• 01/18/2025 - Original Post Published.

• 10/09/2025 - Updated post to premium, and added a special video below the paywall, “Link Insertion Research Walkthrough”, which shows more of my process for finding good links, with real traffic.

What's up, guys! Ivan, here, and in this video, I’ll show you how I set up a scrape for Media Kits, which I use for link building. Recently, I misplaced my Media Kit URL file and decided to redo the scrape. Let’s dive into the process, so you can use it for building backlinks at your leisure.

Tools and Setup

Scraping Server and Proxies

• Scraping Server:
  I use a dedicated local scraping server, with Scrapebox installed.

• Proxy Service:
  For scraping URLs from Yahoo, I currently use Lightning Proxies.
  (2025 update: I now use datacenter proxies, instead of IPv6, because they no longer work, when scraping Yahoo.)
  Pricing starts at $10/day.
  If you plan to scan or pull data from the resulting URLs, then you’ll need a cheap datacenter proxy solution, like WebShare.
  You can probably use Lightning Proxies datacenter products, as well, for a similar effect, but as of this post, I have not tested them, yet.

Why Yahoo Over Google or Bing?

• Yahoo’s Advantages:
  Yahoo offers better topical URL results compared to Bing and Google.

• Proxies for Yahoo:
  Unlimited bandwidth proxies perform well for short scraping sessions.

Step-by-Step Guide

Purchasing and Configuring Proxies

1. Choose a Plan: I opted for Lightning Proxies’ $10/day plan.

2. Payment Tip: Use Stripe, and click the alternate option for PayPal.
   PayPal often resolves card rejection issues.

3. Whitelist Your IP:
   Add your IP to the proxy provider's safe list for secure access.

Setting Up ScrapeBox

1. Adjust Settings:

   • Set connections to 7 threads (1/4th of bandwidth capacity).

   • Timeout settings should match your bandwidth.

2. Import Permutations:

   • Use city-based permutations like the top 5,000 U.S. cities.

   • Combine permutations with “Media Kit” keywords.

Scraping Process

1. Search Configuration:

   • Target Yahoo with a depth of 50 results per search term.

   • Automate the scraping process using the ScrapeBox Automator plugin.

2. URL Filtering:

   • Remove duplicates and irrelevant entries.

   • Sort URLs to focus on viable domains.

Analyzing Results

URL Scrubbing and Exporting

• Use ScrapeBox's tools to scrub:

  • URLs containing undesired keywords.

  • Hostnames that are IP addresses.

Page Scanner

• Custom Footprint:
  Look for “Media Kit” in the page content, often located in footers.

• Export filtered URLs for further analysis.

Post-Scraping Workflow

Checking Domain Authority

1. Use Tools like Open Page Rank: Identify high-value domains.

2. Analyze Metrics:

   • Keywords ranking.

   • Referring domains.

Example: Media Kit Review

• Look for Media Kits that mention:

  • Sponsored content.

  • Editorial coverage details.

  • Pricing for link insertions.

Outreach

1. Draft an Email Inquiry:

   • Subject: Editorial Content Request.

   • Key Questions:

     • Is it tagged as sponsored?

     • Is it a do-follow link?

     • Is it permanent?

2. Pricing Benchmark:

   • Good links often range from $100 to $350, depending on metrics.

   • It’s also possible to find linking opportunities for $5 to $25, usually on small blogs, where people don’t understand how to value the assets.
     These are phenomenal linking opportunities for inner pages.

Final Thoughts

Scraping for Media Kits is a powerful way to identify link-building opportunities. Use proxies and automation tools to streamline the process. Don’t forget to validate domain authority and contact site owners directly for collaboration.

Resources

• Proxy Services: Lightning Proxies | WebShare

• City Media Kit SERP URLs

Members-Only Section
for Premium Subscribers

This section contains page specific public case studies, where I go into more depth on locating viable pages, for legitimate projects.
It also contains updates to the original post.

Link Insertion Research Walkthrough

Transcript Summary:

Ivan demonstrates how to use Lightning proxies (via affiliate link) for web scraping, shifting from IPv6 rotators to data center proxies after issues with certain sites. He walks through the dashboard: signing up, purchasing a plan with unlimited bandwidth, generating proxies, whitelisting IPs, and copying endpoints. Using Scrapebox, he harvests URLs from a search engine at high threads, processes them by removing duplicates, scanning for specific footprints (e.g., media-related terms), and trimming lists. He then evaluates domains with tools like Open Page Rank and SE Ranking, checks for advertising opportunities, and assesses potential for link insertions based on metrics and relevance. Ivan notes high success rates, plans to automate with scripts and AI, and emphasizes this method for efficient SEO link building via editorial content.

If you want to pay me to do this for you, send me a message…

Get more from Ivan David Lippens in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

Why Use Recut for Video Editing?

• Efficiency Gains: Reduces video length by cutting pauses, ums, and ahs.

• User-Friendly Interface: Simple drag-and-drop functionality.

• Versatility: Suitable for consultations, tutorials, and content creation.

• Affordable Access: Check out hi.getivan.com/recut for potential discounts.

Click Here To Get Recut

Getting Started with Recut

To begin, download and install Recut from the official site. Once launched, the software presents a clean interface ready for your video files.

Uploading Your Video

1. Open Recut.

2. Drag and drop your video file into the main window.

3. The software automatically loads the video and applies silence detection based on previous settings.

Adjusting Silence Detection Settings

Navigate to the “Silence” tab in the upper right corner for customization:

• Recommended Settings: Set to “Super” mode and manually adjust the threshold to 0.005 for optimal results.

