How to create quality videos for your socials

Last month, we spoke about the MANY benefits of adding video into your social media marketing mix. If you didn’t catch this blog the first time around, you can read it here.

It all sounds great in principle, right? But one of the biggest hurdles facing newbie video social marketers is actually creating the content itself.

Thankfully, you don’t need a tonne of professional camera equipment or an expensive software subscription to come up with videos that look great and allow you to connect with people who are interested in what you have to offer.

Here are a few tips and tricks that will take the hassle out of creating incredible videos for your social media feeds.

Don’t let a lack of confidence stop you from achieving your social media goals

I’ve heard it a million times. “I’d love to do more videos, Frances, but I don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera.”

I get that presenting to potentially hundreds or thousands of people might be your worst nightmare. But you don’t need to be super confident to create standout social media videos. A little vulnerability proves you’re human – and it’s that human connection you’re looking to create with your social media content, after all.

Like anything, the more videos you create, the more comfortable you’ll feel about the whole process. Getting started can feel like a giant leap, but when you take the plunge and get stuck in, I promise it’ll be worth it!

Stick to short form videos to begin with

Your videos don’t need to last for hours. I’d recommend using Facebook and Instagram Reels to dip your toes into video content creation and get a feel for what works.

Reels can be up to 60 seconds long, so you’ve still got a whole minute to play with. This will be more than enough time to introduce a topic and start a conversation amongst your audience. You can even zhush up these recordings by adding music, audio, AR effects and text overlays, to grab even more attention in the feed.

Some of you might remember that I went a little crazy with Reels last summer and posted a new video to Instagram every single day for the whole month of July. It was hard work, but it did significantly improve my account reach, and I was getting tonnes of comments, saves and shares. I know first-hand that, if you’re willing to put the effort in, Reels can really boost your visibility – so give them a go and let me know how you get on!

If you’re not a fan of Facebook or Instagram – or you know your audience doesn’t hang out much on these platforms – try TikTok. TikTok videos are even shorter, and there’s a more lighthearted vibe on this app. You can read my take on the differences between Instagram and TikTok here.

Go for the edutainment angle

Edutainment = educational content that’s also entertaining. Blend the two approaches together well, and you’ll be amazed at the response your videos will get!

Just pick something you want to ‘teach’ your viewers, then mix it in with fun stories and anecdotes. This way, you’ll be telling a story rather than simply barking instructions or insights at the camera.   

Show your face!

We’ve known for years that videos with faces get more engagement.

Our brains are hardwired to respond to human visages. We rely on them for the important social cues that tell us whether the person we are speaking to is genuine. By leaving your face out of your social media videos, you’ll be preventing your audience from getting familiar with you; learning to trust you; and establishing that all-important deep and meaningful connection with you.

So, show up if you want to level up, peeps!

Invest in some good lighting

If you’re putting your face out there for all to see, you’ll want to make sure you’re looking your best. Natural light is best, but it’s not always available, so you should definitely invest in a good lighting setup.

Portable LED ring lights are perfect for filming on the go, as they can be clipped alongside your mobile or laptop in any position you like, or attached to a tripod for a wider angle. I’d suggest going for a ring light that’s at least 14” in diameter, so you can film from a little further away without worrying about disappearing into a darker background. 

Get to grips with a good editing app

Most major social media platforms have brilliant in-app editing tools. But I use InShot to create slightly more sophisticated videos that I can then share via Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and more.

InShot is particularly great for trimming, splitting, and merging your video clips, and creating seamless transitions between frames. You can also use the app to apply filters, effects, music, audio recordings, and animated stickers and text to your content.

(I’ve talked a lot about how to use InShot in my Brainiacs group. This is the kind of stuff I cover in my learning platform – all the juicy tips and techniques you’ll need to post to your socials with extra finesse!)

Have fun with it!

Social media is supposed to be fun, even when you’re using it to promote your business and your brand. Be playful, be curious, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different formats and approaches until you find your groove. And if you need extra help or advice, remember I’m only ever a DM away!