10 Tips for Business Owners to Start Creating Video Content

Creating video content for your business doesn’t have to be daunting or expensive. The most important thing is starting to create content for your business. It's not always possible to start by outsourcing content creation and you have to create content yourself in the beginning. If you're starting to create your own content for your business, here are 10 practical tips to help you begin, along with average costs to keep things budget-friendly.

1. Use Your Smartphone

Your smartphone is a powerful tool for video creation. Modern smartphones have excellent cameras that can shoot high-quality video.

What You Can Do: Use your smartphone to record short videos introducing yourself and your team, showcasing your products, or giving quick tips relevant to your industry. You can also create “day-in-the-life” videos to provide a behind-the-scenes look at your business.

Average Cost: $0 (You likely already own a smartphone.)

2. Invest in a Tripod

A tripod helps keep your shots steady and professional-looking. You can find affordable tripods online that are compatible with smartphones.

What You Can Do: Use a tripod to film stable, professional-looking videos. This is particularly useful for product demonstrations, interviews, or any video where a steady shot is crucial.

Average Cost: $20 - $40

3. Utilize Natural Lighting

Good lighting is crucial for video quality. Try to shoot videos in well-lit areas or near windows to utilize natural light.

What You Can Do: Position yourself or your subject facing a window or shoot outdoors during the day to take advantage of natural light. Avoid harsh shadows and ensure the lighting is even. If shooting indoors, choose a bright room or use additional lamps to enhance the lighting.

Average Cost: $0

4. Get an Affordable Microphone

Clear audio is just as important as clear video. Invest in a budget-friendly microphone that connects to your smartphone for better sound quality.

What You Can Do: Use a microphone to record clear audio for interviews, instructional videos, or any situation where you’re speaking directly to the camera. Good audio quality enhances the professionalism of your videos and makes them more enjoyable to watch.

Average Cost: $20 - $50

5. Edit with Free Software

There are many free video editing software options available that offer robust editing capabilities. Programs like iMovie (for Mac users) or something similar for Windows computers is great places to start. (We've only used mac for years so we don't have a Windows specific tool but I'm sure there's a suitable option available)

What You Can Do: Use these tools to trim and arrange clips, add transitions, and incorporate text or music (Be sure to use royalty free music, or there are plans you can subscribe to and get music licenses. Definitely don't copyright if you're not able) into your videos. Editing allows you to polish your content, remove mistakes, and create a more engaging final product.

Average Cost: $0

6. Plan Your Content

Before you start shooting, plan your video content. Write a script or at least outline the key points you want to cover to keep your videos concise and on-topic.

What You Can Do: Create a content calendar to organize your video ideas. Write scripts for your videos to ensure you cover all the important points and stay on track. Planning helps you deliver clear, focused content that resonates with your audience.

Average Cost: $0

7. Create a YouTube Channel

YouTube is a free platform to host and share your videos. Setting up a YouTube channel for your business allows you to reach a broader audience.

What You Can Do: Upload your videos to your YouTube channel and optimize them with relevant titles, descriptions, and tags. Create playlists to organize your content and make it easier for viewers to find related videos. Promote your channel through your website and social media to grow your audience.

Average Cost: $0

8. Use Simple Backgrounds

A clean, uncluttered background keeps the focus on you and your message. You don’t need to invest in fancy sets; a clean office space or a plain wall works well. If you have a wall with your company logo on it, that's always a great place as well.

What You Can Do: Choose a simple, professional background for your videos. This could be a plain wall, a well-organized office, or a backdrop that reflects your brand. Avoid distractions in the background to keep the focus on you and your message.

Average Cost: $0

9. Start with Short Videos

Begin with short, 30-90 second videos to get comfortable with the process. Short videos are easier to create and edit, and they are more engaging for your audience.

What You Can Do: Create short videos that introduce your business, share quick tips, or highlight a single product feature. Shorter videos are more likely to be watched in full and shared on social media, helping you reach a wider audience.

Average Cost: $0

10. Learn from Online Tutorials

There are countless free tutorials on platforms like YouTube that can teach you the basics of video production and editing.

What You Can Do: Take advantage of free resources to improve your video skills. Watch tutorials on lighting, shooting techniques, editing, and more. Continually learning will help you produce higher-quality videos and grow your confidence in video production.

Average Cost: $0

By following these tips, you can start creating quality video content for your business without breaking the bank. However, as your business grows, you may find that outsourcing your photo and video content creation to professionals can offer additional benefits. Here are five reasons why partnering with us might make more sense.

5 Reasons to Outsource to Content Creation

• Professional Quality: While DIY videos are a great start, we have the expertise and equipment to produce high-quality content that stands out. This level of quality can significantly enhance your brand image.
• Time Savings: Creating video content can be time-consuming, especially if it’s not your primary focus. Outsourcing allows you to concentrate on running your business while we handle the photo and video production.
• Creative Expertise: We can help develop compelling storylines, scripts, and visuals that effectively convey your brand message.
• Tailored Solutions: At Visual Creative Co, we understand that every business is unique. We offer customized creative services that cater specifically to your business needs and goals.
• Brand Consistency: We ensure that all your video content aligns with your brand’s voice and visual identity. This consistency helps build a strong brand image and makes your marketing efforts more effective.

Once again, the most crucial aspect of content creation is starting. Use these tips to help get you started and as you grow and seek to elevate your brand further, consider the benefits of partnering with us to take your media content to the next level. We’re here to help.