Nowadays, one of the biggest ways that people are making it big is through video content. It’s really up to you on what type of video content you’re after, as there are so many different niches), just like blogs from video games, sports, lifestyle, decor, tech reviews, and the list can basically go on and on. With that said, however, you’re going to have to keep in mind how important the style and the quality of video content is now. People want to watch things in 4k, they want to be able to be entertained, and they want to feel dragged in as if they were a part of the action. All of this counts, and all of this matters.
So, if you want to master the art of compelling video content, whether it’s for your own YouTube channel, marketing for your business, wanting to become an influencer, something for your career, or even just a hobby, then here is everything you need to know about mastering this art.
What’s Going to Be Your Objective?
Above, several potential reasons were mentioned why you might want to dive into this, like the want of being a creator or something that’s needed for your career. It’s a bit vague, so you should dive a tad deeper into it. So, before you get all of that gear, buy courses, or before even hitting record, clearly define the purpose of your video. Are you aiming to educate, entertain, inspire, or inform? Having a well-defined objective will guide your content creation process and ensure that your message is focused and impactful. The purpose, not just for you but for the fact that you want to even do this, needs to be clear.
What Sort of Audience are You Wanting?
Better yet, do you even know your target audience? Sure, it’s cliche, and it is probably overdone, but if you want to master the art of compelling video content, then you need to know who this is going to be for. Your audience is going to have a style that they appreciate the most: the dialogue, the music, what’s being captured, how it’s being captured, and so on. So, you absolutely need to start understanding your target audience and how understanding them is key to creating content that resonates.
It’s a lot of work, but you’ll basically need to research their preferences, interests, and pain points. Plus, tailor your video’s tone, style, and messaging to match what appeals to your viewers. But you also need to be you at the same time. Don’t act like anyone else; just act like you, just be you.
Visual Appealing Aspects are Everything
As mentioned above, you need to know the style and the tone that your audience wants, and this is going to extend to how visually appealing something is, too. You’re going to have to pay attention to lighting, framing, and composition. Use visuals that complement your message and enhance viewer engagement. Sure, it’s a lot of work, far from even being fun work, but it’s work that still just needs to be done. It might even be best to take a cinematography course because all of those little details are going to add up, and they’re going to have such a massive impact.
How is the Quality Looking?
It’s not just about the style itself or even the aesthetics, but how is the audio quality? How is the actual video quality looking for this, too? Nowadays, thankfully, there are ways to improve video quality, especially if it needs to be compressed for online use (something that’s super common if you’re uploading to platforms like YouTube). You might want to brush up and learn about av1 codec, as well as how to constantly keep consistent, high-quality videos too. In general, the overall quality makes a massive impact, and you have to keep that in mind.
Skip the Fluff
So, this is something that mostly happens to people who want to be YouTubers; they know after the ten-minute mark, they qualify for ads in their videos, so the more you extend a video, the more money you can expect to get. So, chances are you’ve seen it on YouTube, where creators add a lot of fluff, fluff does not equal good content. In fact, you’re basically going against the art of compelling video content by adding fluff. You have to respect your user’s times, you have to respect them; they are the ones that chose to view you, so don’t put unnecessary stuff in the video.
Value is Everything
Content is King, but it’s valuable content that really matters. So, do you offer this at all? Can you even offer this in general? It’s super important to think about this. Every video should provide value to your viewers. Whether it’s sharing knowledge, solving a problem, or providing entertainment, ensure that your content leaves your audience better off in some way.
Chances are, you watch videos because you have the expectation of getting some valuable information, right? Well, you want valuable information, so why not give it to others the way you would want it? This basically piggybacks on being fluff-free; just get to the point: you can educate and entertain at the same time without having nonsense fluff in your content.
The Editing Process Should Never Be Overlooked
While the editing software you use technically matters, what also matters is how you edit your videos. You want to make sure that this footage is polished, that it’s clean and good enough to even be proud of. Remove what doesn’t even need to be there, remove what doesn’t add to the content, and think about the transitions, too. The graphics, the sound effects, the background noise, the music, the special effects, all of this is going to make a huge impact, and it’s something that people care a lot about.
At the end of the day, mastering the art of compelling videos is hard to achieve; this is an art that has a lot of rules and a lot of demand, and the expectations are constantly changing, too. You have to deliver the best of the best, and sometimes, it honestly seems like too much of a challenge. So, just keep in mind that it’s a lengthy process, but with plenty of practice and giving yourself the chance to learn, you can make an incredible impact.
Andrea Bell is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences and express herself through her blogs. You can find her on Twitter:@IM_AndreaBell