• Alternative Options: For lighter videos, use a lower setting with “Auto” enabled.

• Impact Example: These settings can reduce a 50-minute video to 32 minutes by eliminating unnecessary pauses.

Exporting Your Edited Video in Recut

When satisfied with the detection:

1. Click the “Export” button in the upper right.

2. Select “Audio/Video” and choose MP4 format.

3. Note: This method takes longer but produces a ready-to-use file without additional software.

Tips for Direct Export

• Ideal for quick jobs where no further editing is needed.

• Experiment with settings to balance aggressiveness—more extreme for shorter videos, less for natural flow.

Integrating Recut with DaVinci Resolve

For advanced editing, export from Recut and import into DaVinci Resolve (free or Studio version).

Exporting from Recut for DaVinci

• Choose FCP XML export format for seamless timeline transfer.

Importing into DaVinci Resolve

1. Go to File > Import > Timeline.

2. Select the exported XML file.

3. Set mixed media frame rate and format to “Resolve.”

4. The timeline loads with pre-made cuts, allowing manual cleanup of short gaps (e.g., mouse clicks).

Advanced Editing in DaVinci Resolve

Creating a Compound Clip

• On the Edit page, select all clips (Ctrl+A).

• Right-click, and choose “New Compound Clip”, to unify the timeline for color grading.

Project Settings for Color Management

• Under File > Project Settings > Color Management:

  • I use Rec.2020 for a wide color range, which I prefer for various reasons, but can also require a little color correction.

  • Defaults like Rec.709 may be perfectly acceptable, depending on your source video files.

Color Correction Basics

• If Rec.2020 selected, you may need to switch to the Color tab.

• Adjust Lift to -0.05 for blacks.

• Set Gamma to 0.05 for a subtle saturation boost.

• This simple tweak enhances personal videos and consultations.

Audio Enhancements

• In the Fairlight tab:

  • Apply basic noise reduction based on your room’s profile (e.g., fan noise).

  • Set channel levels to 6 and bus to 3 for balanced sound.

• Studio Version Exclusive: Use AI Auto Mix for podcast-like audio quality.

Delivery and Rendering

• In the Delivery tab:

  • Set to medium quality with automated encoding.

  • Use “Video Data Level” to match Recut’s output.

  • Add to render queue and export—faster than Recut’s direct method.

• Consider storage costs (e.g., Google Drive) when choosing quality levels.

Additional Tips and Best Practices

• Tinkering with AI: Explore scripting in DaVinci Resolve Pro to auto-detect short artifacts.

• Workflow Consistency: Establish a color space routine for all projects.

• When to Skip Advanced Editing: If the video is already perfect post-Recut, direct export suffices.

• Resources: Visit hi.getivan.com/recut for the software and more details.

By following this tutorial, you’ll master an efficient video editing pipeline that saves time and improves quality. For more tips, subscribe, below. God bless!

Get more from Ivan David Lippens in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

Recommendation:
This video has been recut, for silence, making it faster, which is a great tool I recommend, for anyone doing video tutorials.

The Method: Leveraging AI for Content Creation

This guide will walk you through a method I use for converting video transcripts into SEO-friendly articles. The key is leveraging AI writing tools to streamline the process.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's the detailed process I follow:

1. Transcribe Your Video

The first step is to obtain a text transcript of your video. While I use DaVinci Resolve Studio Premium (which is expensive, but I use it), there are many options available, including freeware. Search for "video transcription freeware" to find suitable tools. You can drag your video into these tools to automatically transcribe the audio. Don’t worry about perfection at this stage; the goal is to have all the information captured.

2. Choose an Ai Writing Tool

Select an AI writing tool capable of generating content from a prompt and source text. I have been using Gemini Pro in 2.0 Flash, but any LLM model should be capable of structuring SEO content. Gemini Pro and Meta Ai are viable free options. Compare different options to see what works best for your use-case.

3. Craft a Targeted Prompt

Create a clear and concise prompt to guide the AI. The prompt should instruct the AI to analyze the transcript and generate an SEO article with specific elements. Some examples of prompts are "Provide steps taken in the video," and "Don't insert your own comments or woke thoughts, only what I said in the video."
Here is the one I use, at the moment:

I am going to paste you a video transcript, and I'd like you to format an SEO article for it, with proper h-tags and sections, etc, consolidating everything the video is about, and providing a list of the steps taken. I am the speaker in the video, so don't refer to me in the 3rd person. Also, don't insert your own comments or woke thoughts. 
---

4. Paste the Transcript and Run the AI

Copy and paste your video transcript into the AI writing tool, along with your crafted prompt. Initiate the AI process and wait for the tool to generate the article.

5. Evaluate the Output

Carefully review the Ai-generated output. Look for clarity, accuracy, and adherence to SEO best practices. Keep an eye out for irrelevant insertions or any deviations from the original content. Critically analyze the output and identify the things you just really can’t live with.

6. Refine and Edit

Based on your evaluation, refine and edit the article to improve its quality and SEO effectiveness.
This may involve:

• Adjusting the formatting

• Adding or modifying headings (H1, H2, etc.)

• Optimizing keywords and relevant terms

• Ensuring accuracy and clarity

• Checking word count and adjusting length as needed

7. Combine and Compare Outputs (Optional)

If you use multiple AI tools, consider combining the outputs for the best results. For example, you can use Gemini to tell you which AI tool's output is better, leveraging its context window.

