Personally, I think the possibilities are endless when it comes to making a great video for your website, which is probably why I find the topic so interesting. To me, it’s another form of storytelling that done well, is an effective means of conveying your message. It can also be a highly entertaining and memorable one, too. But only if it’s well-produced! It’s my opinion, but a bad video can make your entire site look bad.
What goes into the making of a video
Generally speaking, there are several items you need to make a good video. They are:
- A great visual idea
- A great script
- A shot list
- A good camera package (i.e. camera, sound, lights and props)
- Good editing software
- A place to host your video like YouTube, Vimeo, your own website, etc.
Of course, I’m over-simplifying things here, but that’s the basic list, and I will get into more of the nitty-gritty of each item on the list in upcoming posts.
Most important: Have a GREAT visual idea
Before you even push RECORD on your camera, the most important thing you need is: a great idea. And in this case, a great visual idea. It may sound like I’m stating the obvious, but this is a point that so many people miss. You need to have a compelling reason for making this video, and that reason has to be evident throughout.
A really good starting point is to revisit your website and remember why you started your business, how it has grown, what inspires you, and what you do that no one else does. When you’re excited about what you do, it’s infectious. Other people will want to know more. Then, as you turn more toward the making of your video, ask yourself a few more questions:
- Who is your audience?
- What does your audience need to know?
- What does your audience want to see?
- What will you show?
- What will you say?
- What will your audience gain from seeing this video? Is it possible that they can get the same or better information from the text on your site?
Once you’ve answered these questions, every other step in the production process is easier because you’ll have a clear reason for making your video. OMG, you’ll get so excited about filming that you won’t be able to sleep at night! Visions of all the great things you’ll show and say will rush at you like a tsunami! I’m not kidding! This is the excitement you’ll feel and that you’ll need to sustain during the entire process!
Hopefully I’ve got you thinking about how to get started on your new project. So now I’m going to leave you with the following video, one of many on Etsy’s YouTube Channel. In a matter of seconds, Lacey Smith shows how she makes beautiful hand-crafted footwear for babies (can you believe the human hand moves that fast?) how she got started and what she loves about her work. Effective? Visit her page on Etsy and look at her feedback and sales.
Next: Writing A Script. Or not writing one. That’s a question.
cheers, mari
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Very cool.