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I'd already added it for my clients. I understood the power of it. But was having a hard time consistently creating it for myself. So I conjured a solution, hired my son, and launched a docuseries called Love, Lark.

This is the trailer...

The series was met with lukewarm reviews. It's social media, after all. Some nice comments came in via YouTube and Facebook. One client dramatically expanded my role with their company after seeing the films. 

Then, in early 2018, an email came in from a major TV & Web production agency. They'd seen the trailer and wanted to talk about greenlighting a professionally produced series, based on my docuseries. 

You know the algorithms are video friendly. But it is so much bigger than that. When it comes to the world wide web, the video space is STILL like the wild, wild west. Wide open, waiting for you to claim a space in it.

Done right, video is THE most effective way to expanding your brand, tell your story, engage with fans, build a portfolio that sells your skill & stake your claim as an effective content creator.


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MAKE VIDEO, MAKE CONNECTION.  You've already got a thousand to-do's. But video isn't just one more thing. It is THE THING that helps you grow your brand, engage an audience and connect with fans. It generates more than 1200% more shares than text and images combined and

Here's everything you need to know to dive in, start creating and start making the kind of videos that can make you more money...


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Favorite low-cost options for the first time video creator on limited budget. Basic tools that will help you create beautiful video while learning the ropes. If you're not sure about offering video services to clients, this is a good place to start:

 


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My go-to setup. The lens quality and versatility of the dSLR make it easy to switch between professional quality photos & videos. Filmed on an incredibly sturdy and simple tripod with the must-have sidearm boom tripod for overhead shots:


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A toolkit full of  film-forward tools. The quality plus price make this one of the best mirrorless 4K cameras on the market. Paired with 2 zoom lens's for every angle foodies might want to capture, plus 2 pro-level LED softboxes for artificial lighting.


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STEP 1: SET YOUR RECORDING SIZE

Select 1920 x 24. If shooting on a dSLR, you need to select your resolution and frames per second. If your camera allows, select the 1920x24 option. On this setting you will shoot maximum resolution and capture shots that have "cinematic" film like style. To quickly adjust the video settings on your camera, head on over to YouTube and search for "[YOUR CAMERA TYPE] How to Video Settings."

You will need to flip your camera to video mode (on a Canon, this can be done by twisting the dial near the "start stop" button to the movie camera. 

If you plan to use slow motion, select 1920x60. This setting captures more frames per second, so there is more info to edit and you'll get a smoother slow-mo look.

STEP 2: ADJUST YOUR CAMERA SETTINGS

  1. Set your fstop first. I tend to shoot on the lowest fstop possible, to allow for maximum light into the camera.
  2. Turn your shutterspeed to 100. Start here, and you can always turn the shutterspeed up or down to adjust lighting as needed. I almost always adjust exposure by adjusting my shutterspeed.
  3. Select as ISO that makes the scene properly bright. With shutterspeed at 100, turn your ISO to a number that makes the scene correctly light. I always shoot at 2 stops above "balanced" on my exposure meter.

STEP 3: SET YOUR CUSTOM WHITE BALANCE

For the most accurate color between scenes, and least amount of editing time, you'll want to set your white balance. Don't panic. Though it sounds fancy, this is an easy step and will quickly become second nature to you. For this one, hit YouTube and find a quick tutorial to walk you through setting white balance for your specific camera. Here's a good one for the Canon 5D and one for Nikon.

  • NOTE: If I am shooting on a cloudy day, or over a series of hours, when light tends to come and go in a variety of hues, I will often stick with auto white balance, and accept that the frames will edit together with variation between scenes. 

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iMOVIE

Ultra simple editing with basic capabilities and an easy to learn (if limited) interface. Available for Mac users, but Movavi is a highly rated alternative for PC. 
 

COST:
$14.99 for imovie
& $39 for movavi


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LIGHTWORKS

Robust professional-level editing. There is a learning curve here, and the  free version allows export in mpeg only, but this is the best bang for your budget-conscious buck.
 

