Great Topic! I hope this gets more people making videos. Some of my videos at reefvideos.com are pretty lame ( salinity... ack! )- but here are some tips.
• Have realistic expectations - Don't get discouraged if your video is not up to the standards you see on TV.
• Light the subject, and the video will look better - especially with a cheaper camera. Turn on every light and face a window.
• Many photo cameras take very nice quality video, and even though small, they are perfect for the web.
• Try to edit in photo's or a close-up of the subject. Watching 5 minutes of the same angle can be dull. Maybe film it twice - with one closeup, which you can cut to for emphasis.
• Close-ups look better than wide shots.
• You don't need to be an expert. Just openly present your experience for people with less experience.
• Have fun with it.
• Do it with 2 people if you can, and the information will flow more naturally.
Chris