Video Marketing Tips and Techniques to Use on a Budget for small businesses
According to a survey by hubspot.com video marketing data, 69% of video marketers surveyed own production equipment while 10 percent rent, and the remaining group does both.
There’s an argument to be made for both.
On one end, creating videos in-house can be cheaper. However, outside agencies can provide higher-quality content.
In fact, most smaller brands (those with 200 employees or less) believe creating video content through an outside agency offers a better ROI than doing so in-house.
However, across all business sizes, roughly a third of respondents say the ROI is about the same either way.
With that said, it’s important to weigh your options and assess when and what you should rent versus own.
Upon first look, it might seem like renting is the smarter (and more affordable) option. However, most marketers surveyed (58%) say creating content in-house is cheaper.
To make this decision, consider the type of content you’ll be producing and the equipment you’ll need.
This is key in determining what is more cost-efficient.
If you’re a makeup brand for instance, you can probably produce great content sitting in front of a camera simply showcasing your products in action with good lighting. However, if you’re a travel and hospitality brand, you’ll likely need props, on-camera talent, location, and many more elements to fulfill your vision. In this case, it may be cheaper to outsource.
2. Separate need-to-haves from must-haves.
When it comes to video equipment, there will always be bigger and better out there.
If there’s one area you should focus on, it’s lighting.
Many believe that having the best camera does the trick but the truth is, lighting is what makes or breaks the quality of a video.
Lighting sets the tone and mood of a video, two elements you need to maintain your audience’s attention in a video.
Sound is another area to splurge on – specifically your mics. This will enhance the quality of your video, especially if you have to settle for low-end cameras.
As for everything else, (the camera, the lens, the accessories), these are great add-ons but if you’re on a budget, you can make do with low to mid-range options while still getting a high-quality result.
3. Leverage user-generated content.
According to HubSpot Blog Research, the number one challenge video marketers face is a lack of time to create video content.
Well, who said you had to create your content from scratch? You’re likely sitting on a pile of content from your customers right now.
If you have a strong social media presence, you likely have a bank of user-generated content ranging from images to videos and text. You can leverage all of these for campaigns and use them to supplement your own content.
For instance, ahead of the official Fenty Beauty perfume launch, its founder and musician Rihanna posted what seemed to be an ad. It was a video compilation of various celebrities and influencers mentioning how good she smells – “like heaven” was a phrase heard multiple times.
Without ever having to produce their own video, the brand leveraged UGC to build anticipation surrounding this launch.
4. Hire student and amateur talent.
When it comes to on-camera talent, this is where brands often struggle to think of alternatives.
They usually opt for an in-house creator just to save money, even though their role may not focus on this area at all. Or they contract talent, which can be costly.
Here’s a third option: Reach out to students and amateur actors.
In some cases, money isn’t the main motivator. It can often be exposure, gaining experience, or building up a portfolio. However, paid opportunities will always generate more interest and can get you more experienced talent.
5. Use free editing software.
When you think of video editing, the first thing that comes to mind is probably Adobe.
It’s the go-to software for production professionals. However, it’s complex and isn’t affordable. If you own an Apple device like the Macbook or iPad, you will have free video editing software already available.
While it doesn’t have as many features and offers limited functionality, it works well for simple editing and you can always find workarounds on platforms like YouTube.
Some free editing software comes with free music or you can find online websites that offer royalty-free music.
If you’re intimidated by the idea of video marketing because you think you don’t have the funds, hopefully, these five techniques will change your mind.
Video marketing is an important part of content creation and can drive sales so don’t let money prevent you from staying in the game.
Sharing is caring so please don’t forget to share this post!
Online influencer creating fun podcast content with videoblog, recording live discussion to broadcast on social media channel. Happy lifestyle blogger using vlogging equipment.
Broadcasting live to thousands of people used to be the stuff of television, requiring millions of dollars and oodles of fancy equipment. Now we have supercomputers in our pockets. With a smartphone or a GoPro, we can broadcast anything to friends over Facebook and YouTube in seconds.
Why Livestream?
It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s immediate. Livestreaming goes straight to the internet. There’s no editing, no fiddling around with cuts, no overlays or sound effects, and no special filter to make you like Tom Cruise. Just you and the audience. You can show off the best of your skills. Did you learn a new guitar song? Just finished a painting? Want to let the world know about the best graphic novels? Livestream it.
With over 57% of marketers live streaming their content, it’s not hard to see why brands are jumping into the streaming business. But for plenty of brands and content creators, learning how to live stream can be a hurdle.
There’s no shame in admitting the technical side of live streaming can be, well, pretty technical to understand for the majority of us.
Don’t lose hope! In this guide, we’ll unpack all the complicated business of streaming. We’ll walk through how to set up a live stream, what gear to consider, and how to get it set up.
We’ll also tackle how to find the right streaming platform and share tips for a stable internet connection when live streaming.
There’s a lot of ground to cover, so let’s jump into it.
How to set up a live stream
Ultimately, live streaming your content boils down to five steps:
Connect the audio and video sources that capture content for live streaming to your streaming device (PC or laptop).
Configure the encoder – one that translates the audio and video content into stream able files ready to be shared on the internet.
Connect the encoder and streaming platform using the stream key and URL that your streaming platform provides.
Test your internet connection and upload speed
Stream away!
In other words, your live streaming process includes CED or capturing audio and video content, encoding it, and distributing it using a live streaming platform.
You probably noticed there’s lots of gear and live streaming software involved. We’ll address those first, then share the details on how to set everything up.
What equipment do you need to live stream?
Building a streaming setup for beginners is pretty simple. You’ll need a camera, mic or microphone, lighting, and a stable internet connection.
You’ll also need to get your (digital) hands on some live streaming software. More on that in a bit. For now, let’s get started with the live streaming equipment you’ll need.
Camera
If you’re only getting started with testing the live streaming waters, our Live Production Lead at Vimeo, Tom Gott, suggests you’ll only need a single quality camera.
In other words, a webcam will do the job.
But if you’re looking to explore other camera choices, there are plenty of options for every budget. We have great options if you’re aiming to go low-cost into live streaming before upgrading your gear.
Beginner level video sources:
Your phone’s camera
An entry-level live streaming camera like DJI Osmo Action, GoPro Hero, Logitech C930e, or Mevo camera.
Intermediate level video sources:
If you do have some budget set aside for investing in a camera, say up to $2000, you can level up your live stream’s game by investing in any of the following:
Canon XA15 or XF100
Panasonic LUMIX GH4
Sony A7 II for this price range.
Can you use any camera to live stream?
A webcam, point and shoot, camcorder —all will work for live streaming as long as the camera you use is able to capture a minimum of 720p at 24fps footage.
Audio
Even if the video quality of your live stream is up to par, your audience will check out if the audio quality is poor.
So don’t overlook your live stream’s audio quality. That’s why Gott advises, “Don’t rely on the built-in microphone on your camera, invest in a proper one.”
Lavalier mics aka clip on mics (yes, the ones that look pretty cool)
Handheld microphones such as Shure SM58s that our team has used
Not planning to invest in an audio source? Your phone can help capture sound. Well, at least temporarily as you get to grips with the live streaming business.
Capture card
The third piece of live streaming equipment that you may need is a capture card.
A capture card is an intermediary device that transfers video from its source to your main live streaming setup.
But hang on: why do you need a capture card? So that it can show your computer what your camera is seeing.
To use a capture card, your camera needs an HDMI port/output to attach the HDMI cable. This will transfer the video feed to your computer.
And, when do you need to add a capture card to your live stream setup?
You need a capture card when you’re using a software encoder (more on this below).
You don’t need a capture card when you’re using a hardware encoder as it usually comes with an internal capture card. You also don’t need it when you’re using a USB camera or microphone that you can directly plug into your computer.
For now, know that if you are planning to use a capture card, you’ll need to pick between a USB interface capture card or one with a PCI-e interface.
Here are some of our capture card recommendations:
AV.io HD
Elgato CamLink 4K
Razer Ripsaw HD
Whatever you select, be sure to check that the capture card is compatible with your streaming platform. For instance, there are a handful of capture cards supported by Vimeo.
Lighting setup for live streaming
Okay so you now have most of the tech list that partly answers how to live stream. But there’s another essential aspect that you can’t skip — lighting for streaming.
A well-lit stream can help your live video look more professional and help you engage your audience. Think about it: you don’t want your viewers to cringe at how poorly lit your live streaming setup is and you certainly don’t want the overhead lights in your office to cast harsh shadows on your speakers or presenters.
The good news? You can perfect the lighting set up with these two sources.
Lighting for entry level streamers:
Sunlight
Ring light
Sunlight is your best friend and a free source for lighting your streaming space. Test your video to find the right balance of natural light. Too much sunlight can mask the details of your speaker’s face and too little of it will obscure their features.
Here are a few tips for creating a flattering look with natural lighting:
Face the natural light source
Use a bounce to fill in any dark shadows
Avoid having a window behind the speaker
Avoid harsh white or fluorescent lighting
Experiment with opening and closing the window shades to find the right setting and the perfect balance between the natural and artificial lights in your room.
Want to make the most of the sunlight and shoot outdoors? Dive into this guide to get a rundown of how to perfect outdoor lighting.
Another option that’s become popular among live streamers is ring light. These are budget-friendly lighting sources for beginner-level streaming that don’t pose a fire hazard or heat the room, making them great to use. Their circular design also means ring lights help remove shadows from your face.
Lighting for intermediate level:
A three-point light kit
Have some money to spend? Get a three-point light kit to polish up your lighting. These kits include three lights: a main/key light, fill light, and a backlight that bring warmth, depth, and quality to your stream.