Tools Used

• DaVinci Resolve Studio Premium
  For video transcription (can also search for freeware).

• Google AI Studio
  My preferred article generator, but you have to apply for access.

• Gemini Pro
  Free solution, which is probably best for most users.
  This can also generate images, if you ask it to.

• Meta Ai
  Another free solution, which you can access from Facebook.
  It can also generate images, if you ask it to.

• ChatGPT
  If you pay for ChatGPT, then they have plenty of models to pick from.
  They will require more prompting, but you also get video access.

• StackEdit
  Useful if you ever have output in Markdown format.
  It allows you to paste Markdown and print-it-out in proper formatting.

Important Considerations

• Model Stability: Some Ai models might be more stable than others.

• Word Count: Pay attention to the word count of the generated articles. Some models produce significantly shorter outputs.
  You always want to moderate your meta title to below 60-characters, and your meta description to around 150-characters.

• Formatting: Different models handle formatting differently. Choose a model that provides a consistent and usable format, or be prepared to be more specific, in your prompting, so that you can get better outputs.

• Be critical:
  The easiest way to break things down is to scrap the less viable outputs. So, it helps to go through everything, and cross-out the ones you know, for sure, are not going to be ideal.

See the article result, from the video, here:

Get more from Ivan David Lippens in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

This guide was generated from my 2023 video transcript.
This version has been recut, for silence, making it faster, and the steps, below, may help you to learn this process.

What is an SEO Link Drop or Insertion?

A link drop or link insertion involves strategically placing your link on existing, high-ranking pages of established websites. The "parasite" aspect refers to leveraging the authority and traffic of those pages to boost your own website or offer. It's a win-win: the website owner gets some relevant content, and you gain valuable backlinks and exposure to a targeted audience.

Why Use Data Pivot Tables for Link Drops?

Instead of blindly reaching out to site owners, this method empowers you to identify pages with significant search volume and relevant content opportunities. By using data pivot tables, you can quickly analyze a site's ranking keywords and pinpoint the most promising targets for link drops. This allows you to:

• Identify High-Traffic Pages: Target pages that are already attracting a significant number of visitors.

• Assess Relevance: Ensure your link aligns with the existing content for a natural and valuable user experience.

• Optimize for Conversion: Choose pages where your link can effectively drive conversions, whether it's sales, sign-ups, or brand awareness.
  (as close to the top of the page, as possible, usually)

The Step-by-Step Guide to Data-Driven Link Drops

Here's a breakdown of the method, from data gathering to opportunity identification:

Step 1: Choose Your SEO Ranking Tool

You'll need a tool that can reveal the ranking keywords for a given website. Some good options include:

• SE Ranking: Offers comprehensive ranking data, often showing a larger number of keywords than other tools. This is my preferred tool.
  Using this link supports my content efforts. (thanks)

• SpyFu: Known for its SERP data and a relatively affordable option, but also a much smaller data pool. Not ideal for this use-case, but cheap.

• SEO PowerSuite Rank Tracker: A viable option, though it typically shows fewer keywords than SE Ranking or SpyFu. I don’t prefer to support this company, due to the costs, and the out-of-date user experience.

• Alternatives: Moz Open Site Explorer and SEMrush can also be used, but their free or trial versions may have limited data. Ahrefs may have a cheaper plan, now, too, which might be viable, but for the cost, you might-as-well go with SE Ranking, if you’re gonna spend the money.

• Open PageRank (not covered in video): The truly FREE option.
  Anything above a score of four has a certain value, but the higher the better. This is doesn’t show keywords ranking, just domain metrics.
  It’s also the better bulk authority option, ironically, but just remember that it will NOT show you individual page rankings, only domain level.

• DomDetailer: These guys are basically arbitrating API credits from Moz and Majestic, which show certain metrics, but not keyword rankings.

Step 2: Filter for Top-Ranking Keywords

In your chosen tool, filter the ranking keywords, of a domain, to display only those ranking in positions 1-10 (the first page of Google search results). This ensures you're focusing on pages with significant visibility.
If you are just looking at domain level metrics, it’s important to look at things mid-range, or higher, in terms of value, and if you have eyes on more actionable datapoints, cross-reference those values.
Authority values, like Moz DA, for example, can be falsified by spam links.

Step 3: Export the Data to CSV

Export the filtered ranking data to a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file. This will allow you to work with the data in a spreadsheet program like Excel or Google Sheets.

Step 4: Prepare the Data in Your Spreadsheet

1. Open the CSV file in your spreadsheet program. (Excel)

2. Move the "URL" column to the end of the sheet (optional, but can help with organization).

3. Identify and select the "URL" and "Search Volume" columns.

Step 5: Create a Data Pivot Table

1. With the "URL" and "Search Volume" columns selected, go to "Insert" and choose "PivotTable."

2. Create the pivot table in a new worksheet.

Step 6: Configure the Pivot Table Fields

1. Drag the "URL" field to the "Rows" section. This will list each unique URL from the data set.

2. Drag the "Search Volume" field to the "Values" section. This will sum the search volume for all keywords associated with each URL.

3. Drag the "URL" field a second time to the "Values" section. This will count the number of times each URL appears in the ranking data, giving you an idea of how many different keywords it ranks for.

