Video marketing is a must-have marketing tool for businesses of all sizes. You can use video marketing to share how-to videos, customer testimonials and other valuable information. Your customers will enjoy interacting with your business in this way, while prospects can gain a great deal of trust by watching you on video.
Many of the small businesses we talk to are hesitant to dive into video marketing because they think it will cost too much money. But rest assured, all you need are a few basic tools to create engaging, professional videos that your audience will love.
Here are the top tools to have on hand to shoot high-quality, engaging videos.
Video Camera
You could spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a video camera, but it’s probably not necessary. Most smartphone cameras record in 1080p or 4K quality and this is enough to get you a good quality video. If you don’t have a reliable smartphone on hand, pick up a Sony or Canon DSLR camera at a starting price of $1,000.
Video Microphone
Believe it or not, audio quality is often more important than video quality. People will not continue watching a video that has muffled audio. For this reason, we recommend investing in a high-quality microphone for around $100-$300. While your smartphone has a built-in microphone, it’s typically in a fixed position that makes it difficult to pick up good audio.
We also recommend purchasing a good pair of headphones to block outside noise. This lets you hear what your microphone is recording.
Video Lighting
Another way to make your videos look more professional is by using light to your advantage. Professional lighting is expensive, so utilize natural light instead. Sit in front of a window area facing the sunlight so that your videos are bright and easy to watch. Avoid having too much light behind you, however, as this can make your face look dark.
If you don’t have a bright open space to film your videos, you can pick up an inexpensive lighting kit for around $100.
Tripod Stand
Unless you want wiggly videos, you’ll need to purchase a tripod to set your camera on. This keeps your videos steady and ensures a professional look and feel. The only time bouncy videos are acceptable are for vlogs and personal videos when professionalism isn’t an issue. The good news is that you can purchase an adjustable tripod for around $30.
Video Editing Software
Finally, you’ll need a software program to edit your videos. It’s worth learning the program so that you don’t need to hire a professional video editor to do the editing for you. Adobe Premiere Pro and Pinnacle Studio are good programs to start with, though they do charge a few hundred dollars to purchase.
Video marketing is essential for businesses of all sizes. If you have a limited budget, you can still produce beautiful, engaging and professional videos that promote your brand. Contact WSI Internet Marketing to learn more about how to make an impact with video marketing.
