Make Your Own Videos – Easy DIY Tips For Small Businesses
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So, you’re an entrepreneur who’s decided to start making your own online videos in order to boost your marketing and social media efforts.
To get the best results, you’ll want to follow a plan that takes you from pre-production to shooting and editing to online distribution.
Here are some simple steps that can guide you in that process:
Strategy
Concept
- Imagine you’re giving a presentation to your ideal clients. What unique, valuable information can you provide? What do they need and want to hear? Now imagine the camera is your audience and you only have two minutes to talk. Keep it brief, focused and valuable.
- Examples of good concepts – giving tips in your area of expertise, demonstrating your product or service, describing an event or workshop you’re leading.
- Example of not-so-great concepts – video blogging about your wide array of thoughts and philosophies with no clear focus or outcome for the client.
Script
- Don’t wing it. Have an outline or script prepared so that your video is a focused, polished presentation of the most valuable information.
- You don’t need to memorize every word. However, do rehearse (in front of a mirror is very helpful) so that your performance comes across as confident and natural.
- Keep it short. Web attention spans are very short.
Some general length guidelines:
- Ads or business profiles – 30 sec – 1 min
- Demonstrations – 1-3 min
- Webisodes or presentations – 2-4 min
Basic equipment
Camera (keep it simple and easy for you to use):
- Flip camera – you can upload right to YouTube.
- Macbook – built in camera and you can use iMovie.
- Any basic consumer camera that you already have – they’ll come with uploading instructions and possibly some basic editing software.
- Video cameras that record to memory cards are great – no dealing with buying multiple tapes and converting them.
Audio:
- Use your camera or Mac’s built-in mic.
- If you’re having problems with audio quality using just the camera’s built-in mic, and you have an external mic jack, then you can consider buying a mic to plug in. Check for inexpensive options on Amazon.
Tripod:
- You just need the camera off the ground and level with your eyeline. If you can achieve that with a counter or books on a table, more power to you!
- If not, purchase an inexpensive tripod – go to Best Buy or any store that sells cameras.
Lighting - At the DIY level, this helps increase quality more than the type of camera you use.
- Find a spot in your home, office or outside (if noise is not a problem) where your face is well lit in an even and soft manner. No harsh shadows.
- If you need more light, use some standing reading lamps and move them closer to you (not in the shot but between you and the camera).
- If that’s still not working, then you need to buy a light, especially if it’s a wider shot or the camera is further away.
- If necessary – buy a basic continuous lighting kit on Amazon for $80.
- Do a Google search for “lighting tutorial” to get additional setup tips.
Production - keep your production simple and focused on offering great information or inspiration.
- Dress as you would if you were having a meeting or giving a presentation to your ideal client. In the majority of cases, you’ll want to look well-groomed, neat and professional. Stay away from wearing bright or distracting patterns, but feel free to wear color (“jewel” tones are usually best – think rubies, emeralds, etc.).
- Speak confidently and let your personality shine through.
- Look into the camera and imagine the audience that you’re talking to.
- Set up your set with bright, natural lighting with an uncluttered background.
- Stay fairly close to the camera (about 2-3 feet away) for a medium shot that is optimal for image and audio quality.
Editing
- To cut down on editing time, try to plan and execute videos in one take, or tape different clips and then put them together.
- Use simple software such as iMovie(.mov format, free with Mac) or Movie Maker (.avi format, free with Windows).
- Online distribution
- Set up an account on YouTube.com. Fill out your profile and subscribe to other channels that match your marketing goals.
- Upload your video and make sure to include a relevant, interesting title, description and keywords.
- Embed the video on your website and/or blog.
- Share it on:Facebook, Twitter, your e-newsletter.
These are the basic steps to follow to make the most out of online video on the DIY level. Check out these examples of small business videos to inspire you in your efforts. And, remember to have fun!
Melissa Mansfield is the co-founder of Green Gorilla Media, a San Francisco-based production company that helps its clients use online video to build brand recognition and meaningful customer relationships.
As a producer at Green Gorilla, Melissa guides clients through every step of the video production process, including social media strategy, concept development, scriptwriting, production and post-production.
To find out how Green Gorilla Media can help you boost your social media and marketing efforts with online video, visit http://www.greengorillamedia.com.
You can also follow Green Gorilla Media on Twitter: @greengorillas.
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