According stats, 91% of companies use videos in their marketing strategy. Wonder why? 

That's because they understand the magic a well-curated video can create. Unsurprisingly, a well-curated video offers a visual element to help ventures clearly explain how things work. 

Customers want to see, feel, and visualize a product or service before they buy it. And guess what? A well-structured video helps you do just that. 

However, the art of creating a video, also known as video production, is a subject on its own. If you are a beginner and are just venturing into a DIY video production project, know that it is a challenging process. 

But with a few essential tips, you can create astonishing videos to boost your or your client’s business’ marketing efforts. 

Read to learn how. 

What Is Video Production? 

Have you seen the amazing Starbucks video, ‘ Every Table Has a Story’? From its unique story to the execution of sets and characters, everything looks very well aligned. The quality of production is top-notch as it speaks directly to the target audience, which is the coffee shop’s customers. 

It isn't easy to produce a video that hits all the right spots every time your clients watch it. However, that is the art of video production that thousands of producers around the world have learned and aced. 

Video production, is the process of creating content for a video. The procedure can be used to make an art, business, or a fitness video. Video production also helps create short and long films designed specifically for the masses. 

There are three main stages of video production: 

• Pre-production: In this phase, the idea for the video is curated, and the script is written. If your video needs artists, you shortlist the cast for your feature at this point. 
• Production: This is the stage where everything required is set up to shoot the video. From managing the lighting to capturing the best angles, the production stage is the most time-consuming and important of them all. 
• Post-production: This stage covers all the steps to make the video presentable for its viewers. It involves merging the scenes, editing, and adding special effects as necessary. 

In today’s fast-paced digital world, video has truly become a powerful content for small businesses and individuals to connect with their audience. Facebook gets more than 8 billion video views daily. Similarly, YouTube receives 500 hours of video every minute.

And the best thing? Unlike ten years back, you don't need heavy equipment or an expensive team of professionals to create an appealing video today. You can DIY video production as a beginner using a few important tips. Courtesy of free editing tools and the advancements of smartphones today, you can create a professional-looking video to capture your unique aesthetic ideas for the world to see. 

Why Should You Go for a DIY Video Production Process? 

Whether you want to create a promotional video or simply a tutorial for your product, it may take you some time and effort to create a masterpiece. After all, you need the end product to connect with your audience at a relatable level. 

So, if it is too time-consuming, why opt for a DIY project over outsourcing the task to the experts? 

Here are a few reasons.

• A DIY video production process is pretty cost-effective. Since you are in control of your expenses and are responsible for the budget, there is no risk of running out of money in the middle of the procedure. 
• If you want to create a video for your own brand, no one can portray the essence of the idea better than you. In all honesty, experts may create your video on your behalf, but they might not be able to portray your story the way that you see it. 
• When you produce a video yourself, you learn an art. DIY video production is a skill, and adding it to your portfolio only increases your chances of getting more opportunities. 

According to statistics, 64% of customers make purchases after watching a brand’s compelling video. So, what if your DIY video fails to create a desired impact on your viewers mind? 

As a beginner, you may come across such thoughts during your DIY video production mission. Video creation may also test your patience. However, as long as you follow a few tricks properly, the outcome will be worth all the effort. 

7 DIY Video Production Tips for Beginners 

More than 80% of online traffic is video traffic. You definitely don't want to miss out on this great opportunity to get your work the attention it deserves. 

Here are all the secrets you need to know to create an attention-grabbing video. 

1. Plan Your DIY Video Production Process Properly

To achieve the best DIY video production results, don't compromise on the planning part. 

Start by defining the goals and objectives of the video. You should also be aware of the target audience. 

Ask yourself: What message am I trying to deliver, and to whom?

Your story is your biggest weapon. If it fails to grab your audience’s attention, no special effects or advanced editing will be able to retain your viewers. 

The script of your video doesn't always have to be complicated. It could be simple but must have a proper structure with a message that speaks to your audience. 

For instance, the infamous video, Unsung Hero, is a simple tale with great lines and a structure to engross the audience. There isn't any glamor in the content; it's simply a message to make a change. 

Alternatively, if you have a great storyteller in you, you can experiment with your script to make a unique video. For example, the Coca-Cola x Marvel is a similar video with eye-catching visuals and a great partnership between two top brands. 

To execute your plan properly: 

• Create a storyboard or an outline
• Focus on the most important elements, such as your storyline
• Plan a budget for your video on an Excel sheet
• List down your limitations so you know where to compromise

2. Pick a Location Wisely 

If your DIY video demands a particular location, find one before shooting. While the right location would depend on your story, here are a few things you can look into when looking for one. 

