Creating Video Content for Social Media: Tips from a Calgary Videographer
today, i'm sharing 4 tips for creating video content for social media, Featuring a video shoot with Noto Gelato in Calgary, Alberta.You know when you’re scrolling on social media, and a silly video pops up that you can’t help but share with your friends?
That’s the type of content that people love.
They like to giggle at a video, watch it a few times, and feel like they can’t help but pass it on.
For some brands, this is the type of video content for social media that helps them get seen.
What types of brands can benefit from creating fun video content for social media?
Now, this may be controversial, but I think that almost all brands can benefit from creating video for social media.
We’re all humans, and the humans behind any business like to have fun, and they like to laugh.
But don’t worry, I recognize that sometimes a funny video isn’t going to work for every business. That being said, not being willing to have fun may be holding you back from your social media content taking off.
I recently had an awesome time working with the team at Noto Gelato to create fun content for their gelato business.
We told jokes, we threw gelato around, and we had fun!
Now, I know what you’re thinking…
“You threw gelato around?!”
Yes, we did and you can see all the action captured below!
Noto Gelato posted these on their Instagram, and do you know what happened?
People LOVED it!
How could they not?
These videos show a human side to a business—they show a group of awesome people who love to have fun. You can’t help but watch this content and smile along. When you start creating video content for social media in your own business, you’ll start to feel the same!
Here are my top 4 tips for having fun when creating video content for social media:
01. Get creative
I know how easy it is to create the same content over and over again but don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. Social media video marketing doesn’t have to be boring.
Try something new and see how your followers respond. People like it when you spice it up on your socials.
02. Don’t hold back from showing your real, human and personal side (not just the business-owner side)
I hear it all the time – people don’t want to embarrass themselves on social media.I get it.
But you’re going to have a lot more fun if you stop caring what other people think, and you just have fun with things.
I promise you no one cares that you’re being a little silly—and if they’re judging you, that’s their problem not yours.
People love seeing people do silly things, especially when they are creating video content for social media. If you’re too worried about embarrassing yourself, you won’t be able to let go and have fun with it. Trust me - you should have fun with it!
A great way to get your feet wet is with explainer videos, which allow you to talk about your products or services without having to come up with something yourself. These videos provide a great way to showcase your stuff on social, but with a natural script because its all about your expertise.
03. If you’re laughing, your audience will also be laughing
This is just another way to say have fun!
Everyone is going to think your video is boring if you’re bored making it.
Your followers want to see you having fun, and they want to see you laughing. Everyone likes seeing people have a good time.
Just watch the Noto Gelato videos on their Instagram and see their audience’s response for yourself.
Oh and the craziest part? This video session only took one hour to film (can you believe it?!), so it didn’t take too much time out of their busy schedule of running the store, and we had so much fun doing it!
Everyone involved laughed, smiled, and just had a good time, and these videos were really well-received on their social media.
04. If you need help, hire a videographer!
When creating video content for social media, there's no denying that it can take a lot of planning, preparation, and creative energy to make it look great. But don't let the complexity of creating videos stop you from having fun with the process!
Sure, you could manage the entire process yourself, but if you feel like you need a little help getting started, why not consider hiring a professional videographer?
As a Calgary brand videographer, I promise I will help make it fun! I understand the importance of creating engaging video content for social media that truly resonates with your audience. Plus - I will help make sure that you create video content for social media that reflects YOUR unique voice and brand identity. No templates here!
I also keep up with all the latest trends in video production so that your content stays fresh and relevant. I'll bring my creativity and passion for storytelling, and together we'll ensure your videos have an emotional impact on viewers.
So what are you waiting for?
Are you ready to create fun video content for social media?
It’s time you step out of your comfort zone and have a good laugh.
If you’re a Calgary business that is looking to grow, reach out to learn more about how I can help you grow your social media and get you more connected with your audience online!
-
I want social media videos, but how do I hire a social media videographer? And what social media video will they produce?
Hiring a videographer to help create social media video requires a thoughtful approach not only to who you hire but also to your video marketing strategy.
You want a professional who understands not only the technical aspects of social media videos but also the production process and the unique requirements of social platforms and audiences. Here's a guideline to help you in this process:
Determine Your Needs
Before beginning your search, clarify your needs. Are you looking for someone to create engaging short videos for platforms like TikTok or Instagram Stories? Or perhaps longer content like YouTube videos? Your needs will guide the kind of videographer you seek. You will also need to know if you need video ideas.
At A-List we do it all, and we love helping companies discover new ways to connect with their target audience.
Research and Recommendations
Personal endorsements can offer insight into a videographer's professionalism, creativity, and reliability. Additionally, online platforms like LinkedIn, Behance, or even specialized videography websites can be good places to view portfolios and gather potential candidates.
View Portfolios
Always ask to see a portfolio, video clips or a reel. This will give you a sense of their style, quality of work, and versatility. For social media videos, they must demonstrate an understanding of crafting content that resonates with digital audiences.
Here is a link to some of my work so you can see some examples.
