Did you know that one hour of video is uploaded to YouTube every second? That staggering statistic makes it seem impossible to create a video that people will want to watch – but it isn't. Shooting a solid YouTube video is easier than it appears. Check out the following tips to learn how to create compelling YouTube videos.
Use the finest equipment you can.
Make the best of the camera equipment you already have, if you cannot afford to upgrade. Ideally, though, you'll want a high-quality consumer-grade camcorder and a wireless external microphone to better capture the sound. A pair of wireless headphones is also a good piece of equipment to have as it allows you to monitor the sound recording.
Plan your video shoot.
Before you grab the camcorder, take some time to make a plan for your YouTube video. You'll need an interesting hook to draw people in and entice them to watch.
Create a scene.
Think about how the background of your video will impact the vision you have for the shoot. Make your YouTube videos more impactful with a carefully crafted scene that grab the attention of viewers.
Use the finest equipment you can.
Make the best of the camera equipment you already have, if you cannot afford to upgrade. Ideally, though, you'll want a high-quality consumer-grade camcorder and a wireless external microphone to better capture the sound. A pair of wireless headphones is also a good piece of equipment to have as it allows you to monitor the sound recording.
Plan your video shoot.
Before you grab the camcorder, take some time to make a plan for your YouTube video. You'll need an interesting hook to draw people in and entice them to watch.
Create a scene.
Think about how the background of your video will impact the vision you have for the shoot. Make your YouTube videos more impactful with a carefully crafted scene that grab the attention of viewers.
Have the right lighting.
Make sure that your shooting area has good lighting. People click away from YouTube videos that are too dark or too light, so do what you can to get just the right amount of light for good contrast and viewability.
Get close to the action
For better YouTube videos, move in close in order to fill the screen with your subject. You can, of course, use the zoom function on your camcorder, but physically getting closer is a great way to view and capture the action.
Keep your camcorder steady.
Moving your camera around fast can produce a blurry effect, while minor movements and twitches can make the camcorder shake. Your camcorder likely has an image stabilizer to counteract these effects, but it is best to use a tripod whenever possible so that your YouTube videos are smooth and easy to watch.
Remember that people watch YouTube videos on many devices.
People surf YouTube on their cell phones, tablets, and laptops, so make sure that your videos are optimized for viewing on all mediums. Make sure that your videos look good on both large and small screens so that anyone can watch from anywhere.
Keep it short.
When it comes to watching videos, most people have a short attention span. For YouTube videos that people will actually watch, try to aim for a length of less than five minutes – shorter than that is even better.
Practice, practice, practice.
You probably won't make amazing videos when you are just starting out. But you will learn from your mistakes and your skills will improve the more you shoot. Ask for feedback from friends and family to gain an understanding of what people like to watch. The more you practice, the better your YouTube videos will be.
Make sure that your shooting area has good lighting. People click away from YouTube videos that are too dark or too light, so do what you can to get just the right amount of light for good contrast and viewability.
Get close to the action
For better YouTube videos, move in close in order to fill the screen with your subject. You can, of course, use the zoom function on your camcorder, but physically getting closer is a great way to view and capture the action.
Keep your camcorder steady.
Moving your camera around fast can produce a blurry effect, while minor movements and twitches can make the camcorder shake. Your camcorder likely has an image stabilizer to counteract these effects, but it is best to use a tripod whenever possible so that your YouTube videos are smooth and easy to watch.
Remember that people watch YouTube videos on many devices.
People surf YouTube on their cell phones, tablets, and laptops, so make sure that your videos are optimized for viewing on all mediums. Make sure that your videos look good on both large and small screens so that anyone can watch from anywhere.
Keep it short.
When it comes to watching videos, most people have a short attention span. For YouTube videos that people will actually watch, try to aim for a length of less than five minutes – shorter than that is even better.
Practice, practice, practice.
You probably won't make amazing videos when you are just starting out. But you will learn from your mistakes and your skills will improve the more you shoot. Ask for feedback from friends and family to gain an understanding of what people like to watch. The more you practice, the better your YouTube videos will be.