When it comes to shooting a video for your dealership, the time will never be perfect. Your clothes will never be just right. Your message is the only thing that matters.
Do you have an important message? Then shoot a damn video!
Do you know some cool tips or tricks that will help someone? Then shoot a damn video!
How about a message of encouragement? Shoot a damn video!
Please stop waiting for the “right time.” Maybe you don’t have the perfect outfit or your makeup isn’t precisely on point. Who cares? Only you!
Your message needs to be heard, even if only one person needs to hear it. If you have an audience of one, please understand that this person is relying on you to bring whatever useful information you have. So please, for the sake of everyone’s sanity, shoot a damn video!
Sometimes I need to show one of my dealer partners a process. To do that, I make a screen–capture video and save it – because if they need it, someone else will, too. Video is one of the easiest ways to deliver a message with precision. Whether you need to emphasize a particular point or demonstrate something, most people are very visual and will respond and learn better through video.
Storytelling is a huge part of branding, and using video to tell a compelling story lets the viewer connect on a deeper level with you. They get the chance to hear your face and the rise and fall of your voice as you take them on a journey.
Here are just a few tips on shooting a video on the fly:
- Schedule a few minutes to clear your mind and prepare.
- Map out what you want to say (Post-its work well).
- Find good light. Go outside or use a clip-on ring light.
- Make sure your phone or camera has a full battery.
Remember, you can fix a ton of mistakes in the editing process. I always remember to pause between sentences, which leaves me some room for editing. If I decide to restate a portion of my video and have left space at the end of my sentence, I can snip out the part I don’t like. The edit is super easy.
I have an iPhone and iMovie is my “go-to” editing software. Whether you’re editing on your phone or your computer, cutting out unnecessary footage may be the only thing you need to do.
There is zero need to overthink the editing process. Just get a clean version of your message – one where your voice can be clearly heard, with no distracting background noise – and upload it to YouTube or Facebook or wherever you want to share your masterpiece.
Check out my YouTube video on this subject or visit my blog on lighting hacks.
The long and short of this is, don’t put off making a video until the time is right – because it never will be!
Just shoot a damn video!
Robin Wilson is the co-owner of SCP Agency.
She is a self-proclaimed social media guru and specializes in social marketing for auto dealerships. She has also been instrumental in teaching auto dealerships how to market through social media to their existing database and shows them how to make sure that they do not become victims of conquest marketing. She is a marketing coach to all and has become a leader in Facebook marketing strategies in the U.S.