Getting Started with Video Content
👤 by The Bootstrap Marketer // 📅 June 8, 2022
Are you struggling to get started with video content? Do you have a fear of getting on camera or are worried you don’t have the right equipment?
In this article, we’ll explore the common mistakes and give you tips on how to get started with video content creation.
There’s a saying that a picture speaks a thousand words. Well if that’s the case, then creating video content speaks a million words about your business.
It’s no secret that every person tells you to produce video content. It creates connections between your business and your customers; so as a marketing format, it can 10X your business.
There is another level of connection with a business through video marketing when compared to just using images. Video has a human connection, which is why it is so powerful. The social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok) understand this. The social algorithms favor videos, which means good video content is likely to garnish new viewers and potential customers.
So if you can connect with your customers better through video content, and Mark Zuckerberg and co. like it – it seems like a no-brainer. Not all businesses are in the video marketing game yet, so it’s never too late to start.
Here are some of the common mistakes and tricks for getting started with video creation.
Avoiding the Equipment Roadblock to Creating Video
When starting with video creation, one of the first things business owners worry about is their equipment.
There are many equipment options available from the camera and lighting through to the microphone and editing tools. These all range from $50 to thousands, which can be overwhelming!
The truth is, a good camera isn’t going to make you’re content more or less interesting.
When you start watching other people’s successful content, it isn’t cinematic. You don’t need to be concerned with your equipment; often a modern phone and a well-lit area are more than enough. Authenticity always wins with video content.
The Video Judges
People getting ready to sit in front of the camera for the first time may have dozens of fears running through their minds. From what they look like, to how they sound; they’ll start judging themselves harder than any keyboard warrior.
For some reason, there is a perceived expectation of perfection.
Authenticity remains the key. Sure you should have rehearsed and have confidence in what you’re presenting, but you don’t want to sound too perfect. A potential customer doesn’t care about how you look, only people who have no intentions of purchasing. Authenticity is what sells – how they can relate to your story and learn to know, like, and trust you.
If it helps, imagine you speaking to one person in particular (even though it’s just a camera lens). This can be someone you know or a prospective client pitch you’ve done a million times.
Not Knowing What To Say
There is a need to plan what you’re going to speak about. Whether it be information about your business or product, or telling a story – the fear can be resolved by having a plan. If you’re completely at a loss for what to say, start casual by documenting. Think of yourself as David Attenborough and just describe what you’re doing and why.
Platform-Friendly Content
Not every platform has the same content format. Some will have different orientations and length restrictions. Here is a quick guideline for setting up your videos:
LinkedIn: You’ll want to produce shorter videos, about 1 to 2 minutes in length, and they should be structured as a square.
Instagram & Tik Tok: 9:16 vertical videos are the best layout. Shorter, more engaging videos are preferred, however, you can test longer format videos.
Facebook & YouTube: 16:9 horizontal videos are the preferred layout. You want to make your content long-form and go more in-depth into your subject.
Please note that more dimensions are applicable for each platform depending on the device. Click here for a detailed social media spec guide.
Not only is content length important per platform, you think about the type of content consumption on each platform.
For example, YouTube leans toward longer-form videos. These are often “how-to” educational-based or long-form stories.
Tik Tok on the other hand is entertainment-based. That doesn’t mean you need to be doing a silly dance to be on Tik Tok. However, you need to understand the shorter attention span and grab attention quickly.
Self-Evaluating Your Videos
To make long-term improvements to your videos, you must review them. Like an athlete watching the game highlights, you need to study your footage. You mustn’t be super critical – just focus on correcting one thing at a time. Remember, we’re typically our own worst critics so don’t judge your performance in negative ways. Instead, look for certain mannerisms that you may want to improve on or you don’t like.
You may touch your face whilst you talk, there may be a lot of awkward pauses and “umms” as you speak. We’re not aiming for perfection remember, but a bit of polish never hurts.
You can also ask for feedback from friends, family, and work colleagues. They’ll often pick up on things that you don’t see. It can also be a great way of making sure that you sound like yourself and not awkward.
Conclusion
Just start creating video content. Your business will thank you, and you’ll only get better the more you do. Stop overthinking everything, and just get doing.
You may touch your face whilst you talk, there may be a lot of awkward pauses and “umms” as you speak. We’re not aiming for perfection remember, but a bit of polish never hurts.
You can also ask for feedback from friends, family, and work colleagues. They’ll often pick up on things that you don’t see. It can also be a great way of making sure that you sound like yourself and not awkward.