5 Beginner Video Mistakes to Avoid

Video is one of the most popular ways to share content and it’s used by large companies and individuals alike. This article will focus on individual users and considerations for use as you navigate the world of video content to strengthen your brand.

Here we go:

S H A K Y C A M E R A – Gone are the days of the “Blair Witch Project”, so for the sake of all viewers involved, invest in a tripod. By invest, I mean head over to Amazon and get a $15 tripod. For beginners, this is a must! There’s nothing more distracting than a moving camera while watching a video. It takes away from the final product and overall quality of your video. If you’re using your cell phone to film, this is a two-step process because you can use an attachment to affix your phone to the tripod. Head to your closest Dollar Tree (or favorite dollar store) and buy a selfie stick, which you will have to take apart. Here’s a how-to video. Bonus: If shooting from your cell phone, ALWAYS film horizontally or landscape (not in selfie mode 😉) This will come in handy when it’s time to edit your footage.
P O O R L I G H T I N G – You’re in luck because you don’t have to be a lighting expert to get this right, or buy a lighting kit (unless you want to, of course) to have great lighting. An easy fix is to use natural lighting. Film near a door or window that will allow the daylight to shine through and illuminate you or your subject. Make sure you are facing the light, as not to be backlit and washed out from the light source behind you. The daytime filming possibilities are endless with natural light!
B A D S O U N D – Unless you’re going for a Charlie Chaplin theme, there’s nothing worse than bad (or non-existent) sound. The content or story you’ve worked so hard for isn’t usable because of the poor sound quality. Truly, if you’re well-versed in Adobe Premiere Pro or have the time to scour YouTube tutorial videos, I’m sure you can come up with a fix, but avoiding sound quality issues altogether should be a priority. Here’s a STRONG investment suggestion – buy a lavalier mic. You know the drill. Head to Amazon and … Here is the microphone I purchased and have been pleased with its performance. It even comes with a wind screen for use with outdoor interviews.
N O P L A N – It may be tempting to start recording when you get your next great video idea, but resist the temptation! Off the cuff talking may work for some, but for many it’s received as rambling, so take a few minutes to jot down an outline of your main points and supporting ideas, along with your call to action (what you want the viewer to do after watching your video). To take it a step further, create a goal for your videos and channel. If you’re going to invest your time and money, be sure you know what you’re working toward. When planning content, make sure your content has a beginning, middle and end and is compelling enough to keep the audience engaged. Remember the short attention spans (6 to 8 seconds) you’re competing for!
N O T U S I N G V I D E O – Video is the new black. Brands are investing in video and viewers are watching video more than ever, especially on mobile and other handheld devices. According to Forbes contributor AJ Agrawal, in Q4 of 2015, mobile video views surpassed desktop views for the first time. You have the potential to be in everyone’s pocket, so why pass on that opportunity? Why tell them when you can show them? I think you catch my drift. Video is a trend that isn't going anywhere.