Step 7: Extract and Clean the Pivot Table Data

1. Select all the data in the pivot table (excluding the grand total row, as it can cause errors).

2. Copy the selected data (Ctrl+C).

3. Paste the data into a new worksheet. This detaches the data from the pivot table and allows you to apply your own filters.

Step 8: Format and Filter the Data

1. Select the entire sheet and apply filters (usually found under the "Data" or "Home" tab).

2. Freeze the top row for easier scrolling.

3. Adjust column widths for better readability.

Step 9: Sort by Search Volume

Sort the data by the "Search Volume" column, from largest to smallest. This will bring the URLs with the highest collective search volume to the top.

Step 10: Analyze and Identify Opportunities

Now, carefully examine the URLs at the top of the list. Consider factors like:

• Relevance: Does the page's content align with your website or offer?

• Outbound Links: How many outbound links are already on the page? A page with few outbound links is a better target.

• Potential for Conversion: Can you craft a link that will naturally drive conversions from the page's existing traffic?

Beyond Link Juice: The Conversion Advantage

While backlinks are valuable, the true power of this method lies in the potential for driving targeted traffic and conversions. By placing your link on a relevant, high-traffic page, you can expose your brand to a ready-made audience.

Maximizing Conversion Potential

Consider ways to make your link even more impactful:

• Video Embeds: Ask if you can embed a relevant video on the page.

• X-Post Embeds: Embed a relevant tweet to add social proof and engagement.

• Strategic Anchor Text: Use anchor text that is both relevant to the page and optimized for conversions.

Caveats and Considerations

• Site Owner Approval: Not all site owners will be open to link drops or insertions. Be prepared to offer value in exchange for the placement.

• Overpricing: Link drops and niche edits are often overpriced, especially from vendors, so don’t move-forward unless it’s top tier.

• Foreign Sites: While foreign sites may not always be ideal for client projects, they can be valuable for private projects seeking exposure to impressions, and they still provide authority to link profiles.

Conclusion

This data-driven method transforms the often-random process of link building into a strategic and targeted endeavor. By using data pivot tables to identify high-potential link drop opportunities, you can maximize both the SEO and conversion benefits of your efforts. I use methods, like this, all the time, and have pulled some extraordinary placements, so I highly recommend this approach. Next, take-a-look at my media kits scraping guide, which shows you how to find opportunities, like these.

Get more from Ivan David Lippens in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

Why Does This Happen?

Sometimes, the Windows Explorer process (explorer.exe), which handles the graphical user interface (UI) elements like the taskbar and Start Menu, can freeze or crash. When this happens, it might seem like your entire system is malfunctioning, but your underlying processes are likely still running.

The Quick Fix: Restoring Explorer.exe

This method allows you to restart the explorer.exe process, bringing back your taskbar and Start Menu without interrupting your other applications.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Press CTRL + ALT + DELETE: This will bring up the Windows security options screen.

2. Open Task Manager: Select "Task Manager" from the options.

3. File > Run New Task: In the upper-left corner of Task Manager, click "File," then select "Run new task."

4. Enter "explorer.exe": Type explorer.exe in the "Open" field.

5. Important: Check "Create this task with administrative privileges": This is crucial for the process to work correctly. Ensure the box next to "Create this task with administrative privileges" is checked.

6. Click "OK": Your taskbar and Start Menu should reappear almost instantly.

What Just Happened?

By running explorer.exe with administrative privileges, you're essentially restarting the Windows Explorer process. This restores the UI elements without impacting the applications and processes already running in the background. It's a much faster and more efficient solution than rebooting your entire computer.

Troubleshooting

• If the Taskbar Doesn't Reappear: Double-check that you selected the "Create this task with administrative privileges" box. This is a common mistake.

• Explorer.exe Crashes Frequently: If you're experiencing frequent explorer.exe crashes, you may need to investigate the underlying cause. This could be due to corrupted system files, conflicting software, or outdated drivers.

Conclusion

Don't let a crashed Windows Explorer ruin your workflow. This simple trick can save you time and frustration by quickly restoring your taskbar and Start Menu. Remember these steps, and you'll be back to work in no time!

Get more from Ivan David Lippens in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

What This Script Does

This Python script provides a user-friendly desktop interface for creating images with DALL-E 3. Here's a breakdown of its features:

• Image Size Options: Choose from horizontal, vertical, or square images.

• Quality Selection: Generate standard or HD quality images.

• Quantity Control: Specify the number of images you want to generate (up to a custom value).

• API Key Storage: Securely stores your OpenAi API key so you don't have to enter it every time.

• Progress Tracking: A progress bar indicates how far along the image generation process is.

• Image Preview: Preview generated images within the UI.

• Low Resource Usage: The script is designed to be lightweight, using minimal CPU and memory.

• Error handling: The script saves the API to a text file to reference it for each use.

Why Use a Desktop Script?

• Bypass Throttling: Avoid the frustrating limitations and wait times of web-based UIs.

• Batch Generation: Easily generate multiple images at once, streamlining your workflow.

• Convenience: Run image generation tasks in the background while you focus on other things.

Example: Interpreting the Prompt

Using a script like this pairs nicely with using Chat GPT to interpret the prompt. To do this, you can simply use the web UI for Chat GPT, paste an image into the window, and ask it to describe the image with as much detail as possible. Then you can use that detailed response for the script, and start generating images!

Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up the Script

Follow these steps to get the script up and running on your system:

Prerequisites

• An OpenAi API key. You'll need to create an account and obtain an API key from OpenAi.