You can also pair lights from this kit with the overhead lights in your office to light up the scene professionally. How? By removing the main light since overhead lights do its job instead.
Where should I position my lights for streaming?
Using a three-point light kit, position the main light across the subject to illuminate. Next, position the fill light across the other end of the subject to balance the light from the main light and position the third, backlight behind the subject to separate them from the background. See where each light goes in this short video.
Accessories for live streaming
As for the bits and bobs for the perfect setup, here’s a quick list:
A green screen (Chroma key) for changing your background
A tripod stands for holding your video camera
A microphone arm where the audio source rests (unless you’re using a clip on mic)
Encoder
Let’s talk about encoders. To share your stream with the world, you’ll need an encoder.
An encoder is a device that converts video files from one format to another. Put another way, it takes the raw feed from a camera and transfers it into viewable content in your main live streaming station.
There are two types of encoders at your disposal: hardware encoders and software encoders.
Here’s a quick rundown of hardware encoders and software encoders.
Hardware encoders
Specially designed for live streaming. They free up your computer for other tasks.
Does not require a capture card.
Less affordable and difficult to upgrade.
Because hardware encoders free up your computer for focusing on other tasks, these are great for more professional broadcasts and live streaming gamers. This way, the PC can focus on the game while the encoder works in the background.
As for which hardware encoder to buy, read on to find out budget-friendly options below.
Beginner-level hardware encoders:
AJA HD10AMA audio embedder
Intermediate level:
AJA HD5DA HD-SDI distribution amplifier
Datavideo DAC70 up/down/ cross converter
Software encoders
A great option for beginner-level streamers. Keep in mind they rely on your computer’s processing power.
Capture card may be needed
Variety of price points and upgrade options
The good thing about software encoders is that they work on their own, not taking up much of your attention.
Here are a few software encoder options:
Livestream Studio 6
OBS Studio
Streamlabs OBS
Switcher
Last on this list of live streaming equipment is a switcher. Like an encoder, you may or may not need it. It all comes down to your requirements.
Essentially, a switcher helps switch between different video and audio sources, production elements, and control graphics.
So if you’re using two or more cameras for live streaming or want to show graphics/presentations between your live stream, you’ll need a switcher to capture the additional feeds for you.
If you’re a Vimeo Enterprise user (or plan to be one soon!) you’ll get Livestream Studio with your package. Not only does it handle a software encoder’s job, but it also plays the switcher’s role.
What’s the right streaming platform for me?
With live streaming equipment out of the way, let’s talk about the distribution side of how to live stream.
Live streaming platforms are video hosting services that let you broadcast video content. Depending on the platform you choose, you can stream on multiple channels at once to reach a wider audience.
There’s no one answer to which streaming platform is right for you as the correct answer is: it depends on your requirements.
For live streamers who are using video for internal communications (like town halls or employee trainings) or for virtual events, there are a few key features to keep in mind.
Five key features for your live streaming platform
High quality, professional video
For high quality, professional streaming video, you’ll want to find a solution that supports full HD 1080p and cloud transcoding so that viewers can enjoy beautiful video across devices.
Broaden your reach
If you’re a business looking to reach customers wherever they are, you’ll want to find a platform that supports simulcasting to other platforms like YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Twitter, and Twitch.
Security and privacy
Secure video streaming is a must for businesses. Look for platforms that include features around privacy, authorization, customization, embedding restrictions, and security.
Powerful engagement
You’ll want to include ways for your audience to interact with your live streaming content via live chat and polls as well as advanced analytics to help you better serve your audience.
An all-in-one home
Get all the tools you need for your live and hosted videos: edit and replace post-event video files in up to 4K, spread out with up to 5TB of storage, and sell your videos after the big event.
Five streaming channels for your video
There are a lot of places for your audience to view your live stream. Here are a few main destinations where you may want to broadcast your next live event:
Branded site: For businesses with a dedicated website or event site, embedding your live stream video can be the simplest and most effective way to share your content with your audience.
Vimeo: With an audience of X, Vimeo is a great place to reach your audience. With Vimeo Enterprise, streamers can create showcases to broadcast HD quality video and organize videos into custom categories to create a more Netflix-like experience for audience members.
LinkedIn Live: LinkedIn’s native livestream feature is a great place to connect with business-minded professionals, hospitality workers, and even students.
Instagram Live: Instagram’s livestream feature lets you broadcast content as part of your IG stories. The key differentiator here is that the stream is ephemeral. Meaning: it disappears once the broadcast ends. No replays are available.
Twitch: With 3.8 million streamers, Twitch is the go-to live streaming platform for gamers. But, it’s now opening up for other stream content too.
Facebook Live: Once started as mobile-only streaming, Facebook Live lets you now stream from both mobile and desktop.
What if your audience is spread across multiple channels? You don’t have to pick just one place to stream! Simulcasting allows you to stream to multiple destinations at once.
How to live stream in 5 simple steps?
At the start of this guide, we gave you a quick overview of how to live stream. Now that you’re familiar with the gear needed for a streaming setup for beginners, let’s dive into the details of how to set up a live stream.
1. Connect your audio and video sources
This involves physically connecting the audio and video sources to your main live streaming setup (the PC or laptop). Connect these sources to your hardware encoder to feed the content into your livestream station or use a capture card if you have a software encoder.
2. Configure the encoder
If you’re using an external encoder, you’ll need to configure the device’s setting using an app or Web UI. For a software encoder, you’ll work internally.
You can leave the configuration setting to default as the software automatically adjusts to the streaming platform.
Ask you configure your encoder, keep these three points in mind:
The resolution or your video’s frame size needs to be at 1280 x720 resolution to start.
The bit rate or the rate at which data is uploaded should be set at 3000 Kbps.
Lastly, the frame rate or the number of images/frames displayed in a second needs to be 30
3. Connect to the streaming platform
With the audio and video set up with your livestream station, you’re now left with linking in your streaming platform into the picture.
Use the streaming key/name and streaming URL that your live streaming platform gives you and enter it into the encoder to complete your live streaming setup.
Doing so allows the streaming platform to identify your encoder. On the other hand, the encoder is able to understand where to send the audio and visual details.
4. Check your internet connection
Your internet connection is the elephant in the room when it comes to streaming. Unreliable internet connection equals slow streaming – something that can make you lose viewers fast.
To prevent lost views, start test your internet speed using a site like Speedtest.net. Here are a few other tips to make sure your internet connection is stable.
Upgrade your bandwidth or how much data you can upload to the highest available.
Ask any other family members, roommates, or colleagues share your space to stay offline during your stream.
Use your cell phone’s hotspot as a worst-case scenario backup.
Test your tech including audio and video quality.
5 important ideas to consider with upload speeds and streaming
What is upload speed?
Your upload speed is the speed at which your ISP lets you share content on the internet. It’s measured in millions of bits — or megabits — per second and it matters because a slow upload speed would mean spotty livestreams.
While there’s no answer to the perfect upload speed for a live stream, we have a few benchmarks to keep in mind:
3 Mbps for 480p
6 Mbps for 720p
13 Mbps for 1080p
Just remember, the higher your video quality is, the more upload speed you’ll need.
Your upload speed can also be impacted by four things.
Upload rate
This is the speed at which your internet can upload content. The higher it is, the better your upload speed.
Your internet service provider’s (ISP) bandwidth
To recap, bandwidth is the capacity of your internet to upload or download data. The larger the video content, the greater bandwidth required.
The content quality
High-quality and fast moving visuals can impact your upload speed.
Your streaming platform
Every platform has its recommendation. Here just few platform-specific suggestions to give you an idea:
Vimeo requires 10 Mbps or faster for live streams in 1080p.
5. Start streaming
With everything in place, click start streaming in your encoder and get the show running! Remember, it’s okay to be nervous with your first time going live. Add a few practice runs before the live data and you’ll be good to go.
With enough planning and a few live streaming sessions under your belt, you’ll start enjoying the process in no time.
To find out more about how Kennysoft STUDIOs can help you livestream your event, get in touch with one of the members of the team for a chat.
Are Tiktok Ads Worth It? The short answer — yes, you should definitely give it a go. It’s one of the fastest-growing (& most cost-effective) social media platforms in the world and is quickly becoming an advertising haven for businesses! But deciding if it’s the right fit for you requires answers to essential questions like:
Who is your target audience?
(If they’re 25 and under, TikTok is the place to be!)
Can you easily showcase your products/services in a video?
Are you comfortable sharing light-hearted content?
(TikTok isn’t a ‘serious’ platform by any means).
I personally recommend you spend time experimenting with the platform and different types of content so you can find the perfect fit for your business!
That been said, why will you even want to market your product or service in TikTok to start with. I believe you don’t know let me explain to you statistically, just take a look at these statistics from Influencer marketing hub
TikTok Users Spend More than 850 Minutes Per Month on the App
According to Statista, US TikTok users average 858 minutes per month on the app. This statistic gives information on monthly TikTok app user engagement in the United States in March 2020.
If you examine the data from October 2019 to March 2020, you will note a considerable increase in the time that the average TikTok user spent on the app. Usage grew from an average of 442.9 minutes per month in October 2019 to 526.1 minutes in November, 561.2 minutes in December, 680 minutes in January 2020, 731.6 minutes in February, and 858 minutes in March 2020.
2. TikTok now has 1 Billion Monthly Active users (January 2022)
As of January 2022, TikTok had 1 billion Monthly Active users worldwide!
In a December 2019 Statista survey, 23 percent of respondents stated that they had used or seen videos posted on TikTok. Conversely, 44% indicated that they hadn’t, while 33% claimed to have never heard of TikTok. However, more U.S. internet users used TikTok in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, so these percentages now probably understate the actual situation.
