Lights, Camera, Action: Video Setup on the Cheap
Video has quickly become a key part of many companies’ marketing plans. We realize that as a small business, you aren’t blessed with an unlimited budget, so we’re here to help! And, we aren’t talking about selfies here, but professional looking videos that’ll drive visitors to your website.
Watch the video to see how we create videos on the cheap (under $300) and cheerful at VerticalResponse, and scope our our must-haves checklist below:
The following items are video must-haves. Prices can vary, so shop around for the best deals. I’ve included links to the items we use personally.
Camera: $200
Your camera will most likely be your biggest investment. The one we use is fully featured including a stand, memory card, case and all the accessories you need. If you can’t afford a camera don’t sweat it – use a smartphone! Newer smartphones have near, if not full, high definition (HD) video cameras. You can even try Craigslist to find a great deal on a HD camera that’s gently used.
Light Stands: $25
This two pack of stands is perfect for holding up lights, and they adjust to reach most heights.
Lights (3 of them): $11
Place two lights on each side of your camera and one behind you. This will eliminate shadows.
Diffusion Paper: $13
This special paper can help diffuse the harsh look of the lights.
Clamps: $8
Use clamps to help secure lights to the stands or anything else that needs securing: Cameras, backdrop, or even your script.
Clothes Pins: $3
Use clothes pins to attach the diffusion paper to the lamps. Simple as that!
Extra Credit: If you want to take your video to the next level (and have some extra bucks to spend), try implementing some of these extra credit items into your videos:
Backdrops: $19
These come in under twenty bucks, so grab some colors that complement your logo or company colors. Just make sure it’s not too distracting of a color and avoid prints.
Backdrop stand: $65
If you want to get really fancy, get a backdrop stand, which allows your backdrop to drape perfectly.
Once you get your video set up in place, send us a link to your own video in the comments! Now… ACTION!
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Shai,
For a mic we use a Blue Snowball which is about $100. You can use you iPhone and place it closer to you so that you get the high quality sound. We import the audio into iMovie, which is a free app on a Mac, and add it to the video portion, then export.
Thanks for reading!
Chipper
Hey Nancy,
That is a good idea for a future post! For a quick tip I would suggest keeping the videos between 3-5 minutes to keep the audience engaged. Thanks for reading.
Chipper
Love the info. The Vertical Response email came at the perfect time. Any video do’s and don’ts or steps to create engaging content?
Nancy
What abt a mic? What lens do you use on the camera? Is your camera the same as the one linked to on Amazon? What are you pluggin in to the camera during the setup?