• A computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux.

• A text editor (Notepad++, VS Code, etc.).

Step 1: Install Python

1. Download the latest version of Python from python.org.

2. Run the installer.

3. Important: Make sure to check the box that says "Add Python to PATH" during installation.

4. Optional: Enable admin privileges

Step 2: Install Required Python Packages

1. Open a command prompt or terminal.

2. Run the following command to install the necessary packages:
   pip install requests pillow openai
   If this command fails, try running python -m pip install requests pillow openai instead.

3. If you get an error, you may have to upgrade the pip installation with the command that pops up in the window.

Step 3: Download and Prepare the Script

1. Copy the script code from the Pastebin file linked, here.

2. Create a new text file using your text editor.

3. Paste the code into the text file.

4. Save the file as dalle_desktop_ui.py (or any name you prefer, but make sure the extension is .py).

5. Create a new folder for your images: image_output.

Step 4: Run the Script

1. Open a command prompt or terminal.

2. Navigate to the directory where you saved the script.

3. Run the script by typing python dalle_desktop_ui.py and pressing Enter.

4. You can also add the code to a text file on your desktop, and change the file extension from .txt to .py, and run it from there, like a shortcut, as it will render a user interface for you, to operate within.

Step 5: Configure the Script

1. When the script runs, you'll be prompted to enter your OpenAi API key.

2. Paste your API key into the designated field and click "Save API Key."

3. Select the output folder where you want to save your generated images.

Step 6: Generate Images

1. Enter your desired prompt in the prompt field.

2. Adjust the image size, quality, and quantity settings.

3. Click "Generate."

4. Track the progress of the image generation using the progress bar.

5. Preview the generated images in the UI or open the output folder to view them.

Modifying the Script

If you're comfortable with Python, you can customize the script to suit your specific needs. However, be aware that ChatGPT (specifically versions 3.0 and 3.5) may struggle to interpret and modify the entire codebase effectively. ChatGPT 4.0 has better functionality.
Also, you are welcome to paste the script into an LLM, and ask it if it’s safe. I didn’t put anything weird in there, and the code was fully developed by GPT, at the time, and should not require any updates. As long as they don’t deprecate the API functions, it should technically work forever.

Tips for Modification

• The most effective way to modify this script is to modularize it into chunks to get it to do what you want. That’s the next step, for improving it, that I didn’t elect to mess with, at the time.

Conclusion

This desktop UI Python script offers a convenient and efficient way to generate AI images with DALL-E 3. I hope you find it useful.
Thanks for reading, don’t forget to subscribe, and if you’d like to see some of my use-cases, for this script, checkout my ministry project: KJV Cards.

Get more from Ivan David Lippens in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

Using Stock Media to Create motion Graphics

I recently discovered how to get these effects by using simple stock media from sites like Pixabay. Look for stock videos with black backgrounds and single solid-color objects. Think simple video effects footage, such as oozes and drips. I was able to get a cool effect that way that I will show you how to replicate.

The Power of Blend Modes and Colorization

I've been using the screen feature for a while now. I've learned that blend modes are your best friend. By using screen, darken, and luminosity, you can blend the black background and colorize the elements to get the look you want. I'll show you how to use the colorize effect to change colors and match your branding.

Giving Your Graphics a Glowing Effect

Here's where the magic happens! I'm going to show you how to add a glow effect to your stock video. It's surprisingly easy and can create stunning results. I've learned that the luminosity blending mode is extremely powerful for getting your oozes to glow.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Glowing Motion Graphics

Here's how to get started:

1. Import Stock Footage: Find suitable stock footage with a black background and single-color elements, like white blobs or oozes.

2. Overlay the Footage: Place the stock video layer above your background image or video in your After Effects composition.

3. Apply the "Screen" Blend Mode: In the "Mode" dropdown of your stock video layer, select "Screen." This will remove the black background.

4. Add the "Colorize" Effect: Go to the "Effects & Presets" panel and search for "Colorize." Double-click the effect to add it to your stock video layer.

5. Adjust Color: In the "Colorize" effect settings, use the dropdown to select "Darken". Choose your desired color for the stock elements.

6. Add the "Glow" Effect: In the "Effects & Presets" panel, search for "Glow." Double-click the effect to add it to your stock video layer.

7. Adjust Blend Mode: In the "Mode" dropdown of your stock video layer, experiment with different blending modes. "Luminosity" often works exceptionally well for a glowing effect.

8. Tinker with Glow Settings: Adjust the "Glow Threshold," "Glow Radius," and "Glow Intensity" parameters to refine the glow effect to your liking. Experiment to find the perfect balance!

9. Experiment and Tweak: Don't be afraid to experiment with different blend modes and settings to achieve the look you desire.

Refining the Glow Effect

Once you've applied the glow effect, you can fine-tune it to achieve your desired look:

• Glow Threshold: Controls the brightness level at which the glow starts to appear.

• Glow Radius: Determines the size and spread of the glow.

• Glow Intensity: Adjusts the overall brightness and strength of the glow.

• Color A/Color B: Sometimes available, these settings allow you to define the colors used in the glow effect. This can be useful if your source video has multiple colors.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can easily transform simple stock footage into captivating motion graphics with a professional glow effect. This technique is a great way to add visual interest to your videos and create stunning results in just a few minutes. Get creative and experiment with different settings to unlock the full potential of this technique!

