How to Start Making Quality Video Content For Your Small Business
The most important thing to remember is that it’s important to be you. Your customers don’t need a high-level Christopher Nolan style production. Videos, especially for a small business, are key in conveying the personality of you and your team.
Is your team funny, playful, or passionate? There’s no better way to give your customers a window into your company’s culture than a quality video. This type of online content showcases the hard work, drive, and background of your business. Here are some quick tips to make your videos better.
Use what you have
Good lighting makes a difference
Videos don’t need to be long
Audio really does matter
Use what you have
Similar to photography, don’t worry about spending thousands of dollars on cameras and microphones, and editing software for your videos. If that’s not your specialty then take a sigh of relief...it doesn’t have to be. There’s a good chance that you have or someone you know has a smartphone.
Today’s smartphones have more than enough capability to do what you need to do for social media. If you use an iPhone, for $15 you can download iMovie, a great video editing app compatible with iOS devices.
You can upload your iMovie vides to your computer and edit it on your computer.
For Android phones, check out Power Director or It is easy to use and gives you templates if you don’t know where to start.
A video shot and edited on your smartphone probably won’t be on the same level as if you hire a professional videographer, but it is a cost effective route to creating great content for your business.
Good lighting makes a big difference
Especially if you’re using your smartphone, you must ensure that lighting is bright and clear. It is easier to adjust settings on cameras, but smartphones require a little more premeditation. Go outside in daylight or stand by a big window in your office.
Make sure your face or your subject is clearly visible. A video that is dark with a subject that is hard to see will not convey the same message as one that is beautifully lit.
No, you don’t need to buy or rent expensive lighting equipment though if you have the money to invest, hiring out this task will guarantee professional-grade content.
The videos don’t need to be very long.
Your customers just want a sense of your business’s personality. You don’t need to give a long speech or come up with something revolutionary. It doesn’t take long to show how much you love your company or much you appreciate your customer.
A quick 30 second video can be more meaningful than a 3 minute video depending on the content. Think of TV commercials that last 15 to 45 seconds. The great ones send powerful messages about the brand and don’t have to be long.
Besides, this is content that you will probably be posting on social media. Those platforms thrive off of short and sweet videos. Even Instagram has a one minute time limit on video uploads.
Audio really does matter.
While you don’t need a microphone for video recording, it helps out immensely with sound. Poor audio can RUIN a good video. If you are using what you have (a smartphone or non-professional grade camera) you might consider changing the audio to a voice-over or royalty-free music.
If you do upgrade to using a microphone with your smartphone or camera, just please don’t cover the mic when you’re recording! If people can hear you properly they will enjoy your content much more than garbled noise.
In the end, the most important tip is to keep your video content simple and authentic to you and your local business. Your customers will appreciate the insight into your personality and will respond by engaging with your content, sharing more, and building loyalty to your brand.
This all leads to the better return on investment for your business. Check out our digital marketing blog to learn more.
