How to Make Great Videos Without Expensive Camera Gear

In recent years, video content has become more popular on social media platforms and websites.  

Just take a look at these statistics from Forbes:

• 👉🏻 90% of customers say that video helps them make buying decisions, and 64% of customers are more likely to buy a product online after watching a video about it.
• 👉🏻 Including video on a landing page can increase conversion rates by 80%. In addition, emails with videos can increase click-through rates by 200-300%.
• 👉🏻 Over half of consumers want to see more video content from the brands they follow, and 87% of businesses now use video as a marketing tool.

Video is no longer the future...it's here!  It has been for a while now.  

 

However, many people believe that creating great videos requires expensive camera gear.  While having high-end equipment can certainly improve the quality of your videos, it's not a requirement for creating engaging and visually appealing content.  

In this blog post, we'll explore some tips and tricks for making great videos without breaking the bank. Plus, we'l talk about the 3 pieces of equipment that you need to produce high-quality videos right from your desk or workspace so that you can can crank out videos a often as you need without disrupting your current workflow.

Are you ready?  Well let's dive in!

1. Focus on the Story - The most important aspect of any video is the story you are telling. Your video should have a clear narrative and a well-defined purpose. Spend time planning your video, thinking about the message you want to convey, and how you want to convey it.

    🛑 WARNING: Do not overthink this process.  In my experience, people who really want to hear your message, respond better when your videos are not perfect.  They see you as a human being, more approachable and someone that they can relate more with.

2. Use Your Smartphone Camera - The camera on your smartphone is a powerful tool for creating videos.  All smartphones today have high-quality cameras that are more than capable of capturing great video footage.  Take the time to learn about the features of your smartphone camera, such as the ability to adjust exposure and focus.  But most of the time, the auto features will create amazing images for you.  With a right lighting and some basic filming techniques, you can capture stunning footage with your smartphone camera.

   If you want something that connects directly to your computer with little effort, then I suggest the Logitech Brio 4K Webcam.  This is a 4k camera with built-in microphone and very affordable for anyone just getting started.  I till attach to a tripod if you need it and can be mounted to your computer and plugged in with a USB cable.  Great for filming and going LIVE! 

3.  Invest in a Tripod - While it may seem like a small detail, having a steady shot is crucial for creating professional-looking videos. Investing in a tripod for your smartphone or camera can make a huge difference in the quality of your videos. A tripod will help you keep your shots steady and avoid shaky footage.  If you're doing a lot of locked off filming where you don't have to move the tripod head and camera to much, then I would recommend something simple and affordable. Like this one!  

For cell phones, you can always search amazon for some great deals on all sorts of cell phone tripods with or without stands. Here's one!

4.  Consider Lighting - Lighting can make or break your video. Natural light is always a great option, just move yourself in front of a window or go outside, but if you're filming indoors, you'll need to supplement with some artificial lighting. You can find affordable lighting kits online, or even use household lamps to create a soft and flattering light. These are the ones I personally use.  When setting up your lighting, pay attention to the direction and quality of light to create a visually appealing shot.  The more light you have, the better.  

5.  Audio is always your friend - When creating any sort of video, audio is the MOST IMPORTANT!  Most people can forgive and even sit through bad video but audio is hard to sit through.  But if all you have is the microphone on your cell phone or webcam, then use that.  I personally use anything by Deity.  Here are a couple that I use and recommend: The Deity Mini Microphone for your phone and camera.  And the Deity VO-7U Tripod Kit which is a USB Dynamic Podcast Microphone that I use for all of my videos and podcasts.  I even purchased the apple dongle to connect directly to my iPhone.

6.  Edit Your Footage - After you've captured your footage, take the time to edit it. You can use free or inexpensive video editing software to trim your clips, adjust the color and exposure, and add music or text overlays. Editing your footage can make a big difference in the overall quality of your video and help you create a polished final product.  I personally use Final Cut Pro, but iMovie or some other equivalent works just great!  There are even apps now on your cell phone like Splice, or CapCut that can handle most editing.

In conclusion, creating great videos doesn't have to be expensive.  By focusing on the story, using your smartphone camera, investing in a tripod, considering lighting, and editing your footage, you can create engaging and visually appealing content without breaking the bank.  

With practice and experimentation, you can develop your own unique style and create videos that capture your audience's attention.