Discuss Budget and Deliverables
Be clear about your budget from the outset and ask for a detailed quote. This should include costs for shooting, editing, any additional equipment or props, and potential revisions. Ensure both parties understand the deliverables, timelines, and any other expectations.
If you are interested in working with me you can check out my Content Creation Page all about my packages.
Start with a Trial
A trail can serve as a practical audition and give you a clearer idea of their capabilities and how they work. At A-list Studio, we have an introductory package that can be a starting point and can be expanded.
-
Almost all of the social media networks, or social media channels will allow you to post video and branded content, but some are more geared that way than others.
TikTok is primarily video, and one of the emerging social media channels, especially when it comes to business. Not all social media accounts are emerging media channels, some are more established. Either way, your video project will work on most platforms, and a single video can be used across multiple platforms.
Some of the more established social media websites are Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
Regardless of the channel, professional and appealing videos will work better, and for digital marketing, developing integrated campaigns is always the best practice.
Your social media marketing goals will have a lot to do with what content you need for each platform. Digital marketing or online marketing does have some complexity to it, and that is where I can really help you focus in on what you need for your business.
-
I love helping small businesses and all kinds of businesses get great videos for their marketing, because not everyone is a content creator.
We have one-off video shoots and long-term content partnerships called the Video Content Creation Package.
You can get more information about this package by clicking HERE
Social media campaigns and your social strategy will often involve not only keeping up to date but also posting new and fresh content on a regular basis.
Video content ideas can be difficult to come up with so we like to plan each of the video posts for each social media platform and make it easy to implement down the road.
Our package includes the marketing videos you will need and the strategic planning required to glue it all together.
-
The ideal length of social media videos (and branded content) often depends on the platform, the nature of the content, and the intended audience. However, as a general guideline, it's vital to remember that attention spans on social media are short, so it's often better to get your message across concisely. Below are some general recommendations for video lengths on various platforms.
Instagram:
Feed Videos: 60 seconds or less.
Stories: Up to 15 seconds (though you can post multiple stories in a row for longer content).
IGTV: 15 seconds to 10 minutes for most accounts, but larger accounts and verified profiles can upload videos up to 60 minutes when uploaded from a computer.
Reels: 3 to 60 seconds.
Twitter:
Videos can be up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds, but shorter, snappier videos (around 30 seconds to a minute) tend to do better.
Facebook:
Feed Videos: 1 to 2 minutes is often recommended for engagement. However, Facebook allows videos up to 240 minutes.
Stories: Up to 20 seconds.
Facebook Live: Longer broadcasts can work here, often ranging from 10 minutes to over an hour, depending on content and audience engagement.
LinkedIn:
Videos can be anywhere from 3 seconds to 10 minutes. However, videos under 2 minutes are generally more engaging.
TikTok:
Videos can range from 1 to 3 minutes, but the classic, most common format is 15 seconds to 1 minute.
YouTube:
There's a lot of flexibility. While you can upload videos up to 12 hours (depending on account verification), most successful YouTube videos fall between 7 to 15 minutes. However, the ideal length can vary widely depending on the content type (e.g., tutorials, vlogs, reviews).
Snapchat:
Snaps: 10 seconds.
Stories: Composed of multiple snaps, so overall length can vary.
Pinterest:
15 seconds to 5 minutes, but shorter, tutorial-style or promotional videos around 1 minute tend to do well.
Remember, these are just general guidelines, the right videographer will help make sure video production and the final product is perfect for what you need. Depending on your content, audience, and the message you want to convey, you might find deviations from these norms that work best for you. Always monitor engagement metrics and audience feedback to fine-tune your content strategy.
-
Absolutely! Video content can be a powerful addition to blog posts, even social media videos can make blog content richer. Adding video clips to your blog can offer several benefits:
Multimedia Experience: Incorporating video can provide readers with a multimedia experience, catering to those who might prefer to watch a video over reading text. When you create video content specifically for this purpose it can significantly increase your engagement.
Enhanced Understanding: Videos can help explain complex concepts or demonstrate processes that might be challenging to describe using words alone. For instance, a tutorial blog post could be complemented by a step-by-step demonstration video.
Increased Engagement: Videos can boost engagement on your blog, keeping visitors on your site longer. This can potentially reduce bounce rates and increase the chance of conversions.
SEO Benefits: Videos can aid in search engine optimization. Search engines like Google often prioritize content that offers a rich user experience. Embedding relevant videos in your blog posts can enhance visibility in search results. Additionally, hosting videos on platforms like YouTube (owned by Google) and embedding them in your blog can further improve your content's discoverability.
Shareability: Videos are often more shareable than text content. Readers might share your video on social media platforms, increasing your content's reach.
Building Trust: Showing real people or real-life applications in videos can help build trust with your audience, especially if you're discussing products, services, or testimonials.
Remember, while videos can enhance a blog post, it's essential to ensure that they're of high quality, relevant to the content, and add value to the reader's experience.
You also need to pay attention to the type of video and your audience.
Who are you trying to reach?
Stop motion videos might work great for one brand, but not for another. Expert videographers will be able to help yo get exactly what you need.
