This post contains *affiliate* links, which means that I may receive commissions for purchases made through these links. I only provide links to products that I use and wholeheartedly recommend.
In two years, I went from sharing my first terrible videos on social media to working as a video-centric influencer and creator. Now, about 80% of the content I share on Feed The Malik is short-form videos. The same stats hold for brand partnerships. The vast majority of sponsored content I create are videos that are two minutes long or shorter. More often than not, theyre less than 60 seconds.
Short-form video content has also been a key growth driver of my creative business in other ways. I create and rely on short-form videos to drive traffic to my website, fuel the growth of my social media accounts, gain email subscribers, and also market my paid subscription community.
Sidenote: I use content creator and influencer as interchangeable terms. Some like to distinguish between the two, but in a practical sense, most folks use the terms as synonyms. Lissette Calveiro of Influence With Impact (who I have taken courses from and work with) has a great video with more on this conversation about influencers and content creators.
Today I consider myself a short-form video professional. While filming 95% of my content with just an iPhone, Ive driven 500+ new email subscribers with one quick video, created videos that reached millions of people, and made tens of thousands of dollars through short-form video projects.
I learned how to craft engaging short-form videos through painful trial and error. I made many, many videos that performed terribly and which I didnt particularly like. I failed many times publicly.
You dont have to suffer as much, at least I hope you dont. And since I firmly believe there is enough space for all of us to succeed as influencers and creators, Im sharing the knowledge Ive gained over the years below. These are the tips, tricks, rules, and pitfalls I keep in mind when creating short-form videos for social media.
These are the same guidelines my incredible third-party video editor follows when editing videos for Feed The Malik. Yes, my business and demand for video have grown enough that I now outsource some of my video editing needs. Its wild to even write that sentence considering where I began a couple of years ago. But, whether Im managing the process entirely from filming to postproduction or handing off a portion of edits to another team, the below guidance is how I ensure that short-form videos created for Feed The Malik remain consistent and engaging.
In the digital era, video content is more popular and powerful than ever before. With platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram Reels, creating viral videos has never been more achievable. But simply pointing your phone at something and pressing record doesn’t guarantee good footage.
Follow these tips to learn how to produce truly compelling videos that capture attention and drive results for your brand or business.
Tip 1: Maximize Natural Light
Lighting can make or break a video For the best possible image quality
-
Film during daylight hours whenever possible. The sun provides clean, bright, natural illumination.
-
If shooting indoors, make sure the room is well-lit. Add extra lamps and lighting if needed. Avoid rooms with only artificial overhead lighting which can look dingy and industrial.
-
For videos with people, position your subject facing the window or light source for even front lighting. Side lighting can cast harsh shadows on faces.
-
Diffuse sunlight with lightweight white curtains if it’s too direct or harsh. This softens shadows.
-
Invest in a reflector to bounce light back onto shaded areas if needed.
Proper lighting setup results in crisp, vivid videos that look professional, not amateurish and dim.
Tip 2: Choose an Uncluttered Background
Simplify the setting to keep attention on your subject:
-
Select a plain backdrop without distracting patterns or objects in the frame. A blank wall works perfectly.
-
If shooting a product demo or how-to video, only include props and items essential to convey the information. Remove non-essentials.
-
Position the camera so the subject takes up the majority of the frame. Wider shots can reveal messy surroundings.
-
Blur or mask the background using editing tools if needed to further highlight the main focus point.
Clean backdrops keep eyes locked on what’s important in the video.
Tip 3: Pick User-Friendly Editing Software
The right editing tools make piecing together polished videos simple:
-
For easy multi-clip editing and effects, try user-friendly options like Adobe Premiere Rush, Apple iMovie or Microsoft Video Editor.
-
More advanced tools like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro offer robust features for professional editing. The learning curve is steeper.
-
Free apps like InShot, Splice and VN can perform basic editing like trimming clips and adding text overlays.
-
Test different programs to find the best fit based on your skill level and video needs.
Tip 4: Avoid Overdoing Effects and Transitions
When editing, aim for a style that’s clean, clear and seamless:
-
Use basic cuts between clips rather than excessive wipes, spins, zooms or other distracting transitions. Jump cuts between sections are perfectly fine.
-
Incorporate B-roll footage to add visual interest. But quick cuts between many different shots can feel disjointed. Stick to what enhances the storytelling.
-
Add graphics sparingly. Simple titles, captions and logos look modern and polished. But overdone animations and text feel amateurish.
