6 tips for making better videos
We’ve had a growing number of clients and friends tell us they really want to be doing more with videos… but they’ve got a face for radio. To which we say: So does Jim Cramer. That’s a joke, naturally, but people tend to overestimate the skills required to make a great video. And there are a few tricks that can make it easier. Watch the video or scroll down to read more.
Put a post it note with key information right next to the camera lens.
In this video we show you what that looks like using the note feature on a computer, however my favorite way to do this is with an actual post it note. I’ll use it next to the camera on my computer or stick it on my phone. As an added bonus, this forces you to look right at (or near) the camera and keeps you from looking at yourself.
Beware most office chairs.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched people wiggle around in a television interview. Straight back chairs are no fun, but they encourage you to sit up straight and discourage you from squirming or rolling around, so if you're filming, find yourself an uncomfortable chair.
Take advantage of natural lighting.
During the pandemic, pretty much everyone got a ring light. And ring lights are great. But that doesn’t mean you should fight the sun. If you’re recording in a room that has a window, try to avoid sitting in front of it. You might think you’re getting a pretty view in the background, but unless you’re working with a professional crew, you’ll probably just end up back lit. If possible, sit facing the window and work with natural light. And when in doubt, have a ring light at the ready. There are a ton of affordable options (think less than $40) on Amazon.
Raise your camera to eye level.
We often see people give themselves way too much head room. You don’t want a ton of empty space on top of your head. Frame yourself so the top of your head isn’t super far from the top of the shot. This avoids the feeling that you’re floating around in space. Plus, putting your camera at level is a more flattering angle — no one (and I mean no one) has ever looked better with a double chin.
Get a microphone!
This helps filter out background noise that you probably don’t even think about in real life, like your air conditioner. It can also help filter out dogs barking or office noise. You can get an inexpensive USB plug in for your computer, or I like this wireless mic for iPhone. Mics will help prevent you from sounding tinny or hollow. If you get a super fancy mic and find yourself wondering what the screen in front of the microphone is for: This prevents you from popping your Ps. When you pronounce a P, a burst of air comes out of your mouth and that air can cause an actual sound when it hits the mic. Hence the screen. (The more you know!)
Finally, try to finish your thoughts.
If you’re not used to video, the temptation can be to ramble or repeat yourself. But rambling is the enemy of the short attention span most viewers have. When in doubt, stop talking and pause. This gives you more opportunities to edit and adjust your footage in post production than if you keep going. As you start to record (and edit) more videos, you’ll notice that it’s easy to tell when someone is mid-sentence (versus done with a thought) and that it can make editing harder. This also ties back to your post it. If you know you’ve hit the main points you wanted to cover, this final step is much easier to accomplish.
Have tips we didn’t talk about? Issues with video we didn’t cover? Let us know in the comments!