3. 3 Billion Installations
TikTok has been installed on devices over 3 billion times worldwide. It passed the one billion-milestone in February 2019 and the two billion-figure in April 2020. It reached three billion in Mid-2021. TikTok became only the fifth non-gaming app to reach the 3-billion level and the first not owned by Facebook (now Meta).
4. 167 Million TikTok Videos Watched in an Internet Minute
In August 2021, Statista collated online media usage for an “internet minute” worldwide. In that time, people consume hundreds of thousands of hours of content and send, scroll, and upload millions of messages, emails and texts. Amongst these statistics, Statista found that TikTok users watch 167 million hours of videos on the app in a sample minute.
5. Entertainment Most Popular Category on TikTok by Hashtag Views
As of July 2020, the most popular content categories on TikTok all had over two billion views, according to Statista. The most viewed content category on the app was entertainment content. Presumably, this category includes all those lip-synching videos. The second most viewed content category was dance.
The most popular categories overall are:
Entertainment – 535 billion hashtag views
Dance – 181 billion
Pranks – 79 billion
Fitness/sports – 57 billion
Home reno/D.I.Y. – 39 billion
Beauty/skincare – 33 billion
Fashion – 27 billion
Recipes/cooking – 18 billion
Life hacks/advice – 13 billion
Pets – 10 billion
Outdoors – 2 billion
6. Highest Social Media Engagement Rates Per Post
Recent Upfluence data shows better engagement rates across different follower levels for Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. TikTok has considerably more engagement than either of the other two networks at all follower levels. For example, Upfluence found micro-influencers had engagement rates of 17.96% on TikTok, 3.86% on Instagram, and 1.63% on YouTube. At the other extreme, mega-influencers had engagement rates of 4.96% on TikTok, 1.21% on Instagram, and 0.37% on YouTube.
If you isolate the fitness sector, Upfluence found that although there weren’t all that many TikTok fitness influencers, they had the highest average engagement rate across platforms – 9.3% compared to Instagram (2.9%), YouTube (0.7%), and Facebook (0.5%).
7. Total Downloads For TikTok Exceed 2.5 Billion
TikTok has grown significantly over the years and House of Marketers expect it to continue to scale worldwide. According to a report by the Business of Apps, 2.6 billion people will download the app by 2020. In 2018 alone, more than 750 million people downloaded the app. And as 2019 came to an end, they reached 1.5 billion, almost doubling the number of downloads in a single year.
8. Most TikTok Users Want Funny and Engaging Content on TikTok
Participants in the global web index survey said that they usually look for entertaining or funny content on the app. Entertaining its visitors is a higher priority for TikTok than anything else. Posting and sharing entertaining content remains the most common way that people interact with the app.
9. Users spend more time on TikTok than YouTube
According to AppAnnie, users are spending much more time watching TikTok than they are on YouTube. People can watch new content in a very short span of time given the style of content that TikTok offers, especially when compared to YouTube. This helps explain why your marketing budget may be better used off YouTube, and on TikTok.
10. Smaller Brands Can Go Viral on TikTok, With Little Effort
Some smaller brands can sometimes become household names and older brands can become relevant again through TikTok. In the case of Ocean Spray, a 90-year-old beverage company became relevant again. TikTok creator Nathan Apodaca showed himself drinking the beverage on his way to work. Ocean Spray also saw a bump in their sales following the height of the trend. They capitalized on it by referencing the trend on TikTok and participating in a challenge inspired by Nathan’s initial video.
TikTok age demographics
Age
Percentage of users
Under 18
28
19-29
35
30-39
18
39+
19
Note: These are global values. Individual country demographics are available in the TikTok Report
Source: App Ape
TikTok gender demographics
Gender
Percentage of users
Female
59
Male
39
Other
2
Sources: App Ape, Bloomberg
TikTok engagement by country
Year
Usage per day (minutes)
United States
68
United Kingdom
60
France
60
Norway
74
Poland
68
Sources: Bloomberg, Sensor Tower
So, with all these statistics I need you need to rethink it twice if you will not be marketing your product or services on TikTok.
Type of TikTok ads
Here are the five types of TikTok Ads:
In-Feed Ads
Brand Takeover
TopView
Branded Hashtag Challenge
Branded Effects
TikTok Ads: In-Feed Ads
In-Feed Ads are the video ads that appear in between user videos as you scroll through your For You page. If you’re unfamiliar with TikTok and the For You page, In-Feed Ads are very similar to the ads you’d see while tapping through Instagram Stories.
TikTok Ads: Brand Takeover
Have you ever opened up TikTok and received an ad right away? If so, those are Brand Takeover Ads.
Brand Takeover Ads appear upon opening the app — presenting a full-screen video to your targeted audience.
They’re one of TikTok Ad’s best options for delivering mass awareness and driving direct sales since you can place your messaging right in front of your target audience.
Not only do these ads show up as soon as users open TikTok, but they can also appear on the For You page as still images, GIFs or videos — including a clickable link driving users to a landing page or a Hashtag Challenge within TikTok.
See how Guess Jeans had their #InMyDenim Challenge advertised all across TikTok. The photo below on the far left is an example of a Brand Takeover.
Brand Takeover Ads are exclusive to their category, which means that TikTok makes sure users don’t see more than one Brand Takeover per day. With Brand Takeover Ads you can expect a lot of eyes on your content with little competition.
If you’re just starting out with TikTok Ads, Brand Takeovers may not be your first choice. Because, while super effective, Brand Takeovers do come at a high cost.
If you’re a bigger brand with a large marketing budget, they are a great option for fast growth and reaching a large group of TikTok users.
TikTok Ads: TopView
TopView Ads are a new advertising option that builds on Brand Takeovers.
What makes TopView Ads different is that unlike Branded Takeover Ads, TikTok users aren’t bombarded with an ad as soon as they open the app — TopView Ads are the first in-feed post after 3 seconds.
It shows up at the top of the For You page, TikTok’s most premium real estate, with up to 60-seconds of full-screen video with auto-play and sound.
TikTok Ads: Branded Hashtag Challenge
Branded Hashtag Challenges are a one-of-a-kind advertising opportunity exclusively to TikTok. You’ve probably seen branded hashtag challenges displayed on TikTok’s Discovery page.
TikTok Ads: Branded Effects
TikTok now offers branded shareable stickers, AR filters, and lenses in their advertising mix.
Similar to Snapchat’s branded lenses, TikTok’s branded effects allow brands to design their own custom filter on the app.
Branded Effects can be live for up to 10 days at a time and are an awesome way to encourage users to directly interact with your brand (in a fun way!).
How Much do TikTok Ads Cost?
TikTok Ads are new to the scene — brands and businesses are still experimenting with the platform — so understanding the average spend or return on investment (ROI) is difficult.
So, if you’re a small business and want to give TikTok ads a try, don’t let the unknown scare you off right away — spending big bucks on TikTok isn’t the only way to advertise on the popular app.
You can set up a free TikTok Ads account and create In-Feed ads with your own set budget and schedule. Currently, TikTok’s minimum campaign budget is $500 and the minimum ad group budget is $50.
However, it has also been reported that the cost of advertising on TikTok can be anywhere from $50,000 to $120,000, depending on the type and duration.
If these reported numbers are true, it would make sense as to why we haven’t really seen smaller businesses advertising on TikTok just yet.
As more brands begin to engage and use TikTok Ads, it will become clearer whether TikTok will follow a similar model to Instagram and Facebook ads where (no budget is too small), or if they will continue to keep certain ad types, like branded hashtag challenges, as elite spends
How to Create a TikTok Ad
Now that you’re familiar with TikTok’s creative advertising options, it’s time to talk about the tools that help get your ads into action.
Before you can go ahead and create ads on TikTok, even In-Feed ads, you have to be approved by TikTok. It’s not a difficult process, just an extra step to keep in mind.
#2: Enter your country and account type and press “Next”.
#3: TikTok Ads is currently only available in certain regions. Fill out all of your contact information and depending on if TikTok Ads self-serve is available in your region, either press “Make a Reservation” or “Inform me of Future Updates”.
Note: TikTok Ads Manager self-serve platform is now available in the United States for businesses of all sizes.
#4: Now it’s time to wait for TikTok to send more information. Make sure to double-check all your email folders (promotions, social, junk, etc).
TIP: If you know you want to start advertising on TikTok in the future (even if it’s not for a while!) create an account sooner than later to be sure you have it there when you’re ready.
Once you get the verification email, TikTok asks a number of questions about your business and advertising goals. After you submit the questionnaire, a TikTok representative will be in touch with you over email to help you complete the process.
Following that, you’ll be able to enter and officially set up your account.
On TikTok’s self-serve platform, you can create and run campaigns, easily define your target audience, select bidding methods, and design your ad creative.
Similar to regular hashtag trends and challenges on TikTok, Branded Hashtags Challenges offer both organic and sponsored opportunities for brands.
They’re a great way to encourage user-generated content and build brand awareness.
The best part about Branded Hashtag Challenges? You can have a ton of fun with them! They are an awesome way for brands to collaborate and seamlessly integrate themselves into the TikTok culture and community.
It’s important to have concrete objectives when you’re creating a Branded Hashtag Challenge. Are you looking to create awareness for a new product? Generate new leads? Or increase general brand awareness?
When a user clicks on a sponsored hashtag, they’re taken to a landing page on TikTok with the brand logo, link to their website, brief description of the challenge, and popular videos using the hashtag.
#4: Now it’s time to wait for TikTok to send more information. Make sure to double-check all your email folders (promotions, social, junk, etc).
TIP: If you know you want to start advertising on TikTok in the future (even if it’s not for a while!) create an account sooner than later to be sure you have it there when you’re ready.
