You know video is the biggest thing in social media right now, but do you know what it takes to create a successful video? In this article, we will dive into the elements of a compelling social media video. Video may seem intimidating, but with the right information, you will have it down in no time. 

 

Why is Video Important? 

 

Videos are shared 1200 percent more than links and texts combined. By the end of 2022, it is predicted that online videos will make up more than 82 percent of all consumer internet traffic. This is 15 times higher than the rate in 2017. 85 percent of all internet users in The United States watch video content monthly. 54 percent of consumers want to see more video content from a brand or business they support. 87 percent of marketing professionals use video as a marketing tool. 73 percent of consumers claim that they have been influenced by a brand’s social media presence when making a purchasing decision. Video marketers get 66 percent more qualified leads per year. 93 percent of marketers say they’ve landed a new customer thanks to a video on social media. The average user spends 88% more time on a website with video. 72 percent of people would rather use video to learn about a product or service.

 

Identify Your Audience and Select Your Platform

 

Identifying your audience will allow you to select the best platform. If you are trying to sell skateboards to 17-year-old boys, you have to be on youtube. If you want to sell a second home to retirees, you have to be on Facebook. Know your audience so that you know where they spend their time. Short videos are prominent on at least four of the major platforms. 

 

Create a Content Rotation

Create buckets of ideas so that you know what kind of video content you want to generate. You can do series that make sense for your business. Make content based on what you have in your content bucket. Make sure to keep track of new ideas so that you can record them in the future. 

 

Batch Content

 

It makes sense to record a large batch of content at one time. You don’t want to get ready for a video, set up your recording area, and make videos more than once a week. It is easier to do it all at once. 

 

Commit and Stay Consistent

 

Even if your content does not get good results in the beginning, you have to stay consistent. Platforms look for consistency and reward it by showing your content to new viewers. You must stick to a schedule and refuse to give up if you want to see results.

 

High-Quality Video

Once you have an idea of what to post, a consistent schedule, and you’re ready to record, it is time to actually make your videos. You need to have high-quality videos to be successful. You don’t need fancy or expensive equipment. If you have a quiet room with good lighting, all you need is a laptop, phone, and quality sound. If we record video outside of the office we often use a lavalier for better sound quality. If you have a way to get a clear video with good lighting and sound, you are ready to record. Most iPhones are capable of high-quality sound and video! 

 

Portrait or Landscape

 

Portrait recording is the type of recording you often see on youtube. The video is long across the screen while it is up and down in portrait mode. When deciding which is better for you just consider the platform that it’s being posted on. Most longer videos are recorded in landscape mode while most shooter videos are made in portrait mode. 

 

Right Angle

 

A good angle and setup will make all the difference for your videos. No one wants to look up your nose. Having a laptop stand or a tripod set up is always a good idea. It is also smart to make sure that the lighting is in front of you rather than behind you. If your lighting is behind you your video will be of poor quality.

 

Great Hook 

People have an attention span of about seven seconds. You must catch your audience’s attention in the first seven seconds of your video, or they are not going to continue watching. If a platform sees that people are not even interested enough in your content to watch seven seconds then they will stop showing them to people. In the first second seconds tell people exactly what you are there for. Use a question, fact, or statistic to reel people in. 

 

Be in Your Videos

 

It might be shocking, but you have to show your face. You might have to ease into being on camera, but eventually, you need to be in your videos. You can start by making videos of your hands doing something or you walking somewhere. You want people to recognize you for your brand, but they won’t if you aren’t in your own videos. 

 

Be Transparent

 

Just be you! We recommend that you avoid filters and show who you really are. It is more professional and personal if you choose to be exactly who you are on video. Show your personality because people will relate to the real person that you are much more than the social media persona that you have created in your head. 

 

Subtitles and Captions

 

You need to use subtitles and captions whenever you are able to. Many people watch videos without sound and those people need to understand what your video is about. They can not do that if your subtitles are not on. The caption of your video is the first thing that people see. Make sure that it explains what your video is about and reels in an audience. 

Get to The Point! 

No one wants to hear you ramble. How long should your video be? It needs to have at least three points and get to the point. If it only takes 60 seconds that is great. If it takes ten minutes that is also okay. You just need to ensure that everything you say is relevant to the point of the video. 

 

Have Fun

 

If you hate creating videos and being on camera is your worst nightmare, people will notice. Make sure that you are having a good time. Video yourself doing something that you love or in a setting that is most comfortable. Happiness will be conveyed to your audience when you are being recorded!