It’s no secret that video is currently the king of digital communications. This is in part because of the medium’s accessibility, breaking down often hard-to-understand topics into engaging and informative content. On top of this, videos are fast-paced and easy to digest. And in a world where we are constantly bombarded with information, we need content that slips down easily.

But creating valuable content is much harder than consuming it, and video projects are an expensive practice to get wrong. The saying goes ‘fail to prepare and prepare to fail’, so here are some top tips on making your sure video shoot runs smoothly:

SET A CLEAR OBJECTIVE

Establish your objective before anything else. What is it that you want to achieve with this video? There is a lot to consider. Think about who your target audience is, what story you want to tell and how you want them to receive it. Does it need to be polished and precise, or raw and authentic? Is it for social or to sit on your website? All of these factors will influence your next steps.

IDENTIFY YOUR KEY SPOKESPEOPLE

More often than not, you will want a human element to your video content, so planning your talking heads is crucial. Pick the people best placed to tell your story. You need them to have first hand experience in the topic your promoting – whether they are a customer or a key decision maker in your business, their words need to be authentic.

GET YOUR TALKING POINTS DOWN

Once you’ve established your story and spokespeople, you need to think about your key talking points. Remember, videos only offer a limited amount of time, so capturing those perfect soundbites is crucial. The best way to do this is to put together questions that will lead the spokesperson into the quote that you need. That way you can treat it more like a conversation, instead of an awkward scripted dialogue to a camera.

SELECT THE RIGHT SETTING

Your video backdrop is just as important as whatever is in the foreground. Not only should your setting be aesthetically pleasing, it should form a part of your story, without being too distracting. It could be a branded wall or the inside of your showroom. Getting these extra touches right adds texture to your video.

HAVE SOME FUN

Video shoots are hard work but they’re also extremely rewarding. Being a part of the creation of this kind of content should feel energising and enjoyable. Remember to enjoy the time you spend doing it and those good vibrations are sure to shine through to the final product!

If you have a video project that you’re keen to get off the ground, get in touch and see how we can support you.