How to Get Started Making Videos For Your Small Business

Creating short videos for small businesses is a great way to market your products or services and keep customers informed of the happenings within your company. It's relatively inexpensive, too, and if you already have the equipment — like a smart phone and little bit of knowledge on video editing (especially as most smartphones have video editing features) — you can begin today!

In this blog, we'll look at how you can create short videos for small businesses without breaking the bank or hiring a team. Just remember that persistent effort leads to mastery, and if you don't get it right the first time around, keep practicing until you nail down the formula that works for you.

Don't worry about fancy equipment.

You don't need to buy fancy equipment in order to create short videos. Your mobile phone will be as good as anything.

You can use your phone's built-in camera and microphone. Apps like Instagram or Snapchat you can use to shoot video and edit it on your phone. You can also use the "video" option on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok. Additionally, most smartphones have video editing software as standard - because they're made for socially sharing content quick. The capabilities and ease-of-use of this software is hard to beat, even for a desktop application.

Make the most of your natural lighting rather than purchasing artificial light sources. If you have natural light coming in through windows or skylights, work in those areas. Try and get the light evenly across your face. If possible, set up your camera with the natural light behind it so it highlights your face.

You can always use a cheap tripod or other stabiliser to avoid shaky shots, ensure you shoot from eye level or higher (not down) and get closer to your subject if possible (particularly if you're filming yourself).

Don't be scared to do it on your own.

When you first start out, you'll be as nervous as hell showing your face on video, I certainly was! After all, we're business owners, not actors! But when you consider the benefits of showing your face and sharing your personality with your audience, it's clear that being visible is a great thing for your brand.

Here are just a few reasons why I think it's important:

1. By posting videos that feature you discussing your products or services, your customers may feel as though they are connecting with the person behind that product or service. This increased level of personal connection can make them more loyal to your brand.
2. It's important to show clients your personality and sense of humour in order to attract their business. You want to be seen as a person who has the same values and makes them laugh, someone they feel comfortable doing business with.
3. It helps build trust with potential customers by making them feel like they know you on a deeper level than just seeing an image on social media or reading about what you do in an ad copy somewhere else online.

But you know what, at the end-of-the-day it’s not about being perfect. It’s just about getting started!

Do think about sound quality.

Sound quality is essential to creating a good video. If you're filming yourself or a conversation, make sure you can hear the words clearly. A lot of people don't realise that sound quality is more important than image quality when it comes to short videos, or any video for that matter.

If you're not happy with sound from your in-built microphone on your mobile you can pick up a cheap Lavalier Microphone for as little as £10, and they make a world of difference to the audio.

Remember sound quality is not just about the volume. It's also about the clarity of the sounds you're making—are they clear enough for you to understand? Are there any annoying background noises? If so, consider using a different location or changing your position to block out those noises.

Don't feel like you need a script.

If you're trying to create a video that will get people's attention, you don't need to write out a script and memorise it. Instead, just talk about your product or service naturally—what it is, how it works, how it benefits the customer. You'll be able to do this much more naturally if you're not worried about memorising lines or reading from a script!

If you have an outline of what you want to say, but flexibility in the details, your personality and creativity will shine through. Be sure to watch the length of each section of your video—you don't want it to drag on too long!

Additionally, there is nothing wrong with having script and for some people it can make life easier, I personally use both techniques. But if you’re using a script, try to make it feel as natural as possible. (If you’d prefer structure, check out our “How to Create a 1 Minute Social Selling Video" Course)

Do focus on the most important information.

The key to creating short, effective videos is focus.

You might be thinking, "But I want to include all the information my audience will need!" but it's important to remember that people don't watch videos for their own sake. They watch them because they're looking for answers, or they're trying to be entertained. So, it's OK if your content isn't comprehensive—in fact, it's better! Focus your video on just one thing that will interest your viewers.

Your job as a video creator is to make sure that your viewers walk away from the experience with the most important information they need in order to take action. If you can do that, then you've done your job well.

Do rewatch your videos occasionally to see how they could be improved.

Once the video is complete, do some self-review. Do rewatch it occasionally to see how it could be improved. For example, did you misspeak or make an error? Was there too much background noise? Did your voice sound too robotic? These are all things that are easy to fix with just a little bit of practice—so go ahead and do some editing as well!

Takeaway: It's easy to create good-looking videos that will help your business grow. All you need is a little know-how and a smartphone, and you'll be on your way to creating content that will make you stand out in the crowd.

And don't forget, if you need support in anything Business and marketing don't hesitate to contact us.

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