Once you get the verification email, TikTok asks a number of questions about your business and advertising goals. After you submit the questionnaire, a TikTok representative will be in touch with you over email to help you complete the process.
Following that, you’ll be able to enter and officially set up your account.
On TikTok’s self-serve platform, you can create and run campaigns, easily define your target audience, select bidding methods, and design your ad creative.
Similar to regular hashtag trends and challenges on TikTok, Branded Hashtags Challenges offer both organic and sponsored opportunities for brands.
They’re a great way to encourage user-generated content and build brand awareness.
The best part about Branded Hashtag Challenges? You can have a ton of fun with them! They are an awesome way for brands to collaborate and seamlessly integrate themselves into the TikTok culture and community.
It’s important to have concrete objectives when you’re creating a Branded Hashtag Challenge. Are you looking to create awareness for a new product? Generate new leads? Or increase general brand awareness?
When a user clicks on a sponsored hashtag, they’re taken to a landing page on TikTok with the brand logo, link to their website, brief description of the challenge, and popular videos using the hashtag.
If you’re looking for maximum exposure, you can pay up to a hefty $150,000 per day to show up on TikTok’s Discover banner. That’s huge real estate but it’s not the only way to get users engaged with your branded hashtag.
TIP: If you’re looking for a less costly alternative, partner with popular creators on TikTok, like Houseparty and Freal Milkshakes below, to help your challenge take off!
Check out how the popular video messaging app, Houseparty, uses branded hashtags in a recent campaign on TikTok.
See how Houseparty partnered with Gen-Z heartthrob Chase Stokes (or better known as “John B” from Outer Banks) to help push their hashtag even further.
You can get super creative with In-Feed Ads. You can include multiple call-to-actions and make your video anywhere between 9 to 15 seconds.
Having the opportunity to include a call-to-action is a huge advantage. For example, you can encourage users to shop now, download your app, or visit your website right from TikTok.
See how Adobe uses a clear CTA in their In-Feed Ad below.
One thing to keep in mind is that like any other video on your For You Page, In-Feed Ads can be scrolled past or skipped pretty quickly. You only have about 2-3 seconds to catch your audience’s eye before they keep scrolling.
In-Feed Ads should be full screen and should be enticing enough to stop users from scrolling past your content.
TikTok offers brands an effective way of communicating with their audience by helping brands engage with users through multiple ad formats that speak the TikTok language, seamlessly integrating with native content and delivering maximum results.
Over the years TikTok have grow from not just been one of the video sharing apps but among the biggest video sharing apps in the world at the moment with about 1 billion monthly active users worldwide and still growing it has become so powerful that you just can’t ignore it anymore.
So, I will be showing practical ways you can create very Engaging Contents on TikTok, so without no further ado let’s get started.
Be authentic.
Keep it real, keep it organic, and create something truly engaging. Don’t focus on “branding” it too much; instead, create something which would drive lots of user-generated content. Ordinality will always sellout.
Focus on Niche Content Your Ideal Audience Will Want to Watch
When people think of TikTok, they tend to think of viral content, popular dances, and trendy music. TikTok trends tend to be fairly universal. Certain content also tends to be fairly universal, things like food, for example. Universal content can help you rack up a lot of views fairly quickly but it doesn’t always equal high engagement or sales like having a targeted audience.
A targeted audience most often comes in through niche content. Niche content doesn’t need to be super-narrow but it does need to be content your ideal client would be interested in watching, or even binging, while on TikTok.
While going viral can be fun and exciting, the real success for businesses comes with consistent content targeted toward their audience, growing a community based around that content, and offering the same tips and value that would elevate them to thought leaders.
Hashtags on TikTok
One more thing to consider when it comes to creating content for TikTok: the hashtags. Like other platforms, TikTok uses hashtags to help categorize and filter out content. And users use hashtags to find the content they’re interested in. Using niched-down hashtags will help ensure that your content gets in front of the right eyes.
However, hashtags aren’t necessary and don’t always play a role in going viral. Even if the hashtag is trending, using a popular hashtag that’s unrelated to your content won’t necessarily increase the views on your videos.
Educate Your Audience
It’s time to flex your skills and expertise! Break down valuable information or guide viewers through an educational how-to video.
This type of content works because it can be applied to any industry or niche, and you can share your knowledge about a particular subject.
Real-estate professional Tamika Ellsworth (@realestate_t) educates viewers about home buying terms, insurance, and more:
Not sure where to start? Take a look at FAQs related to your business on Google, gather feedback from your followers, or think about what advice your friends ask you for.
TIP: Make educational TikTok videos a recurring element of your content strategy by creating a dedicated TikTok Playlist. This will allow viewers to find all your related videos in one place.
Tell a Story
With over 65B views, the #StoryTime hashtag is proof of the demand for personal, story-based content on TikTok.
Take Tiana aka @hoopsandt, an official scorer for basketball games. Her TikTok video telling the story of how she landed her job has over 72K views:
Or you could get inspiration from Joanne L. Molinaro who shares personal stories about her life while cooking Korean dishes:
You can also share stories you’ve been captivated by and spotlight employees, role models, or game-changers in your industry.
TIP: Storytelling videos don’t need to be too complicated. They can be as straightforward as filming a selfie video to talk about a unique experience.
Prioritize creativity.
Be creative! That’s the only thing that brands should consider while engaging with their audiences on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels! Brands who are able to show their creativity in a funny and natural for the platform way, are always welcomed by the viewers
More Than Just A Trend
While it can be daunting to use a new content-creation platform like TikTok, the most important thing is to have a little bit of fun while using TikTok. Services that can express their creativity and funny side will be more popular with audiences and leave a positive lasting impression. What do you think about brands using TikTok to widen their reach and Creating Engaging Contents? Do you think it’s just a trend that is soon to pass? Share your thoughts, feelings, and opinions with us at kennysoft STUDIOs, because together, we learn!
As business owners we all want to boost sales and profits, to do that we need to market our products and services and to be honest marketing has clearly changed a lot in the last few years, with attention spans shortening and competition for digital space growing daily. Companies and brands have had to adapt and grow in order to keep up, and a lot of people turned to video over the years. Using video services to sell is nothing new; television adverts have been around since the 1950s (check out this television advert from 1955) and it’s always been a popular medium. However, it’s getting harder to really make a difference with your video content, so we’ll be looking at 8 ways you can help boost your sales through an effective video strategy.
In this article, Kennysoft STUDIOs look at the benefits of video content marketing, how your company should be implementing it, and the different ways you can boost sales with video.
This article will cover the following:
– What are the benefits of video content marketing?
– Using video marketing to boost sales
– 8 Ways to Boost Sales with Video
– Animated videos
– Explainer Videos
– Demo videos
– New Product launch videos
– How to videos
– FAQ videos
– Case Studies
– Testimonial videos
What are the benefits of video content marketing?
Developing an effective video strategy is key to lots of businesses’ digital marketing success. Video allows for an engaging and entertaining way to get your messaging across, in a succinct but powerful way. You don’t need to worry about hoping people read your detailed and technical whitepaper, because you know you can capture their attention and get all the necessary information across in a video instead. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, and a video is made up of thousands of pictures, there’s a lot of space for you to get your point across.
There are dozens of different types of videos you can utilize as part of an effective video marketing strategy, a lot of which we will go into more detail for later on. This means that you don’t have to rely on one medium to capture your audience’s attention, but can hit them on a number of different fronts.
An effective video marketing strategy also isn’t limited to one platform. You could have a detailed company film on your website homepage; breaking down all the different services you offer. You could then have some short testimonial videos from customers on LinkedIn, singing your praises and recommending that everybody works with you. And then finally short animations in your emails to really catch peoples’ attention and draw them into your messaging.
Using video marketing to boost sales
As mentioned at the start of the piece, brands have been using video to sell their products for over 60 years.
80% of people have purchased a piece of software or app after watching a brand’s video (Wyzowl, 2019).
And it doesn’t just go for tech or digital companies either, thousands of professional services companies around the world now use video as part of their marketing strategy.
This is because for industries like accountancy for example, a lot of their new clients come in based on reputation or trust. If you had never met or seen your accountant before, how likely are you to work with them? Whereas if you watch a short video of them introducing themself (and you like the look of them) you’re much more inclined to get in touch. Video is a great tool for getting over the first hurdle of trust. Similarly with reputation, if you watch a testimonial from a reputable client who is singing the praises of an accountant, this really helps boost their image to a prospective client.
If you know that a decent amount of your enquiries, come in through your website (or even if you don’t) then having a video on your website can really help boost conversion rates. It keeps people on the website for longer, and makes them more likely to get in touch or to buy from you. Similarly, utilizing video as part of your social media or email marketing strategy helps boost traffic to the website, giving you more potential opportunities to close sales.
8 Ways to Boost Sales and profits With Video
1. Animated videos
More businesses are turning to animation as a way of marketing their business or products online, investing time to make animated videos that add a great amount of value to their marketing efforts. This is because it’s an incredibly versatile type of content for marketing, as well as the fact is very effective with consumers and business customers alike. Animated videos or animated explainer videos aren’t limited to what’s in front of you, you can create an entire new world if you’re working with a creative animator. This means any animations you create will be completely bespoke to your business and will help you stand out from your competitors. You can make animated videos as personal, as simple, or as complex as you need them to be.
Animations are fantastic for raising brand awareness as all of the designs within the animation can be created entirely in your brand colors. This means that no matter how far through the animation the viewer watches (hopefully the whole way) they will constantly be reminded of your brand. It’s brilliant for social media where it’s easy to get lost amongst the hundreds of spam posts, in helping your branded content stand out about everyone else’s.
