10 Tips for Local Businesses: How to Create Professional Videos That Connect with Your Audience

Your business needs video - where do you start?
March 17, 2023

Listen up, local businesses! If you're not using video to market your products or services, you're missing out on a major opportunity to connect with your audience. But not just any video will do. To really make an impact, you need to create professional-grade content that's engaging, memorable, and leaves a lasting impression on your viewers. Here are 10 tips for creating videos that will convert.

  1. Start with a killer concept

Before you even turn on the camera, you need a killer concept that will capture your audience's attention. Think about what makes your business unique, and brainstorm ways to showcase that in a creative and memorable way. Your concept should capture your audience's attention, showcase what makes your business unique, and be creative and memorable.

To come up with a great concept, start by brainstorming ideas that tie in with your brand's values and messaging. Consider what sets your business apart from others in your industry, and think about ways you can showcase that in a fun and engaging way. For example, if you run a local clothing store, you could create a video showcasing the latest fashion trends, or highlight your eco-friendly production methods.

Once you have a few ideas in mind, it's important to refine your concept into a clear and concise pitch. This pitch should communicate your idea in a way that's easy to understand and compelling. It should also highlight the benefits of your concept to your target audience. For example, if you're creating a video showcasing the latest fashion trends, you could pitch it as a way to stay up-to-date with the latest styles and stand out from the crowd.

Starting with a killer concept is essential to creating a video that resonates with your audience. Take the time to brainstorm ideas that tie in with your brand's values, refine your concept into a clear and concise pitch, and highlight the benefits of your concept to your target audience. With a great concept in hand, you'll be on your way to creating a professional video that leaves a lasting impression on your viewers.

  1. Write a killer script

Once you've got your concept, it's time to write a script that will bring it to life. Writing a killer script is crucial to creating a professional video that engages your audience. Your script should be clear, concise, and easy to follow, while also injecting personality and humor to keep viewers entertained.

To write an effective script, start by outlining the key messages you want to convey in your video. Identify the main points you want to make, and think about how you can communicate those points in a way that's engaging and memorable.

Next, consider the tone and style of your video. Is it playful and humorous, or more serious and informative? Your script should match the tone and style of your video to ensure consistency and coherence.

Finally, don't be afraid to inject personality & humor into your script. This will help your video stand out and keep your audience engaged. Consider adding pop culture references, witty one-liners, or personal anecdotes that tie in with your brand's messaging.

For example, if you're creating a video for a local brewery, your script could playfully highlight the unique flavors and brewing methods that make your beer stand out. You could also inject humor by including a scene of a hapless character struggling to open a bottle of beer, before finally cracking it open and enjoying a refreshing sip.

Writing a killer script is essential to creating a professional video that engages your audience. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating a script that leaves a lasting impression on your viewers.

  1. Use professional-grade equipment

You don't need a Hollywood-level budget to create professional-grade videos. But you do need to invest in quality equipment, including a good camera, microphone, and lighting. Trust us, your audience will notice the difference.

When choosing your equipment, consider the specific needs of your video. If you're filming in a low-light environment, for example, you'll need a camera that can handle low-light situations. Similarly, if you're filming a talking head video, a high-quality microphone is essential to ensure clear audio.

It's also important to familiarize yourself with your equipment and learn how to use it effectively. Take the time to read through the manual, practice using your equipment in different settings, and experiment with different settings to find what works best for your video.

For example, if you're creating a video for a local fitness studio, using professional-grade equipment can help you capture the energy and excitement of your classes. Investing in a high-quality camera and microphone can help you capture clear, vibrant footage, while using appropriate lighting can help highlight the studio's unique features.

  1. Set the scene

Before you start filming, take the time to set the scene. Choose a location that's visually interesting and relevant to your concept, and consider the background, lighting, and any props or decorations you'll need to create the desired effect. A cluttered or distracting background can detract from your message, while appropriate lighting can help set the tone and highlight key features of your environment.

To set the scene effectively, start by scouting out potential locations and thinking about how they tie in with your concept. Consider the background, lighting, and any props or decorations you may need, and plan accordingly. When you're ready to start filming, take the time to make any necessary adjustments to ensure the scene is visually appealing and relevant to your message.

For example, if you're creating a video for a local art museum, you could choose a visually striking location like an outdoor sculpture garden. By taking the time to set up the scene and highlight key features of the environment, you can create a video that showcases the museum's unique appeal and leaves a lasting impression on your viewers.

Setting the scene is an important step in creating a professional video that captures your audience's attention. To do so effectively, start by scouting out potential locations, pay attention to the background and lighting, and make any necessary adjustments to create a visually appealing and relevant scene. With these tips in mind, you'll be on your way to creating a video that showcases your brand in the best possible light.

  1. Dress for success

Your on-camera talent should look professional and polished. Make sure they're dressed appropriately for your business and the tone of your video. And don't forget hair and makeup – they can make a big difference in how your talent looks on camera.

When choosing your on-camera talent's attire, consider the specific needs of your video. For example, if you're creating a video for a local law firm, you may want to choose more formal attire like suits and ties. If you're creating a video for a local surf shop, on the other hand, more casual attire like board shorts and t-shirts may be more appropriate.

