A polished and professional video communicating your brand clearly will impress your audience. Fortunately, it’s easier to put together a professional business video, especially with the technology available. Achieving a professional look, however, takes more than tools but technique. Even the most expensive equipment can be squandered by someone who needs to learn the technique.
Here are a few key tips for creating professional business videos – and it takes far less equipment than you think.
Plan Your Video in Significant Detail
A professional corporate video should be carefully planned. Include details, including the dialogue, where you’ll shoot, and what shots you want to take. The more you plan, the more time you save after the cameras are there and rolling.
Have Every Shot Mean Something
Ensure your video has a seamless flow and the narrative moves along well. Script and storyboard with this in mind. Review both. Make edits and adjustments before you start filming. Consult with others for a second opinion if you’re working on it all yourself.
Build Up to a CTA
Your business video has a point. Feel free to get to it. Structure your professional video to build up towards a CTA. Let your viewer know what you expect them to do after watching the video or what the takeaway should be.
Understand The Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is based on human psychology. Visualize a 3-by-3 grid over every shot. Instead of placing a subject in the middle, place them along the lines of the grid or where lines intersect, which are known to be strong areas of focus.
Lots of Light
How you light your video is important. Make using plenty of light a priority. Improperly placed or amateur lights will make your video look less professional.
Film In Morning Hours or Evening
Natural light is softer in the morning or evening. Ideally, film a business video during these hours instead of the afternoon, when light is coming down straight overhead and likely to cast a harsh shadow on anyone in the scene.
Minimize Unflattering Shadows
Look for unflattering shadows and combat them with intentional light placements. Use large lamps to cast the light how you want. The less shadows, the better.
Prioritize Clear Audio
As important as clear video is, clear audio is even more important. Fuzzy, indistinct audio is different from what people want to listen to. Invest in a microphone that performs well and can capture professional-grade audio while filming.
Record Dialogue Nearby
Record dialogue with your microphone as close to the subject as possible to minimize background noise. Consider using a pop filter to eliminate blips and crackles in the recording.
Use a Tripod
For clean, still video footage, use a tripod. As steady as a hand is, a tripod is steadier. Any viewer will be able to tell the difference. An adjustable tripod can also be put on a dolly or set on specific surfaces to capture video from all angles.
If You Use Your Phone, Try This
It’s a far better idea to rent or buy a professional video camera. If you use your phone, use the camera on the back and record in landscape mode. If your phone has an overlay grid, use it.
Shoot From a Variety of Angles
Cutting from one angle to another adds visual interest when you edit your video. Capture footage from various angles to have lots of video to pull from when assembling the finished product.
Shoot in a Professional Environment
Many professional videos are shot in a professional environment, such as where you work. This is a natural place to set your video.
Avoid Windows and Mirrors
Placement near windows and mirrors could cause the camera you’re using to reflect in the background of your shot. This is a common error. Move away from any windows.
Be Mindful of the Background
Nothing looks worse than a mess or distractions in your background. For professional business video backgrounds, aim for a solid-coloured background. Try a solid-coloured wall, bedsheet, or backdrop paper taped together.
Use Professional Video Editing Software
It would help to have professional-grade editing software to turn your pro footage into a professional video. Ensure you can add text to the video, trim and crop it, do scene transitions, change the aspect ratio, add filters and overlays, and have a library of stock videos and sounds.
Keep Editing Simple and Minimal
As fun as it can be to try out all sorts of effects, in a professional video, you want to be moderate. Could you keep it simple? Clean up background noise. Adjust the lighting where/if needed. Cut out and trim off awkward pauses. Add background music or transitions. The last thing you’ll want is to layer a ton of effects.
