Video content marketing is becoming increasingly popular for B2C and B2B companies, and more so today.
However, there are still a number of brands that aren’t producing video content either because they think it is too expensive or because they don’t have any talent on the team that knows how to produce video.
But do you know that a smartphone and a good eye for frames is all you need to shoot video content?
Well if you aren’t familiar with how easy shooting videos on your smartphone is, how about attending our expert-led course on ‘Become A Mobile Video Content Creator’? It teaches you how to ace mobile videography, types of videos, equipment that aids you while shooting, camera movements, storytelling through videos and so much more.
In this article, we tell you what to do before shooting a video, and also enlighten you about the different types of videos.
Table of contents:
- Things to do before shooting a video
- Types of videos
For shooting a particular type of video, you will first need to do 2 things:
- Define the goal of your video
Your goal might be driving awareness, increasing conversions, or improving audience retention.
All three of these goals will require a different strategy, format, and messaging. For example, if your goal is driving awareness, you might consider having a weekly YouTube channel. - Select a format
There are several kinds of videos, each having a specific use, and a specific message that it wants to deliver. For instance - vlogs, infographic videos, testimonials, tutorials, and more.
Types of video
- Vlog
Vlog posts consist of creating a video of yourself where you talk on a particular subject such as reporting or reviewing a product or an event. It can even serve as a way to share your artistic process or provide a tutorial guide on a creative practice or topic.
If your goal is to build a large audience and entertain, consider behind-the-scenes vlog videos and record relevant meetings, customer conversations, and more. - Interview/Q&A
These videos are usually shot with a prominent personality, to get their insights about a particular event or topic. They’re similar to interviews in the newspaper, just that they’re in a visual format. Shooting interview videos or Q/As requires former recce, and framing of shots and subject a little bit more than the other video formats mentioned here.
- How to/Tutorials
HOW-TOs, Tutorials, or training videos- no matter what you choose to call them - these instructional videos are shot to help answer questions and instruct people on how to do something they didn't know. - Social media Shorts
These comprise Instagram Reels, TikTok videos, Instagram stories, Snapchat, and YouTube Shorts. Typically referring to a video that is 10-60 seconds in length, short-form videos or social media shorts largely became popular in the last couple of years because our audience’s attention span drastically decreased. - Live streaming
Live video, or live streaming, has been introduced to allow people to broadcast a live video feed to an online audience. For example- if you’re broadcasting live via your Instagram, you’re connecting with your followers in real-time. It's a lot like live news or sports, except that anyone can do it and the audience can comment and react in real-time too. - Product review/Testimonials
A video testimonial is a video of a customer or client talking about their experience with a brand. In most cases, they talk about how that company's product or service has helped them solve a problem. They might discuss who they are, how they use the product or service, and what they like about the company.
The purpose of a video testimonial is to bring in credibility and goodwill for the company. - Infographic videos
A video infographic is a visual representation of data and knowledge in the form of an online video. It's basically content marketing in a unique and high-impact form. Think of a PowerPoint presentation with relevant data and insights, coming to life when it's converted into an infographic video. Using the right way to emote is very crucial in infographics. - Animated video
Often used for explainer videos and brand stories, animation can be an incredibly engaging video style. Sometimes as entertaining as your childhood favourite Saturday morning cartoons, and other times as practical as an illustration of a concept, there are a bunch of different video animation styles, including: - 2D animation videos
- 3D animation videos
- Motion graphic videos
- Animated typography video
Now that you know about the different kinds of videos, which one do you think you’re more inclined to shoot? Each video type is shot with a purpose, so make sure you identify that before scripting and filming your video. Good luck, future YouTubers!
