How to Use Your Smartphone to Create Video Content

Video, video, video – you’ve heard all about how great it is, how popular it is, how it’s going to replace all of our online marketing efforts (okay, I might have made that last one up). Either way, you believe in the importance of it but think it’s too expensive, too difficult, or too time-consuming to do.

I’ve got a question for you.

Do you own a smartphone?

You, technically, have all you need to start creating video content. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got an iPhone or an Android, you can shoot videos with your phone. Point, click, record, and upload to YouTube.

Maybe you want something that looks a little bit more professional and polished. The viral videos of cats and laughing babies are great, but you’re a business. Your video needs to look good.

If you’re willing to learn a few new things and spend a little money, you can turn your smartphone into a portable video production studio.

Taking Great Video

As important as the equipment can be, making great video content starts with you. Here are a few tips for your videos:

When you’re moving the camera across a room to show all the features, do this: hold your phone with both hands, tuck your elbows into your sides, plant your feet on the ground, and move your torso. Your shot will be steadier and easier to watch.

Pick the right day to make your video. Recording outside on a blustery, windy day means we’ll hear the wind more than you. Rainy days can look depressing, and the thunder and lightning might drown you out.

Practice what you want to say. You don’t have to write a full script, but have an idea of what you want to say and practice it before you start. This will help eliminate a lot of ums, uhs, and unnecessary silence.

Be yourself. Part of what makes people watch a video is the person talking to us. You’re not a professional performer and no one expects you to be. Talk to us like you’d talk to a client.

What Kind of Equipment Do You Need?

The amount of equipment you buy is a personal decision based on what kind of videos you want to make and how much you’re willing to invest.

Selfie sticks are great for getting yourself in a shot, widening your angle, and adding stability to your shot. Make sure to choose a brand that works with your specific phone.

Add a microphone for better sound quality. The Zoom iQ5 works with iPhones and iPads and is a professional quality mic. The Edutige i-Microphone is small but powerful and works with most smartphones.

You can go the extra mile and add specials lenses or lighting if you want. The iPro lens systems lets you take shots in just about any way you can imagine – wide angle, telephoto, macro, you name it – and it works with most smartphones.

When You’re Ready to Edit

What’s the point of taking video on your phone if you can’t edit it on your phone? Don’t worry, there’s an app for that.

The most well-known and popular app for iPhone users is iMovie. If you’ve got a Mac, you may be familiar with this one. You can add titles, create transitions, use themes and templates, and even add a soundtrack.

For Android users, try PowerDirector. It has a lot of the same features as iMovie so you can make great videos, too. Add text, drag and drop video segments, even turn clips into slow motion video.

The best part is once you’re done, you can share directly to YouTube, Facebook, and other places on the web to get the most eyes on your video. I also recommend creating a special blog post on your website, embedding the video, and adding supporting text.

Creating video content doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right equipment and apps, the hardest part is knowing what to say. Take a tour of a home or your city. Answer buyer and seller questions. Use old written blog content as ideas for your videos. Whatever you do, just start. It’s a little strange at first, but the more you do it, the easier it gets. Only you have to know you did it all with your smartphone.