Whether you’re creating videos to help promote your business or just to share your creative vision with others, using basic techniques to make your videos look more professional. In fact, they can really set you apart from the crowd of video makers online who don’t pay attention to these details. Video marketing isn’t as easy as it looks, but if you check out Promo.com’s video library, you’re going to create the content that will fit your brand!
But first, follow these simple steps and you can look like a true pro at creating videos that boost your brand and convert leads into sales! So, here are 15 tips to make your videos look more professional.
The Rise of Creators Using a Video Maker Online
With the rise of online video and popular YouTubers, more and more people are looking to create their own videos to share with their friends, family, and followers.
However, making an excellent video requires much more than simply holding your camera phone up to your face and talking into it like you would to your voicemail (or pretending to talk into it like your mom does).
For example, lighting can be as important as framing when it comes to creating a high-quality production that not only looks good but also sounds good too!
1) Select a Video Maker Online
While you can always make videos from scratch, there are many video-making tools available online that can help you create professional-looking videos quickly and easily.
One of our favorites is Promo. A free video maker that makes it possible for anyone with an idea or message to create an amazing, shareable video in minutes. Promo features a library of customizable templates for your videos as well as royalty-free background music and stock video footage. Once you create your video, you can easily share it across social media sites or host it on YouTube.
2) Cameras
A video maker online isn’t the only person who can make videos—most smartphones and digital cameras today are capable of shooting HD-quality video. It’s easy to take high-quality photos that look great when they’re playing on your computer, but how do you make sure they look professional?
The first thing is to use a tripod. Most smartphones don’t have any sort of stabilization technology in them, so if you’re filming hand-held, your footage will probably be riddled with shaky, unusable clips. Even basic tripods aren’t expensive or difficult to find, plus they easily double as music stands or microphone stands for your studio.
If you plan on getting a good quality camera down the road, it also helps to buy one with built-in image stabilization (such as Sony Alpha DSLRs). As long as you’re not moving around while taking each shot, it won’t matter much what kind of camera you use.
3) Lenses
When you’re filming, your camera uses a wide-angle lens. The best results come from sticking with this lens—at least for now. A good rule of thumb is to keep your subjects within three feet of your camera. If you need to zoom in and can’t move closer, it means you’ve gone too far.
4) Lighting
Good lighting is a must for good video quality. In general, you’ll want to look for light that’s even and soft, with minimal shadows or reflection. Avoid harsh sunlight, fluorescent lights, and other sources of specular light (beam-style lamps).
That’s because these types of light create unflattering shadows and can cause glare on your subject. If you have a DIY studio set up at home, consider investing in lighting gear. Something like tungsten lights, LED panels or other more traditional lighting solutions.
5) Recording Software
Just a video maker online is never enough, however. Using some kind of high-quality recording software will help your videos sound better and feel more professional. Two great options for recording software are Audacity and Camtasia. However, either one of these will be overkill. Especially if you’re just making quick talking head videos like those in my previous example.
6) Editing Software
When it comes to editing your footage, you want a tool that’s got plenty of power. But is also very easy to use. That’s why so many professional editors are using Final Cut Pro X. It lets you edit as easily as iMovie, but offers powerful features and is a breeze to learn. And if you’re on an Apple platform, it works with your other Apple devices and software.
7) Background Music
Most of the time, a video maker online includes music in his or her videos. The question is: How do you choose music for your videos? Well, it’s pretty simple actually. When you begin producing videos you should be aware that there are copyright laws when using someone else’s music. So be sure you have consent if it is not public domain. Also consider that different music has different effects on people and your audience.
8) Create a Timelapse Video
If you want to try something slightly more complex, consider making a timelapse video. This technique involves shooting several seconds of video at regular intervals, which can create fun and intriguing visual results. One way to pull off a great timelapse is by using multiple exposures. First shoot one frame with your camera’s shutter open. Then close it down for a set amount of time before opening it again.
9) Film with Caution: Avoid Shaky Footage
Shaky footage is distracting, especially when you’re trying to make a point. When you’re ready to film, sit down and set your camera on a steady surface (i.e., table or bookshelf). Adjust your framing and sound accordingly.
10) Research the Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is a time-tested film composition rule. It divides a frame into three equal parts horizontally and vertically. This creates nine intersections that are perceived as focal points in your video. Placing important elements of your video on these intersections provides clarity, order, and rhythm. You may also want to look at other rules of composition.
They apply specifically to online video or moving pictures in general.
11) Don’t Just Film From Above
When you film a video from above, you get an eye-level perspective of what’s happening. While that may work for some things (like vlogging, for example), if you’re showing off your product or service in a video clip, it’s more compelling and interesting to watch from someone else’s point of view. Think about watching TV shows: When was the last time you saw a show that shot from only above?
12) Get Inspiration from other Video Maker Online Videos
You can get some great ideas from online videos. Video marketing is an effective and inexpensive way of boosting your business and creating a buzz around your brand. The average internet user now watches over 5 hours of video content every week. So it’s not surprising that 65% of marketers are already including video in their marketing strategy. The great thing about online videos is that they can be used across multiple platforms. Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Google+ allow uploading without too much hassle.
13) Don’t Over Use Transitions & Effects
It may seem like a cool idea at first, but using transitions or effects on every other video isn’t necessary. This can have a bad effect on your viewers because it’s too distracting. When watching a video that features multiple transitions and effects, viewers have a hard time keeping up with what’s going on. This can cause them to lose interest in your content all together. If you do want to use transitions or effects for some of your videos, consider limiting them. It’s suggested no more than one transition and/or effect per video.
14) Save & Get Feedback from Your Peers before Posting Online
It’s a good idea to ask your friends, family, and coworkers if they see any errors in your video. This way you can fix problems before they become glaring issues online. In addition, before posting your video online make sure you run it through a professional spell checker. Misspelled words are distracting and look unprofessional in videos.
15) Upload & Share on ALL of Your Social Media Platforms
Most sites that offer a video maker online allow you to share your videos on all of your social media platforms. These include sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Don’t miss out on these free opportunities! The more places you share your video, the better your chances of it going viral. Not to mention, reaching an even wider audience.
Final Word
A lot of people don’t put much thought into how they shoot videos or even how they edit them. However, if you want your videos to look polished and professional, then it’s worth your time to implement these simple steps. It’ll help get you started.
