially if they are new.  Also try to make your videos as exciting and fun to watch as possible!
 * Background and a channel image for YouTube will help you enhance your page.
 * Interact with your viewers, ask them for suggestions, what you could improve and what they want to see!
 * Don't use subscriber exchange, there is a very low chance that those subscribers will actually view the videos, and really just count for a hollow number. Instead, embed your video on a forum, or the Wiki (but be sure to comply with the video policy - people are banned for violating it). Note that replacing someone else's video with yours won't get you anywhere, come up with your ideas, or at least try to come up with a better design. If the wiki is giving you a viewing benefit from embedding your videos, then return the favour to the wiki and clean up every article you put a video in, not only will this help the wiki, it makes your video seem better as it is seen in a better context.
 * Inbox or contact other Minecraft video creators e.g. tnthost or machinima and discuss partnerships, cross promotional videos and deals with minecraft content creators. This benefits both parties involved, so many channels would happily accept your offer.
 * Don't force yourself to do something. If you don't like something, don't do it. Tell your viewers you don't like it and ask them to suggest something else.
 * If you are making tutorial videos, make sure that they are tutorials for things that people will want to know about, and you present it in a user-friendly way. (A tip learned from experience: Know what you're going to say BEFORE you say it!)
 * Don't spam useless videos, if something can be put in 1 video, then there's no reason to split it into parts.
 * Don't be greedy, if you want to do this JUST for money then you should quit it. Doing it just for money will show how careless you are, remember, it's not about the money.
 * Don't go to the popular channels and spam their videos with comments about visiting your channel. People will most likely not visit your channel, and they will get quite annoyed!
 * Don't expect thousands of views when you just start. If you upload high quality content (video and audio) frequently and are friendly, you will start gaining views. Even if it seems like nothing is happening, just keep uploading!
 * Try your best to use original or close to the original texture pack, as this will make most viewers comfortable with your videos. Good texture packs are faithful, the ones that change how glass looks, and if you make redstone contraptions, oCd.
 * You do not always have to talk in some videos. If you do videos like machinimas you can use royalty free music, on screen text and royalty free sound effects. DO NOT use copyrighted music- it will only get you into trouble.
 * Make sure you stand out. Don't do just the generic "let's play" that just about everyone does. Be creative with your ideas.