5 Ways to Level up Your Videos

Making videos for fun, family or profit can feel rewarding and yield some very entertaining results. However, taking your videos up that extra notch to a more professional level may seem overwhelming. Are you unsure of how to give your recordings a polished look that sets you apart from the crowd? With simple tips and tricks as well as techniques used by professionals, you can figure out how to kick your video quality up a notch.

Before you start recording, it's a good idea to do a little research. Make sure the topic of your video is something you can portray with passion and knowledge. Figure out what you want to say, and then write out a script. Get comfortable saying the words naturally without pausing. If you stumble over part of it, take a deep breath and start again.

Practice expressions and mannerisms in front of your mirror or camera. Then record a rough draft of your video so you know what you want to change for the final version. You should also watch what other people in your chosen genre are doing. Use some of their speaking and expressing techniques and research what equipment they use. You may find what you want to film is easier with a specific camcorder, action camera or other video production equipment.

As with still photography, the composition of a video shot determines whether it’s compelling, quirky, somber or other captivating moods. To create a masterful cinematic experience, there are a few simple composition techniques you can put into practice. Apply the rule of thirds and try out using negative space in your shots. A grid function on your viewer may help with this. Use a tripod, mounting clip or other camcorder accessories to manage steady angles you can't get by hand. Work on your framing so that the subject of your video remains the central focus. Experiment with both natural and studio lighting for various contrast, sharpness and color emphasis. If you or another person is the subject of the video, remember to choose a simple background that keeps attention on the speaker.

Choosing the right music to accompany your visuals can help set the mood. Look for royalty-free music online or compose your own melodies and sound effects if you have talent in that area. Be sure to place music appropriately so that it matches the action in the scenes.

Like music, visual effects can draw attention to certain moments in your video. You can change color reduction through your 4K camcorder without editing sometimes and add special touches and effects that way as well. Certain social media platforms allow you to add overlay filters as you tape.

However, overusing music and effects can prove problematic. Make sure your music is not distracting or too loud. Ensure that the special effects used don't seem cheap or annoying. Use them to emphasize your points or get laughs rather than as a constant item. You may want to get specific effect apps for your smartphone if you intend to use it as your camera.

Produce a high-quality final product with the help of video editing software that allows you to piece together your video fairly easily. To find the best video editing app for you, look for a program that allows you to speed up or slow down your footage, add effects, splice clips and change lighting or color. While you can edit some aspects of your videos on your phone, your computer allows you to see your video in a larger format and gives you a broader range of editing capabilities.

Make sure you film in short bursts. Having brief clips to sort through means you won't have to watch long blocks of video footage to find errors or the content you want to keep. You’ll need to edit thoroughly before your video ever goes live, so making the process as easy as possible is key. There should be no awkward pauses in speech or odd cuts in the final product. Consider putting a blooper reel at the end of your video if you have any particularly amusing flubs. Your audience will love it.

Once you have a video that you're happy with, you need to make sure it's suitable for your platform. Add title cards and end cards for YouTube videos, and make sure you add keywords and metadata for search engine optimization. Upload a teaser video and schedule when you want it to go live to build hype before your main video drops. Create an enticing thumbnail image that will show up in searches. Use your own branding style for each video published so that you'll be memorable in future searches as well.

If you're creating videos for professional purposes, make sure the file won't become compressed when you upload it to email or into the cloud. Upload it in several formats, in case one of them doesn't work. If you're making the video for friends and family, put it onto a DVD or external hard drive so they can view it on their DVD or Blu-ray player instead of online.

When you take a little extra care and time creating your videos, you'll find better viewer engagement and more professional outcomes. Good editing, planning and artistic techniques create interesting content. Experiment with these tips and your cell phone or camcorder to figure out how to make your videos more entertaining with your personal branding. Use these simple tricks to make your videos feel professional, no matter how new to the game you are.