The Journey of Creating Your Own Video Content

In today’s busy world of marketing, it’s super important for your brand to stand out. But with so much happening online, it can be tough to get noticed. One way to catch people’s attention is through video content. But there’s a big question: Should you make your own videos or use ones that are already made? Let’s explore both options and figure out what’s best for you.

 

Making Your Own Video Content

When you make your own videos, you can show exactly what makes your brand special. You get to be creative and tell your story in your own way. It’s like painting a picture, but with moving images and sounds. However, making your own videos can be tricky. It costs money and takes time to plan and film everything. Plus, sometimes things don’t go as planned, which can be frustrating.

 

Using Ready-Made Video Content

If making your own videos sounds like too much work, you can use videos that are already made, called stock videos. They’re like ready-to-use ingredients in a recipe. You can find lots of them online, and they cover all sorts of topics. But there’s a catch. Since anyone can use them, your video might not feel unique. It’s like wearing the same outfit as someone else to a party. Plus, you might not find exactly what you’re looking for, and it can still cost money.

 

Getting Comfortable on Camera

Now, let’s talk about actually being in the videos. It can be scary to be on camera, but it’s not as bad as it seems. Remember, nobody expects you to be perfect. In fact, people like seeing the real you.

Here are some tips to help you feel more confident:

1. Practice what you want to say beforehand.
2. Try using popular trends or music to make it easier.
3. Have a friend help you out.
4. Make sure everyone can understand you by adding captions.
5. Use easy editing tools to make your video look cool.

If you decide to make your own videos, there are some simple things you can do to make them look good:

1. Make sure there’s enough light on your face.
2. Make sure people can hear you clearly.
3. Keep the background simple.
4. Hold the camera steady or put it on a stand.
5. Look at the camera when you talk.
6. Try different angles to keep things interesting.

 

My Experiment with Video Content

So, I decided to test out making my own videos. As someone who runs a marketing business, I have access to amazing resources and team members for making the perfect video content. However, I wanted to see what its like doing it all on my own, like many small business owners out there who are doing their own marketing or don’t have a budget for creating video content.

I decided to make two types of videos. The first, I made by filming myself, and the second I made using stock video footage. I edited both videos on Canva as it is the most used resource for small business owners.

Personally, I found that filming myself was more challenging that putting together the stock video version. We’re all awkward on camera at first and most of us are new to the whole experience. Filming yourself is super vulnerable but it helps to know that social media users are drawn to quirks and imperfections. They want to connect with real-life people.

Here is what I learned through this experiment:

First and foremost, your videos don’t have to be perfect. Your pimple isn’t going to gross your audience out– it’s going to show your audience you are just like them.  Keep your content casual and don’t worry about intense editing. The most important part is authentically showing up for your audience.

Secondly, it took me just as much time to film and edit the 1^st video, as it did to create and edit the stock footage version. So, I invested an equal amount of time in making them both.

Thirdly, results showed that out of the two versions, the video I made by filming myself got heaps more views, engagement and clicks through to my website than the stock-footage version.

 

Video Type	Impressions	Views	Clicks	Click Through Rate
Video of Myself	900	468	32	3.55%
Stock Footage Video	128	21	3	2.34%

 

You can view both versions here:

Video 1 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alexandra-lewis-b10a97107_to-find-out-more-about-our-coaching-packages-ugcPost-7181920407539638272-KO2j?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Video 2 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ifinfinite_to-find-out-more-about-our-coaching-packages-activity-7192067835991322625-BHjI?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Which one was your favourite?

Whether you make your own videos or use ones that are already made, the most important thing is to be true to yourself. People like seeing real people and real stories. So, don’t be afraid to show the world who you are. With a little practice and some creativity, you can make videos that people will love. Good luck!