If you’ve seen our recent calendar, offered as a free download in our last e-newsletter, you already know that yesterday was National Camera Day, and today, June 30, is World Social Media Day.
Most of us have read or experienced first-hand that visuals — be they photos, videos, charts, infographics, cartoons or what have you — significantly increase click-through-rates and engagement with social media posts. Given the level of difficulty creating the latter categories, most of us are relegated to taking photos (or purchasing stock photos when it comes to business use and licensing concerns). No offense to the organizers of Camera Day, but chances are, you’re not sure the last time you used or even charged your fancy old digital camera (bonus points to photography purists who still own a film camera!).
Smartphones are more convenient, already located in your purse or pocket when you see that immediate photo op, and often take better quality photos. And, the resolution and editing capabilities only get better and more affordable with each new smartphone model, of course.
Facebook’s constantly changing algorithm has continued to punish photo-related posts and boost numbers related to video posts — videos are at least twice as likely as photos to garner attention in news feeds.
When you stop to consider that businesses can create these assets with smartphones, or that even major news organizations are using viewer-contributed videos or photographs taken with phones, it’s quite remarkable, really. You can create effective videos for your website or social media posts without breaking the bank, hiring a film crew or renting any equipment. Just follow our Director of Content Doug Gruse’s 10 tips to take pro-quality videos with your smartphone … and improve your social media presence in the process! Just a little Happy Social Media Day love from us to you!
10 tips to create pro-quality videos with your phone
1. Put the phone in “airplane mode.” Your battery will last longer, and it also will block phone calls and push alerts, which can interrupt your filming.
2. Keep your charger handy and purchase a car charger. Video drains battery life quickly.
3. Always hold the phone horizontally. Think of your phone as a movie screen as you film to help with framing.
4. Short clips are easier to work with and don’t drain the battery as quickly. Try to keep shots less than one minute, if possible. It is easier to edit a number of short clips than one long clip.
5. Use an external microphone, which plugs into the headphone jack, to enhance audio during interviews.
6. Imagine the finished product as you shoot. Shoot segments that can be used for “B-roll” and voiceovers, when appropriate. Try to get action whenever possible. Think beyond the talking heads.
7. When filming an interview subject, capture video of that person’s face in addition to the audio. Even if you only use a few second of “face time,” it will enhance the project.
8. Get people’s names whenever possible, especially if they speak on camera. You will want to ID them in the finished product.
9. Lighting is important. Try to position the camera to take advantage of whatever light is available. Low-level lighting is most challenging.
10. Try to be smart about your framing, just like in a photo. Is the background distracting? Choose a different camera angle to adjust.
At Shift Key, we make communication capital. We are journalists who know how to create original content, the foundational layer of digital marketing. We understand audience and the information your audience wants – whether you are an agency, brand, company or non-profit. Content is the bedrock of digital marketing. Shift Key creates unique and informative content that feeds marketing activities across a mounting number of channels, generating buzz for brands and leads for products and services.