subject: A Great Video Needs Planning [print this page] It is common knowledge that Video Marketing is one of the most effective ways to get your message across to your customers. There are some points that you have to look for before you can make your best video
Firstly, and probably the most obvious thing, you need to know how your camera operates. Now I do not mean that you need to know what every single function on the damn thing does, I doubt the manufacturers know that, but you must know the simple things for example how to record, if there is a lens cap on, do you need a disc etc. I know this is ridiculous but you would be amazed at the number of people who do silly things and waste their time and effort.
You must make sure that your location is suitable for recording in. Do not record in a bedroom with an unmade bed in shot. Make sure that you are not going to be constantly interrupted by kids or your spouse calling for you to fix the tap or whatever. The back drop needs to be suitable so set your camera up, preferably, on a tripod but if not make sure it is on a solid surface, is straight and will not move. You need to have the camera at about head height and make sure that your subject, presumably yourself is large enough in the viewing screen without too much fresh air above your head.
When you think that you have it all as good as it can be, do a quick test shoot. Use this test to make sure that the frame looks right, there is nothing in the background that you do not want anyone to see and please check the sound level. Talk to the camera in the voice you intend to use on camera and make sure that you can be heard clearly. This is often something that gets overlooked.
You need to make sure that there is enough light and that it is not shining at the camera. If you are filming in the open air you should ensure that the sun is kept at the back of the camera. If you are filming indoors there needs to be enough light shining on the recording area but make sure that there are no light in the shot as these will disrupt the final video. You can use the practice video for checking this.
Try to make your videos quite short. People do not very often have a lot of time and will often choose to view 2 or 3 short videos rather than 1 longer one. Less than 2 minutes is great, over 5 minutes should be saved for the people who want to watch it when you have a following.
Get straight to the point. By this I mean try not to waffle on about insignificant things. If you say what you wanted to say and it takes less than a minute that is fine. Do not try to fill the void by describing the weather unless it means something to the video.
It is sensible for you to make a number of short videos all at the same time. Make sure when you do this that each video looks a little different by moving the camera or changing clothes. It does not look as effective if the series of videos all look the same.
If you film all the videos at the same time in the same location wearing the same clothes and then upload them all on the same day, they will all look pretty much the same when someone goes to view them. This is far less effective than all looking different and being release over a period of time. It is because or that that I would upload the series of videos every couple of days to ensure maximum exposure.
These things are all important to getting the best possible videos made. The message that you are trying to get across is obviously the most vital thing but if you cannot be seen or heard the message will be lost and you will be wasting your time.
