Have you ever come up with an excellent way to explain something? Are you good on camera and can boil down complicated things into simple solutions? One way to display this talent, whether on Youtube or your own personal blog, is to put whatever that quick-fix is into a video to share with whoever could benefit from your good idea.
You don’t have to be a professional videographer or verified influencer with 100,000 followers to put something out there worth watching. At the end of the day, it all comes down to presentation:
- Get the Script Right
For how-to videos, what you’re actually saying matters most. Get the script right. Figure out your audience and craft your message to who you’re speaking to. Who is your product or quick fix meant for?
One rule of thumb is: if a third grader can’t understand what you’re saying, chances are you’re making it too complicated. Be concise, and cut out the fluff where you can. Whatever you’re putting forward should have some benefit, and don’t leave your viewers guessing what that is.
- Watch Your Tone
Be mindful of how you’re coming across. Remember, you’re the professional here- speak like one. Sounding too casual and unfocused can take away from your message. You don’t need to spend time convincing people you know what you’re doing, just tell them what they should be working on, it’s your video.
Also, audio quality and editing can make or break your video. If I can’t hear you, or if the background music competes with your voice, I’m going to lose attention pretty quickly.
- Save the Monologues for Shakespeare
If the entire video is a single run-on clip of you talking, with no transitions, visuals, or other editing techniques to add some variety, viewers struggle to stay engaged. Make it fun!
Transitions can help separate different points you’re making, visuals add context, and most editing softwares have more tools than you’ll ever need to slice and dice your footage into something that draws people in. Also, don’t forget about music and sound effects.
Getting the script and tone straight are half the battle; how you present those things are the other half.
- Have a Plan for What Comes Next
Often these videos have some type of marketing or business purpose behind what you’re putting out there. Maybe it’s some product you’re demo’ing, or using something in a way that hasn’t been done before. Whatever it is, make your call to action clear.
How can viewers replicate what you’re doing as easily as possible? If your goal is to broaden your exposure, where can they find more of your content? To the people watching, the idea doesn’t stop simply when the video does. You have a say in how that continues
It’s not just about the content, but also how it fits into your bigger picture.
At the end of the day, what matters is that you put yourself out there. Be open to learning and study those with demonstrated success. The better you can articulate and present your thoughts, the greater impact you will have.