Video is perfect for social media
Animations are also excellent for simplifying complex topics. Whether you’re trying to explain a complex pharmaceutical product, a detailed cyber security product, or breakdown all of your accountancy services, animation can do it all. Using images and graphics to explain a product or service is far more effective for selling than just describing it to someone.
2. Explainer Videos
Animation is often used a lot when companies want to create explainer videos because it’s excellent for breaking down complex products or services. But animated explainer videos in general are a great tool for businesses looking to streamline their sales processes. Lots of businesses will incorporate an explainer video in part of their initial pitch or early sales conversations as it’s a great way of engaging your audience when talking about what you do.
Rather than linking a client a 6-page document explaining all the benefits of using your service, wouldn’t it be easier to send them a 30 second video which does all that for you? A well-made and engaging explainer video is an invaluable tool in the arsenal of digital marketers looking to increase revenue. Explainer videos can be a great touchpoint before you speak to a potential lead on the phone. Sending an email with a quick video for them to watch can warm up your lead and also further their understanding of what it is you’re offering.
3. Demo Videos
Demo videos are perfect for companies who create software or complex products. It’s not always possible to jump on a call with a client or to go out and meet with them to talk them through things, sometimes you just need to send out a video.
Software demonstration videos are often accompanied by an engaging voice over and screen capture footage of the software in action or the problem being solved. These are perfect for quickly sending out to new customers or if somebody has a problem with your product or software.
Likewise, if you sell a physical product, maybe customers need to know how to put it together or how to get the most of it. A well put together demo video with close ups and well explained steps can really help customers in getting the most out of your products, and can often mean that people share your content if it really helped them.
Perhaps you want to create demo videos for something else which isn’t a direct product, but perhaps still links to what you do. For example, lots of IT or Telecoms companies will often create demonstration videos for general tasks which a lot of people might not know how to do. This is a great way of boosting your brand’s reputation and you might even pick up some new customers along the way. Think about demonstrating how to block a number on an iPhone, or how to speed up your laptop if it’s getting a bit old. Content like this is great for getting people engaged with your brand early, before they might be ready to be a customer.
4. New Product Launch Videos
If you’ve got a brand-new product or service coming out, then you’re going to want to shout about it and get it seen by as many potential customers as possible. Creating a product launch video is an excellent way of doing this and being able to showcase all the potential benefits or uses in the most engaging way possible. Rather than releasing a huge press release about your new product, release a 30 second product launch video which briefly explains what it is and why people should buy it. You can then use this to lead customers onto your website where they can find out more.
Here’s an example product launch video we produced for a client recently:
It’s a great tool for boosting traffic to the website and generating hype around a new product to help boost sales. You could also do a two-video strategy, where on social media or an email blast you have a short version of the video, essentially a trailer to pique the interest of customers. You then push them onto the website where they can watch a detailed explainer video of the new product.
How many times have you Googled “How to” do something? Chances are it’s a lot. Billions of people use the internet as their go to place for tutorials and finding out how to complete tasks. Why not present yourself as the go to place for some of this knowledge? If there are certain activities or tasks related to your industry that people struggle with, put some of your expertise to use in helping people out for free.
If you can help people out with a small issue; “how to write a CV” or “how to complete a tax return” and simple things like this, they’ll remember you and come back in future when they’re ready to buy. It’s for this reason that how-to videos are so successful as part of a good video marketing strategy.
If you think that YouTube is the second biggest search engine in the world (second only to Google), there’s a lot of people searching for what you might be able to help them with. If you don’t have the video content, you might be missing out on their business. Not to mention Google often priorities videos and websites with video, so it’s worth it for a bit of an SEO boost.
6. FAQ Videos
Similarly, to How To videos, FAQ videos are a great opportunity to showcase your expertise in a certain area. If you know there are lots of commonly asked questions about what you do or your industry, answer them in one handy video. You can add in some animated content to bring scenarios to life and make the content even more appealing to viewers.
FAQ videos are also a good opportunity often to pre-qualify some leads coming in through your website. If you address things like pricing or individual services that you offer, this might help sort out the real leads from the vague enquiries. They can also be a fun way for potential customers or clients to meet the team, if you have different members of the team answering FAQs on their own specific areas.
7. Case Studies
Case study videos are a brilliant way of showcasing the work that your business has done on a project or a campaign. Many websites use written case studies to describe what they’ve done, but a video is a great tool for bringing these case studies to life. They let you show all the good work you’ve done in an engaging and visual way, and chances are they’ll help convince a prospective lead to get in touch with you (provided you’ve done good work of course).
They’re a great way to provide a deep dive into a specific service your business provides and give customers an example of how it works. If you use case study videos to then market to similar industries or similar companies, chances are you’ll increase your chance of closing more business in future! They’re the perfect way for customers to see exactly how your business can help them, with a relevant example.
8. Testimonial Videos
What better way to sell your services than to have a real customer do it for you? Referrals in business are hugely important and testimonial videos are a great way of improving your reputation and helping to boost sales. If you’ve done a good job for your customers, chances are they’ll be more than happy to give you a glowing testimonial. Testimonial videos are a great way of building trust on your website and for your brand because it gives customers and leads reassurance that you will do a good job for them.
Similarly, to case study videos, if you’re looking to target a certain industry or sector then testimonial videos are great for this. By getting a testimonial from someone in a position of authority within a certain industry, this shows other potential customers within that industry that they can trust your business to give them the same good service.
If there are certain benefits to your business that you want to advertise (price, customer service etc.) then asking questions tailored to these is a great marketing tool. Getting a customer on camera saying “they gave me a competitive quote and also exceeded my expectations in terms of quality” is priceless.
Customer testimonial videos are a great way of building trust online
There’s a lot to think about when it comes to a successful video marketing strategy, but that also means there’s a lot you can do to boost your business’ sales! With so many options it opens a world of opportunities and will make your business visible to lots of customers who may not have been able to find you without it.
To find out more about how Kennysoft STUDIOs can help you boost sales through a successful video marketing strategy, get in touch with one of the members of the team for a chat.
We are going to look at the best 10 software for graphics design. In the industry today, creative design has evolve it’s now the original, imaginative, inventive, inspired development of something with artistic elements. It’s part visionary, part problem solver.
In the marketing industry, the words “creative” and “graphic design” are occasionally used interchangeably. Unfortunately, the ideas are also sometimes used interchangeably. Both often refer to the development of images. Both are concepts that one person can deliver. Both are admirable. But one is a skill and the other is a process. Distinguishing which is which can save you time, money, and great frustration.
What is graphics Design?
Creative design is a craft where professionals create visual content to communicate messages. By applying visual hierarchy and page layout techniques, designers use typography and pictures to meet users’ specific needs and focus on the logic of displaying elements in interactive designs, to optimize the user experience.
The creative process is all about coming up with a result that is totally new, or taking something established and reinventing it in a new way. It involves taking an idea, a prompting, a need, a work order, or a creative brief and imagining a visual solution.
So, with all that mention we are going to look at the 10 best software for creative design.
Adobe Photoshop is arguably the most popular graphic design software and is used by millions of artists around the world. Whether you are looking to create banners, posters, websites, or logos, this best graphic design software can do it all for you. From small edits to sophisticated designs, Adobe Photoshop has tools for every level. If you are someone who works with illustrative designs, you can even draw or paint anything you like.
Along with image editing, you can create naturalistic artwork and composition in this software. You can define the size of your canvas, isolate elements from backgrounds, create custom brushes, work in 3D, do much more.
Sketch is a Mac-only graphic design program that focuses mainly on digital design. These digital designs are used to create websites, apps, and interfaces. Unlike Photoshop, Sketch isn’t built for photo editing or print work. With Sketch, you can create a prototype by collaborating with other designers on the platform itself. The program has a smart layout feature in which the component will automatically resize based on the content. There are hundreds of plugins in the software which will let you do vector editing and other design work with precision down to the pixel. Digital icons are another thing that can be created through this software. Sketch, on the downside, is not great for print design or illustrations.
Adobe Illustrator is a design software that is centered around vector design. You can create artwork, icons, posters, etc. and the designs created in Adobe Illustrator can be used in business cards or billboards and from smartphones to 8k screens. You can use this software to draw, mix, and refine designs to create something spectacular. Adobe has made a mobile version called Adobe Illustrator Draw, which is one of the best graphic design apps out there.
To draw, you can use the shaper tool and create vector shapes. Geometric shapes can be added to other outlines and can be moved, reshaped, and scaled. Even the fonts in the software can be manipulated according to your needs by adjusting their weight, slant, or width. For beginners, Adobe provides professionally designed templates to save time. The user interface of the program is helpful, but there is a steep learning curve to get good at illustrator.
The Affinity Designer is a cheaper alternative to illustrator, which is especially suitable for someone who is in the early stage of design career. The software is known to work smoothly, which can improve your workflow and make you express your creativity more freely. You can move and zoom your artwork at 60fps; see the gradients, effects, and adjustments changing live along with the transforms and curve edits.
Affinity Designer lets you work on both vector and raster workspaces, and you can switch between them easily. This software can work on any device, and you can create unlimited artboards within it. Affinity designer provides a graphic design app for the iPad with the same features offered on the desktop versions. Advanced color controls are provided where you can work in RGB or LAB color spaces with up to 32-bits per channel. You can find a wide range of toolset in the program which can be used to achieve a high level of accuracy and productivity. The grids and guides are fully customizable, where you can change the spacing, sub-divisions, gutters, angles, etc. Another powerful feature of Affinity designer is that you get floating-point accuracy by zooming your artwork, even by more than a million per cent.
Another software by Adobe that can be used to create designs is the Adobe InDesign. This graphic design software is used primarily in the publishing industry because you can design magazines, info sheets, books, posters, interactive PDFs, brochures, etc. with it. With the ‘adjust layout’ option that InDesign provides, you can change the text of your document, and the graphic will adjust accordingly.