• Pick a location that isn't too crowded. If your video demands a public place for shooting, get an external microphone to capture the audio clearly. 

• A location with access to ample natural light is a plus. Even if you plan to shoot your video at your home, we suggest doing it near a window or outdoors during the daytime. Here is an example. The ad video for Dove, “Reverse Selfie,” plays brilliantly with natural light.

• If your video demands multiple locations, make sure to integrate them naturally with each scene. For example, take a look at this simple yet eye-catching video by Nike: Running isn't just running. It blends both the indoors and outdoors flawlessly. 

3. Don't Equip the Most Expensive But The Best Camera 

Since you are a beginner and this may be your first DIY video production project, your biggest tool might be your camera. Luckily, most smartphones come with high video-recording capabilities and excellent cameras, making them just right to start with. 

If you opt to use your smartphone for DIY video production, here are some tricks that may come in handy

• Try shooting your videos in a horizontal orientation or landscape mode. This would make them align well with different screens. 
• For smoother shots, get a tripod to prevent your camera from shaking. 
• Before you start shooting a video, set your phone’s camera manually. Adjust its focus, white balance, and exposure, to get the results you want. 

For inspiration, search Made in Paris on YouTube. This cinematic delight is solely recorded using an iPhone. The blend of color, shadow, and light makes the picturization pretty attractive. 

4. Pay Attention to Lighting 

The importance of natural light has already been discussed above. But what if your indoor location doesn't have a window? Will you produce your video in the dark? 

Well, if you don't want to cry over the final results, you won't. Instead, you can DIY your lighting setup to give your video the glow it deserves. While there is no match to natural light, you can replace it with affordable LED lights or even your household lamps. 

You can also experiment with various light types for a setup that best suits your DIY video production. Here are some options: 

• Ring lights are best for beginners or makeup video creators. 
• A backlight is an excellent alternative to a ring light as it helps the object to shine. 
• Fill light is ideal for creators using loop lighting, a three-point, or four-point light scheme. 

5. Don't Take Your Video’s Audio for Granted 

You may be tempted to create a visually appealing video with sub-par audio, thinking that your great shot would compensate for the poor-quality sounds. But guess what? That's not how it works. 

Your video’s audio quality is as important as the location you pick, or the type of lighting you use. 

Imagine watching a video only to get distracted by the background noises or a poor voiceover. You know how bad it can be. 

Therefore, when working on your DIY video production, opt for a single goal: clarity. While making a video in a quiet environment and speaking clearly are crucial, you may also want to add a few pieces of equipment to elevate the quality of your sound results. For instance, you can get an external microphone to plug into your phone for better sound. 

A Lavalier microphone may also be a good option. It works as a great tool for hands-free recording. 

For a better understanding, look at this simple ASMR video. It is just 24 minutes of crisp window-tapping goodness. 

6. Create Engaging Content With Graphics and Text Overlays

By now, your best DIY video production project might have a great story, impeccable visual, super locations, and crisp sound. But does it have graphics, text overlays, and music to make it interactive? 

Great graphics enhance the visual appeal of a video while improving its overall quality. Besides, they help create an immersive experience for the viewers so they stay engaged with the content till the end. 

Similarly, text overlays help emphasize the video's key points. They also draw attention to a CTA (call to action or offer more information about the video. Again, text overlays support engagement, but ensure that you position them properly on the video so they don't take over the visuals. 

You may also add background music to your video to make it likable and interactive for the masses. In fact, 81% of marketers believe that music in a video helps enhance its engagement. 

When choosing music, don't just go for the top trending tunes. While that may be an important factor, look for options that resonate well with your video's content, visuals, and vibe. 

Look at this Airbnb video as an example. The subtle text, positioned well on the faces of the people, looks engaging. The background music also complements the topic well. 

7. Use Free Tools for Editing 

Yes, this tip may be a shocker, but here is why. Currently, you may have a limited budget for your first video. So, using paid editing tools might put extra pressure on your bank account. 

Additionally, most paid tools have a lot of advanced features. You may not even need them on your first DIY video production project. Therefore, why spend your money on them? 

Act smartly and leverage the potential of free editing tools. There are many great options available, such as Lightworks, Blender, Openshot, and Shotcut. Try these for now. Once you have made a few videos, shift to paid editing tools to reap the benefits of their expert-level features. 

Wrap Up

Raise your hands if you are ready for the best DIY video production project. Now that you know all the great tips, the process may not be as intimidating. However, make sure that you keep learning the art of video-making from the best examples in the industry to polish your skills. 

Video creation is an art that you can easily learn with practice. Just keep creating dedicatedly!