06. November 2024 Creating Successful Social Media Videos: Tips for Beginners and the Camera-shy
Whether on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, moving images achieve more reach and interaction than most other formats.
This means for companies that want to take off on social media: It’s high time to create videos.
Sounds complicated?
Not if you keep a few basic things in mind. Here you can find out how to create successful social media videos with a minimum of technology. We also present tried-and-tested tips on how to motivate camera-shycolleagues to take part.
Action!
The right equipment for filming social media videos
Not much is necessary for successful social media videos. But it should be well thought out.
Light
The lighting determines whether your video looks friendly and professional or like a storage room.
If you don’t want to shoot a horror movie, follow these tips:
- Natural light is a good light source, especially in the morning and evening.
- Good lighting without conspicuous shadows is suitable for marketing videos that focus on one or two people. You can use a ring light for this. Alternatively, set up two light sources to the right and left behind or directly in front of the person filming.
- Of course, you can also work with shadows if you want to create a certain atmosphere, as in the following example. But keep in mind that shadows add drama to videos.
Experiment with the lighting before you start. If you often film in the same place, create a setting that you can always fall back on.
Tip: Simple ring lights are an inexpensive and good light source for social media videos that you shoot in a fixed location. Set up at face height, they prevent shadows. You can achieve even more professional results with 3-point lighting. However, you need three light sources for this.
Audio
Even the best lighting is of little use if the actors in your video sound like they’re sitting in a barrel. So invest in microphones for tutorials, interviews and all other social media videos in which speech plays a role. A clip-on microphone gives you freedom of movement. If you don’t have a microphone available, choose a room that is as quiet as possible.
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Camera/Smartphone
Camera or smartphone?
It depends.
For Instagram Reels, TikTok videos, and other authentic short videos, we recommend a smartphone for the following reasons:
- It’s easier to use and you save money on external service providers.
- The smartphone look is a hallmark of platforms like TikTok. It is easy to achieve if you use a smartphone straight away.
- Even shy people know the feeling of being filmed by a smartphone. A camera, on the other hand, quickly seems scary.
Of course, there are also cases where professional camera equipment and the professionals behind it make sense. If you want to create an image film and publish it on YouTube, for example.
Tripod
Holding a smartphone is one option, but a tripod is often a better one. This applies, for example, if you
- film several scenes in one place and want to create seamless transitions.
- you want to film yourself and no second person is available.
However, the positive effect of gimbals or similar additional devices for image stabilization is usually limited when filming with modern smartphones.
Editing software
For post-production of social media videos, an inexpensive app is enough to cut your video, add music and possibly make small image optimizations. Many tools have AI functions that allow you to replace a background and fade out distracting noises. Filters, animations, stickers, the choice is yours.
But remember: less is more. Overloaded videos often look less professional and are tiring to watch. Authenticity is also the trend. If you have the feeling that your playfulness is getting out of hand, get critical feedback.
Tip: Don’t know what to film? How about a few glimpses behind the scenes of your company? Whether it’s the introduction of your team, work processes, or the evening foosball tournament, behind-the-scenes videos require little effort and promote closeness between brands and their followers.
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The right place for filming social media videos
Sometimes you can’t choose the location.
If you do, and if your video takes place in one place in particular, prefer tidy backgrounds that don’t distract from the actual action. Think about the light, see above.
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More InformationTip: By using the same background for recurring content formats, you ensure recognition. Viewers can see at a glance whether it’s a yoga tutorial or a HIIT session.
How to prepare for filming social media videos
Good preparation is half the battle. This is especially true in the early days. If you have already taken the step to becoming a video pro, spontaneous filming is also an option.
Create a script.
Prepare a script.
Depending on the video, this can be a storyboard that captures the scenes in the video or a sequence of keywords.
A storyboard can be created by hand or with a tool such as Canva. It does not have to meet high artistic standards. It is much more important that everyone involved understands it (art often gets in the way).
For example, create squares with sketches for the different scenes. Underneath, recordthe plot and text as well as notes on factors such as lighting.
Practice
Rehearse video content. Shoot small sample clips that you can watch together with colleagues and/or send to friends for feedback.
Practicing involves starting small. Start with simple, short clips before venturing into extended live videos.
Important: Practicing content does not mean learning it by heart. On the contrary: If people recite memorized text in a video, the result quickly comes across as stiff. The same applies if you rehearse behind-the-scenes videos. It’s better to shoot several clips so that you can select and edit them at the end.
Loosen up your body
A relaxed body ensures a relaxed appearance. Breathing exercises, stretching or a short walk around the block can help to reduce tension.
In front of the camera
Pay attention to your posture for convincing video appearances:
- Stand up straight, keep your shoulders back, and breathe deeply.
- Don’t cross your hands to avoid appearing defensive and don’t put them in your trouser pockets.
- Emphasize statements with sparing and natural gestures.
- Look calmly into the camera.
- Smile, preferably right at the beginning of your video. You’ll be surprised how big the difference is.
Not all that easy? We can reassure you. Very few people look totally relaxed in their first social media video. But maybe in their third, fifth or eighth. Say goodbye to the expectation of getting everything perfect straight away.
Motivating colleagues for social media videos
Formulate clear goals and benefits
Most people are more likely to move out of their comfort zone if they see a purpose in doing so.
So explain to your colleagues how and why your company benefits from social media videos. Show them as detailed a concept as possible for your video. That way, they know what they’re getting into. Create a pleasant, stress-free atmosphere in which filming is fun for everyone involved. Only film people if they agree to it.
Offer training
If you want to shoot more elaborate video series and/or image films for YouTube, training is worthwhile. Many professional coaches or cameramen offer their support for this. They are usually familiar with tips on how shy people can relax in front of the camera.
Start small
Let’s assume you’re not interested in image films. Instead, you want to regularly promote video content on Facebook, Instagram and/or TikTok.
In this case, it’s a good idea to start small. Start with videos in Stories, for example. The advantage: the video is only online for 24 hours. This argument often makes it easier for shy people to get in front of their smartphone.
Promote fun
Finally, some good news for introverts:
- Social media videos are fun, and more so as time goes on.
- You don’t have to be extroverted to be likeable in front of the camera.
- The first videos are never perfect and don’t have to be. A look at the early work of some famous YouTubers is enough to convince you of this.
Tip: Organize challenges to see which of your colleagues or teams in your company creates the best social media video on a topic. An attractive prize is even more motivating.
Video marketing thrives on doing
Good preparation pays off. But then it’s time to get started. Because like so many things, social media videos get better and better over time. You get a better idea of what works and what doesn’t, the fun factor increases even with shy colleagues and the weekly Instagram clips become a pleasant routine.
Our tips will help you get off on the right foot right from the start.
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