Video has fast become the most popular way of consuming content for millions of people across the world, including your clients and potential clients.
In fact, according to research, 51% of marketing professionals worldwide name video as the type of content with the best return on investment (ROI). Marketers who use video grow revenue 49% faster than non-video users, and 84% of marketers say video has helped them generate leads.
In 2020, the global streaming market grew 55% from 2019 (from 104.11 billion to 161.37 billion). So, it’s clear that video has become an essential piece of the marketing puzzle, and if you’re not creating video content for your customers and prospective customers to consume, then you could be missing out on valuable leads and sales.
How to record a simple but effective video
Our Marketing Executive, Lyndsey Hall, recently made a video explaining how you can record your own videos without the need for any expensive equipment or an elaborate set up. Here were her top takeaways:
Use your phone camera
Many phone cameras nowadays are just as good (or almost as good, sorry to any diehard camera fans!) as an expensive digital camera, so there’s no reason not to get started using just your phone’s camera.
You can use a tripod or even just balance your phone on a stack of books, unless you’re filming a really informal chat for your social media stories, in which case the handheld effect is absolutely fine, and even more accessible and human.
Before you start, make sure you’re phone is in Do Not Disturb mode, so no unexpected notifications or calls interrupt your flow. And put your phone in landscape, it’s more versatile for a variety of platforms, and much better than ending up with a video that is cropped with two black bars either side. Again, unless you’re filming specifically for social media stories, which tend to be in portrait mode.
Create the right atmosphere
Ideally, you’ll want to sit facing a source of natural light, definitely don’t sit with your back to a window or you’ll be in shadow. If you don’t have access to a window where you’re filming, you can use a ring light. They can be found on Amazon for a very reasonable price, and have the double benefit of often including a tripod for your phone.
Choose a place with a plain background or somewhere with as few distractions behind you as possible, so no crowds passing by or moving objects that will draw the eye and the viewer’s attention away from you and what you’re saying.
You also want to choose a quiet place with as little background noise as possible, so close any windows. But don’t worry about any unexpected doorbells or dogs barking, it can usually be cut out in the editing stage.
Get in position
Sit or stand a short distance away from your phone, too close and the sound could become muffled, too far away and the microphone will pick up more of the background noise. It’s best practice to do a quick test before you launch into your video proper, so record a few seconds of you talking and make sure you’re happy before you start.
Ideally, your head and shoulder will be positioned in the centre of the frame, not off to one side or too low, or chopping your head off. Some cameras have a grid function that you can bring up to ensure you’re positioned perfectly in the right spot, but if yours doesn’t just try to make sure your face is in the upper middle of the shot.
Don’t worry about mistakes
While it’s best to be prepared and have a few bullet points you want to talk about in your video, if you read from a script it can come across unnatural and stilted, which might put viewers off. You want them to stick around as long as possible, preferably until the end where you remind them of your name and company and ask them to get in touch. So, a human, natural video is always best.
Ideas for what to talk about in your video
If you need any tips on generating content ideas, have a look at our blog 52 blog topics for small business owners, any of the content ideas can be adapted for blogs, videos, email marketing, newsletters, etc. Or check out our video on Where to find ideas for your book, which features three places where you can find ideas for writing a long form book to market your business, all of which can be repurposed for short videos.
I hope you feel confident and ready to film your own videos now. We’d love to see your videos, so tag us if you share them on social media!
