Top 10 Tips for Making an Effective and Professional Selfie Video

Anybody can make a selfie video. Not so long ago, if you wanted to make a video, you needed a lot of time, skill and money, but these days anyone with a smartphone can do it. And that’s great news. 

Mostly.

It’s very easy to make a bad selfie video. And that’s unfortunate, because videos are an effective way to convey ideas. They can be engaging and far more personal than other forms of promotion. And these days, social media algorithms favor video. So, if you want to make a video, go ahead. But try to make it a good one.

A better looking video will stand out and convey your message more effectively. It doesn’t take a lot more effort to make your video good. It just takes a little know-how. These handy tips will help.

#1 – Hold It Right There

How you hold your phone matters, and doing it incorrectly is one of the most common mistakes when using a smartphone as a video recording device.

• It’s instinctive to hold your phone upright, but don’t do it while recording video. Hold it horizontally, so the video is landscape-oriented. 
• Hold your phone steady. Or better yet, use a tripod, or prop your phone on a steady surface. 
• Position the phone so it’s looking straight at you, or just a little to the side and a little above. Unless you’re demonstrating how to do something, aim it to include your head and some of your torso, but not much more. Avoid looking down at your phone. Nobody wants to see inside your nose. 

#2 – Make Your Voice Heard

This is an easy place to go wrong. When you’re speaking your message, make sure your audience can hear you clearly.

• Your phone is a microphone as well as a camera. If you’re not using a separate mic, stay close enough, and speak loudly enough, to be heard clearly.
• Or, invest in a simple lapel mic.
• Consider adding subtitles. These help people in your audience with hearing challenges, and they help everyone else too. They’ll also display your message even when viewers have their volume muted. Check out YouTube’s editor for an easy way to add subtitles.

#3 – Let Your Light Shine

Good lighting is important, because people will relate to you better if they can see your facial expressions clearly. 

• Natural light makes people look good. Try to use a room with a lot of natural light. Sheer curtains on the window will soften the light nicely.
• Make sure your face is well-lit. Don’t have your back to a window or to the sun, or your face will be shadowed. 
• If using artificial light, try the “3-light method.” Position the brightest light in front of you, but at about a 45-degree angle from center. If you have two lights, the second light should be less bright, and should be at about 45 degrees on your other side. If you can use three lights, position the third so it aims down at your hair and shoulders. 

#4 – Location, Location, Location

It’s easy to forget about what’s behind you, but your audience will see it. The trick is to have a background that doesn’t draw too much attention to itself, but isn’t boring either. It should help keep the focus on you.

• Position yourself in front of a simple, but not empty, background. Corners are more interesting than walls, and color is more interesting than white. Avoid strong patterns, writing, and movement. Be sure it’s tidy. 
• It’s not critical that your background represent you or your message, but it’s nice when it does.

#5 – What Not to Wear

Clothing is almost like part of the background, so the tips are similar.

• Dress in solid colors. Avoid clothing with patterns or writing, avoid wearing white, and avoid colors that blend into your background.
• Don’t wear anything you might be tempted to fidget with during your video.
• Wear long sleeves if possible.

#6 – Noises Off

Background noise will detract from your message, and might even drown out your voice. 

• Eliminate as much background noise as you can. This could mean closing the windows and the door to the room you’re in, avoiding outdoor areas with traffic noise, and asking family or co-workers to remain quiet.
• Even small noises can be a problem, so unplug buzzing electronics you don’t need to use during the shoot.
• Avoid wearing jewelry that makes noise when you move.

#7 – Practice Makes Perfect

The wonderful thing about video is that it isn’t live. You get do-overs if you need them.

• Before you start filming the actual video, film a short test, and then watch it to see if everything works. Is your face well lit? Is it easy to hear what you’re saying? Does the background work? Do you like how you’re pictured in the frame? Make any adjustments you need to, and then do the actual shoot.
• Do multiple takes if you can, and choose your favorite one.
• Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect.

#8 – Pump Up the Energy

• Avoid filming on a day you’re feeling down or tired. That will show in your video.
• Keep your tone and the pace energetic. If it helps to have someone off camera smiling at you, and excited for you, do it.
• Keep your video concise and focused, ideally on one topic, and keep it interesting.

#9 – Size Really Does Matter

• Keep it short.

#10 – Just Do It

To quote Nike, “Just do it.” A selfie video will be amateur, which also means it will be relaxed and personal and natural – these are benefits, characteristics of this type of video. Do your homework and get as much right as you can before you start, but don’t sweat what you can’t get right, and don’t talk yourself out of doing a selfie video. Manage and improve what you can, and then go for it. You’ll be glad you did.

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