How to quickly create your own ‘socials-worthy’ content for your business

Sep 5

We’ve popped together this handy guide if you need to make sure that your DIY images don’t look out of place on your grid when combined with your professional ones!

Equipment

Use a newer smartphone with good quality cameras (ie iPhone 12 with 2 or 3 cameras)
Either rest the phone on a ledge or use a tripod or gimbal to keep it steady
We highly recommend this DJI Osmo Gimbal (approx. $160) which can be purchased at Officeworks or JB Hi-fi

Use a microphone with a wind filter when outdoors
- We recommend this smartphone compatible Rode microphone for iPhones (approx. $100). Use the grey wind cover when outdoors in windy conditions
- Alternatively a dual lapel Rode Wireless Go microphone which is good for interviews where you’re shooting from further away. It’s also handy for capturing sound when the subject is on stage or interviewing someone else. (approx. $259)

Tips and Tricks

Keep the camera at eye level
Try to have the subject stand with at least half sunlight on their face so that it’s not in shadow, and they are not squinting
Always start with a smile. The first second is where people will form an instant connection with the person in the video
Always hold the phone upright to capture in Portrait orientation (9:16) rather than Landscape (unless you're filming for Youtube which is 16:9)
Keep the subject in the middle third (square) in case Instagram/Facebook mask the top and bottom in the newsfeed. So if their face is in the middle, it won’t matter if the top and bottom get chopped off. Try not to zoom in too close if you’d like to also use for website/Youtube, so that you can crop the top and bottom to make a 16:9 output for Youtube.

Do you have anything else to add? Send me an email at emma@gemsocials.com.au and we’ll add it in!