Get more from Ivan David Lippens in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

Leveraging Free Stock Footage for Unique Effects

One of the first things I learned when I started experimenting with video editing software, like Adobe After Effects, was the immense value of free stock footage. Instead of trying to create particle effects and other complex animations from scratch, you can often find pre-made clips that can be used as overlays to add incredible effects to your videos. Many free stock media sites like Pixabay are great resources for this.

The key is to find video footage with a solid black background and white (or other strong contrasting) objects. This is ideal because of the way video editing software blending modes work.

How to Use Blending Modes

In my example, I'm going to use footage of abstract blobs (like slime or ooze) and apply it to another video clip I have of honey dripping over a gold surface. The “oozy” effect is what I was looking for, and this process will allow me to achieve that.

1. Import Your Base Video and Overlay Video: Begin by importing your primary video clip and the free stock footage you intend to use for the effect.

2. Apply the "Screen" Blending Mode: Most video editing software offers blend modes, which can often be found in a drop-down menu in each video layer. When you apply the “screen” blend mode to your overlay video, the black background will effectively become transparent. This mode is perfect for blending black backgrounds onto a primary clip.

3. Adjust Size and Positioning: Once you have the background transparent, you can resize and position the video as needed. It is even possible to make the video clip a small localized effect within your primary video clip, but in this example, I want to make sure that the effect encompasses the entire screen.

4. Apply Colorization: After the black background is removed, you will often be left with the white objects of the overlay video, and that's a perfect blank canvas for colorization. Most video software will also have color effects. You can then select your preferred effect and add it to the overlay video, and then you can manipulate parameters within the color effect to change to your desired color palette. Experiment with colorization parameters like “multiply”, “hard light”, “darken”, or “luminosity” which will color the white objects in the video. I found that “darken” works the best.

5. Adjust Opacity: The last step is to adjust the opacity of the layers to get your desired level of overlay and effect. I found that setting the video to 70% opacity and the effect to 100% worked best in my example.

6. Combine Blending Modes for Magic: The really great thing about blending modes is that you can apply them to the base video and the effect separately for enhanced control.

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Video Effects with Blending Modes

Here's a quick breakdown of the steps to achieve this effect:

1. Import: Add your base video and stock video footage into your editing program.

2. Apply "Screen" Mode: Select the stock video and change the blend mode to "Screen".

3. Adjust Size and Position: Resize the overlay to cover the required area of the base video.

4. Colorize: Add a colorization effect to the overlay.

5. Experiment with Blend Modes: Fine-tune the color effect and try different color blending modes.

6. Adjust Opacity: Change the opacity of the video layers for your desired intensity.

Unleash Your Creativity

This approach is a quick and effective way to create dynamic effects for motion graphics and other video projects without complex editing methods. The combination of free stock footage, blend modes, and colorization effects opens up a world of creative possibilities. This screen mode and colorizing effect trick allows you to create visually stunning motion graphics.
Thanks for watching! Subscribe for more video editing tips and tricks!

Get more from Ivan David Lippens in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

Understanding the Problem: Default vs. Custom Resolution

When I upgraded to a 4K webcam, I assumed it would automatically work in 4K. However, I noticed the image quality was fuzzy, and upon checking the settings within OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), I discovered that the webcam was defaulting to a much lower resolution. In OBS, this setting is found under "Video Capture Device," and you will likely see "Device Default" under the resolution options. This default setting often results in a resolution closer to 480p, leading to a significantly degraded image quality when enlarged.

How to Set Custom Resolution

To fix this, you need to manually set a custom resolution:

1. Access Webcam Settings: In your video conferencing or recording software, locate the settings for your webcam. In OBS, this is done by right-clicking the "Video Capture Device" and selecting "Properties."

2. Change to Custom Resolution: In the settings, find the option for "Resolution/FPS Type" and change it from "Device Default" to "Custom."

3. Select Desired Resolution: Once set to "Custom," you'll be able to select your desired resolution from a dropdown menu. Common options include:

   • 640x480: A standard definition resolution.

   • 1280x720 (720p): The standard for most online videos, offering a good balance between quality and file size.

   • 1920x1080 (1080p): High definition (HD), a common standard for higher quality videos.

   • 2560x1440 (1440p or 2K): Quad HD, providing excellent detail and clarity. My personal choice.

   • 3840x2160 (2160p or 4K): Ultra HD, offering the highest resolution but resulting in larger file sizes and requiring more bandwidth.

The Importance of USB 3.0

If you find that your webcam is capping out at 1080p, the issue likely lies with the USB port you're using. 4K resolution requires a USB 3.0 connection. Older USB 2.0 ports do not have the bandwidth to support 4K video.

To check your USB connection type on Windows:

1. Go to "Settings."

2. Select "Bluetooth & other devices."

3. Locate your webcam. It should indicate whether it's connected to a USB 3.0 or 2.0 port.

If it says 2.0, you will need to find a USB 3.0 port on your computer. You can identify USB 3.0 ports by their blue color, a "SS" (SuperSpeed) marking next to them, or you can refer to your motherboard's specifications to determine which ports are USB 3.0. For me, I looked up my specific motherboard online to see which slots were 3.0 and which were 3.0 generation one or two, so I could use the fastest option. Try different ports until your system detects the webcam as connected to USB 3.0.

Choosing the Right Resolution

Once you have access to higher resolutions, it's important to consider the trade-offs. While 4K offers the best image quality, it comes with significantly larger file sizes and increased bandwidth requirements. For many users, 2K (2560x1440) provides an excellent balance between quality and practicality.

