When your marketing agency asks you to provide media such as video content for them, it can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. But fear not, we’ll walk you through it! There are a few factors to consider before you hit Record on your camera or smartphone. What should you even talk about? How long should the video be? Where should you stand or sit while you shoot the video? How do you make the video look professional?
If these questions have you scratching your head, you’re in the right place. This guide will provide you with actionable insights to kickstart your video shooting efforts with confidence.
What should the topic of your video be about?
When it comes to creating engaging video content for your business, finding the right topics to discuss is crucial. The main question to ask yourself is, “What is the goal of my video?” Is it to educate your viewers or to sell them a service? It’s very important to pick one or the other to create the most valuable video. The reason for this is that each type of video belongs in very specific places on your website.
If you choose to sell rather than educate, it’s likely this video will end up on a service page. Choose one of your services to talk about and stick to telling the viewer about how your team executes that service and what they need to know if they’re going to choose your company as the provider. Do not focus on why the potential customer might need this service; if they’re on your website, they already know! For example, don’t discuss how a paver patio can add value to the customer’s home. Discuss instead how long the project will take, how your crew will enter and exit the property, what the cleanup process looks like, and more.
If you choose to educate your viewers, a really easy place to start is the blog page on your website that your marketing agency has hopefully created for you. These blogs are a gold mine of relevant and timely topics tailored to your audience. Simply read the title of a blog and gather the main points that are discussed. These main points can serve as the foundation for your video content, allowing you to explore the subject matter and provide valuable insights to your viewers.
How long should the video be?
Attention spans are short these days! With that in mind, when it comes to creating compelling videos for your marketing agency, conciseness is key. Aim for a video duration of 1-2 minutes, as anything longer risks losing your audience’s attention. Keep your content concise, straightforward, and engaging to deliver your message effectively. Short and simple videos not only maintain viewer attention but also increase the likelihood of your message being remembered and shared.
Where should you shoot it?
When it comes to creating engaging and relevant videos for your marketing agency, the location you choose to shoot can significantly impact the effectiveness of your content. If you’re discussing fertilization, you can stand on a thriving, healthy lawn to emphasize the results of proper care (avoid using a random stranger’s lawn!). On the other hand, if your topic revolves around lawn diseases, find a lawn that showcases the specific disease you’re addressing. This approach provides viewers with a clear visual understanding of the issue at hand. Similarly, if you’re talking about retaining walls, positioning yourself in front of a retaining wall can enhance the viewer’s comprehension and engagement. In essence, always ensure your environment matches the topic to create more impactful and relatable video content.
How do you make it look professional?
Contrary to popular belief, a professional-looking video doesn’t have to be shot by a videographer that you hire for the day. Simplicity can actually be more impactful and help the viewer relate to you. If you own a smartphone, you’re in business! It’s a powerful tool that most of us already have at our fingertips. If you take away one piece of advice from this article, remember to turn your phone horizontally. Design-wise, horizontal videos look much better on your website than vertical videos do. In this industry, we’re still seeing a 50/50 split between mobile website viewers and desktop website viewers. We’ll keep monitoring trends, but until we see this ratio shift towards mobile traffic, a horizontal video offers additional use cases over a vertical video.
If you’re concerned about audio quality, you can use an external microphone that plugs right into your phone. As for the recording setup, you have options. Whether you choose to hold the phone yourself or have someone else do it, both methods have their values. Holding the phone yourself can help humanize your videos, making them feel more authentic and relatable to your audience. So, don’t let the fear of seeming less professional deter you; embrace the simplicity and let your message shine through!
Kickstart your Video Efforts with Confidence
Getting started with creating video content can be tough, but following these tips can help guide you in making quality content that your marketing agency can utilize across multiple platforms to grow your business. However, you don’t have to go through this process alone. At Lawnline Marketing, we support our clients throughout the whole process. Our team will help smooth out the kinks and guide you, not only with your video creation but with all of your digital marketing efforts. Are you ready to get started? Call us today at 813.944.3400!