Are you still apprehensive about making a video to use on Facebook or Instagram? Then this is the post where we spill all our secrets. Once you read this, you’ll know exactly what we tell our clients and class attendees.
It’s important to note that this is advice for videos that fall outside the range of your professional marketing videographer. We recognize that there are times when you need an expert.
Shooting Your Own Facebook and Instagram Videos for Business
Take this advice to confidently –
- capture video at an event
- interview a visiting executive
- post the answer to a recurring question
- cover a sponsored event
- take advantage of a group meeting
General Video Tips
- Clean your lens! You’d be surprised how dirty your lens can be, especially if you are using a smartphone to record video.
- If you are recording from your phone, put it in airplane mode to avoid incoming calls or texts.
- Have enough memory to hold the video.
- Resist the urge to center the subject. Go off-center for a more interesting shot.
- Pause slightly after you press record and again after you stop speaking. If interviewing someone, give them a visual cue.
- The length of the video should depend on the purpose/goal of the video, but the rule of thumb is to keep it as short as possible.
The Two Essential Elements of Video
PICTURE
Orientation –
If at all possible, shoot horizontally for both Facebook and Instagram. Horizontal fills the screen (widescreen) and looks best on monitors and displays. Vertical will fill the width and appear larger on a small portable device or smartphone. Vertical is also best for Instagram Stories.
Light –
Shoot in a brightly lit area. Natural sunlight is best, either through a window or outside. Add light if needed (turn on lights, lamps). This is especially important if you are doing a live video.
Angle –
What’s the best angle? Scope your location ahead of time or do some test video before you shoot or “go live.” Are there better vantage points? Look at your subject’s position and then consider all of your options. Be creative!
Pan and Zoom –
You can pan (move the camera or phone from side to side) and stay steady by using a tripod. If you are holding the camera, lock your elbows against your body and pivot from the waist. This will minimize shaking or moving too fast.
Note: Smartphone cameras do not zoom like a professional camera, so zooming on the screen will make the video grainy. Physically moving closer is preferred over zooming when using a smartphone.
SOUND
Shoot your video in a quiet location (consider ambient noise like wind and traffic) if at all possible. You can have the very best-looking video ever, but if your audio is terrible, the whole video is terrible. It’s challenging and often impossible to fix lousy sound.
Captions –
If you can add captions to your video after the fact, please do it. 85% of videos are watched without sound. Facebook especially makes this easy with their caption tool.
Many editing tools can help with your video after it’s shot, but getting in the habit of capturing good video is the goal. With these tips in mind, go ahead and capture some video at your next meeting or event!