Personally, though, I usually don’t export above HD 1080p, because, beyond that, it’s useless on mobile, and the file sizes go up drastically, after that point, which translates to ever-increasing storage costs, over time, as well as unnecessary video rendering delays.
I would only render something with really high resolution, if it was especially exceptional, and worthy of the trouble.

Final Adjustments in OBS

If you're using OBS and want to ensure your 4K video fills the screen:

1. Right-click on the "Video Capture Device."

2. Select "Transform."

3. Choose "Fit to screen."

Keep in mind that 4K resolution may not perfectly match your monitor's aspect ratio, potentially resulting in small black bars around the edges.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can unlock the full potential of your 4K webcam and enjoy crisp, high-resolution video. Remember to consider the trade-offs between resolution, file size, and bandwidth when choosing the best setting for your needs. I found that 2k is the best option for me, but your needs may be different.

Get more from Ivan David Lippens in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

If you want to bypass all this trouble, and have me do some locational niche scraping for you, with my infrastructure, contact me, here:

Contact Ivan

Why Automate List Scraping with ScrapeBox?

ScrapeBox is a powerful tool for harvesting data from the web, and its Automator plugin allows you to chain together a series of actions to create automated workflows. By automating your list scraping process, you can:

• Save Time: Automate repetitive tasks like harvesting URLs, checking for live links, and guessing contact pages.

• Increase Efficiency: Run multiple scrapes simultaneously on different servers.

• Scale Your Efforts: Easily expand your B2B List pool, by adding more keywords and locations.

• Maintain Organization: Keep all your files and processes organized within a single folder.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

• ScrapeBox: The core software for web scraping.

• Automator Plugin: A premium ScrapeBox plugin for creating automated workflows.

• Proxies: Essential for avoiding IP blocks during large scrapes.
  Your use of my recommended proxy links will support new content.
  My recommended services: IPv6 Residential and datacenter proxies

• Keyword and Location Lists: Lists of keywords and locations relevant to your target audience.

• A Batch File for Space Removal: (Optional but recommended) To improve the accuracy of contact page guesses.

Steps to Setting Up the ScrapeBox Automator Process

The process involves setting up a folder with the necessary files and then configuring the Automator to run the steps in sequence. Here's a breakdown:

1. Create a Dedicated Folder

• Create a new folder on your desktop or in a preferred location.

• Name it descriptively (e.g., "Ivan's ScrapeBox B2B Lead Automator").

• This folder will house all the necessary files and subfolders.

2. Organize Subfolders and Files

Inside your main folder, create the following subfolders:

• Resources:

  • Top 5000 US Cities.txt (or your preferred location list)

  • Niches.txt (your list of target industries or niches)

  • Phone Number Rejects.txt (patterns to filter out unwanted numbers)

  • Permutations Term Blacklist.txt (terms to exclude from URLs, e.g., .gov, .edu, wiki)

  • E-commerce Footprints.txt (if targeting e-commerce)

  • 1300 Local Business Keywords.txt (if targeting Local Businesses)

  • Canadian Cities.txt (if targeting Canadian Businesses)

  • Netherlands Cities.txt (if targeting Businesses in the Netherlands)

  • Australian Cities.txt (if targeting Australian Businesses)

• Proxies:

  • URL Proxies.txt (residential proxies for URL harvesting)

  • Data Center Proxies.txt (data center proxies for other tasks)

  • Mobile Proxies.txt (if using mobile proxies)

• Permutations:

  • Niche Terms.txt (a copy of your niches list)

  • Contact Keyword Export.txt (permutations of contact page guesses)

  • Keyword Export.txt (permutations of keywords and locations)

  • Contact Pages.txt (common contact page slugs, e.g., /contact, /about-us)

  • Updated-Contact Keyword Export.txt (output file after removing spaces)

  • RemoveSpaces.bat (your batch file for removing spaces)

• Tier 1:

  • Tier 1 URL.txt (initial harvested URLs)

  • Tier 1 URL Alive.txt (results of the alive check)

  • Tier 1 URL Root.txt (trimmed to root domains)

  • Tier 1 URL Contact Pages Alive.txt (results of contact page guesses)

  • Tier 1 URL and Root and Contact Pages Alive.txt (final combined URL list)

3. Create Shortcuts

Create shortcuts on your desktop to the following files for easy access:

• Permutations/Niche Terms.txt

• Tier 1/Tier 1 URL and Root and Contact Pages Alive.txt

• Permutations/Permutations Term Blacklist.txt

• Resources/Temp.txt (for custom location lists)

4. Configure the Automator File

• Open ScrapeBox and go to the Automator plugin.

• Load the provided Automator file (or create a new one).

• Use the %desktop% placeholder to dynamically reference your folder path.

Here's a breakdown of the Automator steps and how to configure them:

1. Load Proxies:

   • Select "Load from file" and navigate to Proxies/URL Proxies.txt.

   • Replace the desktop path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Proxies/URL Proxies.txt.

2. Import Keyword List:

   • Select "Import from file" and navigate to Resources/Top 5000 US Cities.txt (or your chosen city list).

   • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Resources/Top 5000 US Cities.txt.

3. Merge Keywords:

   • Select "Merge keywords" and navigate to Permutations/Niche Terms.txt.

   • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Permutations/Niche Terms.txt.

