HOW TO CREATE YOUR FIRST VIDEO

Creating a video for your website or social media is the go-to marketing tip of 2020. With over 30 percent of the population looking at videos for 4 hours or more per day, it is hard to avoid the new necessity.

However necessary, creating your first video may seem daunting, intimidating, or outright impossible. Fear not. The likelihood that you can create your first video in the next hour of your life is rather high.

You’re likely reading this post on your mobile device, and that device likely has a camera with front-facing, or selfie, mode. Read on for three tips in creating your very first video for your LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram accounts that you can cross-post and optimize.

STEP 1: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

With any public-facing or client-facing company, you know that your clients can “hear” you smile. They can feel an emotion without being able to see you. Some sales teams have mirrors next to their desk as a reminder to smile. It is important to smile authentically and truly. If you are in a poor mood your clients will hear it on the phone. Even worse. They will see it if you are also filming it. Here are some ways to practice for your first video:

• Stand in front of a mirror. Full length is best so you can also see your body movements.
• Stand in front of family or friends and give them your 30-second or 5-minute presentation. Listen to their feedback.
• Practice in front of a colleague while on a video call. Filming on a computer or phone, or professionally, are all different skills. It is good to vary your skillset.

STEP 2: CHECK YOURSELF

Before creating your first video, take a moment to look at yourself in the mirror. Here is a quick checklist as you practice your presentation before making your first video:

• Is your hair neat and tidy? – Comb your hair and lightly wet or spray any flyaways.
• Are your eyebrows even? – True for men and women, symmetry looks better on camera.
• Is your face clean? – Take a moment to wash your face and remove any oils that may shine on-camera.
• Is your shirt tidy and pressed? – Wrinkles catch light in the wrong way.
• Are your clothes too pattern-rich? – Stick to solid prints and stay away from patterns. 

STEP 3: DON’T FORGET TO BREATHE, BLINK, AND BE YOURSELF

One of the most common mistakes people make when they are not fully camera-ready is to act or move in a stiff way. It is clear to the viewer when you’re not blinking when you’re forcing a smile, and when you’re not breathing correctly. You don’t want to over-do any one behavior. Pretending the camera is a friend, move as you normally would. Take your hands out of your pockets and gesture them naturally. It is important that you are as authentic on camera as you would be in real life. People engage with companies and individuals that appear trust-worthy. 

STEP 4: TURN ON THE CAMERA

Now that your hair is combed, shirt is tucked, and you can breathe with a regular cadence, it is time to turn on the camera to create your first video. Again, using your smartphone is a great first step in creating your first video. 

You can use a simple tripod, place the camera on a stack of books, or hold it steady to get the film rolling. Be sure lighting is even. If you do not have lighting equipment and filters, opt to sit facing a window on a cloudy day. The light will appear diffused and even—you are now well-lit. 

STEP 5: REVIEW, REVISE, REPEAT

You essentially have unlimited takes on a smartphone camera, so do not stress out. The more you stress in the first take of your video the more likely it is to show in the second and third take. Keep the video rolling as you re-take the same video. Your phone likely has editing functions to crop and remove any content you dislike.

As you review your first video determine if your voice is steady and loud. Look at where your eyes are focused. Determine if you are happy with the cadence or speed of your speech. If you don’t like it, take a break and revisit it when you feel ready.

STEP 6: POST YOUR VIDEO

The last step in the process is to post it. Our recommendation is to post it on your business YouTube channel and cross-post to other platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter. However, you can post directly to these platforms, depending on the length of your video. 

THAT’S A WRAP

Congratulations, you created your first video for your clients and potential clients. They’re now able to learn a bit more about you and your services. But what they will know is that you are willing to put yourself out there in a way they might not be ready to do. As you become more advanced with your video skills, use software to overlay the text of your video so that people can watch it without headphones (they can read it instead), or invest in better equipment like Board Studios suggests.

For more information on creating your first video, or other content, reach out to MDINC.