The properties panel has been redesigned to give you more intuitive control over the tools. The Sensei technology integrated into InDesign makes the automatic arrangement and resizing of images. Beginners can quickly learn this graphic design software because it has a low learning curve. To work with other members of your team in creating a design, you can use Adobe InCopy. The Creative Cloud Libraries can help you share text, colors, and graphics with other members.
CorelDRAW was earlier built only for Windows OS; it is now available for Mac as well. With this graphic design program, you can create professional vector illustrations. There are powerful design tools to help you work faster and smarter. You will find numerous customization options, whether you are working on logos, web design, or print projects. CorelDRAW now uses AI technology to provide you with LiveSketch, which converts sketching into precise vector curves. The suite contains tools for graphic design as well as layout. It has Photo-Paint and Corel Font Manager for photo editing and font management.
The software has web graphic tools and presets to develop creative web content; you can publish directly into your WordPress site through it. The file compatibility is also overwhelming; the program supports over 100 file formats.
If you have no previous experience in designing and you are looking for something very easy, then Canva is for you. This free online graphic design software allows you to create designs easily and quickly. There are a ton of templates, fonts images, many of which are free to use. Canva works on the drag and drop concept, where you only need to select the elements and drag it to your work area and customize it. This program does not provide you with advanced features like Photoshop. It, however, solves a beginner’s design need who doesn’t want to get into the process of learning and purchasing premium software. Canva is available as a graphic design app that can be used in Apple and Android devices. The basic features in Canva are free; you will, however, be charged if you want to use more features in it.
This graphic design app is built only for Android devices, which can be used to create vector graphics. The app can be used to create complex and eye-catching designs without much effort. As the name suggests, this app provides an infinite canvas where you can zoom, pan, or rotate. There are four types of symmetry that you can experiment with, and there are unlimited layers that you can work on. This app provides advanced features also like translate, scale, flip, distort, etc. The image you are creating on the graphic design app can be turned into a fully editable vector path. The advanced features in this app are accessible by purchasing it only.
Inkscape, like many other platforms, provides multi-purpose use. It can be used by designers, illustrators, or web designers. The software has flexible drawing tools, which make it easy for beginners to understand the software and create art without difficulty. As the text is an integral part of graphic design, Inkscape has a powerful text tool at your disposal. This software is open source and can be used with any platform. A designer has to spend some time understanding how to use this software. This software is best used to create images that are vector-based and needs to be required in SVG format. Inkscape provides a lot of filters and a helpful community for the designer to grow.
Adobe Comp is a graphic design app designed to be used along with other Adobe software like Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. Designs can be created with the use of text and shapes. Adobe provides free fonts from Typekit library, which are the same as desktop. With Comp, you can convert your rough designs into crisp graphics and finish the designs on your desktop with other Adobe software.
Platform: iOS and Android
Conclusion
Creative design software in the early days was hard to use. Technology has come a long way, and software is now intuitive and helps a user express creativity more freely. Selecting the right platform would depend on your work and what you want to achieve with the software.
Businesses are always on the lookout for good graphic designers to boost their business. Therefore, as a graphic designer, you need to present your work in a stunning way through a website. Your design portfolio is the prism through which your work will be evaluated by new clients and potential employers. A great design portfolio can propel you towards success, open up new opportunities and get you just the kind of work you want. However, failing at putting your best foot forward with your design portfolio can lead to rejects and spell doom.
Given that it can make or break your career, creating your design portfolio in itself becomes the most important design exercise of your career. With online design portfolio websites becoming the default medium of presenting your work to the world, it’s important to make sure that you understand the dos and don’ts of a successful design portfolio website.
Disclaimer: The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the final product. All images are copyright to their respective owners.
If your prospects are watching videos, and virtually all of your competitors are publishing videos, then it’s time you create a good promotional video to get your products and services in front of potential buyers. And to help you achieve this we’ve got 7 very steps to help you get there.
Step 1: Know your audience
At its most basic level, the idea of marketing is simply to push out a message and pull a response. For instance, if you run an ABC company, you might tell people to prep their air conditioners for a hot summer and ask them to schedule a tune up. If you run a retail store, perhaps you’ll send an email campaign to promote an upcoming sale with hopes that it will bring in extra revenue.
But what if you ran both the ABC and a retail business, and you mixed up your lists? Can you imagine if you told your retail customers to fix their air conditioners? It would probably cause mass confusion, and your message would fall flat. That’s where the importance of knowing your audience comes in.
Whenever I’m teaching a virtual marketing class, I’ll ask the audience to close their eyes and envision their ideal buyer: the person who would visit their storefront, call their phone, or click to their website with no hassle or haggling. This mental exercise is the beginning of building a buyer persona, and it’s critical to developing the right content for your audience.
The buyer persona will also determine your brand’s tone, which is very important when recording your videos. Will you be fun and entertaining, or does your ideal buyer prefer a serious, more professional approach? Just know that your buyer persona will evolve over time, and you may even develop multiple buyer personas. Always keep these tops of mind when designing your video marketing strategy.
Step 2: Decide on the Type of Video
Next, it’s time to determine which type of promotional video is most suited for your goals and objectives. More often than not, this choice depends mainly on your budget for the project and how much time you’re willing to invest in it.
Thankfully, some video types like bite-size ads and testimonial videos are inexpensive to produce. But TV commercials and documentaries will naturally take more time and money.
Choose according to what you and your team can handle without compromising on quality. If you can afford a videographer to create an animated explainer video, there are many available on freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.
Make sure you choose a video type that your target audience will relate to and want to act upon. For example, if you’re trying to reach a younger demographic, choose social media and YouTube ads instead of a TV commercial.
· Product Videos
When you want to get the word out about a specific product or service, try using a product video. These videos are specific about a product and don’t veer too far into other topics of your company or your brand.
In these types of promotional videos, the main focus is on your product and why your customers need it in their lives. Don’t forget to add information about how they can get it!
Here is an example of a product video:
Credit: Kennysoft STUDIOs
· Intro & Outro Videos
Intros and outros are important parts of the videos you share on YouTube, social media or those TVs in the waiting area of your office. Your intro should be all about the video’s title, but you can also add your logo and website URL for brand awareness.
In the outro, ask your viewers to subscribe (if publishing on YouTube) and add a call-to-action so that they can get in touch with you or take the next step easily.
Here is an example of an Intro & Outro Videos video:
Credit: K.A Photography
· Explainer Videos
Explainer videos are on the longer side of the promo video spectrum. The purpose of an explainer video is to show the viewer the “how” of whatever it is that you’re promoting.
You can make explainer videos that visually demonstrate to customers:
How your product is produced or distributed
How your services can make their job easier
How your company as a whole can improve how they get things done
Here is an example of an Explainer video:
Credit: Kennysoft STUDIOs
· Launch Videos
A launch video is an ideal choice for promoting a new product or service your team has been working on. Share the best features of what you’re launching and show how it will help your viewer.
Make sure to detail what makes this new thing better than whatever there was or wasn’t before. Pair launch videos with teaser videos to get the excitement going before the day of the launch.
Credit: seyfarth
· Event Videos
Event videos are promotional videos for upcoming events. The most successful event videos use footage from previous years, showing what attendees can expect to see and experience.
If the event is happening for the first time, use stock imagery or sourced imagery from your keynote speakers. Include the main topic, schedule of events and most recognized guests.
Credit: search leeds
· FAQ Videos
If you’re looking for an innovative way to promote your brand, try an FAQ video. Use real questions asked on social media, via customer support channels or during events.
There are always a few questions that get asked the most; use those to create fun FAQ videos that you can add to your YouTube channel or social media.
Before we had the internet, TV commercials (or TVCs) were the way to go for promotional videos. With so many options now, not all brands need to invest in a costly TV commercial.
But if you want to get the word out about your business in a big way, then a TV advertisement spot might still be a good option. You might not be able to afford a Super Bowl placement, but you can work your way up to that.
Here’s an example of a TVC from This is Afrika
Credit: Kennysoft STUDIOs
· Mini Documentary Videos
Now, we go further afield into the long-form promotional video. Mini documentaries are anywhere between 2 and 6 minutes. This style of promotional video is similar to an “about us” video but goes deeper into a specific story regarding your brand.
Some ideas include the backstory behind a unique aspect of your production line, or an uplifting message with facts about how your organization gives back to the community.
Here’s an example of a mini documentary from Nestoil Plc
Credit: Kennysoft STUDIOs
· Promo Ads
Promo ads are short promotional videos that can be used for advertising campaigns with Google or Mediavine, or placed on websites or related industries to yours.
Here’s an example of a promo ads
Credit: Kennysoft STUDIOs
· Social Media Video Ads
Social media ads need to be scroll-stoppers to be successful, so keep yours short, sweet, to the point and very catchy.
You can create social media ads for any platform, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or Pinterest. However, make sure that the ad’s size and content is tailored to each platform you’re sharing it on.
Here’s an example of a social media video ads
Credit: Kennysoft STUDIOs
· Behind-the-Scenes Videos
Sharing what happens behind the scenes in your company is a great indirect way of promoting your services and products. If your brand is already popular on social media, followers will love getting to know what your office looks like, how people work, the company culture and more.
Here is a great example of a behind-the-scenes video
Credit: capital dreams pictures
· About Us Videos
“About us” videos are similar to behind-the-scenes videos but are more specific about your brand story. Use this type of promotional video to share how your company got started and why.
Talk about your core values and goals for the future. Or, share your company culture and why client satisfaction is important. Most importantly, be honest, authentic and approachable.
