Helpful Tips for Creating Videos for your Small Business Part II
In the first part of this tip collection we focused on getting ready for your video in this portion we'll share tips about making, editing and sharing the video.
Creating Your Video
This is the part that many companies find challenging, and one where a good video production company can prove worth it's the price. Don't worry though it's normal for small businesses to create their own videos, and once you've done it a couple times it will get easier. That sure doesn't mean that if you can afford professional video production it's not worth it (it really is) but that also doesn't mean you need to sell your car to start off with video either. To keep this part less frustrating we'll break it down to some simple things you can do to make your self made video work.
Pick a Location
Find a place where you have plenty of lighting (but not blinding), where you are in control (so not a McDonalds) and were it's quiet (not a playground). It may sound simple but if you pick a busy area you'll find yourself more frustrated with everything that goes on around you.
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| With more people working from home it's important to remember to keep the location for the video clean and to make sure that all kids and pets are happily distracted elsewhere. |
Pick a Time
It's normally to have to do several retakes, so don't try to slot yourself into a 15 minute slot or you'll find yourself frazzled to start. Select a time of day where business is normally not as hectic and give yourself a broader window so you have time for revisions if you need.
Dress the Part
If you are a plumber don't force yourself into a tie and jacket. What you want to do is represent your company to your potential customers, so wear what you would when you do interact with them. It's also important not to wear distracting or indecent clothing, but we're assuming you don't wear that when you go to meet a client in the first place.
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| Dressing the way you do when you interact with your clients keeps things consistent. |
Keep Water on Hand
If you start getting flustered or have to do a couple takes be sure to take a moment to breath and drink some water.
Start off Smiling
Do what you need to be happy before you start, dance, sing, look at kitten pictures on the web... whatever works. Take 5 minutes to get mentally pleased before you start. Not only will you come across happy in your video but most new tasks are easier to face when in a good mood.
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| Cubical plushies count, just as long as it makes you happy. |
Check Your Equipment
Make sure your camera and microphone are working! It may seem obvious but there is nothing more frustrating than doing a great take just to find out you didn't plug in your mic. Make sure everything is ready before you dive into your first take.
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| If your equipment uses batteries make sure they are charged. |
Save Your Takes
You may not
love your last take but save it anyway. That way if it turns out you hate part of your video but love the other part you can clip that out for later use. Remember there aren't normally perfect takes so be sure you have what you want before you go and dump the rest.
Tip: Number your takes and take notes on what you liked from different ones.
Save Your Editing Progress
Like all programs whatever you are using to edit your videos can freeze so be sure that when you start making progress with your editing that you save along the way.
Tip: Name your video file progress as versions if you have a lot of editing to do.
Watch Your Video
Sounds crazy but you might have missed something when editing or might feel like changing part to have more visuals would be helpful. Watch your video from start to finish and have a couple other people watch it too.
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| Getting feedback doesn't mean you need to redo everything, just keep it in mind for future videos. |
Promoting & Publishing Your Video
There are a lot of places you can upload your videos to
but the thing you want to consider is
"am I in control of this environment"?
Remember your video is representing your company and where it's posted should be someplace you can regulate and control the experience for. Your company Facebook Page, Google+ Page or Blog should be a safe enough place but anything that has feeds you can't help regulate plastered all over it is something you should great with caution. Placing your video on your website is generally the end goal, it's where you can control things the most and where you want people to be heading.
Tip: Be sure to adapt your script in to a transcript and Closed Caption.
Tip: Brand your video player to match your company website to keep things feeling consistent.
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| If unsure where to publish your content start with just your website and expand it's exposure gradually. |
Other Tips
A collection of advice from others on video production.
