Do your research

Do your research

Research your idea on YouTube by searching for keywords and phrases used by similar videos or by using marketing tools. Take note of the titles and thumbnail images they’re using.

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Choose a (quick) title

Your title will probably change a bunch of times, but start with a rough draft title so you have something to work with.

Begin with a solid keyword or phrase. Use a keyword tool like TubeBuddy to help you out. Simply type in your topic and it lets you know the probability of it working for you.

For informational videos, select a title which suggests the value of your video. Generally, you can do this one of two ways: either plainly state the value (“How to fry an egg”) or you can pique curiosity by surrounding the value in mystery (“Weird trick for frying an egg”). For video blogs, consider a title which capitalizes on viewers’ tendency to make mistakes without realizing it (“6 common mistakes when frying an egg”).

Keep track of any other possible titles which pop into your head as you create your video. No doubt this is a little puzzle your subconscious mind will be working on until you pick your final title toward the end of the process.

Script it

Once you’ve got a solid idea and a preliminary title, list the points/questions you want to cover in the video. Again, simplicity is the rule here. Viewers have short attention spans, so keep the number of main points to the minimum if you want viewers to remember them.

Draft a rough script with an intro, your main points, and an outro. Remember, we want retention. How many times have you started watching a YouTube video and stopped before it ended? Don’t give viewers an excuse to turn off your video! You need to include certain elements and have a working knowledge of engagement techniques.

Create a shot list

Go through your script and list your shots, so you can check them off as you’re filming. This should include all of the elements that will augment your video, like photos, b-roll, interviews, and more. Put everything in a folder so they’ll all be in one place and you can pull them out during editing.

Get the right camera

Do your research and find the best camera for the type of video you’re shooting. If you’re on a shoestring budget, you can definitely use your smartphone or the webcam on your laptop. Whatever camera you use, make sure you have a way to stabilize it . Shaky footage looks amateur-ish, unless that’s your gimmick. Use a tripod, a flat surface or even a selfie-stick (though your arm will most certainly get tired!).