1. Know the story you are going to tell before you start filming!
   1. By planning out your video ahead of time, your message is going to be much more concise and focused. Write down what you are going to say and rehearse your script, so it feels second nature.
   2. Viewers will be able to understand your video from beginning to end and will be more likely to share it to their friends and family. (You should do this as well!)
2. Always use your tripod! (Not necessary for “In the Moment” moments)
   1. You want your videos to be as steady as possible. Camera shake is your one of your biggest enemies in video production. It might be intimidating at first, but once you start to think with your tripod, your videos will be clearer, and you will have much more control over your space.
   2. Make sure your camera clipped properly and that your phone is level. There is a level meter on your tripod that you can center by making sure the legs are the same length and you can also use an application on your phone to level your camera as well.
3. Test your video and audio quality each time before filming the full video
   1. This will guarantee your equipment is working properly and that your time spent will be worth the effort. Nothing would be worse than finding out that your microphone wasn’t working, or your video was blocked after you spent an hour or so filming content.
   2. Film a short clip to make sure everything is set up properly, play it back, and then you’re in business!
4. Smile, you’re on camera!
   1. Be enthusiastic and show excitement while telling your story. This will get viewers interested in what you have to say. Don’t oversell it though, you want to strike a good balance to remain genuine.
   2. Look into the camera, not at your phone screen when recording. This will create direct eye contact with the viewer and shows you being more focused. It will be a little awkward at first, but this will provide you with the most success. (Its recommended for video calls as well!)
5. Its best to be square! (This is true for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, but NOT YouTube but don’t worry about that)
   1. You want your videos to be taken with your phone held vertically, how you normally would when scrolling through social media applications. All major camera applications will have the option to take video in a square shape.
   2. Square videos have the highest engagement on social media as studies show viewers are more likely to watch the entirety of a video on social media platforms if they don’t have to rotate their phones.
6. Use the most of your space and turn on the grid for your camera!
   1. Make sure that the background is interesting, but not distracting! The subject should take up most of the video but if there is a decent amount of the background visible, make sure nothing is jutting into the image, nothing looks like its poking out of the subject’s head, and that it looks clean and professional.
   2. Use of bold colors can be effective as long as nothing clashes with the clothing worn by the subject. You don’t want to strain the eyes of the viewer. Everything should be pleasing to the eye.
   3. If you don’t know how, I’ll find it for you
7. Make sure your area is well lit!
   1. You can have the best camera in the world but if the lighting is poor, everything will be grainy and low quality.
   2. Use combinations of natural light, ceiling lights, the provided ring light, and your cell phone’s own flashlight!
8. Do not use zoom!
   1. Doing so will create a lower quality image that will make your content less successful. If you need to get closer to something, put your phone on your tripod and physically move it closer to the subject. This will always look better!
   2. Certain cell phones have something that is called optical zoom. For example, an iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, XS, XS Plus, will all have 2x optical zoom. This can be enabled by pressing the 1x button right next to the shutter button.
9. Leave room for subtitles (We will put them in for you!)
   1. Sometimes people might watch your video with no sound at all, either because they are in a public setting, like in an office, on lunch, or carpooling.
   2. It is important to think about how they can still experience your content with the sound turned off. This can be done with subtitles, signs, or other interesting visuals. If you are talking about data, use a graph, or if you want to show off your DIY skills, make a poster or sign with bold, clear text and drawings.
10. Be consistent and remind your viewers what you, and Nations Lending can do for them!
11. 1. At the end of the day, the Creators Club’s primary purpose is to direct consumers and new recruits to Nations Lending.
    2. Call your viewers to action to follow your page, your branches page, and Nations Lending for more great content that you and your fellow Creators Club members will be generating!

Of course, there are several other tips and strategies to utilize while shooting video, but this guide will get you thinking like a social media master! As always, thank you for being a part of the Creators Club. We are looking forward to creating impactful, engaging, and entertaining content with you! Feel free to contact Austyn James Roney at austyn.roney@nationslending.com or through Teams for any additional questions you may have about getting started, specific issues, or a quick chat about how to best excel in social media.