How to Shoot Great Video on Your Phone
Have you ever been told “Your phone is all you need to shoot great video?” And then you used your phone and… you felt lied to?
If that’s you, we have good news. Your phone IS all you need to shoot great video – it just takes a little tweaking. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of most details to get right to make your phone videos look great.
Before the “How” – A Quick Note on the “Why”
If we’re honest, most of us just aren’t attracted to video. It can be uncomfortable, self-conscious, and a little unnatural. The truth? Many of those you see who are winning the video marketing world started the same way. It took time to build up the comfort zone and the skill.
More importantly, video has become an increasingly critical part of advisor marketing. It’s a powerful tool for retention, especially in our post-Covid world where clients rarely come into the office like they used to.
It’s also a key tool for building trust and familiarity with your potential clients. By showing up in this visual way, you have the inside track in building stronger relationships.
Think of it this way. Most advisor marketing tries to get your audience to say, “I need a financial advisor.” Video flips the script and gets your audience thinking, “I want THAT advisor to help me.”
It’s our top organic marketing strategy at Evergreen for this exact reason. It works. Now on to the show…
To Start, Grab a Tripod
Selfie videos aren’t the end of the world, but you’d be surprised how distracting a shaky hand can be. A tripod like this one won’t cost you more than $20-$30. Just take our word on this one… get it.
(If you’re a tall person, make sure you get one like this that’s tall enough. Or put the shorter one on your desk.)
A Few Tips on Framing
This is where a lot of people get tripped up, and that’s ok. It’s an easy fix. Here are a couple simple rules:
Keep the camera around eye level
Center yourself in the frame
Make sure there’s a little bit of empty space above your head
We like to put the bottom of the frame around your lower chest
Make sure your background is clean and undistracting
Turn your phone sideways to make the screen wide
To help you visualize it, here’s a quick example:
Good Lighting is Your Friend
Bad lighting might be the #1 difference maker in your video's visual quality. Do it wrong, and nothing looks good. Do it right, and you start to feel a little better about this whole experience. Here’s a quick guide:
Always make sure the light in front of you is brighter than the light behind you.
A window works perfectly, but you’ll have less control over your backdrop.
If you can’t find a good window, it’s worth grabbing a simple video light like this one.
How to Get Great Audio
Admittedly, our answer might be shifting in this area. In the past, we’ve been big fans of a light investment in audio, even when getting started. That’s still valuable, but now editing software options like Descript are getting far better at audio cleanup. Give it a try with just your phone mic, and see if it works for you. If not, it’s worth grabbing a simple mic like this or this.
Beyond gear, ensure you’re in a space low on background noise. It can help to temporarily turn off fans or AC or find a space you can control.
A Few Notes on Delivery
Now that you look and sound great, let’s quickly touch on what’s usually the hardest part – speaking. The most important piece of advice we can give you here is that practice is the best way to improve. And, keep it short. Stay between 1-2 minutes and focus on one message a time.
Tactically, here are a few additional tips to help find your most comfortable presentation style:
Off the Cuff
Sometimes, it’s best not to overthink. Just speak to things you know and refine your delivery with practice. It can always be edited down!
Stop-n-Start
The editing room can forgive just about anything. Feel free to start and stop as often as you need. You can gather your thoughts, refine your phrasing, and still have a crisp video on the other side. (It ends up looking like this video)
Interview
For some people, nothing is more comfortable than a dialogue. Have someone who knows you well interview you and film yourself as you talk to them. (the video above also shows that format)
Ready to Shoot Your First (Great) Video?
Now that you have the basics on how to shoot a great-looking video, it’s time to practice. There are more steps, like planning your content, editing your videos, and managing distribution. If that’s what’s keeping you from getting out there, Evergreen is here to help.
