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A few years ago, you could get away with writing long articles and calling it a day. Today, though, your content needs to reach audiences across an ever-expanding range of media platforms and devices. A good content marketer knows the secret to distribute compelling marketing messages is through short video content. Of course, creating that kind of compelling short video content isn’t easy.
If you’re starting from scratch or struggling with your current approach to creating short videos, keep these tips in mind.
Create a Video Plan
The best way to create a video plan is to write everything down on paper. This will help you organize your ideas and keep them in order.
- What is your purpose? Why are you making this video? Be specific about the goal or objective of the content. For example, if I wanted to make a video about how to use Excel in my business, my purpose would be “to teach my audience how to use Excel in their businesses”.
- Who is it for? Does your target audience have any particular skills or knowledge that they need help with? Do they need something explained clearly and simply so they can understand what they’re doing wrong (or right)? Knowing who you’re talking to helps determine how much jargon should be used and when technical terms should be avoided altogether.
- What message do you want people who watch this video to experience after watching it?
Do Something Different
You can stand out in the crowded space of video sharing by doing something different. You can use a different camera, try a different angle, or change your lighting. If you are shooting in the same location as everyone else, maybe it’s time to find another place for your shot. Maybe it’s time for some new background music. Maybe it’s time to get an update from your local police station regarding recent crime trends and how you can avoid becoming a victim yourself!
Use a Teleprompter
A teleprompter is a machine that projects words onto the screen so you can read them from your script. This can be useful for a variety of reasons:
- It helps you stay on track and keep your message focused.
- It helps you avoid reading from the screen, which can make it seem like you’re reciting lines rather than speaking naturally.
- It keeps your body language relaxed and natural instead of stiff and unnatural as viewers will be able to see how relaxed and comfortable you are with what’s being said in your video content (and remember: people buy products from people they like).
You can also opt for a teleprompter app if you want. They would be perfect for making bite-sized content. Modern teleprompter apps also let you edit videos. You can even add automatic captions or subtitles if you want.
Make the Most of Your Shots
Use a tripod. A tripod will allow you to keep your camera still and avoid any unnecessary blurriness in your video. Using a wide-angle lens will allow you to capture more of the scene than if you were using a telephoto lens or macro lens, which lets your audience see more details. A telephoto lens and take close-up shots of small objects from far away (if it’s safe). This can create some really interesting effects that otherwise wouldn’t be possible with just one type of shot!
Try using different types of lenses, like fisheye or fisheye lenses for example! They’re fun ways to add some creativity to your videos without having too much trouble finding them at local stores like Best Buy or Walmart etc., although Amazon has pretty good deals on these types too.
Captions are Important
Captioning your videos is a great way to make sure that everyone can understand and benefit from them, no matter the type of content you’re creating.
- Captions are necessary for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Sometimes, audio just isn’t enough for someone who is deaf or hard of hearing; captions help them understand what is being said and what it means. If a video includes dialogue, characters speaking in different accents, or other vital auditory information, captioning becomes vital.
- Captions are crucial for people who are learning English as a second language. Captioning can help improve language skills by allowing viewers to practice reading out loud while watching videos (and perhaps even improve their vocabulary). For those learning English as their first language but not yet fluent enough to understand everything being said in an audio-only video—or even those with limited reading skills and experience with subtitles—captions provide much-needed assistance in understanding the message behind the words being spoken on screen!
- Captions are vital for people watching videos on mobile devices because they sometimes have trouble hearing them clearly due to background noise levels around them.
Creating short video content can be a daunting task because of the sheer amount of planning it requires. However, the key to success is thinking and planning through your objectives while keeping them clear, simple, and focused on your audience.
After defining these goals and planning accordingly, you will be well-positioned for creating great videos that effectively convey your message. We hope our tips have provided you with some helpful guidance on getting started!