Today, the tables were turned on me as I, someone who spends most of their working life reviewing other people’s work, had my own work reviewed by Lee from Orange Fox Studios.
I’m not particularly fond of creating video content, especially when it’s about myself. Nevertheless, I’ve produced a couple of videos and decided to seek Lee’s expert opinion on them. It was a daunting task, but I felt it necessary as these videos were intended for use in a blog post and across social media platforms.
Lee’s first query was about the length of my video. At a whopping 2 minutes, I initially considered it quite short. However, Lee reminded me that people’s engagement tends to be very brief. He suggested breaking it into three separate videos, each ranging from 20 to 40 seconds.
Another point Lee raised was the importance of considering which social media channels I intended to use for my videos, as each platform prefers different formats—some for landscape and others for portrait orientation.
I realised my video lacked an opening or closing slide, which could provide a quick overview of its content—a crucial element for engaging viewers.
Lee provided some simple yet effective tips to enhance the quality for anyone creating video content for their social media and blog content:
Equipment
You don’t have to invest in expensive equipment. Smartphone cameras are perfect for social media content, it might be worth thinking about investing in the following:
- An LED ring light and stand
- A microphone that can be attached to your earphone jack
Space
Ensure the area where you’re working is spacious and tidy. A clutter-free environment minimises distractions and creates a professional setting. It’s also important to consider the background of your video. Choose a setting that complements your content and avoids any distracting elements.
Lighting
Lighting plays a crucial role in video quality. Avoid shooting in front of a window, as it may cause overexposure. Ideally, position the light source behind the camera for optimal illumination. Consider investing in ring lights, which are affordable and provide even lighting. Natural light can also be utilised effectively, but ensure it’s diffused to avoid harsh shadows.
Sound
Minimise background noise by recording in a quiet environment. Even slight disturbances can detract from the overall quality of your video. Invest in a wireless or lapel microphone for clear, crisp audio. It’s a relatively inexpensive yet valuable addition to your equipment arsenal. Test the audio levels before recording to ensure optimal sound quality.
Framing
Follow the rule of thirds to compose visually appealing shots. Divide your frame into nine equal parts, and position your subject off-centre to create a balanced composition. Avoid placing the subject’s head in the top row of the frame for a more aesthetically pleasing result. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to add visual interest to your videos.
Think about what we see and don’t see in your shot, this should be a conscious choice. You don’t want your house plant poking out of the back of your head for example, but it might look lovely to the side of the frame.
In addition to these tips, it’s essential to understand the preferred video ratios and maximum file sizes for various social media platforms:
- LinkedIn – Preferred aspect ratio is 1:1 (square) or 16:9 (landscape). Maximum file size is 5GB.
- Facebook – Preferred aspect ratio is 16:9 (landscape) or 9:16 (portrait). Maximum file size is 4GB.
- Instagram- Preferred aspect ratio is 1:1 (square) or 4:5 (vertical). Maximum file size is 4GB.
- Twitter – Preferred aspect ratio is 16:9 (landscape) or 1:1 (square). Maximum file size is 512MB for most accounts and 1GB for ads.
- TikTok – Preferred aspect ratio is 9:16 (vertical). Maximum file size is 287.6MB for videos up to 60 seconds and 1.5GB for videos up to 3 minutes.
- YouTube – Preferred aspect ratio is 16:9 (landscape). Maximum file size is 128GB or 12 hours, whichever is less.
In summary, I discovered that creating video content for social media and websites doesn’t have to be expensive or challenging, thanks to a few simple tips. I have incorporated Lee’s suggestions into my videos:
- Splitting them into shorter segments
- Adhering to the correct aspect ratio for each social media platform
- Using a phone stand for stability
- Positioning the light source behind the camera
- Including an opening slide
Before and After
Takings Lee\’s comments into consideration, I re shot my video, below you can see the before and after. Let me know what you think.
By implementing these tips and understanding the specific requirements of each social media platform, I hope to enhance the quality and effectiveness of my videos, ultimately improving engagement with my audience. I look forward to receiving feedback and continuing to refine my video creation skills.