Building connections and creating relationships with consumers is a critical part of building a successful business. One of the best ways to do this is through video blogging. Consumers want to put a face to your brand. They also want to learn and be entertained in a way that doesn’t involve paragraphs of text.
If you’re ready to enter the world of video blogging, you’ve come to the right place. With the right tips, you may be able to join the ranks as being one of the most popular 2023 YouTube videos! Here are five steps you’ll need to take in order to be successful in creating video-based content.
- Invest in a Great Camera
One of the most important pieces of equipment that you’ll need when creating video blogs is a quality camera. No matter your budget, you’re sure to find a reliable camera that you can afford. When choosing a camera there are many factors that you want to take into consideration such as:
- Camera size (small and portable is best)
- Battery life (if you plan to film on the go)
- Storage card capacity
- Available video formats
By choosing the right camera, you can create videos that are easy on the eyes and will impress all of your viewers.
- Audio Matters
Creating great video blogs starts by having a high-quality microphone. Audio is one of the most important parts of a video blog. People not only watch videos, but they also listen to what’s being said.
With a high-quality microphone, you can make sure that viewers are getting the message loud and clear. As an added benefit, quality audio can be turned into podcasts or sound clips that can be used in other marketing campaigns.
While you may be tempted to use your computer’s built-in microphone or webcam to record audio, the quality won’t be what you need. Take your video blog seriously and invest in a microphone. You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg. You can find a quality microphone for under $150.
Before recording, test the microphone to ensure that audio is crisp and clear.
- Caption Your Video Blogs
When scrolling through social media, do you watch all of the videos with sound on? Odds are that you watch many videos, with the exception of music videos, on mute.
Even if your video is recorded with the best quality microphone, you also need to account for viewers that watch video blogs without sound. This means you’ll need to take the time to add captions as well as visual cues. Studies have found that on social media sites, most viewers watch videos on mute.
Videos that have captions get around 40% more views than those without. This improves engagement rates, which is a must if you want your video blog to be successful.
- Check Your Lighting
The proper lighting can make or break a video. Poor lighting can make your video look unprofessional and low-budget. When recording a video blog you need to have key light, backlight, and fill light.
Key light is your primary light source and is typically the brightest. It should be positioned about three-feet higher than eye level. It should also be located on the left side of your camera. To get the best effect, your key light source should be angled downward to mimic a natural lighting effect.
Since your key light will create a shadow, you need fill light on the right side of the camera. To even out the lighting on either side, you’ll need a backlight, which will sit behind you. This light should be diffused and the least bright.
Not filming indoors or don’t have a trio light set up just yet? Embrace natural light! Find the best places in and outside of your home to get the best lighting source from the sun.
- Be Engaging
No one wants to watch a video that is overly promotional or boring. People are watching your videos as a way to connect and learn about your brand, not to hear why they should buy your product or service.
Your video blogs need to be personable and engaging. Have a purpose behind your videos, otherwise, why would people want to watch? Let your sense of humor shine. Don’t be afraid to share personal details. Show what your brand is all about!
When coming up with topics for your video blogs, stay away from controversial topics. You’ll also want to be mindful of what you say as your words will impact your brand. If you face unexpected difficulties and are stuck with a lack of ideas, you can head over to The Storyteller Studios’ website and ask them what you can do to get things pushing forward. Insights from experts are never out of place, above all, if you’re trying an unexplored side of your current marketing strategies.
Conclusion
Video content is extremely popular, and its popularity is only projected to grow over the next few years. With these five tips, you’ll be off to a great start in laying the foundation for creating a successful video blog.
Article by Born Realist