It's also important to pay attention to hair and makeup. While you don't necessarily need to hire professional hair and makeup artists, taking the time to ensure your on-camera talent looks polished and put-together can go a long way in creating a professional video.

For example, if you're creating a video for a local boutique, dressing your on-camera talent in the latest fashion trends and ensuring their hair and makeup look polished and on-trend can help showcase the boutique's unique style and appeal.

  1. Keep it short and sweet

Attention spans are short these days, so keep your videos short and sweet. Aim for 1-2 minutes max, and make sure you get your message across early on to keep your audience engaged.

To keep your videos short and sweet, start by identifying the key messages you want to convey and focusing on communicating those points in a clear and concise way. Avoid lengthy introductions or tangents that detract from your message.

When editing your video, aim for a length of 1-2 minutes max. Make sure you get your message across early on to keep your audience engaged, and consider using visual aids like graphics or animations to help communicate your message in a more efficient way.

For example, if you're creating a video for a local bakery, a short and sweet video showcasing your delicious baked goods and unique baking techniques could help capture your audience's attention and keep them engaged. By focusing on the key messages you want to convey and keeping your video concise, you can create a video that leaves a lasting impression on your viewers.

  1. Inject some personality

Nobody wants to watch a dry, boring video. Inject some personality into your content to keep your audience engaged and entertained. Humor, pop culture references, and storytelling can all be effective ways to inject personality into your videos.

Humor is a powerful tool for injecting personality into your videos. By using jokes, puns, or witty remarks, you can create a video that's both entertaining and informative. However, be careful not to overdo it or use humor inappropriately, as this can detract from your message and turn off viewers.

Pop culture references can also be effective for injecting personality into your videos. This can include referencing popular movies, TV shows, or memes. Just be sure to choose references that are relevant to your target audience and won't be lost on them.

Storytelling is another effective way to inject personality into your videos. By telling a personal story or sharing a relatable anecdote, you can create an emotional connection with your audience and make your message more memorable.

For example, if you're creating a video for a local pet store, injecting personality can help showcase the unique appeal of the store. Using humor to showcase funny pet moments or telling a personal story about a pet's impact on your life can help create an emotional connection with viewers.

  1. Use music and sound effects

Music and sound effects can be powerful tools for setting the tone and creating emotion in your videos. Choose music that fits the tone of your video, and consider using sound effects to enhance key moments.

When selecting music for your video, consider the tone and style of your video, as well as any legal requirements for using copyrighted music. If you don't have the budget for original music, consider using royalty-free music from websites like AudioJungle or Epidemic Sound.

Similarly, when incorporating sound effects, choose ones that match the mood and tone of your video. For example, if you're creating a video for a local car dealership, incorporating sound effects like revving engines or car horns can help bring the video to life and create a sense of excitement.

For example, if you're creating a video for a local coffee shop, incorporating background music with a relaxed and cozy vibe can help create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Similarly, incorporating the sound of steaming milk or the clinking of cups can help bring the video to life and showcase the coffee shop's unique appeal.

  1. Get creative with editing

Once you've shot your footage, it's time to edit it together into a cohesive story. This is where you can really get creative and make your video stand out. Consider adding visual effects, text overlays, or split-screen shots to add interest and keep your audience engaged.

When getting creative with editing, consider the tone and style of your video, as well as your target audience. Different editing techniques may be more effective for different types of videos or different age groups.

It's also important to pay attention to pacing and flow when using creative editing techniques. Make sure the editing serves the story and doesn't distract from the message you're trying to convey.

For example, if you're creating a video for a local fashion boutique, getting creative with editing can help showcase the boutique's unique style and appeal. Using jump cuts or fast-paced editing can help create a sense of energy and excitement, while using slow-motion or still shots can help highlight key fashion pieces.

  1. Consistency is key

To really make an impact with your video marketing, you need to be consistent. Create a regular schedule for releasing new videos, and make sure each one is consistent in terms of quality and tone. This will help you build a loyal audience and establish your brand as a go-to source for valuable content.

Consistency is crucial in video marketing as it helps build a loyal audience and establishes your brand as a reliable source of valuable content. By creating a regular schedule for releasing new videos and ensuring each video is consistent in terms of quality and tone, you can attract and retain viewers while showcasing your brand in the best possible light.

To maintain consistency in your video marketing, start by developing a content calendar that outlines when each video will be released and what topics or themes will be covered. Stick to this schedule as closely as possible, but also be flexible and open to making adjustments as needed.

Additionally, make sure each video is consistent in terms of quality and tone. This includes things like the use of branding elements, the pacing and flow of the video, and the messaging tone. By maintaining a consistent quality and tone across all of your videos, you can help build brand recognition and attract more viewers.

And there you have it, folks – 10 tips for creating professional videos that will knock your audience's socks off. But if all of this seems a little daunting, don't worry – we've got you covered. Our video production retainer service is designed specifically for local businesses in Murfreesboro, TN. We'll film video on-site once per month to produce 4 pieces of video collateral along with video concepting and scripting. Plus, we'll handle all the technical stuff, like equipment and editing, so you can focus on running your business. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help take your video marketing to the next level.

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