Here’s an example of an “about us” video
Credit: Kennysoft STUDIOs
Step 3: Write a Script
Next up, it’s time to write the script for your promotional video. A video script is similar to an outline for a blog post or article but includes specific instructions on how the video is created. The main sections in the script are the scenes; they are laid out in order from beginning to end.
At the very top of the script, add the type of video you’re creating so it’s fresh in your mind while writing the script.
For example, “Live Action + Motion graphics — social media video to promote a new location of my coffee shop; 15 sec.”
Step 4: Draft a Storyboard
With the video script ready, it’s time to visualize. A storyboard is both a static draft of the final product and an aid to the process. Each scene is laid out visually on a “board” — one rectangle per scene. There’s no need to get too detailed on this step, but it does help to do it as it will support the production of the video.
Try storyboard building software, or sketch the storyboard by hand on index cards. Why index cards? So you can move the order of the cards, each card being a scene of the video. The best part about using index cards is that you can copy the information from the script to the back of the card.
Step 5: Produce Your Video
You’re ready to produce the video. This and the next step might overlap if you’re working on your own. What you use for producing might be the same for editing, especially if you’re using an online tool like Visme or Biteable.
Both animated and live-action videos can use stock imagery found inside the tools we just mentioned. Keep that in mind as you put the scenes together to increase productivity.
For videos with custom animations or footage, the production and editing steps are separate and will involve a before and after stage. This is also the case if you’re sourcing visuals from third- party stock sites.
Step 6: Edit Your Video
Editing your video is all about putting the scenes together according to your script and storyboard. It also includes adding all the finishing touches that will make your promotional video complete.
But before you can edit your video, you need to choose a video editing platform.
With so many video editing tools out there, it can be tough to choose one that will best suit your needs. Are you looking for a simple video maker that works in your browser? Or do you need professional video editing software with advanced features?
For short videos like social media ads and listicles, you’re better off with one of the online options. Here are some online video makers to consider:
Visme
Biteable
Moovly
Offeo
Powtoon
iMovie
For elaborate or long-form promotional videos, you’ll need professional software or hire a person who knows how to use it. Some professional video editors include:
Adobe Premiere Pro
Final Cut Pro
Filmora 9
Do your research and look at all the options, laying out pros and cons according to the goals and purposes for your promotional video.
Then, edit your video by trimming the clips, stitching them together, layering audio and text, and adding post-production elements like animations until you’re happy with the end result.
Step 7: Do a Final Review
Before your video is 100% ready, it needs a final review. Check that all the information is correct, and that all images, videos and music are royalty-free or you have a license for them. Ask coworkers for feedback and get a second pair of eyes on your video from someone you trust.
After that, make any necessary revisions, take one last discerning look and you’re done! Your video is ready to fly away from the nest and get your business more sales, conversions and engagement.
Final thought
Have A Plan In Place
There’s no denying that you’ll have a challenging time creating a promo video if you don’t plan ahead. Impromptu videos might be great for your personal Instagram account, but promotional videos for your business aren’t the kind you can just wing and hope for the best.
If you simply can’t fathom the time to plan appropriately, you’re better off hiring professionals to do it for you. Or, talk to the project managers in your team and see if they can tackle it.
There are many factors to take into consideration, from laying out goals and objectives to booking hours at a filming studio. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
2. Optimize for Multiple Platforms
The era of multichannel marketing is here for good, and your promo videos better be ready for it. All the short promo videos like bite-size ads, and social media ads need to be produced in horizontal, vertical and square formats. This way, you can cover all social media channels without a hitch.
In Visme, you can use any video template in three different sizes — wide, square and vertical. You can also choose a custom size for your video if you don’t want to go with these three options.
TV commercials and mini-documentaries should look good on all devices, from the smallest handheld phone to giant flat-screen TV. Are you promoting your products and services worldwide? Make sure to localize your message with the correct language and cultural nuances.
3. Don’t Give it All Away
Yes, your promotional videos have a purpose, to sell. But they are also required to keep the audience wanting more. That’s the hook that will entice them to look for you online, check out your website, browse your offers, read about your brand and finally buy.
There’s a fine line between showing what your products and services are good for and not giving it all away. You have to pique the viewer’s curiosity with catchy and engaging visuals, music and message. Leave them thinking about your brand, at least long enough to find you online.
4. Tell a Story
There’s no better way to grab the viewer’s attention during your promotional video than to tap into some storytelling techniques. In fact, storytelling should be at the center of all the marketing strategies your brand puts out into the world. When you tell a story visually, textually or with narration, the viewer feels like they can relate and like you are talking to them directly.
Knowing what story to tell will depend on the market research about your target audience. How are they using your product or products like it, and why? How is your product or service solving a specific problem for a particular person? Frame the video with a beginning, middle and end, making the story progress from one to the other, ending in a resolution.
5. Include a CTA
Last but not least, always include a call-to-action (CTA) in your promo video. This can be a spoken invitation as part of the narration or a visual invitation with your contact details. The point is that people should finish seeing your video and know exactly how and where to find you to buy your products or hire your services.
Different placements for your video will have other CTA possibilities. A YouTube outro, for example, should say “subscribe,” “visit our website,” or something of the sort. For example, bite-size ads and social media videos shared on Instagram can have a link sticker added to them at the time of publication. A TV commercial simply needs a visual of your website URL.
So, if you’re a business owner and you want to create a professional video that will get you those kinds of results, it’s the perfect time to contact with kennysoft STUDIOs.
With our state-of-the-art equipment and marketing savvy, our team of experts knows what it takes to create a high-quality video that will impress your customers and help you reach your marketing goals!
NFT stands for non-fungible token, which basically means that it’s a one-of-a-kind digital asset that belongs to you and you only. The most popular NFTs right now include artwork and music, but can also include videos and even tweets.
NFTs can be individual, or they can be part of a collection, which can also allow their owners to feel as though they are joining an exclusive online community. One collection, called the Bored Ape Yacht Club, is made up of 10,000 NFTs that look like drawings of, you guessed it, bored apes. But whoever owns one of them also gets to be part of a new kind of exclusive society, and members (owners of the ape NFTs) include Jimmy Fallon, DJ Khaled, Steph Curry and Post Malone. To own a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT, you’ll need to pay at least $200,000.
What is a non-fungible token(NFT)?
In economics, a fungible asset is something with units that can be readily interchanged – like money.
With money, you can swap a £10 note for two £5 notes and it will have the same value.
However, if something is non-fungible, this is impossible – it means it has unique properties so it can’t be interchanged with something else.
It could be a house, or a painting such as the Mona Lisa, which is one of a kind. You can take a photo of the painting or buy a print but there will only ever be one original painting.
NFTs are “one-of-a-kind” assets in the digital world that can be bought and sold like any other piece of property, but which have no tangible form of their own.
The digital tokens can be thought of as certificates of ownership for virtual or physical assets.
Sounds cool right, so, how do I make one?
First, you’ll need a crypto wallet. MetaMask and Coinbase Wallet are two popular crypto wallets, and can be downloaded on your phone or desktop.
After you have your wallet, you’ll need to buy some cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, Ether, or any number of others. You can buy that through a crypto wallet company using U.S. dollars or another fiat currency.
Now, choose what you want to turn into your digital asset—that could be a JPEG, MP3, GIF, or any other multimedia file type that will be uploaded to an NFT marketplace.
Then you’ll “mint” the NFT, which means that you’ll be publishing your token on blockchain, a network that structures and stores cryptocurrency. Many NFTs are stored on the Ethereum blockchain.
You publish an NFT to blockchain via an online marketplace. The most popular online marketplaces to mint and sell NFTs include OpenSea and Rarible. There are usually “gas” fees you have to pay, something that marketplaces charge users for some combination of making, publishing and selling an NFT.
You’re basically paying the marketplaces for the computer power used to fuel transactions on the blockchain. But sometimes these fees can reach hundreds of dollars, so watch out.
You’ll still have to pay a one-time fee to initialize your account on each of those marketplaces, which could cost hundreds of dollars. OpenSea and Rarible will bothcharge a 2.5% fee from your NFT sales, although they are still widely used because they don’tcharge “gas” fees, meaning it’s free to mint the NFT. The buyer pays the minting fee.
Selling an NFT
With all that done, it’s time to actually put your NFT out there and hopefully make some money. On most platforms, doing so is as simple as hitting a button that says “sell” on whatever NFT you have in your wallet.
The screenshot below shows how it works on Rarible using the MetaMask wallet. Note the Ethereum gas fees.
In practically all cases, you have a few options on how you want to sell your NFT. These usually fall into one of three categories: fixed price, timed auction, or unlimited auction—which Rarible calls “open for bids.”
A fixed price is simplest to explain: you put your NFT up at a certain price and you wait for somebody to pay that amount. OpenSea lets you put a time limit on this price if you want, but other than that it’s the same.
A timed auction is also relatively common: in a certain time span, which you can decide, potential buyers will bid on your NFT. When the time limit expires, the highest bidder receives the NFT. An unlimited auction is an auction without a time limit, the seller simply decides when they have received what they think is the best offer and ends the auction.
From here the process runs pretty much automatically: the buyer pays what they’re supposed to for the NFT plus some fees, the creator gets their money minus some fees, and the NFT changes hands. The buyer gets a cool little collectible, and you, the seller, gets the start of a cryptofortune—hopefully.
I’m intrigued. Where do I begin?
If you’re still looking to dip your toes into the world of NFTs, artists who have previously minted their own NFTs advise that you start with something that’s fun and meaningful to you.
“My hopes for the NFT market is for it to become even more accessible for all sorts of creators—artists, musicians, game developers—to be able to share their stories and support themselves on their work,” Amber Vittoria, an artist known for her abstract and colorful NFTs that sell for up to $834,000.
