1. PLENTY O’ LIGHT

   Light is extremely important and makes a huge difference in the quality of the video.

   Natural light is the perfect light. But, there are some rules when use sun light. You should try to record in the morning, evening or on a cloudy day for softer lighting. In the afternoon when the sun is directly overhead, you will get harsh shadows that are not flattering to the subject.

   If you are filming indoors, you will want to avoid overhead lighting. Like the sun, this will create unflattering, harsh shadows on the subject. Position the subject near a window or a large lamp. Also, try to position the light source in front of the subject so they are not backlit. And be sure to turn off any surrounding harsh fluorescent lights to avoid being washed out.

2. THAT SOUNDS GREAT

   Remember, audio is just as important as the video itself. You can have a great quality video, but if the audio quality does not match, people will not be willing to sit through it. It is highly recommended to get an external microphone if recording on your computer, in a large room or any similar situation.

   A good microphone is the first piece of equipment you should invest in. For around $100 you can get a solid mic that will make your videos worth listening to. You will want to make sure the microphone is as close to the subject as possible. Be aware of any background noise that your microphone might be picking up as these can easily be heard in recordings. If you are outdoors, consider using a windscreen (fuzzy cover) to, well, to screen the wind.

3. WHAT’S BEHIND YOU?

   Be sure to look behind you before shooting. Is it messy? Distracting? Take a minute to clean up or even better, minimize. Consider using a solid-colored wall or sheet. Then, have your subject step forward 4-5 feet to avoid casting any shadows.

   A good and easy solution for your background is your clean professional workspace. You will just want to check your lighting (see #1). And one other thing to watch out for are mirrors that mights catch the camera in the video itself (#notaselfie).

4. EASY, SHAKY HANDS

   Now, if you are shooting a home movie for America’s Funniest Videos, then shake away. For your marketing videos, not so much. You should use a tripod, rig, or mount. Then, try not to move the camera unless you have to.

   If you are still Shaky McShaky, then you can use a video stabilization apps or software to help to fix it. You can also check your camera’s settings for built-in stabilization modes. Another tip, is to try slowing down your footage when editing to help make the shakiness less obvious.

5. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

   Getting on camera for the first time is hard for everyone. But, like everything else, it gets easier with practice. The one thing you don’t have to practice is just being yourself. Act like you are talking to a friend and be real. People will appreciate you and connect with you if you they see a little personality.

   Now, the nervous energy. You will get better with that practice. Here a few tips to help you channel that energy…

   • Smile - This will put you and the audience at ease and show how friendly you are.

   • Be open to the camera - don’t fold your arms or cross your legs. Stand up straight, keep your shoulders back and relax. Take several deep breaths.

   • Slow down - Be sure you enunciate clearly and speak intentionally. There is no rush.

   • Hold something - You can use a prop to keep your hands occupied and give you something to focus on besides the camera.

6. What’s the PLAN, stan?

   Take a minute (or 20) and set the format and structure of your video.

• Start with the ‘Why’. Why are you recording this video?

• Why does your audience care?

• Then, what is it that you want to communicate to your audience?

Now that you have defined your goals, write the outline. Don’t be afraid to rearrange, rewrite, or remove bullets that don’t work. You want your videos to be focused and concise.

IMPORTANT: You must capture your audience’s attention in the first 5 seconds of your video. Don’t waist those precious first impressions with ‘Hi, I’m so-and-so…’. Unless you are Lebron James, no one really cares, sorry. Use those first few seconds to build curiosity and hit on the problem or pain point that you are going to be talking about. That’s what will get the viewer to stick around and find out who you are.

VIDEO FORMATS AND SCRIPTS

Before you whip out the camera, take some time to plan out your video. Choose a format that your audience wants and write an outline of your talking points. Download this eBook for 5 great video formats with examples and scripts to help you get started.

USING AN IPHONE?

HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF YOUR IPHONE VIDEOS

Your iPhone is a perfectly capable means to shoot quality video whenever, wherever!

There are a few things to consider when shooting videos on an iPhone, so we’ve laid out some super helpful, affordable add-ons to ensure that your smartphone video is top notch. Here are a few of our recommendations.

For Audio:

1. For quick Interview situations Rode Video Mic or the Rode VideoMic Me-L are perfect for directional shooting.

2. You can also use a Lavalier Mic for higher sound quality/interview/echoing room. This is good for having one person on camera.

3. Even using your iPhone headphones will work, but they can seem casual. Just make sure that whatever mic you are using matches the message you are trying to convey.

FOR Lighting:

1. This is a great option for a lighting kit. They have two different color options (blue vs yellow light) and are dimmable so you have more control. These will allow enough light to light an entire room.

2. This light ring is good for close up interviews with just one subject. It will predominantly light up the subject and not the area around.

TO StabilizE:

1. Use a phone tripod to create stable and still photos by yourself

2. Try a stabilizing app that will help your videos if you are on the move

other Helpful Tips:

1. Always shoot your phone in landscape. This is important for all videos that will be placed on Youtube, or viewed on desktops. It just helps to fill the whole space instead of having the black bars on the side of the video.

2. While recording, turn your phone on airplane mode. This will prevent calls or texts coming through and causing interference with the video and equipment.

3. Use the camera on the back of your phone. The quality on the front of the camera is not as good.

4. Use the overlay a grid on your screen! This helps keep your phone level and avoid oddly tilted footage. Just going to Settings > Photos & Camera > Grid.