-
Pick background music that subtly elevates the video without overpowering the narration.
Keep editing choices simple and purposeful. Less is often more.
Tip 5: Ensure Crisp, Consistent Audio
Audio issues quickly make a video feel unpolished and disjointed. Avoid this with proper mic technique:
-
If using a smartphone, position the mic near the sound source. Don’t cover it with fingers which muffles sound.
-
For interviews, lavalier mics clipped to collars pick up direct vocal audio clearly.
-
Monitor sound levels and adjust so audio remains consistent without noticeable shifts up and down.
-
Use editing tools to reduce background noises like air conditioning units or traffic.
Quality audio is crucial for an engaging, professional video. Invest in microphones and use proper positioning techniques.
Tip 6: Stabilize Your Shots
Shaky, jittery footage screams amateur. Keep shots completely steady with these tips:
-
Always use a tripod if filming handheld. The difference is night and day for smoothness.
-
For activity shots, use camera stabilization tools like gimbals or motorized sliders for fluid motion.
-
In editing, plugins can digitally stabilize shaky clips. But quality degrades slightly. Better to get it right when filming.
-
For iPhone videos, enable Cinematic Video mode which auto-stabilizes footage.
-
Go slowly when panning or moving the camera to prevent wobble. Fast jerky movements ruin shots.
No one wants to feel seasick watching your video. Stabilize those shakes!
Tip 7: Frame Shots Using the Rule of Thirds
Use strong visual composition to shoot compelling scenes:
-
Mentally divide the frame into thirds vertically and horizontally. Position key elements along these lines or at intersection points rather than dead center.
-
Lead the viewer’s eye by framing shots so that motion happens into the frame rather than out of it. Give space in front of moving objects.
-
When filming interviews, place the subject off-center and have them look inward toward empty space in the frame rather than directly at the camera.
-
Mix up shot types like wide, medium and tight rather than sticking to all close-up headshots which feel one-dimensional.
Proper framing adds dynamism and energy to your videos. Learn to scan and position elements for ideal on-screen placement.
Tip 8: Hold Your Phone Correctly When Filming
Master these mobile filming techniques for stunning video quality:
-
Hold the phone sideways in landscape orientation to match widescreen displays. Vertical looks very amateurish.
-
Keep the phone still rather than panning and moving excessively. Use a tripod mount or smartphone gimbal for stability.
-
Let automatic focus work rather than constantly tapping the screen to refocus. Just frame the initial shot thoughtfully.
-
Use headphones to monitor audio properly. The phone speakers don’t convey actual volume and quality.
-
Clean the rear camera lens carefully before filming. Smudges severely degrade image quality.
Apply these simple phone techniques to take your videos up a notch.
Great video doesn’t require expensive cameras and gear. Even a smartphone can produce compelling footage. Use these tips when filming your next video to capture high-quality footage that engages viewers from start to finish.
Short-Form Video Tips For Instagram, TikTok, Youtube Shorts, And Beyond
From filming to planning your edits, below are the most important lessons Ive learned about short-form videos.
Filming Tips: Capturing The Best Footage
A great video starts with the raw footage you capture. Heres what you need to keep in mind to capture the best possible clips to work with in the editing process.
Many of these tips will involve filming other people beyond yourself. Be sure to get consent when doing so! Ask anyone who would be the focus of a scene whether its okay to use their on social media. This might include your friends who youre doing things with, servers and bartenders you film interacting with at restaurants, tour guides youre recording while they show you around, etc…
In some more crowded public spaces, like at festivals or street fairs its not possible to get everyones permission and often in those situations no single person is the focus of a scene. I still recommend asking permission whenever possible and always avoiding filming children that are not your own.
Also, dont be an asshole. If youre filming in public, dont expect other people to change their behavior or routines just for you. Being a creator does not mean having more rights to public spaces than others. And if youre tempted to film a stranger solely for the purpose of making fun of them, just dont.
Filming as much as possible is a great way to practice, and over time youll develop a better sense of exactly what scenes you need to capture for each project. But at the beginning, and especially when filming for more important or sponsored projects, there is no such thing as too much footage. Plan to get clips of everything you can think of.
If youre filming at a restaurant, for example, this could mean capturing the following scenes:
The street and neighborhood around the restaurant, the outside of the building, and the entire facade.
The signage outside and inside, plus anything with the restaurants name on it.
The front entrance and doorway.
The table settings and decor inside the restaurant.
Scenes of the bar area, including the bartender crafting drinks.
