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With the rise of video platfoforms such as Tik Tok, and video features like Instagram Reels, it is crucial to include video marketing in your business growth strategy. Videos are everywhere now, they come into play throughout the entire buyer’s journey; from gaining new leads to landing customers.
The good news is you don’t need a ton of fancy equipment to improve your video marketing services! Smartphones now have the ability to record HD videos, which can work just as well as an expensive DSLR camera. That being said, here are three tips to help you spice up your video marketing services!
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There are simple yet impactful video technicalities that can really beef up your video marketing services. These technicalities only take some minor prep work and consideration while filming, and they result in excellent video content. In order to achieve your desired image and sound, there are some areas which you should focus on:
Nobody wants to watch a video that is dark and grainy, so when it comes to lighting your video, bright and natural lighting is key! If you don’t have a ton of money to spend on various lights, we suggest you find a well-lit window to film in front of. Natural lighting is your friend! The sunlight works perfectly for that soft, natural glow. Bonus points if you can find a window to film in front of during golden hour, when the warm sun is about an hour before setting!
When using natural lighting, it is important that you are facing the window rather than filming with your back against it. Sitting with your back to the light source will overexpose the video. If you have the money and you would like to purchase lights for your office, a basic ring light and/or soft box light will do the trick. We’ve listed a few options below!
During camera setup and before filming, be sure to check for any distractions or unwanted objects in the background.
When preparing your background, a clean, modern, or minimalistic look is best. You don’t want a background that is too cluttered, nor too plain. The appearance of the subject should contrast the background.
For example, if you are filming in front of a white wall, you wouldn’t want to wear a white or light-colored shirt because it will blend in with the background. If the wall is white, wearing a bold colored shirt will make the subject pop.
Proper preparation like this allows for you to get the shot the first time around! Nobody enjoys getting film, reviewing it, then realizing you need to shoot again due to distractions or issues with the background!
Framing can be a bit tricky, but once you get it down, it’s super easy and helpful for your video marketing services.
What is Framing? Video framing is the arrangement of visual elements within a shot, determining what is visible and how it is composed. It involves considerations like shot size, composition, angle, and balance to guide the viewer's focus and convey the story effectively.
For long form video platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, you will want your videos to be horizontal and not vertical. Vertical videos are better suited for short form video platforms such as TikTok or Instagram Reels.
There are two ways to position yourself within a video frame. The most popular framing style is a centered position in the middle of the frame with about an inch or two of headroom in between the top of the frame and the top of your head.
The other way is to position yourself a third in from the frame on either the right or left side, with your body angled a little bit towards the center of the frame. This method is called the rule of thirds. Again, be sure to leave ample headroom.
Clear, quality audio is the cherry-on-top to your video. Again, if you don’t have the money to buy an expensive microphone, don’t fret. All you really need is a small, quiet room with minimal echo.
If you’re recording on a DSLR camera, the audio is usually adequate. However, if you would like to take the audio quality up a notch without buying expensive microphones, pull out your smartphone and start recording on the voice memos app! You can sync the voice memo with the camera recording during the editing process. Most of the latest smartphones have great audio quality, so if you’re recording on your smartphone to begin with, just use the built-in microphone.
Authenticity is key for your videos. What is authenticity you ask? It is the quality of being genuine, true to one's character, and real in expression or action.
Overly produced and scripted videos often come across as disingenuous, and the rise of video marketing with social media culture has shown value for more genuine, authentic, and transparent content. Forcing tone and messaging that does not align with you and your brand will come acoss as insincere. That being said, it is best to be yourself and stick with your brand personality!
When filming, align your words with your values. Be conversational in your videos and most importantly, speak from your heart. If you need to, follow along to a very loose script or have some bullet points on hand. If possible, avoid reading directly from a script, as this can come across as monotonous and flat.
With video marketing services, it all comes down to editing—that's when your final vision takes shape. You'll want to pay attention to these key areas:
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Editing SoftwareWhen starting out, you don’t need extravagant editing software to edit your videos. There are many free programs and apps available to use, one example being iMovie (available on Apple iOS and Mac OS devices). Again, if you have the money and want to invest in an intermediate or professional editing software; Adobe Premiere Pro is probably the most common video editing software for aspiring professional video editors.
For most social media videos, fast-paced editing is the way to go. When editing your videos, make sure the main topic is introduced within the first ten seconds; have a catchy introduction to hook the viewers into the video.
After that, ensure the video is straightforward and gets to the point quickly so that you don’t lose the viewer. Longer-formatted videos can be more detailed.
People on social media have adapted to this fast-paced editing style that uses jump cuts, interesting, unexpected transitions, and the “Ken Burns” effect with fast zooms. This style keeps the viewers engaged because it is aesthetically interesting and dynamic.
During production of the video, remember to leave room for edits as you’re filming. Some examples of this include:
There you have it! With these several video tips full of information, you’ll be creating your own quality videos for your brand or business in no time! Video production may seem a little daunting at first if you’ve never filmed your own videos before, however practice makes perfect; don’t overthink it, and remember to be yourself and stay true to your brand values! If you are looking for assistance in revving up your video strategy, reach out to Modern Driven Media for expert video marketing services!
