Video Content Creation Tips: Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Using Video

So, you’re on board with using video in your marketing strategy. Great…so where do you even start?

Well, I can’t tell you that; it’s really up to you. But I can share with you my initial growing pains and things I would have done differently. That’s right, I’m going to look back on my regrets and share my trials and mistakes with you for your benefit.

In case this is your first time tuning in, let me introduce myself. Reporting from my laundry office in small-town Illinois, this is Virginia Kerr. And I’m here to help you stand out and make money by leveraging and up-leveling your social media videos. I’ve been in the TV and video industry for more than 20 years. Four TV newsrooms, hundreds of videos, blogs, and podcasts later, I’m here to share what I’ve learned with women ready to get the most out of their hard work. 

Does video intimidate you? Make you want to hide? I’m excited to help you push through your limiting beliefs and show you that you can shine on video! I’m closing the gap by teaching you easy systems and sharing templates that help your videos get in front of your ideal clients. 

Welcome to This is Virginia Kerr, The Podcast! Let’s get started!

Buckle up and get ready because I’m packing a lot of info into this post…

JUST TALK 

This one may seem basic, but you really do need to speak in your videos. I got into video content through TikTok trends (think dances and mimicking) which are great for being funny and relevant without being vulnerable or making a connection. I know it’s scary to tell your own stories sometimes, but that vulnerability will go a long way to make a real connection with your clients. It will also carve out your unique voice and set the tone for the rest of your content.  

Get Yourself a Tripod

No, balancing your phone on books or window sills or sinks will not work. That sounds like a one-way ticket to a toilet phone, frankly. Also unless you’re trying to give the impression of filming during a violent earthquake, your shakey videos will alarm/make people sick. This tip is basic but critical, just, get a tripod. 

Don’t Overthink It

When I first started with videos, I was using a fancy expensive camera, and then going into an app and manually uploading and editing the video. Because apparently, I enjoy taking things that can be easy and making them difficult. Smartphone cameras go hard and give the fancy-schmancy ones a run for their money, so really, you’ll be fine with your phone camera and Instagram filters. I mean, if it’s good enough for the Kardashians, it’s probably good enough for you.

Stop Making It Hard

Again, because I apparently enjoy resenting myself, when I’d interview people I’d physically go out into the world to talk to them. Ew. Why? Zoom, baby. Zoom, or Google Meet, or any of the other million interfaces that now exist to connect us to other people from the blissful location of our respective couches. Truly, what was I thinking? 

Calls To Action Calling on Line 1

I’m not saying you have to roll out the sales pitch at the end of every video, but this can be a nice way to connect while increasing engagement. A lot of times, I’ll post all but a little bit of a video and ask for a comment if the viewer wants to see the rest. Again, it’s a little something to make sure people are paying attention and gives us a chance to communicate and connect.

Post Smarter, Not Harder

You gotta post more. You just do. I definitely let my fear of being “too much” for Instagram keep me from posting. And you don’t have to reinvent the wheel here; oftentimes I repurpose my TikTok videos for Instagram. Videos really do have such a powerful way of attracting and keeping your audience, so no you’re not too much. Just post it. 

You’re Allowed to Have Fun

You can be you in all your glory in your videos. Authenticity is endearing, and it’s easy to spot when someone is being inauthentic. And guess what? People don’t like that. So be you, flub, mess up, be goofy and joyful if you want. If that’s you. This isn’t film school, you don’t get a gold star for a black and white short film of you smoking in your underwear while you speak high school French to a man in skinny jeans who represents ennui. Have fun and your audience will like you more, I promise.

Captions, Kid

How many times have you watched a video in public, and because you aren’t a soulless monster, you don’t turn on the sound? This is where captions are everything. Even when people are busy, or just standing in line, or have a spare second, they can still view your video and understand it. Also, let’s not be ableist here, all vids should have captions because there are all kinds of people in this world with all kinds of auditory capabilities. 

Stop Comparing, Don’t Go Changing

The clients that follow you do so because they like you and the content you create. So don’t mess with a good thing! I learned this the hard way when I began emulating creators I saw who I thought seemed “better” than me in terms of content. Well, in the most crushing but validating experiences of my life, my clients began messaging me asking me why my videos had changed in tone? Just because you’re different doesn’t mean you’re wrong. And if you’re not being authentic to who you are, any change isn’t sustainable long term. 

Strategy Strategy Strategy: The Bottomline

Looking back, I wish I had a somewhat linear game plan in mind. Room for flexibility is key, but a loose plan of trajectory would have helped me overall. It’s like a season of a show, where the first 7 follow the story, then episode 8 veers off and is more of a background offshoot, and then by episode 9 we’re back to the overall plot. This is exactly why I started my This is Video School program; we discuss various strategies for every corner of Instagram and TikTok, as well as hold each other accountable through group discussions. Honest feedback and friendship? Yes please! 

If you liked what you learned here, head on over to Instagram and share it on your IG stories and tag me, @thisisvirginiakerr

For more information about the podcast, or to learn more about This is Video School, visit my website. I would love to connect with you more on social media! You can find me on Instagram or join my free Facebook community, This is Video and Content Strategy, to help you level up your branding, messaging and video so you can grow your audience and convert followers into customers.

I look forward to seeing you there!