Making a YouTube video looks like an easy job, and it is in a lot of ways. But if you are looking to make professional videos that can hold the attention of the viewers and help you increase the number of subscribers, you will have to take care of a number of nuances.
A YouTube video is not just about its content. Of course, the content has to be engaging and unique, but you also have to focus on video quality. A viewer should enjoy seeing as much as they would enjoy listening to you.
They should see a clear video, proper lighting, decent editing, and good mixing efforts. Here are a few simple tips that will help you create a video that looks professional, neat, and attractive. These steps have been recommended by famous YouTubers. So, all the points mentioned below have been tried and tested for success.
Simple Steps that Will Add Zing to Your YouTube Videos
1. Let There Be Light
Light is a crucial aspect of a video. You need plenty of good light to make your video look professional without much editing. The point is to highlight everything that is important for video content. If you are going to face the camera, your face should appear clearly, and if you are talking about a product, it should appear as it would in real life.
Good lighting is also important because it improves the quality of the video. It automatically takes care of issues like blurring, fading, shadows, and focus.
According to professional YouTubers, the sun is the best source of light for a video. If you plan to use the natural light, keep in mind that morning and evening lighting are the best. These are times when the light is soft and provides the best kind of light for shooting. If you have to shoot in the afternoon, try to find a shady area or do it on a cloudy day.
When shooting indoors, avoid overhead lighting, hard light coming from a window, or a direct glare on your face. If it's mid-day, try to keep a window on your side while shooting. In the case of artificial lighting, you can use lamps to create the perfect set up.
2. Cleanliness is next to Godliness
The background of your video has to be clean and tidy. A messy background looks unprofessional and can also be distracting to the viewer. Scout for your background days before you start shooting to check for light, color, and appearance. One of the best professional video backgrounds is a solid-colored wall. If you do not have that, you can also make do with a paper sheet or a bed sheet on the wall. If you have a home office, it will be best to shoot there to look professional.
Avoid the background of windows or other reflective surfaces because when the light comes from behind, the subject tends to look dark and shadowy.
3. Clear and Crisp is the Way to Go
Audio is an important component of a video. Your audience may for once compromise with a grainy video, but if they cannot hear the instructions/you clearly, they won't watch the video. Avoid fuzzy, indistinct audio by using a good quality microphone.
Place the microphone close to yourself to capture clear audio. You can also use a pop filter to eliminate crackles and blips in the recording. You also have to be careful about the background noises like traffic, bird, and even the sound of the wind. A youtube video creator like InVideo can help you remove all these unwanted noises from the background.
4. Stay Still, Stay Calm
Avoid making a shaky video, or you will be instantly written off as an amateur. Shaky footage makes the viewer nauseous. Okay, that might not be completely true, but a shaky video can definitely make you feel dizzy.
If you are planning to hold the camera in your hand while shooting a video, you should reconsider your decision because it is impossible to hold a camera still. Rather, mount it on a stand or place it on a table or similar sturdy surface.
Plan and set up your camera so as to avoid shaking and to capture optimal lighting. If the subject has to move, rather than to move the camera, cut from one shot to another.
5. The Rule of Thirds is Crucial
The rule of thirds says that you should not place your subject right in the middle of the shot. Instead, imagine a three by three grid on your screen and place your subject on the lined of the grid. You should situate your subject where the lines meet because this is where the focus is strong.
Most good cameras have the grid option, which when enabled, automatically shows a grid that you can use to adjust your focus and placement of the subject. This one simple step will let you add zing to an otherwise simple shot.
6. Edit Till you Love It
Use a video editing tool to edit your videos. You should consider removing un-necessary parts, add frames or colors to your video or simply create snippets out of a bigger block.
InVideo youtube clip maker is a professional video editor that has a number of cool editing options and is easy to use. This one tool can zing up your videos and make them look happening with just a few clicks.
7. Your Device Doesn't Matter
It's fine if you do not have a DSLR or a professional camera for that matter. You can shoot professional videos using your phone as long as you know how to play with your phone camera settings.
To begin with, you will need a good MP (megapixel) camera. The higher the MP, the better the video quality. A few tips to keep in mind are:
Use the back camera of the phone because it is better than the front camera in most phones.
Always record in landscape mode. This way, your footage will look good on larger viewing devices.
Use a grid on your phone screen, so that you do not tilt your phone while recording.
Furthermore, keep in mind the above-mentioned points related to lighting, camera stability, etc. to create good quality YouTube videos with your phone.
Making a professional YouTube video is not a difficult task if you take care of the above-mentioned points. These simple steps will add a zing to even the simplest of your videos. A professional-looking video can make you look professional and trustworthy on a subject. Think about it.
