5 Tips for Creating Business Videos From Home

Recording videos at home has become the new normal for almost everyone these days. This is really an unprecedented time. Nearly every industry and business has been affected in some way by COVID-19. Now whether your company is business-to-business or business-to-consumer, it’s essential to still communicate with your customers as our lives continue to shift. To do just that, we've provided you with five helpful tips for creating video messages internally with little or no extra equipment. Watch the video above or keep on reading to learn our tips for producing high-quality videos at home. 

Plan & Prep

Before hitting that record button, we recommend taking some time and focusing on your message. With all the content and information out there, you need to stay focused and relevant with your message. Start off by writing out an outline and then writing the full script. This allows you to keep the video short and focused while also providing time to think ahead and narrow down to just the most important topics. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to practice the script, so you're not stumbling over the lines in the message.

Consider Using a Teleprompter

We recommend using a teleprompter so you can read the script that you wrote out beforehand. This ensures that you don’t get off-topic on a tangent and lose the attention of your viewers. It doesn’t have to be a professional setup. There are several free or low-cost smartphone apps out there you can use, such as BigVu or Teleprompter. 

Use the Camera You Already Have

There’s no need to order any special equipment. If you have a fairly modern smartphone, then you have a good enough camera. Be sure to wipe off your smartphone camera lens before filming. These often get fingerprint smudges and other grime on them, making the image look hazy or soft. And while you're at it, it’s probably a good idea to clean your entire phone with some sanitizer.

You Need Good Lighting

We recommend using a window or several windows for your main light source, but don't have your camera facing these windows. The camera is going to adjust for the light coming in from the windows, leaving your face dark, underexposed, and washed out. However, if you rotate around and face the windows at an angle, the camera will adjust to the lighting, making it a much more appealing and easy-to-view image. Try to use a window that doesn’t have direct sunlight coming through. This will be harsh and unflattering light. You can also use your shades and blinds to help cut down on the harsh direct light.

Your Audio Is Just As Important 

Although smartphones have excellent cameras, they don’t have as great of microphones. Knowing this, there are some helpful things you can do to improve your audio quality. First off, find somewhere quiet to record your video. You want to eliminate any background noises like a TV, fan, or an open window. Audio is also affected by echo or reverb. You can cut this down by getting as many soft, absorbent items as close to the microphone as possible. Consider adding in some blankets and pillows around the area you are recording; this cuts down some of that reverb and echo to improve the audio quality.

So there you go, that’s our five tips for improving the quality of your business videos even while you’re stuck at home or alone at your business. Please stay safe and healthy, and know that we are going to get through this difficult time.

Like this video? We put together 3 more tips for creating videos at home. 

If you're still having trouble creating a decent video at home, our experts are here to give you all the tips and tricks.