COST:
FREE Basic Version or
$24.99/mo for pro


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PREMIERE PRO

Adobe's professional editing software, and it's amazing. The comprehesive toolkit may seem daunting, but is surprisingly intuitive once you get past the well worth the 90-Minute learning curve.  

COST: 
From $20.99/mo with Adobe Cloud



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1. Start with a Crash Course

Take the terror out of the learning curve with a superquick 90-Minute Crash Course designed to get you up and running with video asap. This one is for beginners, so if you're a total newb, you will love the step by step tutorials.

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2. Increase Your Skills As You Edit 

Just about everything you need to know, you can learn on YouTube. Search there for answers to specifics questions, and learn new skills as different editing needs arise, one video at a time.

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3. Look like a pro with motion presets

Making moving titles and creative transitions in Premiere Pro with motion presets that help you mimic the look of After Effects. The CS Impact Bundle from FilmImpact has been worth every penny.


ADD GREAT MUSIC

Good music can make your video stand out.  To avoid copyright issues, always purchase from a well-respected source. 3 of my favorites:

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  • LIGHTING. The same lighting that works to create a beautiful photo translates well to a beautiful video.
  • FRAMING. The same framing and propping techniques that create a visually stunning photo work well for video.
  • CREATIVE. Just like photography, film is an extension of your creativity. It's an opportunity to show your style, to invite viewers into your world. Embrace it as a closely related cousin to photography, and you'll feel 2783927% less scared hopping into video creation.
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  • MOVEMENT. With video, seconds without movement feel like hours. Every frame needs movement. Cut clips in the middle of action, rather than before it begins, to keep the pacing snappy.
  • STORY. Film requires attention. So giving viewers a plot, problem, solution gives them a reason to tune in and invest time watching your work.
  • LESS FINICKY. Shutterspeed and ISO on film settings are generally more forgiving than on your photo settings. You can generally crank shutterspeed way down, or ISO way up when it's dark outside, and still get a great looking scenes.
  • MORE FINICKY. There's no photoshop fixes here. So pay extra attention to smudges, drips and puppy hairs on your food.
  • LESS EDITING CAPABILITY. With RAW photos, you can save some shots you thought were unsaveable. Not so much with film. There is some ability to correct things light brightness or sharpness or color in post. But the options are limited. Shoot every frame as close to perfect as possible.
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STEP 1: Create Stunning Thumbnails

Always, always, always add a thumbnail. It is a free ad for your video. 
The images above show 4 different thumbnail options for the same video. Which do you think wins?
According to most studies (and to TubeFilter) , the clear winner is the thumbnail which:

  • 1. Includes a closeup of a face, preferably making eye contact.
  • 2. Shows strong emotions.
  • 3. Uses bright backgrounds.
  • 4. Uses contrast and outlines.
  • 5. Uses Readable Text

After shooting a video, I always include a few minutes of shooting photos to ensure I've got a good shot for thumbnails. A screengrab can be used, but generally doesn't have the same punch.


STEP 2: SHARE EVERYWHERE

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Post to to YouTube First

Take advantage of Google SEO, as well as the powerful YouTube search engine and post your videos here first. It's easy to upload, easy to organize, and easy for followers and new fans to find you. If at all possible, post at the exact same time every week. Consistency is a key part of growth and reach.

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POST EVERYWHERE ELSE AFTER YT

Embed in your blog posts.
Share on Facebook.
Share on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Reddit.
Alert your newsletter followers.
Announce it in Instagram Stories.
Share share share.
Make 1 video work 10x for you.

 

“Yourviewershavetowalkaway
feelingliketheytookmoreawayfromYOU
thanyoutookfromthem.”

-ScottAlexander Director of Digital Brand Marketing Oakley @sc00ter5


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The Easiest Way Ever to Get Started With Video

You don't have to be a tech genius or film school grad to create absolutely stunning video...in just 2 hours. My 90-Minute Food Video Crash Course was designed for creatives like you, who need to get up and running fast. Got a dSLR and 90 minutes? Then I can show you everything you need to know to film, edit and publish your first food video.