You are the expert in your field, and that makes you the most authentic messenger for your brand. While I handle the strategy, the editing, and the marketing psychology at Pink Raven Media, the “soul” of your content starts with you. I know that stepping in front of a camera can feel intimidating, but you do not need a Hollywood film crew to create videos that drive sales.
My goal is to take your raw footage and turn it into a high-converting asset for your business. To do that, I need the best possible building blocks from you. These ten tips will help you film professional, clean, and engaging footage that allows me to work my magic in the editing room.
1. Master Your Natural Light
You do not need to invest in a multi-thousand dollar studio lighting kit to look professional. In fact, the most powerful light source you have is the sun. When you are setting up your shot, always face your primary light source. If you stand with a window behind you, the camera will compensate for the brightness and turn you into a dark silhouette. Instead, set your camera up between you and the window so the light falls evenly across your face. If you are filming in an office with harsh overhead fluorescent lights, try to turn them off and rely on natural light to avoid deep shadows under your eyes.
2. Audio Quality is Not Negotiable
Viewers are surprisingly forgiving of a slightly grainy video, but they will click away almost instantly if the audio is thin, echoey, or muffled. If you are using your phone to record, try to stay within three to four feet of the device so the internal microphone can actually pick up the bass in your voice. Before you hit record, take a moment to listen to the room. Is the air conditioner humming? Is there a fan whirring in the background? Those sounds are easy for our brains to ignore but very difficult for me to fix later without making your voice sound robotic.
3. The Three-Second Buffer Rule
One of the most common issues I run into during the editing process is when a client starts speaking the exact millisecond they press the record button. This often results in the first word of a sentence being clipped off. To avoid this, get into the habit of “The Buffer.” Press record, look directly into the lens, count to three in your head, and then start your delivery. Do the same thing at the end of your thought. Stay looking at the lens for three seconds before you move to turn the camera off. This gives me the clean “handles” I need to create smooth, professional transitions.
4. Choose Your Orientation Wisely
Before you even think about your script, you need to know where this video is going to live. If I am building a hero video for your website or a long-form YouTube piece, you should almost always shoot horizontally. However, if this is for Instagram Reels, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts, vertical is the only way to go. If you are unsure or want to use the footage for both, my best advice is to shoot vertically but stand a bit further back than usual. This gives me enough frame to crop and move the image around without losing the top of your head in the final edit.
5. Eye Contact and Camera Placement
It is a natural instinct to want to look at yourself on the screen while you are filming, especially if you are using a front-facing selfie camera. However, when you look at the screen, it appears to the viewer like you are looking slightly off-camera, which breaks the personal connection. Make a conscious effort to stare directly into the small dot of the camera lens. Additionally, try to keep the camera at eye level or slightly above. Filming from a low angle looking up at you can feel intimidating and unflattering for the viewer.
6. Capture Plenty of B-Roll Action
Your primary footage is you talking to the camera, but B-Roll is what makes a video feel like a high-end production. B-Roll is the supplemental footage that I can overlay while you are talking to illustrate your points. If you are a consultant, film a ten second clip of you typing at your laptop or walking into your office. If you run a physical business, film the front of your building or your team in action. Even if these clips feel boring to you, they are the “glue” that allows me to cut out your mistakes without the video looking jumpy.
7. Clean Your Lens Every Single Time
This sounds incredibly simple, but it is the number one reason for blurry looking footage that lacks professional sharp edges. Our phones live in our pockets and hands, meaning the camera lens is constantly covered in fingerprint oils and dust. Before every single take, take a microfiber cloth or even a soft cotton t-shirt and wipe the lens clean. You will be shocked at how much more expensive your footage looks just by clearing off that microscopic layer of grime.
8. Use a Tripod or a Steady Surface
Shaky footage is the fastest way to make a professional business look like an amateur operation. If you are filming a stationary talking head video, invest in a cheap smartphone tripod or find a stable shelf to prop your phone against. If you are filming on the move, try to hold the phone with both hands and keep your elbows tucked into your ribs to act as a natural stabilizer. When the footage is steady, it allows the viewer to focus on your message rather than feeling motion-sick.
9. Dress for the Lens
The camera reacts differently to certain patterns and colors than the human eye does. Avoid wearing shirts with very fine, tight stripes or small polka dots, as these can cause a distracting shimmering effect on screen. Solid, bold colors generally work best. Also, consider your background. If you have a white wall behind you, avoid wearing a white shirt, or you will look like a floating head. Aim for a bit of contrast so you pop out from the background.
10. Focus on One Key Takeaway
When you are filming for marketing, it is tempting to try and say everything all at once. However, the most effective videos are the ones that respect the viewer’s time. For every clip you film, try to stick to one main point or one specific call to action. If you have five different tips to share, it is actually better to film five short, punchy videos than one long, rambling one. This gives me more flexibility to create a content calendar for you that keeps your audience engaged over a longer period.
Your Vision, My Execution
My goal at Pink Raven Media is to take the stress of the final product off your shoulders so you can focus on the heart of your business. By following these ten steps, you are giving me the high-quality building blocks I need to create a video strategy that actually moves the needle for your brand. I can handle the technical heavy lifting, the pacing, and the marketing psychology. You just keep being the expert that you are.