These are unprecedented times we are experiencing, but many of us still need to produce content for our businesses. So what’s the best way to do this on our own?

Unfortunately, in many areas around the country, the only businesses able to operate outside of a home office are ones deemed essential, putting limitations on hiring video professionals for content creation.

Fortunately, we live in a time where quality content can be produced right on our mobile device or laptop.

I’m going to give you some tips on how to polish your videos to keep the content looking and sounding great.

  1. First, let’s talk about gear. No matter what you are shooting video on, you need to clean the lens. Make sure to wipe the lens off and remove any dirt, fingerprints, or smudges.
  2. Avoid shaky, unsteady video at all costs. Nobody wants to feel seasick after watching your video. If you are filming on a laptop, avoid sitting the computer on your lap. Place it on a solid surface. Look at the image and try to position your camera so as not to leave too much headroom.
  3. If you are using your phone, avoid shooting video vertically. If you have a tripod, use it. If not, try placing the phone on a table or countertop. Remember, steady is the goal here.
  4. If you have to have movement, try to keep your arm as steady as possible. If at all possible, consider using a stabilizer. There are several affordable options available for smartphone stabilizers/Gimbals.
  5. Lighting is crucial. If you are shooting outside, try to find a shaded area. If shade is not possible, avoid shooting with the sun at your back. This will create an undesirable silhouette.
  6. The same principle applies to indoor shooting. Avoid shooting on your laptop or phone with your back to a window. Place yourself facing the window. Be aware of your backgrounds. If it’s dark, turn on some lights. Again, have them in front of you whenever possible.
  7. Audio. With most smartphones and laptops, the microphones are pretty good and continue to increase in quality. If you are recording on your laptop, remember to check that you have the correct input/output settings in place.
  8. Post-production. If you do not have an in-house video editor, you can send your finished videos to both YouTube and Vimeo, which have video editors built into their applications. iPhones automatically include iMovie, another video editing software. For Android users, there are several free video apps – InShot, Kinemaster, and YouCut are a few.

I hope this article helps you to continue making great content!