How to get comfortable making your first video

4 simple tips when making your first video:

1. Start Small: Don't aim for perfection on your first try. Begin with short, simple videos to build your confidence and skills gradually.
2. Focus on Lighting: Good lighting can significantly improve the quality of your video. Use natural light if possible, and face towards the light source to ensure your face is well-lit.
3. Keep Your Background Simple: A cluttered background can distract viewers. Use a plain background or tidy up your space to keep the focus on you and your message.
4. Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearse what you want to say before hitting record. This will help reduce nerves and make your delivery smoother and more natural.

Starting something new can be scary, and it's completely normal to feel nervous before you hit 'record' for the first time. Many beginners worry about not knowing what to say, how to say it, or if they'll make sense to their audience. It's all part of learning.

My Personal Journey

I remember my own initial hurdles – it took me six months to make my first video. Now, I’m approaching 600 videos! Sure, I was super nervous, and yes, not everything went smoothly. My hair was a mess, I stumbled over my words, and honestly, I thought no one would ever watch. But guess what? One of my videos ended up generating over $100,000 last year alone. It’s amazing what can happen when you decide to just go for it.

From Viewer to Client

What truly turned things around was the feedback from people who watched my videos. They would say, “I've been watching your videos, and now I'm ready to work with you.” That's when I realized the power of simply showing up and sharing what I know, messy hair and all!

Providing Value, Not Just Promotion

Making videos isn’t about needing a big budget or a fancy set. It's about sharing something useful or important with your viewers. A lot of folks think they need to put on a show to get attention, but what really keeps people coming back is how much they can relate to and learn from your content. It's about being genuine and helping your audience with their real-world problems. This approach not only builds trust but also creates a community of viewers who value your sincerity more than the production quality.

Setting Up Your Video for Success

Before you start recording, it’s helpful to lay out your main points to keep your video focused and effective. I write down a few bullet points for each video, which act like a mini-guide. This helps me stay on track and ensures I cover everything I want to talk about. After I'm done filming, I send the footage off to be edited. This system makes the whole process smoother and keeps the quality consistent, which my viewers appreciate.

Introducing Yourself Effectively in Videos

When it comes to introducing yourself in your videos, the key is to keep it concise and to the point. This isn't the time to go into a long-winded autobiography. Instead, you want to give just enough information to establish your credibility without overshadowing the main content. Remember, the goal of your introduction is to reassure your viewers that they're in good hands, that you’re knowledgeable, and that you understand their needs.

Focus on Relevance and Trust

Start with a friendly greeting and a brief introduction. Something like, "Hey there, I’m Brad Smith, the owner of Automation Links. I’ve been in this business for over eight years and have helped dozens of people master what I'm teaching." This approach is effective because it quickly establishes who you are and why your audience should listen to you. Mentioning your experience and the results you help achieve highlights your expertise without taking too much time away from the main message of the video.

Effective Introduction Tips:

• Briefly State Your Credentials: Quickly share who you are and what you do, emphasizing your experience and success.
• Build Trust: Mention how your videos have helped others, linking your introduction to viewer benefits, like building trust through your content.
• Stay Viewer-Focused: Connect your introduction to the viewer’s needs or pain points. Make it clear that you’re here to help solve their problems.
• Maintain Eye Contact: When introducing yourself, make sure to look at the camera. This simulates eye contact and helps establish a connection with your viewers, making the introduction feel more personal and engaging.

Showcasing Your Services and Expertise

After addressing your viewers' pain points and introducing yourself, the next step is to clearly outline the services you provide. This is crucial because not every viewer will be interested in the same service, and you want to showcase the breadth of your expertise. For example, you might say, "We specialize in marketing, websites, and email automation, and we can even help you make your first video." This brief overview lets your audience quickly understand the range of solutions you can offer.

Encouraging Broader Engagement

It's also a great opportunity to mention other areas of your business that might be relevant to their interests. People often come for one service but stay for the comprehensive solutions you provide. If you're an expert in a particular area, like YouTube thumbnails or email marketing, highlight that. But don’t stop there. If you also have expertise in related areas, such as weight loss, nutrition, fitness, or mindset coaching, give those a quick mention too. This not only showcases your diverse skills but also helps in cross-selling your services.

Practical Engagement Tips:

• Brief Service Overview: Quickly go through the services you offer, linking each to how they can solve specific problems or enhance the viewer's business or personal goals.
• Expertise and Specialization: If you specialize in a particular area, mention it as a proof of your expertise. This helps in tackling any imposter syndrome you might feel and establishes you as a knowledgeable leader in that field.
• Share Success Stories: Illustrate your effectiveness with a quick case study. For example, "We've helped clients go from earning $10,000 a month to $100,000 a month by enhancing their marketing strategies." This not only proves your capability but also makes your service more tangible and relatable.
• Editing Tips: Remember to pause and maintain eye contact with the camera. These pauses are natural and can easily be edited out, making your final video smooth and engaging. You can hire someone from platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, or even someone within your network who has editing skills to help polish your video.

Directing Your Audience: The Call to Action

The final and perhaps most crucial part of your video should be a clear and compelling call to action (CTA). This is where you tell your viewers exactly what to do next. It's important to make this step simple and straightforward. For instance, you might say, "Go download our free marketing blueprint. It’s packed with tips on how to make videos just like this one." Providing a free resource not only adds value but also encourages viewers to engage further with your content.

Adding Value Through Free Offers

Offering something for free is an excellent way to transition viewers into potential clients or subscribers. Think about what you can provide that will be of value to them. This could be a guide, a checklist, an ebook, or even a series of templates. The key is to ensure that whatever you offer is directly relevant to the content of your video and the needs of your audience. For example, if your video discusses the basics of making a marketing video, a free guide on video marketing strategies would be a perfect giveaway.

Practical Steps to Enhance Engagement:

• Be Specific About the Offer: Clearly state what you’re offering, why it’s valuable, and how it can help your viewers. For example, "This blueprint will guide you through creating your own successful marketing videos, step by step."
• Easy Access: Tell your viewers exactly where they can find the link to download your free offer. You could say, "You’ll find the link to download the blueprint right in the video description below," making it as easy as possible for them to take the next step.
• Encourage Immediate Action: Use language that motivates urgency, like "Download now," or "Get your free copy today." This encourages viewers to act immediately rather than putting it off.

Maximizing Visibility for Your Call to Action

After encouraging your viewers to take action, the next step is to ensure that the process of acting on that call to action is as easy as possible. This means strategically placing your CTA where it’s most likely to be seen and clicked. For videos, the best places to include a link are in the video description and pinned as the first comment. This placement makes it straightforward for viewers to find and use, enhancing the likelihood of conversions from viewer to lead.

Why Placement Matters

The placement of your CTA plays a critical role in conversion rates. Viewers are more likely to take action if they don't have to search for the link. By putting the link to your free blueprint both at the top of your video description and in the first comment, you remove any barriers to accessing the resource. This convenience is key in digital marketing, where ease of access can significantly influence user behavior.

Tips for Effective CTA Placement:

• Prioritize Visibility: Always place your CTA link where it is easily visible to ensure it does not get overlooked. Top of the description and as a pinned comment are ideal spots.
• Clear Instructions: In your video, mention where viewers can find the link. A simple directive like, "Check out the first comment below for the link to your free marketing blueprint," guides them directly.
• Keep It Simple: The simpler the access to your offer, the better. Complicated processes can deter potential leads, so ensure the link is straightforward and easy to use.

Encouraging Deeper Engagement

After viewers have taken the initial step of downloading your free blueprint, it's crucial to maintain their engagement and guide them towards even deeper interaction with your content. Inform them about what to expect next, which is a follow-up email containing a video with full training. This additional resource is designed to help them learn more comprehensively and begin to apply what they’ve learned. It’s about giving them the tools to not only understand the basics but to excel and scale their efforts.

Offering Further Expertise

For those who may feel overwhelmed by doing it on their own or who prefer guided learning, presenting an opportunity to join your master class is a perfect upsell. In this master class, you can walk them through each stage, offering detailed explanations and hands-on guidance. This is an invaluable opportunity for them to leverage your expertise in a structured learning environment.

Crafting a Compelling Upsell:

• Promote Continued Learning: Clearly communicate the benefits of the full training video they will receive. Highlight how this additional content will help them scale their knowledge and capabilities.
• Introduce the Master Class: Explain the value of taking the next step with your master class. Describe how it offers detailed, step-by-step guidance that can empower them to succeed.
• Link the Free to the Paid: Seamlessly connect the free offer to the paid opportunity. You might say, "If you find the blueprint helpful, you’ll love the comprehensive strategies we explore in the master class. It’s designed to help you navigate these processes with ease."

Wrapping Up: Start Your Video Journey Today

As we wrap up this guide on getting comfortable with making your first video, remember that everyone starts somewhere. It's completely normal to feel a bit apprehensive at first, but with the right approach, you can quickly move past any initial hesitations and start creating impactful content. By following the steps we've discussed, from addressing common pain points to providing clear calls to action, you're well on your way to building a strong connection with your audience.

Take advantage of the resources like the free marketing blueprint to kickstart your journey and gain the confidence you need. Remember, each video you create is an opportunity to refine your skills and grow your reach. Don't worry about getting everything perfect on the first try; video production is a learning process, and every attempt brings you one step closer to mastering the art.