Video content has been increasingly popular in recent years. Proof of this is the exponential growth of video-sharing social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. Aside from that, video content is also on other digital platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even Twitch

Considering this, more and more people are jumping into video content creation, whether it’s a hobby or a simple passion project. More than that, videos became an effective marketing tool for online stores and ecommerce businesses. But although online videos are all over the internet, producing one yourself is not as easy as one would think. 

 

Essential Steps In Video Content Creation

Creating video content takes a lot of work. To produce high-quality videos, a structure or a framework is vital to help guide you with every video you make. To create content, you should know the basics of video production. To help you with this, here are some tips and guidelines for video content creation. 

 

Have a plan for your videos

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Whenever you decide to start making videos, you should know what you want to create and what you want to achieve. Therefore, the first step in effective video content creation revolves around determining your goals and objectives. 

Do you want to create educational videos? Make product reviews and recommendations? Identifying the primary goal of your videos allows you to build a plan for what your video content should look like, what it should talk about, and so on. 

Part of this planning stage also involves determining your videos’ target audience. Find a specific group of people or demographic that would find your content interesting or valuable. Let’s say you want to create product reviews for various gadgets. 

Therefore, your target audience would be those specifically interested in technology, electronics, and the like. Then, your content should cater to the interests and preferences of your targeted audience. Find what they like and dislike to help guide you on what video content you should produce.

Moving on to video content production, deciding what video type you would like to make is another essential part of the planning stage. While you can use different video types, sticking to one particular style at the start of your video content creation career can better help you establish your brand or channel. 

However, don’t be scared to experiment with a mix of video styles to keep your content fresh and engaging to your audience. Remember, find what your target audience likes and stick to it to keep them engaged and interested in your offer. 

 

Prepare the right equipment

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The next step in video content creation revolves around the actual creation process. An essential element of this process involves the equipment you would use to record and shoot your videos. 

When it comes to video content, the type of camera and audio recorders you use can significantly affect the quality of your videos. In the beginning, it is okay for content creators or content marketers to invest in top-of-the-line equipment immediately. However, you must know what your tools are capable of doing.

Luckily, some mobile phones have quality cameras to capture clear and steady video recordings. Generally, the lowest video resolution acceptable nowadays is set at 720 (1280 x 720 pixels), which is ideal only for smaller digital content. However, most mobile phones can record at 1080 (1920 x 1080 pixels), considered the standard for full high-definition (FHD) resolution. 

Higher-end mobile phones such as those from Apple’s or Samsung’s flagship lines can video record at quad high definition (QHD) at 2k resolution and even ultra high definition (UHD) at 4k resolution. Some even can shoot at 30 or 60 frames per second (fps) for a smoother recording. Some mobile phone cameras are on par with professional cameras with these settings.

However, having a professional camera gives content creators more control over their video recordings. Certain features, such as built-in image stabilization, exposure, and depth settings, allow you to manipulate how your videos look. Aside from that, the ability to swap lenses and better color science can significantly boost the quality of your video recordings. 

Another important element in video recording is the quality of lighting. You must have good lighting, whether you are shooting inside a studio or outdoors. Lighting can significantly influence your video’s appearance, even if you have one of the fanciest cameras on hand. 

Some tools you should consider include rim lights, key lights, reflectors, triggers and flashes, and softboxes or shapers. These production gears can enhance the sharpness of your videos and ensure that the focus stays on and flatters the subject. 

Aside from the visual elements of your videos, audio is also crucial in ensuring the quality of your content. If you’re recording a video, using the built-in mic of your mobile phone or camera is not recommended, as it doesn’t produce crisp and clear recordings. 

Therefore, the best way to capture audio for your videos is to use a dedicated microphone or an external audio recorder. These would be separate audio equipment plugged in to record your voice or any other specific sound or audio you want for your video. 

The most popular microphones in content creation are condenser, dynamic, and lavalier mics. These will ensure the audience can hear you clearly and prevent muffled recordings or unnecessary noise.

However, the most critical element you must prepare when recording your videos is yourself. This is especially important if you appear in your videos in one way or another. Whether you are going to be the host or you are going to narrate your videos. 

Prepare a script before recording your videos. This pertains not only to your lines but also to the different video angles you want to capture. Most importantly, prepare to appear confident as you read the lines or step in front of the camera. 

 

Video Editing and Publishing

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Video editing is an essential part of the content creation process. Editing allows content creators to add a creative flair to their videos, making them unique to millions of others online. To do this, you would need a powerful video editing software.

There are tons of free and paid video editing software available online. Some allow you to add fundamental transitions and other elements, such as subtitles and simple visual effects. However, other more advanced editing software can turn a simple video into a cinematic masterpiece.

Some of the editing tools you should look into include detailed color grading, frame-by-frame editing, and object motion tracking. Keep in mind that video editing aims to create a smooth and seamless watch experience for your viewers. 

If you want your videos to be visible online, more is needed than simply uploading them on platforms like YouTube. To increase your videos’ presence and visibility, you must know how to optimize them for search engines and other media platforms. 

Some simple ways to optimize your videos include adding keywords to your video titles and eye-catching thumbnails. However, you can also include detailed descriptions and closed captions or subtitles to boost its ranking and increase its value online. 

 

Bottomline

People enjoy watching online videos on various social media platforms and digital channels. If you’re thinking about producing your videos, you must understand the basic principles of the content creation process. Whether you’re making video ads, an explainer video, or any other type of video content, having a plan and the right tools and equipment will allow you to create high-quality videos. 

 

Need a helping hand with your video content production process? Sidekicks is an on-demand virtual company, and we’re eager to help visionaries and entrepreneurs like you. Get a free ebook and learn more about how we can help you by signing up for our newsletter. We offer a free 30-minute consultation if you prefer something more personal.