Looking to enhance your YouTube or Instagram game?
How about some filmed interviews promoting what you do? You may be able to get a semi-professional result with a few choice purchases and some tools you already have!
In 2023, we produced a series of promotional videos featuring interviews with local businesses in the County of Brant. Take a look at what we did with 3 Brothers Classic Rovers, a small business that restores classic Land Rovers in Paris, Ontario.
Why create video interviews for social media?
Well, as you can see from the video, you can really delve into parts of your business that customers may not know much about; your history, your philosophy. Odds are there are all kinds of fascinating aspects to your business background that will keep customers and followers watching along and pulling for you.
So how do you start creating YouTube videos for your small business?
It all starts with your camera. Or, in most people’s case, your phone.
You’ll first need to set your phone up some place solid. We used a tripod, but that’s not convenient for everybody. You can cut a slot into a piece of cardboard, lean your phone up against a wall or cabinet. We’ve even used mugs to prop a smartphone camera up. Whatever works!
How about the sound?
The audio is really what sets your video apart from your competitors’.
Most folks won’t go to the trouble to take good quality audio, and that’s where your opportunity is. Having great quality, audible sound in your interview isn’t necessarily something a layperson can put their finger on, but if you show your video back-to-back against a competitor’s with janky audio, the quality becomes clear.
A small microphone is worth the investment because it also opens up more opportunities down the road to address your customers directly on social media. Are you headed off to see a supplier? Shoot a high quality selfie video letting your followers know. Do you have a booth at a trade show this weekend? Livestream all weekend with high quality audio so viewers don’t have to squint and strain for what you’re saying.
Here is an example of a lavalier microphone set that plugs right into an iPhone:
There are versions for any phone you’re likely to have, and they’re so easy to use you can probably figure it out just by looking at the photo.
Interested in professional videography for your own small business? Reach out to schuyler@eatprayshoot.com with your details.
Okay, you’ve filmed your interview. What’s next?
B-roll!
What on earth is B-roll?
Well, if your filmed interview is A-roll, then the footage you show to enhance and augment that interview footage is called B-roll. It’s shots of customers being served, back rooms being organized, product being made, business owners kicking butt, employees having a laugh. In short, it’s how your business looks.
Let me show you how A and B-roll work together visually:
That purple line is your interview. It starts with “Hello there, my name is …”, and ends with “Thanks so much, see you soon”. Throughout that conversation, the interviewee will talk about all kinds of stuff that you can show visually. So for instance, if they say “I’m always near the phone, taking orders throughout the day”, you film them doing that, and then plunk it in overtop of the interview, like so:
Then, pretty soon, you’ll have a bunch of pieces of B-roll to lay overtop of your interview footage:
What does that all look like together?
Well, hopefully it looks something like the video we made with Kara Kalvapalle at KLK Paris, in the County of Brant.
As you can see, Kara’s interview gave us lots of opportunities for quality B-roll.
How does our B-roll look so professional?
Well, we are professionals, with professional gear, but you can use the same techniques and skills that we do. So first off, shoot your B-roll in slow motion. Your camera will have a setting for “slow-mo”. Tap it!
Secondly, you want your movements to be as smooth as possible. So if you’re walking around a busy office or work environment, try the “ninja walk”. It’s a bit like prowling around with soft feet, keeping your upper body as still as possible.
Or if you can afford it, maybe it’s time for a real upgrade and buy yourself a gimbal. This will ensure smooth, great looking shots, and lots of them double as tripods! We recommend the Zhiyun Smooth 5.
Alright, you have a great A-roll interview with flawless audio, and your B-roll is buttery smooth. What happens next?
Next comes the edit. I won’t go through all the available video editors here, but if you’re on a MAC, maybe start with your built-in iMovie. If you’re on PC or want to use a web-based video editor, try Clipchamp.
This part will seem the most daunting, but just remember the Timeline images above. Lay in your A-roll, and take as much time as you need to be sure it’s perfect. You want your A-roll interview to stand alone. Make it so concise and informative that it could be uploaded on its own. If you’re even a little bit uncertain about a quote or question, that means cut it!
After that, sprinkle in pieces of pertinent B-roll. Think of it like decorating your interview footage with supplementary images that help tell your story visually.
Add some music and titles, and you’re done!
Don’t think you can do it on your own?
Well, if you’re serious about adding more professional video to your digital marketing arsenal, but don’t think you can manage it on your own, you can always give us a shout at schuyler@eatprayshoot.com. We’re shooting, editing, and publishing new videos all the time. We’ve even been known to answer a technical question or two over email free-of-charge, so reach out!
Visit eatprayshoot.com for info about videography, video editing, product photography, as well as a host of other digital marketing services. We work regularly in Brantford, Paris, St. George, Burford, and other communities in and around the County of Brant.