😱 How to Shoot Video for Social

Daylight, iPhone, action

Author

Gordon Simle
October 31, 2024

Onward Everyday Halloween Edition

Happy Halloween. 🧛🏻

Today, we’re talking about the thing that brings all the spooky, scary skeletons out of people when it comes to content creation.

Let’s get into it.

— Gordon

😱 How to Shoot Video for Social

One type of social media content simultaneously accelerates brand and business growth and strikes fear into the hearts of every human: video. 😱

Today’s mobile device cameras are good enough to shoot cinematic music videos for The Weeknd, so capturing quality videos for social should be easy, right?

Not quite.

It’s easy to capture videos with stellar image quality.

The ability to upload the next viral video is a simple process.

Still, getting over the fear of failure and disliking how we look and sound on camera stops most people dead in their tracks. 💀

What if a mindset shift and a few simple tips helped you overcome those blockers?

What if posting short videos on social media for a couple of months poured rocket fuel on your business's growth?

Here are 5 simple steps to achieving both.

Step 1: Recognize Real

I have bad news and good news.

Most of us don’t love how we look and sound on camera. 🙋🏻‍♂️

That’s how everyone else sees and hears us every day, and they still like you. 🤗

The voice you and everyone else hear on a recording is your actual voice.

The voice you hear when you speak is a different version, courtesy of your voice traveling through your 💀 to your inner ear.

You don’t like it because you’re not used to it. It’s psychological. That’s it.

The more you record video or audio and hear your true voice, the more you’ll become accustomed to it and begin to like it, or at least be comfortable with it.

When it comes to how you look on camera, you can control more than you think.

In Hollywood, they have a team of clothes stylists, makeup and hair artists, etc.

Unless that’s a talent of yours as well, most of us don’t have those resources.

Looking good on camera comes down to a few simple things.

Here’s my AAL framework:

  1. Attire (no gingham, checks, or thin stripes)

  2. Angles (straight on or a few degrees above zero, never below)

  3. Lighting (use daylight whenever possible)

Learning to appreciate how you look at sound takes some time.

Like building a skill, put in the reps, and it will come.

Until then, I think you’re great. Get out there.

Step 2: It’s Lit!

Lighting is the secret weapon to making everything look good.

You don’t need to hire a gaffer or spend thousands on gear.

You just need to be thoughtful and use daylight often.

When filming during the day, film yourself outside or inside, facing a (large) window.

If it’s mid-day, the sunlight may be too harsh, so close the blinds to create an even glow. That’s called diffusion. Unless, of course, they’re blackout shades, then leave them open and adjust your camera’s exposure, if possible.

Windows are especially helpful in an office since those tungsten overhead lights aren’t flattering and typically look yellow and dull. Sometimes you can’t avoid them.

Never film with a window or bright light behind you.

You’ll be washed out and difficult to see.

Viewers hate that and will click away.

When you’re filming at night, set up a lamp or key light just left (or right) of your camera to create a dramatic look and sharpen the image your camera receives.

Step 3: Microphone Check

The most important thing about filming videos is having good audio.

People will deal with lower-quality images over terrible audio.

Your iPhone mic is good in a pinch or for Instagram Stories.

I highly recommend investing in a good microphone for long-form videos (YouTube) or Instagram Reels.

If you’re filming mostly stationary videos of yourself talking to the camera, consider a shotgun microphone to help isolate your voice and reduce ambient noise.

A more versatile option is a modern Lavalier microphone.

I use the Rode Wireless GO II Dual system with a USB-C cable. It can be used in a few ways and is great for filming yourself or an interview.

Step 4: The Setup

Before filming, ensure your camera or iPhone settings are ready.

I recommend filming in 4K, 30fps (or 24fps for a more cinematic look).

Go to Settings (in iPhone) > Camera to make these adjustments.

Click Formats and choose Most Compatible under Camera Capture.

Here are my settings if that helps.

Step 5: Phone A Friend

Aim to post one video to social media every day.

When running a business and living a great personal life, even one video daily is much easier said than done.

Connect with a friend or colleague interested in creating content for their business or personal brand and schedule a day each month to film 30 short videos together.

Knowing what to shoot will take some planning, but investing time in batch filming content will make the rest of your month much easier and keep your content delivery consistent.

The best things are on the other side of hard, which doesn’t mean you have to do hard things alone.

Everything is better with friends.

ONWARD TOGETHER.

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