Creating Killer Content Through A Video Production Guide is a step-by-step guide for creating videos that keep your audience engaged. It covers everything from planning and pre-production to recording and post-production.
Before you start putting together your shot list or preparing for the shoot, it’s important to consider the end goal of the video. This will help you determine what kind of footage you’ll need and how much to capture.
Know Your Audience
A well-crafted marketing video can be a powerful way to reach your audience. However, creating this type of content is not an easy task and requires a solid plan to make it work. It involves several moving parts, such as a production workflow, scripting, editing and more.
The most important step in the process is knowing your audience. This includes understanding their likes, dislikes, frustrations and challenges. This will help you build your message and story around them in a way that resonates with them and inspires action.
You can gather much of this information through existing data, customer interviews and surveys or trawling social media to find out who your customers are. You can also do some more extensive research by holding focus groups or administering surveys to gather deeper insight into their pain points and challenges.
Once you know your audience, the next step is to set clear objectives. This will guide you throughout the planning and production phases. It will also help you determine a budget and timeline to keep in mind.
As part of the pre-production phase, you should create a script and storyboard to map out your video. This will allow you to visualize the shots and scenes you need to capture in the production phase (phase two). It is also a good idea to shoot some b-roll footage for use during the editing process. This may include shots of the location(s) from different angles, the crew and talent setting up, or any other shot that catches your eye and fits the theme of the video.
It’s also a good idea to hold a table read or run through with the on-screen talent to get a feel for how they will deliver the script. This will help you to identify any issues that need to be addressed before your shoot day.
Know Your Content
Before you start shooting video, you need to know what you want your video to accomplish. This is called a production brief. It should include the following: the video objectives, the target audience, the core message, and the budget and deadline. It’s a document that will help you to stay on track throughout the entire video creation process.
You should also decide what kind of style your video will be in and what type of production technique you will use. This will affect the outcome of the final video and will help you to find the best way to express your message. For example, will your video be live-action or animated? Will it have a more polished look or feel more like authentic-feeling user-generated content (UGC)?
The content of your video must be both compelling and helpful. A compelling video will capture the attention of your audience and leave them wanting more. A helpful video will provide useful information and encourage your audience to take action. The call-to-action (CTA) should be clear and direct and should circle back to the campaign goals and business objectives set during the planning stage.
Your video should also showcase your product or service in a way that is unique and sets you apart from your competitors. This will make your brand more memorable and increase the likelihood of a positive ROI. A good way to do this is by using creative and emotional elements to highlight the benefits of your offering. For example, you can use storytelling techniques that appeal to emotions, striking visuals or music.
Finally, it’s important to remember that your video may reach audiences outside of the United States. Ensure that your video is accessible to them by adding subtitles or closed-captioning. This will allow non-native speakers and hearing-challenged viewers to understand the content of your video and get the most out of it.
Know Your Budget
When it comes to video production, there are many moving parts and unforeseen complications that can add up quickly. Having a clear budget from the start can help ensure that the entire process runs smoothly, and that your investment will yield a high ROI well into the future.
When creating a video production budget, it’s important to consider every single cost associated with the project. While this may seem daunting at first, it is vital to the success of your video project. To do so, begin by identifying your goals and audience. This will allow you to develop a creative approach and script that will deliver your message effectively. From there, you can create a budget and timeline that will support your objectives.
Once you’ve created your budget, it’s important to keep an eye on it throughout the production process. This will help you identify any discrepancies between your estimated costs and the actual total cost of your video project. This will also help you identify any areas where you might be overspending, and make adjustments to prevent future overruns.
Keeping an eye on your budget is also vital to ensuring that your project stays on schedule. As you move through the pre-production process, be sure to optimize your schedules and take into account any potential delays that could add up during production (phase two). You can also leverage tools like Boords to storyboard your project, which will help to ensure that your narrative and visual concepts align with your budget.
Finally, be sure to include a section in your video production budget for miscellaneous expenses. Small expenses such as coffee runs or that extra roll of gaffer tape might not seem like a big deal in isolation, but they can add up quickly. By including a separate category for these expenses, you’ll be able to keep track of them and avoid any surprises down the line.
Know Your Tools
A well-planned video production process is a must to ensure that you create content that will be beneficial to your business like live streaming services for events. Luckily, a few key tools can help you streamline the process and make it much more effective.
First and foremost, know your audience. This will help guide the tone and style of your video, as well as give you an idea of what kind of information to include. A clear goal from the beginning will also be helpful in keeping your team on track throughout the project. It will also help you determine what types of tools you may need for your video.
The next step is to plan out your strategy and script for the video. This will be the most time-consuming phase of the entire video production process, so it’s important to do your research and make sure you have everything planned out before you start shooting. A great tool for planning out your video is a production brief, which should outline the project’s goals, target audience, core message, budget, and timeline. It will also cover what success looks like for your video, so you can measure its effectiveness.
Once your script is finalized, it’s a good idea to storyboard and table read the video. This will help you translate the ideas in your head into concrete visual goals that align with each part of your script. This will also help you identify any potential issues before you go on location. For example, if you’re shooting outside, be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and water for your cast and crew. Also, if you’re using a microphone, it’s a good idea to bring extra lavalier mics to reduce echo and noise in your audio.
Know Your Time
When putting together a video production, time is of the essence. It’s important to have a good understanding of how long it takes to do a particular video so that you can plan your time accordingly. Achieving a finished product in a timely manner is essential for making sure that the video will be beneficial to your business, especially if it’s part of a larger marketing campaign.
The first phase of the process is called pre-production. It involves all of the research, planning, problem-solving, and organization needed to prepare for the shooting and editing phases of the project. This stage is incredibly important, as it helps to work out any kinks and ensure that everything runs smoothly throughout the rest of the process.
This includes creating a storyboard, which is a way to visualize the shots you’ll need to capture during production. It’s also helpful to make a list of locations and equipment you’ll need for the shoot. This can help you determine what types of camera equipment, lighting equipment, and audio gear you’ll need to bring with you. Depending on the type of video you’re shooting, you may also want to consider whether or not you’ll be using a green screen and what kind of backdrops you’ll need.
It’s also important to consider how much talent you will need for the shoot. If you’re going to be using a Subject Matter Expert or bringing in actors, it’s important to talk through the script with them so that they understand what you’re looking for from them during the recording session. It’s also a good idea to create a shooting schedule so that everyone involved knows when they are scheduled to be on set.