4. Export Keyword List:

   • Select "Export to file" and navigate to Permutations/Keyword Export.txt.

   • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Permutations/Keyword Export.txt.

   • Change the number of results (e.g., 30) to control the depth of the scrape.

5. Harvest URLs:

   • Select "Start harvester" and choose your preferred search engines (e.g., Yahoo).

   • Load the keyword list from Permutations/Keyword Export.txt.

   • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Permutations/Keyword Export.txt.

6. Remove Duplicate URLs:

   • Select "Remove/Filter" -> "Remove duplicate URLs".

7. Remove URLs with Extensions:

   • Select "Remove/Filter" -> "Remove URLs containing entries from list".

8. Export URLs:

   • Select "Export URL list" -> "Export as text file" and save to Tier 1/Tier 1 URL.txt.

   • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Tier 1/Tier 1 URL.txt.

9. Load Data Center Proxies:

   • Select "Load from file" and navigate to Proxies/Data Center Proxies.txt.

   • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Proxies/Data Center Proxies.txt.

10. Check Alive (Tier 1 URLs):

    • Select "Check alive" and import the URLs from Tier 1/Tier 1 URL.txt.

    • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Tier 1/Tier 1 URL.txt.

11. Export Alive URLs:

    • Select "Export URL list" -> "Export alive URLs" and save to Tier 1/Tier 1 URL Alive.txt.

    • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Tier 1/Tier 1 URL Alive.txt.

12. Trim to Root:

    • Select "Trim to root".

13. Remove Duplicate URLs (Root):

    • Select "Remove/Filter" -> "Remove duplicate URLs".

14. Export Root URLs:

    • Select "Export URL list" -> "Export as text file" and save to Tier 1/Tier 1 URL Root.txt.

    • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Tier 1/Tier 1 URL Root.txt.

15. Merge Contact Page Guesses:

    • Select "Merge keywords" and load from Permutations/Contact Pages.txt.

    • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Permutations/Contact Pages.txt.

    • Select "Merge with" and load from Tier 1/Tier 1 URL Root.txt.

    • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Tier 1/Tier 1 URL Root.txt.

16. Export Contact Page Guesses:

    • Select "Export keyword list" -> "Export to file" and save to Permutations/Contact Keyword Export.txt.

    • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Permutations/Contact Keyword Export.txt.

17. Execute External Program (Remove Spaces):

    • Select "Execute external program" and choose your Permutations/RemoveSpaces.bat batch file.

    • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Permutations/RemoveSpaces.bat.

    • Set "Wait for program to exit" to "Yes".

    • Set "Wait after execution" to "5" seconds.

    • Space Remover - UTF-8 and ANSI

    • Space Remover - UTF-16 LE BOM (Unicode)

    • C++ EXE for Removing Spaces Line by Line

18. Check Alive (Contact Pages):

    • Select "Check alive" and load from Permutations/Updated-Contact Keyword Export.txt.

    • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Permutations/Updated-Contact Keyword Export.txt.

19. Export Alive Contact Pages:

    • Select "Export URL list" -> "Export alive URLs" and save to Tier 1/Tier 1 URL Contact Pages Alive.txt.

    • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Tier 1/Tier 1 URL Contact Pages Alive.txt.

20. Combine URLs:

    • Select "Clear harvester grid".

    • Select "Import URL list" -> "Import and add URLs into harvester" and load from Tier 1/Tier 1 URL Alive.txt.

    • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Tier 1/Tier 1 URL Alive.txt.

    • Repeat "Import and add URLs into harvester" for Tier 1/Tier 1 URL Root.txt and Tier 1/Tier 1 URL Contact Pages Alive.txt, replacing the paths accordingly.

21. Remove Duplicate URLs (Combined):

    • Select "Remove/Filter" -> "Remove duplicate URLs".

22. Export Final URL List:

    • Select "Export URL list" -> "Export as text file" and save to Tier 1/Tier 1 URL and Root and Contact Pages Alive.txt.

    • Replace the path with %desktop%/YourFolderName/Tier 1/Tier 1 URL and Root and Contact Pages Alive.txt.

23. Save the Automator File:

    • Save the configured Automator file within your main folder.

5. Running the Automator Process

1. Add Keywords: Add your keywords to the Permutations/Niche Terms.txt file.

2. Run the Automator: Open ScrapeBox, go to the Automator, load your saved file, and click "Run".

Tips and Considerations

• Testing: Run small test scrapes with a few keywords and locations to ensure everything is working correctly.

• Customization: Adjust the depth of the scrape, city lists, and other parameters based on your needs.

• Error Handling: Be prepared to troubleshoot issues like stuck threads or incorrect file paths.

Potential Enhancements

• Email Notifications: Add a step to the Automator to send email notifications upon completion or for specific events.

• Keyword Filtering: Incorporate keyword filtering to refine your results.

• Deeper Scrapes: Experiment with deeper scrapes and alternative methods like trimming to root for potentially higher yields.

• Metadata Scraping: Consider scraping metadata before email scraping for better filtering options.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can create a powerful and efficient ScrapeBox Automator process for B2B Email List collection. This method allows you to streamline your workflow, save time, and scale your lead generation efforts. Remember to customize the process to fit your specific needs and adhere to your relevant laws, regarding web scraping.

Again, if you want to bypass all this trouble, and have me do some scraping for you, with my infrastructure, contact me, here:

Contact Ivan

Get more from Ivan David Lippens in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app