What You Need… and What You Don’t
Great news: you don’t need a studio full of expensive gear to create impactful videos. Often keeping it simple is our best option. The less technical things we need to worry about the more we can focus on creating compelling content.
According to HubSpot; Short-form video delivers the highest ROI compared to other marketing trends, and will secure more investment in 2024 than any other format.
Let’s dive into the basics of what we need to create our video content!
Video / Camera
Your smartphone is your secret weapon. Whether it’s an iPhone 15 or an older model these devices are more than capable of producing high-quality content. Right now, smartphone videos are dominating social media feeds, both organically and in paid ads.
When creating long-form content, like YouTube videos, stick to horizontal orientation (16:9). But for platforms like LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram Reels, vertical videos are king. If you shoot horizontally, you can repurpose content for vertical formats, but starting with vertical makes switching to horizontal later a hassle—and often, a quality loss. Plan your shoots with this in mind.
Shooting in 4K horizontally gives you the flexibility to crop for multiple formats, though you’ll be dealing with larger file sizes. While you can use a traditional camera, it’s not necessary. A good quality webcam can also capture excellent footage for virtual meetings. If you have a second camera or phone, consider setting it up with an alternate mic for additional angles and audio options.
Audio / Mic
Audio quality can make or break your video. While your smartphone’s built-in mic can do the job, dedicated mics like Comica, Movo, or Rode will take your audio to the next level. For mobility, wireless mics from Comica and Movo are excellent choices, especially when you’re on the move.
Ensure your mic is compatible with your phone or camera. Wireless mics offer the added benefits of freedom and range, allowing you to move naturally while recording.
Lighting
Lighting is crucial, especially for indoor shoots. Aim for three core lights: a ring light for direct illumination and two side lights for balance. Adjustable lights in brightness and tone help create the perfect mood.
A strong front light is essential. If you have access to great natural light from a window, that might suffice, but keep in mind that natural light can be inconsistent depending on time and weather. A simple ring light often does the trick, but consider one with brightness control for added flexibility.
Tripod
A tripod is a must-have, often overlooked but vital for stable footage. Whether you’re shooting solo or have help, a tripod ensures your shots stay steady. You may need one for your phone and another for your camera. If your mic isn’t wireless, you might need a stand for that as well.
Recording Setup
Set the stage for effortless recording. Create a space where you can hit a few buttons and be ready to roll. This might be your office, a conference room, or any quiet space where you can control the environment.
Ensure minimal disruptions—both for you and others around you. Your lights and recording setup could disturb others, so choose your location wisely.
A good backdrop with some distance from you is ideal. It could feature your logo, artwork, trees, or even patterned wallpaper. Keep it simple and on-brand. Personal touches, like a guitar for a musician or collectibles that reflect your hobbies, can add value, but avoid clutter. Small items may not translate well on camera.
This space can double as your video meeting setup, giving you a consistent and professional look for both recordings and virtual calls.
Most importantly, keep it simple. Start with the basics and get creating.
Scripts
Being well-prepared with scripts or key points is crucial for a successful social content video shoot. Your familiarity with the content and comfort on camera will dictate how much prompting you need. If you’re a natural speaker, a few bullet points might be enough to guide you.
However, for most, scripting as much as possible is recommended. A well-structured script keeps you on message and streamlines the editing process, saving time and effort in post-production.
Detailed scripts or key points help you deliver your core message with clarity and confidence, crucial for engaging your audience. They minimize the risk of going off-topic, forgetting important details, or rambling, which can dilute the impact of your content.
Prompting
A teleprompter displays your script or key points, allowing you to read while looking directly at the camera, giving the impression of a natural, unscripted delivery. Traditionally used in news broadcasts, teleprompters are now essential tools for social media influencers, educators, and marketers. They allow you to deliver your message smoothly and confidently without needing to memorize every detail, ensuring consistency and professionalism.
Modern teleprompting options are affordable and accessible. Your screen, tablet, or even smartphone can serve as a teleprompter. For example, an iPad with a teleprompter app is a portable, user-friendly tool for video shoots. Apps like CapCut, which we love, offer built-in teleprompting features perfect for creating polished social media content. These tools allow you to adjust the text’s speed, size, and positioning, making it easy to read while maintaining eye contact with the camera.
If you use a teleprompter, remember to add personality and inflection. No one wants to listen to a monotone robot. Keep some room for spontaneity and let your personality shine through.
Recording
Now that your stage is set, your script is ready, and you’re looking sharp, it’s time to record!
Get comfortable and practice your script out loud a few times. Start with a short piece to build confidence and do a test recording. Don’t stress about perfection—if you mess up, just restart from the beginning of that thought. We like to laugh at ourselves when we mess up; it helps create more authentic, engaging content.
After a couple of warm-up takes, check your audio and video to ensure they look and sound good. There’s nothing worse than realizing you recorded unusable footage. If all is good, take a sip of water, shake off any nerves, and hit record.
Try to limit breaks in your speech, but don’t stress if you need to start and stop. Just leave a small pause between takes, and don’t forget to laugh at yourself!
ROI - Maximize Every Video
The beauty of video content is its versatility. One video can be repurposed into a blog post, newsletter, LinkedIn post, TikTok, and more. Repurposing maximizes your reach and ensures you’re squeezing every bit of value from your content.
Patience is key in content creation. Focus on qualitative feedback in the early stages and concentrate on building your skills. Remember, every video is a step towards improvement.
To further maximize your video efforts, strategically place videos at every stage of your customer’s buying journey, creating content tailored to them—not just for you.
And remember, always prioritize your audience!
Next up: Editing!
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