.png)
The no-nonsense guide to social media success
.png)
Sharing our insights and experience we've gained with 200+ lawyers.
Find out how to be successful on social media as an accountant or financial advisor.
Learn how to stand out on social media as a recruiter.
The no-nonsense guide to social media success
Sharing our insights and experience we've gained with 200+ lawyers.
Find out how to be successful on social media as an accountant or financial advisor.
Learn how to stand out on social media as a recruiter.
The no-nonsense guide to social media success
Sharing our insights and experience we've gained with 200+ lawyers.
Find out how to be successful on social media as an accountant or financial advisor.
Learn how to stand out on social media as a recruiter.
Free demoThe no-nonsense guide to social media success
Sharing our insights and experience we've gained with 200+ lawyers.
Find out how to be successful on social media as an accountant or financial advisor.
Learn how to stand out as a recruiter on social media.
Videos are one of the most effective ways to boost reach and engagement on social media. In fact, they typically receive three times more interaction than plain text posts. But if you’ve never made a video before, the process might seem daunting. Don’t worry. It’s easier than you think! With just a smartphone and some handy templates, anyone can create professional-looking videos.
So, how do you get started? Let’s explore two main options: talking videos and animated videos, each with clear steps and helpful tools.
Start by making a plan. This helps you stay focused and clear. Ask yourself three key questions: What do I want to say? Why am I sharing this? What will my audience learn? Use the answers to write a simple script or outline. For example, if your goal is to explain a product feature, list its benefits in order.
Do you need fancy equipment? Not at all! Many successful videos are made using just smartphones. Use a tripod or stack some books to keep your phone steady. Shooting in natural daylight near a window can improve your lighting drastically. Remember, a quiet room with no background noise is best for clear audio.
Think about the background — it should be tidy and professional. A plain wall or soft-focus setting works well. For example, a home office or a simple bookshelf can add credibility.
Lighting is key. Face the primary light source to avoid shadows. If you’re filming outside, shoot during the golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) for soft, flattering light.
Position your camera depending on where you’ll post the video. Vertical videos suit Instagram Stories or TikTok, while horizontal ones fit LinkedIn or Facebook better. But choose your format deliberately to avoid awkward cropping.
Apply the "rule of thirds" by imagining a grid on your screen; place yourself slightly off-centre. This makes your video more engaging to watch. For instance, if you’re demonstrating a product, positioning yourself to one side leaves space to show it clearly.
When shooting, try to capture your message confidently. If you make a mistake, pause, breathe, and repeat the sentence. You can edit out errors later. Taking multiple short clips can make editing easier.
For editing, you don’t need complex software. Canva offers a beginner-friendly video editor with drag-and-drop functionality. Upload your footage, rearrange clips, trim unwanted parts, and add simple animations.
Remember to select the right dimensions for each platform. For example:
Adding music can enhance your video. Canva includes free and premium tracks, or you can search royalty-free music sites like Bensound. Just make sure the sound matches your message.
Subtitles are also vital. Many viewers watch videos muted, especially on mobile devices. Tools like Kapwing let you add subtitles automatically or manually, improving accessibility and engagement.
Once your video is ready, share it natively on platforms like LinkedIn for better visibility. Avoid just linking to YouTube or external sites because native uploads tend to perform better.
Don’t stop there! Repurpose your video to extend its life and reach. Extract short clips for Instagram Stories, create GIFs for Twitter, or share quotes as images. Check out our detailed repurposing content guide for creative ideas.
Absolutely! If you’re camera-shy, animated videos offer a fantastic alternative. These videos use text, graphics, and motion to tell your story. A great example is Lumen5, which can turn blog posts into videos automatically. This is perfect if you have existing written content.
Another option is Wavve, ideal for podcasters. It creates engaging audiograms or waveform animations synced with audio. These can easily be shared on social media.
You can customise colours, fonts, images, and transitions without needing animation skills.
Animated videos are versatile. For example, use them to explain concepts, share stats, or showcase customer testimonials. They work well when you want to maintain brand consistency or if you want to add a creative flair.
Tools like Jitter help create motion graphics effortlessly. This can give your marketing videos a polished, modern look without a big budget.
Think about your audience and message. Animated videos suit educational content, product demos, social ads, and more. By using templates, you save time and keep your videos professional.
To dive deeper, you might want to explore tutorials on Canva or the other platforms mentioned. Most of these offer free versions to get you started.
Ready to give video creation a try? Whether you opt for talking head videos or animated visuals, templates combined with simple tools make the process straightforward and fun!
