Content Creation For YouTube | How To Film Your YouTube Video | Molly Ann Luna
You have an excellent idea for a YouTube video. Now what?
I've been filming videos for years. Once I rededicated myself to growing my YouTube channel, I strictly filmed all of my videos for nearly two years before investing in a DSLR camera.
In this episode, I'm going to show you how to film your youtube video so that you're set up and looking like a pro. Whether you're filming from an iPhone or a DSLR, I'm sure you'll walk away with a helpful YouTube insight, as I'll be sharing tips on both.
Step 1: Plan Your Video
Before you start filming, it's essential to have a plan. What is your video topic? Who is your target audience? What kind of style do you want to deliver with your video? Answering these questions will help you determine your video's overall look and feel.
*go back and watch the previous episode (ADD LINK & THUMBNAIL IMAGE HERE)
Step 2: Gather Your Equipment
Once you have a plan for your video, it's time to gather the equipment you need to film it. You only need an excellent digital camera, a tripod, and lighting. If you don't have much money to spend on equipment, don't worry – you can still produce high-quality videos with essential equipment.
If you have a little extra cash to spend on equipment, some additional pieces of equipment can help improve the quality of your videos. For example, adding a microphone will ensure that your audio is clear and concise. Adding a green screen can also be helpful if you want to do any special effects in your video.
Step 3: Find your film spot
The next step is to find the right location for your video. If you're filming indoors, try to find a room with lots of natural light. If you're filming outdoors, try to find a location away from busy streets or city noises. It's also essential to ensure that your film site is clean and clutter-free.
Once you've found the perfect location, it's time to set up your camera and lights. Place your camera on a tripod or prop it up on a stack of books and position it so that it is facing toward you. If you are using any special lighting, set it up so that it illuminates you without causing harsh shadows.
Once your equipment is set up and you're hair and makeup ready, it's time to start filming!
4. Make eye contact
Speak directly into the camera lens and make eye contact with your viewers
Let's be honest; talking to a camera in a quiet room is weird. And we can be tempted to check ourselves out in the confidence screen (if we have one), but avoid doing this.
Think of the camera lens as the other person's eyes. Look directly into the camera lens as much as possible. Doing so helps to build a report. When you check yourself out on the confidence screen, it makes the viewer feel weird.
5. Be concise
Keep your videos short and to the point.
I get it; you're passionate about what you do. It's easy to ramble on about your chosen topic, but remember, in today's boisterous and distracting world, it's best to keep your video as short and to the point as possible.
That being said, research also shows that best-performing youtube videos typically fall between 8-12 min in length. If you can make an engaging video within that time threshold, then go for it. If not, don't stress.
You're video only needs to be as long as you need to get the point across to your ideal audience.
6. Editing Your YouTube Video
Add titles, graphics, and music to your videos for added effect.
If you become a bit wordy, dare I say boring. Then magic can be found in the editing.
Adding a few sound effects, popup text, music, or cut-ins can jazz up a raw a roll in no time.
When it comes to video editing, you can use a free tool on your MacBook Pro called iMovie. You can go back through my video archives and watch hundreds of my first videos to see how I used to edit them all myself with this easy-to-use and accessible tool.
Invest in a video editor for those who are short on time and have some extra spending cash. I recommend that you check out fiverr.com. Use the same initial aroll your shot, hire a few editors and see which version comes back with a style you'd be proud to post.
Filming and editing YouTube videos may seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be! By following these simple steps – planning your video, gathering your equipment, finding the right location, and setting up your camera – you can easily film high-quality YouTube videos that will engage and delight your viewers!
Now it's time to share your work with the world by uploading and optimizing your video to the YouTube platform so that it has the best chance to reach more viewers. I'll show you how to do that in the next episode!