How to create awesome video for the web with your smartphone
70% of our social media engagement comes from 20% of our content.
So it’s a no-brainer why you should be using video on social media and the web whenever you can.
Hold your device correctly (please)
I can’t stress this enough, if you take one thing away from this blog is that you need to hold your phone correctly. Shoot your video in landscape, please, for all our sakes.
Sound isn’t essential – 85% is played without it
85% of all video consumed on Facebook is played without sound. No doubt this down to the nifty auto-play feature. But seriously, don’t stress about having a script ready to go, you really don’t need it.
Make your videos seriously short
You don’t need to create a feature film for social media. 30 – 45 seconds is the optimal time before your viewers disappear.
Shoot with a purpose
The key to creating video for social media is not to over-think it, but you still need to think about what you’re shooting. THINK about the audience, how do you want them to react? Do you want to entertain… educate? What are they expect? A talking a head, a video tour, a documentary or something fun?
Video quality isn’t everything
The amazing thing about modern technology is that we all have a recording studio in our pocket. Sure a fancy DSLR would be nice, but we don’t all have one (or need one!). Pretty much all devices are now capable of shooting HD quality and even higher. As long as your video content is good (story, message etc), that’s all you need.
Use a better mic when you can
If you are shooting a talking head or documentary, consider investing in a better microphone for your phone. They don’t cost much and you can pick up a decent one for around £20 – £70.
If you are shooting outdoors in windy condition, consider getting a dead-cat for your mic too. It will help to keep the interference to a minimum.
Live in the moment, don’t try and create one
When you try and force a story or try to re-create one, it’s never the same, and the viewer can see straight through something that’s ‘put on’. Instead, consider shooting live video with Facebook or Twitter’s Periscope and capture those real-time moments.
Use the basics to get the job done right
I’m a big believer in that you don’t need a bulky DSLR to create video for social media. However, there are some essentials you still need to use to ensure your video doesn’t end up like The Blair Witch Project. Get yourself a tripod… handheld, desk or floor standing. They’re cheap as chips nowadays and reduce shake incredibly!
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