I want to create a video for my business but where do I start?
Videos are great for business – they are a very powerful tool to engage your client and humanise your business. They perform brilliantly for SEO and are more likely to be shared on social media than text-based posts. The more video you can link to your business the better!
I thought I'd give a few quick tips to help, if you feel you'd like to take the plunge and create your first video.
A good place to start is with a profile video, telling the viewers a little bit about you and your business. What do you do? Why do you do it? What are your services? Can you say a little bit about your background?
Write down what you'd like to say, and remember a good video has a beginning, middle and end – like a story. I would avoid writing a script, as you don't want to appear as if you’re reading from something, or from memory, as the dialogue will become stilted. I think it's best to try and be yourself, and be as natural as you can. Perhaps note a few bullet points down to jog your memory. I would keep it short and concise. Smile, be confident and positive when talking about your business, as this will be more engaging for the viewer.
It's daunting, isn't it, the thought of being in front of the camera? You can get round this by using animation or with visuals and text. However, I do believe it’s best for you to appear on screen. You are the one that your clients will be meeting and working with, and by appearing you can engage the viewer more with your voice, expression and passion about your business.
It would be nice to hire a production company to create all of your videos for you, but if you have a limited budget don't worry.
Smartphones now have excellent cameras on them, and most web cams are good too – if you work carefully you can use these for your first video.
When you set up your camera make sure you are well framed and well lit. Try and sit in a quiet environment with a simple or attractive background, and make sure there is nothing distracting behind you. Your place of work is probably the ideal choice if you're introducing your business.
Pay special attention to your audio – try and get a separate clip mic if possible to plug into your phone or laptop. Poor audio can ruin a video more than poor visuals. The viewer needs to be able to hear you clearly.
Once you've created your video, you can post it up how it is, or maybe you'd like to edit it slightly, or add music, titles or logos? Most computers come with free video-editing software. If you’re uploading your company's logo or any photos make sure they are high resolution. If you’re adding music, please make sure it isn't too distracting or loud. And if you’re adding text, make sure you feature links to your website and social media accounts.
It’s a good idea to start a YouTube channel, as it's great for SEO and you can use the URL to embed the video into other sites, as well as invite clients to subscribe to your channel. It’s possible to upload a video directly to many social media platforms too.
Making videos is fun, so give it a go and see how you get on. When you’re feeling more confident you can try being more creative and entertaining with your content.
Remember videos can be used in many ways:
Introduce key staff members
Behind the scenes: a typical day in your business
Showcase or demonstrate a particular product or service
Client testimonials
A recruitment drive
Promote an upcoming event or offer
Share your expertise, skills and knowledge
A fun viral video
If you'd still prefer someone to do it for you, then please get in touch and I'll be happy to discuss ideas with you.
Here are three of many profile videos that I've created for small businesses.
