Img Source – Digital Film Maker
Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are now very popular for video content. Many content creators are now shifting from YouTube to social media platforms. A high level of engagement and viewership is the main reason for this shift. Social media platforms allow creators to engage with their audience better. Many creators opt to post their content across all their platforms to improve reach.
But the massive popularity of social media also makes it challenging to get noticed, says video production and animation company ZainiMedia.com. There are millions of videos posted online every day from all corners of the world. You need to think and create differently to stand out from the crowd as a video creator.
It is crucial to have a clear idea of your purpose to fight the competition. Before you start shooting your footage, take a moment to think and evaluate your endgame.
- Understand what you want to create and why you want to create. Get a clear picture of your own interests and passions for the content you want to shoot for. This is critical because you need to be passionate about your content as a video content creator.
- Understand your target viewers and their preferences. Create your content keeping your viewers in mind. Edit your footage well to convey the message you want to send to them.
- Build a personal relationship with your viewers by engaging them yourself. As a video creator, you cannot afford to be camera shy, as your viewers need to know you better to connect with you. Having a signature line or gesture is a great way to stand apart from the competition.
Editing Videos for Social Media Platforms
Shooting footage and posting it online is very simple and can be done within seconds. But, the difference between good and bad video content lies with editing. Video creators need to get creative to succeed on social media platforms. Standard editing techniques like lighting alone will not do the trick. A good understanding of how social media platforms work is also essential.
Before editing, video creators should understand the challenges of posting on social media. A few handy tips for editing videos for social media platforms are –
Grab attention!
Viewers on social media platforms have less patience. They will simply scroll down their feed if the content is not interesting. The first few seconds of your video will determine if the viewer will watch it or not. If your video does not have an exciting start, your viewers will scroll to the next video on their feed. Use the right graphics and visuals to engage your viewers in the first few seconds.
Avoid content loss due to cropping.
Your audience can use any device to watch your video – mobile, laptop, or desktop. Shoot your videos with the right equipment so that they work on all screens. Usually, people use their mobiles for social media, but the screen sizes are different. As a result, some video content gets cropped out on some devices. To avoid this, many video creators create square video footage to cut losses due to cropping.
Be a storyteller.
Edit your video footage to keep it crisp and engaging. Tell a story with your visuals to keep the viewers invested in watching your content. Do not focus only on the visuals, have a good background score and upbeat narration. The entire content should focus on creating an experience for the viewer. Create your content in such a way that you feel like you are taking them on an adventure with you.
Add text and subtitles.
Social media apps like Facebook and Twitter can mute videos on the feed. To hook viewers, add text and subtitles to your videos to get your content across even when the audio is turned off. This also allows you to engage with your hearing-impaired viewers too.
Select the right video editor.
Many video editing tools can help you to get the right results. Your video content will determine which video editor is good for you. This is because there are many unique features that each video editor offers to its users.
Choose the right background score.
The right music will add value to your video content. It is essential to select background music that is relevant to your content. The right music score will help set the right tone for your video content.
Keep your videos short.
Edit your videos and keep them at an optimal length for the platform you are using. Every social media platform offers different video uploading lengths for its users. Most videos posted on Twitter have a length of 45 seconds, while on Instagram, the reels run up to 1 minute. On YouTube, the video duration ranges from 2 minutes to more than 2 hours.
Focus on visual content.
While editing, make sure that your visuals are bright and attractive. Make sure that each frame is visually appealing for the viewers. Add fun elements like graphics and kinetic typography to retain the viewer’s focus. Edit the lighting and adjust the colors to make each frame attractive.
Thumbnail is everything.
There are millions of videos posted on all social media platforms every day. Getting noticed is not a simple task as there is much competition for you to beat. A simple way to get viewers to stop scrolling at your video is to have an enticing thumbnail. Use a frame from your video that creates curiosity and grabs the viewer’s attention.
Avoid forceful marketing.
If you are making marketing or advertising content, ensure that the content is not forced. Edit your content to avoid too many visuals that promote your products/services. Add in content that subtly encourages your viewer to your product/service. Use a discrete CTA that goes with the natural flow of the video content. A well-edited marketing video created with the right content will gain popularity faster.