“My advice for folks newly entering the space to sell their creations as NFTs is to not be afraid to ask questions, experiment, and to enjoy the process.”
Another artist named ArinaBB, who has been making NFTs for about a year, added that the rapid evolution of the market can be both “a blessing and a curse,” and that there are some essential safety tips that beginners should be aware of.
“Never click on unknown links even if they seem familiar. Do not download files from strangers,”
‘’Make sure you have a basic understanding of how things work before you start investing large sums of money.”
The sale prices of NFTs are rising as they gain in popularity. Consequently, NFT creators can make a lot of money. However, not all NFTs will even sell, let alone make their creator any money, given all the fees involved with minting and selling NFTs. Due to the costs, you need to prepare for the possibility that you could lose money on your NFT creation. The best way to avoid a loss is to make sure you sell an NFT that others will find valuable and set a minimum price that will more than offset any associated fees.
What is metaverse? The word metaverse has been a hot topic of conversation recently, with Facebook and Microsoft both staking claims. But what is the metaverse? And when will it get here? That what everyone wants to know.
Let’s do a little deep dive into the idea of metaverse, to get an idea on how it all started. The term metaverse can be traced back to Neal Stephenson and his dystopian cyberpunk novel Snow Crash. The novel was released in 1992, and it’s considered a canon of the genre, along with William Gibson’s Neuromancer, which describes a virtual reality dataspace called the matrix.
The metaverse in Snow Crash is a 3D virtual reality space accessed through personal terminals and virtual reality goggles that have a lot in common with the Oculus Quest and other VR headsets. This 3D space appears to its users as an urban environment created along a single hundred-meter-wide road, the Street. Stephenson writes:
Like any place in Reality, the Street is subject to development. Developers can build their own small streets feeding off of the main one. They can build buildings, parks, signs, as well as things that do not exist in Reality, such as vast hovering overhead light shows, special neighborhoods where the rules of three-dimensional spacetime are ignored, and free-combat zones where people can go to kill each other.
If Stephenson’s vision of the metaverse seems familiar, it’s because massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs, or more commonly, MMOs) share many of its properties. In Second Life (released in 2003), for example, users can customize realistic avatars, meet with other players, create virtual items, own virtual property, and exchange goods and services.
Virtual experiences like Second Life can be described as protometaverses. Why the prefix? Because they exist in isolation, each being a digital island whose inhabitants and their virtual assets never leave it. The metaverse Mark Zuckerberg wants to create isn’t some grand virtual experience—it’s the next version of the internet.
“We’ve gone from desktop to web to mobile; from text to photos to video. But this isn’t the end of the line,” writes Zuckerberg in a recent letter to his employees. “The next platform will be even more immersive—an embodied internet where you’re in the experience, not just looking at it. We call this the metaverse, and it will touch every product we build.”
So, what exactly is metaverse?
The metaverse is the convergence of two ideas that have been around for many years: virtual reality and a digital second life.
For decades, technologists have dreamed of an era when our virtual lives play as important a role as our physical realities. In theory, we would spend lots of time interacting with our friends and colleagues in virtual space. As a result, we would spend money there, too, on outfits and objects for our digital avatars.
In what techies like Mr. Zuckerberg call the metaverse, virtual reality serves as a computing platform for living a second life online. In virtual reality, you wear a headset that immerses you in a 3-D environment. You carry motion-sensing controllers to interact with virtual objects and use a microphone to communicate with others.
According to Mr. Matthew Ball, a venture capitalist who has written extensively about the topic, said the metaverse represented the fourth wave to computers, following mainframe computing, personal computing and mobile computing.
“It’s moving into what people call ambient computing,” he said about the metaverse. “It’s about being within the computer rather than accessing the computer. It’s about being always online rather than always having access to an online world.”
To put it in a simple term: It’s you and your avatar interacting with others in a digital environment?
Young funny pretty traveler tourist woman with retro vintage photo camera doing selfie on mobile phone with monopod selfish stick at airport. Passenger traveling abroad on weekend. Air flight concept
The smartphone photography as we know it some years ago is not the same as we know it today, the world of technology has change how people take pictures this day. In today’s advance fast pasta world, you can take a fully professional photography with a smartphone and the most amazing part of it is that it’s very easy to take pictures with your smartphone just a click of a button you have taken amazing pictures.
Your smartphone is always with you, a constant companion that can connect to the web to look up any tiny nugget of trivia, and generally keep you in constant contact with the outside world. It’s one of the key items you grab before leaving the house, and the last time you (probably) turned it off was at the movie theater.
This also makes your phone your take-everywhere, shoot-anything digital camera. Just a few short years ago, making images and video with smartphones was a compromise, with poorer image quality but a heck of a lot more convenience than a good point-and-shoot camera.
But times have changed and phone cameras have gotten better and better. The latest models offer superior imaging and video to budget point-and-shoot cameras, and offer nifty software tricks to blur backgrounds, just like an SLR and f/2 or f/1.4 lens.
So today I’m going to show you my readers some amazing smartphone photography tips and tricks that will help you take better pictures with just a click of a button, without no further ado let’s get started.
Smartphone camera quality has enjoyed a big leap forward in quality over the past couple of years. If you’re using an older handset, chances are the camera isn’t up to snuff. If camera quality is a priority when shopping for a new one, make sure you peruse our list of the top camera phones we’ve tested. But remember that you really can’t go wrong with the latest Apple iPhone, Google Pixel, OnePlus, or Samsung Galaxy devices.
Look For The Light:
Smartphones have very bright lenses and include special modes for making images in very dim light—the Night modes in the latest iPhone and Pixels do a much better job than point-and-shoot cameras. Even so, it’s a good idea to find some light to illuminate a snapshot. Whether it be some sunlight from a window for an indoor portrait, or a neon sign for a nighttime photo in a city, it’s always smart to find some environmental illumination—smartphone flashes leave a lot to be desired in comparison.
Adjust Exposure:
Smartphones are the modern point-and-shoot, but the apps that run their cameras typically offer some level of manual control. The most basic adjustment you can make is exposure—brightening or darkening a scene—and using it effectively can turn a bland image into a head-turner. Use it to brighten the shot of your fancy dinner to make it perfect for Instagram, or to darken shadows in a portrait for a more dramatic look.
The feature isn’t always labeled the same. On an iPhone you’ll want to drag the sun icon, to the right of the focus confirmation box, up to brighten an image or down to darken it. Android phones typically have the more traditional +/- icon for exposure adjustment.
Turn On Your Grid:
Pro SLRs usually have framing grids in the viewfinder window to help you better square up shots and conform to compositional guidelines like the rule of thirds. (For more on composition and other photo basics, read our tips for basic photography, which apply as much to smartphones as they do to pro cameras.)
You can turn on the same thing in your phone’s camera app. Adding a grid line gives you help in keeping the horizon straight and is a big plus for portraits in front of famous landmarks. With the notable exception of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it’s generally a good idea to keep upright structures perfectly vertical in your photos.
Learn Your Camera’s Features:
The imaging capabilities of modern smartphone cameras are staggering. We’ve seen advances in computational photography that allow you to make SLR-level photos with your phone. Learn what your phone does, and when to use them. You’ll want to turn on HDR for most phones for day-to-day photography. Use Night mode for images shot in dim interiors or outdoors after the sun has set. Portrait mode is an option on many phones; it blurs the background behind your subject and is sometimes called the Bokeh Effect. Those are the basics—some phones may have more specialized modes available.
Try an Add-On Lens:
Smartphone camera stacks are pretty complex. Basic phones may still have one rear lens, but midrange and higher-end handsets often include a wide-angle or telephoto lens as a complement. You may still want to add a quality add-on lens. We’ve tested a number of these over the years, and have found the lenses from Moment to be the best of the bunch. You’ll pay more than with a bargain-basement alternative, but you’ll see the difference in results. Picking the type of add-on lens is important too. I think a macro adds the most versatility to your phone’s camera, but you may prefer an ultra-wide, a fish-eye, or a telephoto conversion lens. Video fans should check out Moment’s anamorphic add-on, it gives footage an extra-wide cinematic aspect ratio.
Get A Gimbal:
It’s not all about images. Basic compact cameras are stuck at 1080p, but if you’ve got a recent smartphone you have a 4K-capable video camera in your pocket. Flagship models include optical image stabilization, but that can only go so far. If you want truly smooth, great-looking video, think about a powered gimbal to keep your phone steady. Our favorite is the DJI OM 5, a $160 device that steadies video, can track moving subjects, and also supports time-lapse and panoramic stitching.
When shooting video, good audio is more important than sharp footage. Your phone’s internal mic is meant for making phone calls—not recording high-quality audio. Headphone jacks may be disappearing from phones, but you can get a microphone that plugs directly into your USB or Lightning port, or one that works with your phone’s audio dongle. Just make sure to read some reviews to make sure the mic is compatible with your particular phone and its operating system.
Stand Still, Hold Steady:
Smartphones are incredibly lightweight devices and, folding phones aside, are very thin for a better fit your pocket than most dedicated cameras. That’s good news for portability, but it’s hard to hold a featherweight phone steady, and it takes some care to keep its lens plum and parallel to your subject. For better snapshots, take some time to set yourself before a shot. Stand steady, hold your phone like a camera (with both hands) and take advantage of any physical controls for exposure—if you can use a volume button to take a photo you can more easily hold your phone with two hands when making an image.
Our Best Smartphone Photography Tips And Tricks:
We hope you’ve learned something new and interesting, continue to use your smartphone to capture the world around you. Do you have a favorite tip, photo app, or accessory for use with your smartphone’s camera? Please share it in the comments below.
