3 tricks to film better videos on a budget

 
 

Small business owners don’t have the luxury of high-end video. Fortunately, your followers don’t care about high-ticket productions: it’s all about the content. As an entrepreneur, you want to show up authentically for your audience. That means creating awesome videos that deliver value without the hard sales pitch. 

But if you’ve ever tried to film an Instagram Story, you might notice the angles, lighting, and video quality leave a lot to be desired. While content is the most important thing, you still want to put your best foot forward.

Some people immediately jump to Amazon and buy pricey production gear. But who’s got the budget for that? Or the time to set up a fleet of professional lights? 

Here are our 3 favorite tricks for filming awesome videos for your business on a budget, in less time.

 
 
 
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Tip #1: Script yourself

There’s nothing worse than going live and forgetting what you were going to say. Write a loose script before filming so your video comes across as both effortless and professional. 

If you find yourself freezing on camera, try Parrot Teleprompter. It transforms your phone into a cheap teleprompter so you’ll never be at a loss for words. Did we mention it’s free?

 
 
 

Tip #2: Dress up a little

There’s something about cameras that wash out your face. You’ll want to pay a little more attention to your appearance when you’re preparing for a video. 

That might mean: 

  • Styling your hair. A messy bun looks fine in real life, but it can look, well, messy on camera. A side braid, simple ponytail, or sleek comb-over for short hair look great on camera.

  • Wearing makeup. Yes, both men and women benefit from makeup on-camera! Add a little concealer under your eyes, put on a tinted lip balm or lipstick, some bronzer, and add a few extra swipes of mascara. 

  • Choosing a dress-up top: Since most business videos are talking-head style, you just need a clean, nice shirt for filming. Make sure your shirt isn’t see-through on camera!

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Tip #3: Boost your video and audio quality

Smartphone cameras are so good nowadays that you don’t need a fancy camera. However, a few accessories can take your videos from “meh” to “amazing.” 

Consider using: 

  • A clip-on light: This light clips onto your phone. It’s a great, affordable way to get better lighting. 

  • A lapel microphone: Audio is the most important part of your video. Make sure people can understand you with crystal-clear audio from a smartphone mic. 

Editing software: Use the Quik app to make small edits before posting your video. Consider adding captions to your video, too.

 
 
 

Who says you need a studio to make awesome videos? Get your brand out there with a DIY video that says, “This is what I have to offer.” Follow these 3 quick tips to set your small biz up for video success.

 
Social Media, Business AdviceVeronica Kainz