Video content is great for engaging with fans and getting more eyes on your business. The problem is knowing what kinds of videos to create.
Should you show work behind-the-scenes? Talk about your product or service? Do something more creative?
The good thing is there is no one set way. It can be as simple or as in-depth as you want it to be. The time and tools used will also depend on your needs or the resources you have available.
And we know time and resources are often in short supply.
So here are our tips on how to dive into video marketing as a beginner, along with a few video ideas to get you started.
How to get started with video
The great thing about shooting video today is that production quality is much more relaxed than it was years ago. What used to cost thousands of dollars for a professional videographer or crew, lighting equipment and editing, can now cost much less or even zero, depending on your abilities. And it doesn’t have to look low-budget either.
It’s as easy as getting started with the smartphone in your pocket.
1. First, get some practice
Find an area with good natural lighting and just start practicing. Record short video clips on your phone, either of yourself or others.
Start by creating a short, casual video of 15 seconds up to a minute or two. Keep it simple without worrying about other angles or longer shots. It could be about what you’re working on, a quick tip or something else. Find more video ideas below.
View the results and see how they look and sound. Find better lighting or angles, if needed. You can always delete the bad ones and keep practicing.
2. Practice on social media
Another way to practice is to shoot video on a social platform like Instagram or Facebook. Both have integrated tools that allow you to “go Live” or film short clips within the program.
We suggest starting with Stories on Instagram as they’re easy to do and very short. Here are a few tips.
- Stories are 15-second video clips (or still photos) that get posted and disappear in 24 hours. These clips are shot in a vertical format, so hold your phone as you would normally.
- Practice on your personal Instagram account, not your business one. Don’t have a personal one? Even better. Create a new account. Since you’ll have no followers, no one will see your practice shots but you!
- Use this Stories tutorial for beginners by blogger Louise Henry. Keep in mind she’s on an iPhone. To start a story on Android, swipe right on the home screen or click “Your Story” on the top left. She shows how to shoot within the program or how to upload videos you’ve already taken. Don’t worry about adding text and stickers for now. Just practice shooting and posting.
As you get more comfortable with the process, think about adding a few tools.
Tools
Here are a few tools that can boost the quality of your videos:
- Lighting – Options range from a simple ring light that clips onto your phone to a handheld LED light or lighting on a tripod stand. Check Amazon for different price ranges.
- Microphone – Besides good lighting, good audio is crucial for videos. A lavalier or lapel microphone will give you crisper sound and can connect to your phone.
- Tripod or phone stand will help with stability and produce less shakiness. (Here’s an example on Amazon.)
- Editing app – While you can use the free iMovie or Windows Video Editor on desktop, there are tons of others, including phone apps that do a great job as well. Checkout InShot Video Editor, VidaVideo, and Tessa (paid).
These tips will get you started with the basics. For ideas on types of videos you can create, keep reading.
Best types of videos for small businesses
1. Tell us your “Why”
Create a video version of your mission statement with a twist. Instead of a straight reading of your mission or goal, make it a personal telling of why you started the business. It’s a lot more compelling to hear how an entrepreneur got started and why they went into business. There are entire podcasts and documentaries focused on these kinds of stories, so create your own short version and let your customers get to know the story behind the business.
2. Explain your service
While you wouldn’t ordinarily use this in social media, this is a great video to have on your website. Here you can describe what your service focuses on, how you differ from competitors and how customers can benefit.
3. Shine a spotlight on customer stories
Think of these as video testimonials. Where you would normally post a customer’s good review or statement, here you can make it a video and amp up the story aspect. What problems where they having before your service? How are they doing now? This is a great way to highlight a happy customer.
4. Show off your work
This is a no-brainer as video is a great way to show before and after shots or walkthroughs of your most recent projects. If you do these consistently, you can eventually combine a few for a reel of top jobs to feature on your website.
5. Serve up short, social content
This is where you can get creative and have fun. Film your team dancing to the latest pop hit or being funny on the job. You can even use animated short clips that are available on video sites to make a quick point.
6. Give quick tips
Useful tips are always welcome when they’re relevant for your customers. You can even make this a weekly or monthly feature. We follow a marketer who does “Tutorial Tuesdays” and it’s a feature her fans look forward to every week.
Ready to nail video marketing for your small business? Let us know below if you have any questions or send an email if you need help.
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