How to make Cool Videos for your Social Networks
Videos have taken over the internet, a trend that began to change with YouTube, which now ranks second among the platforms people use to search online, behind only Google, with more than 1 billion hours of video watched per day according to a Brandwatch survey.
However, in addition to YouTube, which is a platform exclusively dedicated to publishing video content, other digital environments also benefit from the popularity of videos, such as Facebook (with more than 100 million hours watched per day), Instagram, and a host of new platforms such as Twitch and TikTok.
In other words, the interest of people and companies alike in producing an eye-catching recording to generate engagement is not a unique need for YouTube but also inherent to social media users.
If you are interested in creating a video with relevant content that promotes more engagement on social media, whether for a personal or commercial profile, check out some tips below that will help you with this question.
Have a strategy
The very first thing you need to do is come up with the strategy, and to do this, you need to consider several things. What do you want to achieve with this content? Are you trying to go viral and increase the number of followers? Do you own a business and want to promote it and generate more customers?
Once you answer these vital questions, it is time to think about other things. Do you have a budget you must meet? What will your followers find appealing? Do you have all the necessary tools and equipment for filming and production? This initial step is probably the most complex one, but once you plan everything, the whole process will be that much easier.
Include the soundtrack
A tip that goes against the grain of many tutorials is where to start your production. Given the recent phenomenon of the soundtrack being used as the focus of a video script, especially on TikTok, we understand that this is the best way to fit the content correctly. If you don’t know how to put music on video, there are specific tools for this function and one of them is offered by InVideo, which has a series of copyright-free tracks, so they can even be used commercially.
Now, when choosing a soundtrack, there are several things you need to consider. Keep in mind that music sets the mood for the entire recording, so you need to think about the aim of it and then decide whether you want it to be upbeat or not. It is a great way to grab people’s attention, but if you are working on content to promote your brand, you need to go with something that reflects it perfectly.
Search for references
Before putting your face in the creation of videos, look for some inspiration that can be applied in your production, after all, there is no lack of quality and relevant content, just know where to look. Take some time to do research and make a list of possibilities. Then, go over them, and select the ones that fit your vision.
Build soon a script of what should be done
Before starting the recordings, create a brief script listing everything you have to record and produce so that it fits the song and also your proposal, so you can better visualize the recording order, which doesn’t always match the one presented in the assembly. This way, you will have a schedule to follow as well as all the details on the clip itself. Planning everything will minimize the chances of mistakes you have to correct later, and the whole process will be much more enjoyable.
Focus on the first few seconds
One thing that all people have in common nowadays is that they won’t watch a video or read an article unless it sparks their interest right in the beginning. Why would they? There is so much content online, and it is really easy to find something else that entertains them.
Due to this reason, you need to ensure those few seconds of the clip are captivating. Well, according to research, it is eight seconds, to be exact. How to do this? Well, you have several options, from the soundtrack to visuals, hooks, important questions, and even quotes.
Keep it short
Another thing you need to have in mind is that people’s attention span is pretty short when it comes to online content. People will watch a 20-minute video only if they are really interested in the subject and if the recording offers the information they seek. Otherwise, they will be out after a minute or two.
It is why it is vital to keep the video short but ensure that it is still relevant. This is why it is crucial to have a plan. You will probably have to change a lot of things from the original vision, cut some parts, and so on. If you want to deal with a complex subject and excluding parts is not an option, you can make a series of bite-sized videos.
Add subtitles
If your recording includes talking or interviews, and you want to include music, you cannot forget about subtitles. This is the first point you need to consider. There is nothing more frustrating than watching a video and not being able to understand what is said because the music is too loud. Of course, you will make sure it is only a background sound, but it can still decrease the overall quality of the media clip, and hence, the user engagement.
Similarly, if you want to reach a global audience, subtitles are crucial. First of all, not everyone speaks English perfectly. On the other hand, people who do may not be proficient, and it is probably easier for them to listen and read simultaneously.
Conclusion
Now that you have relevant and simple tips on how to produce cool videos for social media, just put them into practice to generate more engagement, whether for you or your company, and watch the numbers of likes, viewing, and sharing grow exponentially.
