With most of the country entering another week of working from home, it’s become trickier than ever to find ways to stay engaging and relevant. And, like many others, you may be looking for creative ways to continue to market your company and connect with others without leaving your house. Video is a great way to share your personality while creating engaging and shareable content.
If your home office doesn’t include a fancy studio or expensive video equipment, never fear. In today’s tech landscape, it’s never been easier to make high-quality personal videos using your computer or phone, as long as you keep some best practices in mind. We’ve rounded up a few of the most important to get you started—after all, there’s never been a better time to learn a new skill!
Why Video?
Did you know that 64% of consumers purchase after watching branded social videos? Or that 59% of executives agree that if both text and video are available on the same topic, they are more likely to choose video. The truth is, video is powerful, especially in today’s social landscape. Videos are more likely to draw user engagement on almost every platform. So, why not use that to your advantage?
Lighting is Key
Make sure there is ample lighting for your recording. The brightness from your computer monitor may leave harsh shadows on your face, so it’s best to record your videos mid-day near a window for natural lighting. Also, if recording near the window, make sure the window is in front of you – not behind. If you’re planning on doing a lot of video work, it’s probably worth the investment into a lighting kit. They can be purchased from most hardware stores for a relatively low cost and can really amp up the quality of your videos.
Don’t Touch the Zoom
Unless you have a great lens on your camera, the chances are that zooming in will leave you with a grainy, pixelated image. If you need a closer shot, move your camera physically closer.
Horizontal is Best
While it may be tempting to shoot vertical video (after all, we usually hold our phones that way), since our eyes move naturally from side to side, it’s best to shoot video horizontally. Unless, however, you’re planning on sharing that video solely on a vertical-only platform, like Instagram stories.
Check Your Sound
If you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive way to improve your production quality, look into getting an external microphone with a pop filter, which can reduce or eliminate popping sounds.
Use Your Tripod
There will inevitably be times when you’ll have to hold your camera but try to limit these as much as possible. Nobody likes a shaky video, and a tripod can help even a low-quality camera achieve a more polished look. A tripod is also a great way to get the shots you need without involving others—a must-have when you’re quarantined alone!
High Definition
When possible, upload HD videos for premium quality. Doing so will increase the upload time, but it will be worth it in the long run! For even better quality, consider shooting in 4K (or Ultra HD / UHD). The higher level of detail will mean your footage can be displayed on larger screens without getting blurry.
Utilize Framing
When shooting, divide your frame into three parts—left, middle, and right along with top, center, and bottom—then do your best to focus your subject in the center. You can also use elements in the shooting environment to complement the shot or make it more visually appealing.
Practice Makes Perfect
…or at the very least, better. Take some time to figure out how to work with your camera and then practice using basic video editing tools. There are a lot of editing software options out there, and some of them are even free. The more you practice, the faster you’ll be at producing great-quality content.
Keep it Short
We’re humans in the digital age, which means that most of us have the attention span of a gnat. The shorter and more exciting your video is, the better your chances of someone actually watching it.
Make it Visual
A survey of U.S. consumers found that “92% view videos with the sound off on mobile and 83% watch with sound off, according to a new report from Verizon Media and ad buyer Publicis Media.” Additionally, “80% of consumers are more likely to watch an entire video when captions are available.”[1] It’s in your best interest to make sure that your video is visually appealing and captioned, when possible. Another added bonus of captions? They’re a great way to make sure your content is accessible to viewers who are hearing impaired.
Go Interactive
Interactive videos allow you to quickly and easily add clickable actions to a recorded video. After you add interactions, viewers will have the ability to click to shop now, send you an email, schedule a meeting, follow you on social, or even call you directly all from within the video. Once created, you can share your tagged video directly on to Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or copy and paste the video link in an email body or text blast.
You can use interactive videos to accomplish a variety of business goals. All you have to do is upload or record a video and then add interactive tags to make your video a two-way conversation.
Want to learn more about interactive video, or how you can use video and other shareable content to grow your business? We’re here to help. Contact us today!
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