If you’re still thinking about whether you should or whether you shouldn’t be creating videos as a part of your sales and marketing campaigns, it is time to stop thinking and time to start doing. Video content is here and it is not going anywhere.
51.9% of marketing professionals worldwide name video as the type of content with the best ROI. Hubspot reports that 90% of customers said that watching a video helped them make purchasing decisions. Video content has not only helped businesses grow, but producing quality video has help content producers create businesses.
Just take a look at the list of Youtube stars with multimillion-dollar networth. But for an entrepreneur that just needs to get their product and service out there, it may seem challenging to produce quality videos that are engaging to their potential customers. One of the major barriers to this was the cost of video equipment, editing software, as well as production time. Anyone can talk into their phone’s camera and post the video online. The question is how do you produce quality videos that people will actually want to watch?
The good news is that with the high demand for video, there have been innovations that have arrived that allow a content producer to create professional looking video content in less time and with less cash investment. It is now even possible to create quality content using your mobile phone. Using an array of different gadgets, you will be able to create professional video content anywhere. The following are some of the items you need to create professional video content from your smartphone.
Shoot horizontally
It may be easier to shoot a Facebook Live or Youtube video by holding your phone vertically, but doing doesn’t help your video quality. Most videos are consumed horizontally so making sure that you are thinking about your viewers before shooting.
Having someone holding the camera makes it easier to make sure that your shooting correctly each time. However, if you don’t have the luxury of hiring a cameraman, utilize a tool like a selfie stick or a good tripod (see the end of article for recommendation).
Quality Sound Makes a Huge Difference
When shooting video, it is easy to be overly concerned with how things look. However, sound the sound quality of a video is just as important as the video quality. Sound is especially important if you intend on including a strong call to action or if the video you create is for sales conversion purposes.
If you are wanting to attach a microphone to yourself in order to gain the best audio, the Pop Voice Best Lavalier Lapel Microphone Omnidirectional Condenser Mic is your best bet.
This is undoubtedly one of the best video microphones on the market currently especially on the bang for buck side. This microphone is compatible with a variety of Android smartphones, Windows smartphones and also the new iPhones which don’t have a headphone jack with a PoP voice Mic which acts as an adapter which shows its functionality.
The cords are 1.5 meters long, one of the longest in its class. It is also omnidirectional which means it picks up sound equally from all directions which enhances the quality of the audio. This microphone can also work with other devices such as laptops and iPads.
There may be instances when an attachable mic doesn’t make sense. This usually happens when you want to shoot action shots or create stories on the go.
Using a directional microphone like the Rode VideoMic Me Directional Microphone for Smartphones works well in these situations. The build quality of the Rode VideoMic Me Directional Microphone is the first thing that strikes you when you see it, the outer casting are made of metal. This microphone is designed specifically for smartphones and iOS gadgets. It is lightweight, it weighs about 34 grams and has a frequency range of 100Hz – 20kHz.
It has 3.5 mm headphone jack on its rear which enables users to listen to their audio without disconnecting the microphone from their devices. This nifty little gadget will make a huge difference in your audio recordings. Rode is one of the companies that have the best performing audio devices and this microphone does not disappoint.
Lighting is Crucial
Good lighting is a major component of quality content creation and production. Understanding how lights and cameras interact can be confusing for non-professionals. And honestly, even though phone cameras have come a long way, they still cannot create the level of quality you can expect from a $2,000 camera. But getting the lighting right will make a huge difference. When a video (especially from a phone camera) is well lit, it makes the video easier to consume and can keep your viewers from prematurely exiting the video. There are several ways to get the most lighting for your smartphone videos.
As an attachment for your smartphone, nothing is better than the Zstylus LED Ring Light Attachment. This ring light will help illuminate low light areas and also has Steepless temperature technology which helps adjust light exposure using the diffusers. This ring light can be used with other Zstylus cases of other phone models. It is also minimalistic on the design which makes it easier to use.
This ring light is practical, and is great especially for portraits shoots and other up close shoots. It is light and compact you can therefore take it on the go. There is also a nice flip-out feature to adjust the power of the light in relation to the camera. The ring light is also detachable so you can us it off camera lighting setup. With this addition, the quality of your video content will be comparably better.
Use a second phone for talking heads shots
When you’re ready to upgrade to a new smartphone, hanging on to your current phone will come in handy for making videos. Especially when shooting talking head shots. Using second phone shooting from another angle will help your video be more dynamic and increase your engagement.
Positioning the cameras roughly 30 degrees apart so one gives you a portrait shot and the other gives a three quarter angle view of the subject works very well. A wide, and a close in shot is a common combination and allows for variety. Doing this also allows you to cut subject movements during the editing process.
Framing
What appears in the frame of your video is important. When doing interviews, it is better to have the subject off center to create a more visually interesting scene. You can also do this when performing a talking head video. Having the subject off center is almost mandatory if you are shooting on location.
Stabilize your video
In order to produce the best picture, we recommend you use phone with a great camera. Any iPhone made after 2015 or Samsung Gaxaly S/Edge 4 or higher should produce quality images. Beyond that, if you don’t have a camera person, you can use a tripod to help you out.
A good tripod stand is a also a necessity for stable videos and to ensure that the phone’s camera is always in focus. The UBeesize Portable and Adjustable Camera Stand Holder with Remote tripod is compact and light which means you can carry it anywhere. It can be used as a phone, GoPro and mini cameras tripod.
The UBeesize portable and adjustable camera also has a remote using Bluetooth with which you can use to control the the tripod from a distance of up to 30 ft. The tripod though light is very sturdy and has a surprisingly firm hold on gadgets placed in its arm. For selfie lovers, this is a must have as opposed to a selfie stick which leaves your arm in an awkward position in the frame of a picture.
There is a universal Clip for Iphone, Android phones, Camera, Sports camera, GoPro attachment.
These are just a few items to get you started on creating dynamic video content for marketing your business or brand. Have you used any of these? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter.