Clips of the food in numerous ways and from various angles. Think through the different ways you can film the food while its plated, served, and consumed.
The restrooms (if the decor inside is cute).
I get regular questions about what camera I use to film my videos. When I tell them I film most of my content on my phone people are typically incredulous.
And then I tell them my secret: Lighting and motion are key elements for filming video clips that really draw and keep viewers attention.
Well-lit video clips are easier to follow and understand. They are crisper and clearer, and much more likely to draw attention. Whether youre filming at home or out in public, do what you can to control lighting and find the best light environment. This will involve trial and error as the best light environment for you will depend on your video style, what camera you are using, and how advanced of an editor you are.
Things to keep in mind for lighting:
Check the weather before scheduling a shoot as the weather will impact the natural light environment. I try to avoid rainy or cloudy days when I can, as bright and clear natural lighting is better for videos I film on my phone.
Plan to film when the light is best. For me, that means early to mid-afternoon if possible, as whether Im at home or in a restaurant, I want as much light as possible.
Natural lighting is outside of our control, so control what you can! I love my Lume Cube Panel Mini for a portable light that fits in my purse. The battery lasts forever, and the diffuser cover makes for soft light that films well. I also have the *Lume Cube Studio Panel Lighting Kit for filming at home. It sets up and breaks down easily, comes in a useful storage and transport case, and works well for anything from vlogs to cooking videos.
Capturing motion is another key for filming engaging video clips. A video clip of a steak just sitting on a plate is far less interesting than a piece of steak being picked up so you can see the glistening, juicy inside.
There are two ways to capture motion in the clips youre filming. One option is to record something moving, like a person waving to the camera or someone shaking a cocktail shaker. Another way is to move yourself or the camera if theres no natural motion in the clip. For example, you can film a building as you slowly walk forward to create the motion yourself, even though the building is stationary.
Nothing will make me scroll faster than a super shaky video. While perfection is impossible, focusing on filming with a steady hand can go a long way toward ensuring you have the best footage to work with for your videos.
Eat before you film so you can avoid shaky hands that might come with low blood sugar.
When walking or panning the camera around, pay attention to your breathing and move slowly to minimize shaking from the motion.
Whenever possible, brace your arms, body, and hands when filming. Steady your elbow on a tabletop, lean against a wall to hold your body still, or use a tripod when you can.
Sometimes it can be easy to forget after spending so many hours on social media interacting through screens, but we connect to other human beings. Engaging videos typically include a strong human element unless they feature cute animals; in that case, there is no need for humans to capture our attention. More cute pets please!
WITH PERMISSION, try to capture the actions and emotions of the people relevant to your video. It often takes a while for people to begin to ignore the camera and get comfortable when youre filming them. Thats another reason why I suggest filming more than you think you need to. If you settle in and film a few solid minutes of someone at work and talk to them while you do, if its an appropriate time for general chatter, then you can often capture genuine smiles, laughter, facial expressions, and more that really make the clips shine.
Dont forget the other ever-present human subject, yourself! Try to capture clips of yourself doing or engaging in any actions relevant to your video. Pro tip: turn your phone or around to film yourself using the back camera system, not the selfie camera. It takes a bit of practice, but the back camera is a much higher quality which will capture sharper clips with better lighting.
3 POWERFUL WAYS to Make Your YouTube Videos 10x BETTER! (And Grow FAST)
How do I make a good video?
Start posting videos to see what your viewers respond well to. What kind of lighting is best for videos? Natural lighting is the best! Just make sure that you (or whoever/whatever the subject of your video is) faces the light rather than stands behind it.
How to improve video quality?
Another essential tip to improve your video quality is to use the right camera. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need an expensive or professional camera to make good quality videos. There are two main camera options to choose from: your built-in mobile phone camera or a professional camera. Let’s take a look at each option in more detail:
What should you create a video about?
To create consistently, you need to have clarity on what you want to talk about. So, how do you decide on what you should create videos about? It’s simple – on a piece of paper make two lists, one of the things that you’re passionate about and the other of the things you know really well or are good at.
How do I create a video?
It’s fast, easy and works in your browser! Step #1: Decide the Type of Video to Create Step #2: Choose a Topic for Your Video Step #3: Select a Video Style Step #4: Write a Video Script Step #5: Create a Storyboard Step #6: Shoot Your Video Footage Step #7: Edit Your Video Step #8: Preview and Make Final Edits Step #9: Share Your Video
