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Immediately Elevate Your Video Content With These Tips

Look, I'm not going on a long-winded rant about how "video is king" or wasting your precious time attempting to prove why it's so important.

Every creative medium that builds your online business is important.

• Writing
• Photos
• Video

All important vehicles to deliver the messages you need your audience to hear.

But video is definitely a popular barrier to entry for anyone wanting to build and make a name for themselves online.

I often take for granted all of the little tips and tricks I've learned along the way to create social-first video that builds authority on my own social channels while also providing a steady income stream from brands that want to purchase video projects from me.

But first, what exactly IS social-first video?

It's a video created with the intention of being consumed on a social media platform like TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook Reels. Etc.

I approach creating a video for one of these platforms differently than I would a video for a website or even traditional YouTube.

The difference:

Vertical Filming

If I'm creating for these platforms, I want to make sure I'm filming in a 9:16 portrait mode, not 16:9 landscape mode. Simply put, don't hold your phone horizontally if you're planning on posting on a platform that is consumed vertically.

Sometimes, it's unavoidable, and there are a few workarounds, but we can dive into those later. However, if I'm filming and creating specifically to post to social media, I'm filming vertically. (And yes, I'm using softball content because it dominates our life in the summers.)

Keep It Short & Hook 'Em Fast

You have less than three seconds to capture someone's attention while they scroll through the endless sea of social media content. Getting their attention quickly is necessary.

What visual shot can you draw interest with?

What type of text can you type on the first frame of the video to catch a user's attention?

Leading a user in and teasing with a hook helps grab attention and hold it throughout the video.

Let's Talk Camera Settings, Lighting, and Other Random Tips:

Camera settings can make a HUGE difference when filming. No matter if you're using an iPhone or Android, you can adjust these settings directly on your phone.

Here's where mine are set:

• 4k at 30FPS (FPS= frames per second)
• Grid Lines are always turned ON.
  • This helps to make sure what you're filming is centered and balanced.
  • I go square by square and pay attention to the details in each grid to make sure there's no clutter or unwanted scenes and everything looks clean throughout the video.
• HDR turned OFF

Lighting. It's everything.

• Bright, natural lighting is always best when possible. I love a good morning and evening golden hour to film. Scroll back up to the vertical video example and the video on the right was filmed at 7 AM. Nothing beats that sunrise/sunset rich, golden, coloring.
• Never film with a window behind your subject. Always film with the natural light coming towards the subject.
• You can adjust the lighting on your camera screen to play around before hit record.
• No natural light? Ring lights are worth Every. Single. Penny.

Here are my personal favorites:

• ​Full Tripod Ringlight​
• ​Selfie light for phone​

Random tips:

• Clean off your phone lenses with a microfiber cloth before you film.
• Pay attention to what is in the background.
• REMOVE CLUTTER

Are you looking for more 1:1 coaching on creating social-first videos? I've got a few office hours available in the upcoming weeks!

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Have a question or thought to add to today's issue? Reply directly to this email. I read them all.

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Happy Creating,

What I'm Reading:

​​"The Creative Habit Learn It And Use It For Life" by Twyla Tharp​

I've had some crazy creative blocks lately, so I did a little thumbing around Fable to find a book that would help me get out of my head and get back in the groove.

Also, if you're not on Fable yet, you should be. It blows Goodreads out of the water. Join below and get a $5 credit towards their ebook store!

Creator Starter Kit:

Peruse all of my favorite gear. From easy phone add-ons, to full blogging capabilities.

Who I learn from: