How Videos Can Grow Your Brand

Four simple tips for making that first video

1. Start Small and Simple: Don’t worry about fancy equipment right off the bat. Just grab your phone, find a quiet spot, and hit record. It’s all about getting comfortable in front of the camera.
2. Keep Your Content Structured: Before filming, jot down the six main points you want to cover, like your intro, your expertise, and a solid call to action. This helps keep your message clear and engaging.
3. Edit Freely: Messed up a word or made a funny face? No big deal. Editing is there to clean up those little oops moments. Focus on your message, and remember, you can always cut out the parts you don’t like.
4. Practice Makes Perfect: The more videos you make, the better you’ll get. Don’t stress about perfection on your first few tries. Each video is a learning opportunity, so keep at it and watch your confidence grow.

Back when I kicked off AutomationLinks eight years ago, the idea of making a video was pretty much my worst nightmare. Yup, the biggest chicken—that was me! And guess what? Even today, I got a little jittery pressing ‘record’ for the video above.

Simplicity Wins

Guess what else? You really don’t need all that fancy gear to make a great video. It’s not about high-tech setups; it’s about you showing up as yourself. People want to see your face, hear your thoughts, and learn from you—the expert, the go-to person.

Be More Than a Logo

Switching from just sending emails and having a static logo to showing your face on video changes everything. It makes you more relatable, more trustworthy. And getting started? It’s easier than you think, especially with something as simple as a phone camera.

Just Start: The First Step is the Hardest

When I started my journey into video making, it literally took me six months to make my first one. Every single day, I’d tell myself, “Today’s the day, I’m going to make a video.” But then, I’d chicken out. Something would always come up, some distraction or another excuse, and I’d end up not making it. This cycle of hesitation continued until one day, I just went for it and made a video.

From Terrible to Terrific

And let me tell you, it was probably the worst, crappiest video you’ve ever seen. But making those first few terrible videos? They were crucial. They weren’t just about getting content out there; they were about breaking through my own barriers. And believe it or not, those cringe-worthy videos actually helped me attract more customers. They showed I was human and that I was trying, which really resonated with people.

Tips to Get Over the Video-Making Hurdle:

• Set a Non-Negotiable Deadline: Choose a day and make it your absolute must-do to create a video, no matter the outcome.
• Keep It Simple: Your first videos don’t need to be perfect or highly polished. The key is to start somewhere.
• Focus on Learning, Not Perfection: Each video is a learning step. You get better with every shot you take.

Building Trust Through Video

People are looking for someone they can relate to, someone they can trust—and video is a powerful way to fill that role. It's like the next best thing to meeting in person. Your audience gets a chance to see your personality, whether you’re funny, serious, or anywhere in between. This visual connection starts building trust with your brand right away.

Just Give It a Try

I encourage you to just start recording. Grab your iPhone, turn it horizontal, and talk about anything that comes to mind. You don’t have to publish these early attempts. Just make four or five videos, upload them to YouTube, and save them as unlisted. No one else has to see them, but you’ll start feeling more comfortable on camera.

Tips to Become Comfortable on Camera:

• Practice Makes Perfect: Keep recording yourself regularly. The more you do it, the more natural it will feel.
• Review and Reflect: Watch your unlisted videos to see how you can improve and what you already do well.
• Privacy First: Remember, these are just for you. Keeping them unlisted takes away the pressure of public scrutiny.

Six Bullet Points to Make Video Magic

A little structure goes a long way when making videos. Before you hit record, jot down six key points you want to cover. Start with a hook to grab attention, introduce yourself next, and then dive into your experience and how you help people. Don’t forget to explore different ways you can assist your viewers, and always wrap up with a review and a strong call to action. I’ve even got a link here where I share the exact six bullet points I use—yup, just like I did in this blog, do it in a video!

Keep It Real and Relatable

Here’s the deal: I just prop up my iPhone, hit record, and have these points either in my head or on my computer screen to glance at. Messed up your words or got a bad hair day? Or even caught yourself picking your nose on camera? (Yeah, it happens!) No worries, because editing is your best friend. Crop out what you don’t like, keep eye contact with the camera especially before and after any breaks, and remember, you don’t have to publish everything you record. This takes off so much pressure!

Think Like a College Professor

One thing that’s really helped me with making videos is thinking of myself as a college professor. Imagine you’re standing in front of 30 students, ready to teach them something valuable. Your script doesn’t have to be perfect because it’s not about performing; it’s about educating. When your audience sees you as a teacher on stage, what they really value is the knowledge you’re sharing.

Structure and Simplicity in Your Videos

Remember how I started this? With a hook about being scared of making videos. Then I introduced myself, talked about my experience helping people grow their brands, and discussed the value I provide. This structured approach keeps your content clear and engaging. And don’t forget the practical stuff: when making videos, especially for platforms like YouTube, keep your phone horizontal. It’s not just about doing what’s trendy with shorts and reels; it’s about providing educational content that sets your brand apart.

Tips for Educational Video Content:

• Start with a Hook: Grab your audience’s attention right from the start.
• Introduce Yourself: Build credibility by sharing your experience and expertise.
• Focus on Providing Value: Use bullet points to outline how you can help and make sure to deliver substantial content.
• Keep It Technical: Remember simple tips like turning your phone horizontal for a more professional look on platforms like YouTube.

The Power of Personal Connection

When you're on camera, it’s not just about presenting; it’s about connecting. You're educating, providing value, and most importantly, making yourself memorable. Truth is, people won’t likely remember your business name or your logo right off the bat—they care more about connecting with a real, relatable person they can trust and see as an expert.

Master Your Niche

If you’re building a brand, you need to excel at one thing. Being an expert in a specific area makes it so much easier to talk about it. You can explore that one topic in countless ways, which keeps your content fresh and engaging. And with tools like ChatGPT, you can input your expertise and get back 20, 30, even 100 different topic ideas to help you diversify your content while staying focused on what you do best.

Tips for Becoming Memorable on Camera:

• Focus on Your Expertise: Stick to what you know best and build your content around it.
• Use Tools Wisely: Leverage tools like ChatGPT to generate a variety of content ideas based on your expertise.
• Be Relatable and Trustworthy: Show your audience that you’re not just a business; you’re a person they can learn from and rely on.

From Camera Shy to Camera Savvy

I know firsthand how daunting it can be to step in front of a camera for the first time. I’ve been there—nervous, unsure of what to say, and definitely camera shy. But I’ve managed to overcome those fears, and now, I’m passionate about helping you do the same.

A Guide to Your First Video

To aid you on this journey, I’ve put together a comprehensive guide that outlines everything you need to know to make your first video. This guide includes the essential six points to cover: starting with a compelling hook, introducing yourself effectively, being relatable, sharing case studies, reviewing key points, and directing your viewers on where to go next. In fact, I’m using these very steps right now in this blog post. As we near the end, I’m guiding you towards the next steps.

Wrapping It Up

Alright, that’s a wrap! I hope this post has knocked down some of those scary walls around making videos. Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and it's totally okay to feel a bit awkward in the beginning. What matters is that you keep pushing through because the only way to get better is by actually doing. So, grab your phone, hit record, and start sharing your story. You've got valuable insights that people are waiting to hear, and video is a fantastic way to spread your message far and wide.

Keep Moving Forward

Don’t stress about getting it perfect on the first try, or the second... or even the tenth! Each video you make is a step forward in connecting with your audience and strengthening your brand. If you ever feel stuck, just revisit this post, use the tips, and remember why you started. Ready to make some magic happen? Let’s get those cameras rolling!