How to Create a Video-Rich WordPress Website
If you’re looking for ways to engage your audience through content, you’ve probably considered video—especially after seeing the success of major platforms like YouTube. Perhaps you’ve even tried shooting and editing your own videos, but found the process too difficult or time-consuming. Or maybe you just haven’t found the right tool for the job.
Whatever your reason, creating videos for your website is a great way to engage with your audience. But doing so can be difficult. Between hiring a film crew and figuring out copyright permissions, it’s enough to bring any entrepreneur to their knees. For those looking to create videos for their website, here are some useful tips on how to make it less stressful and more productive.
Set Short- and Long-Term Goals
One of the first things you should do before starting any project is to set a goal for yourself. This should be both short-term (such as getting footage for a few specific upcoming events) and long-term (such as establishing consistent video content for your site). Setting both short- and long-term goals will help you determine when you’ve achieved success and can be used to assess your progress throughout the project.
Understand The Platforms
Before jumping into the process of creating videos, you need to understand the different platforms available to you. Do you have a YouTube channel? Why not expand your reach to include Vimeo and other similar platforms. Or do you have a blog? Why not create your own custom platform using WordPress.com or WordPress.org and integrate video content throughout the site?
Each video platform has its perks and quirks. For example, YouTube videos can only be six minutes or less, and cannot have ads or comments. Vimeo videos can be any length, but require you to have a Vimeo account to save them as a draft and leave comments. When it comes to creating videos for your website, you should choose a platform based on what’s most convenient for you and your goals.
Determine The Skill Set You Need
Depending on your experience, you may or may not require expert skills when it comes to creating videos. You might need someone with a camera to shoot footage, while you can edit the raw files manually. Or perhaps you have a great idea for a short video but lack the skillset necessary to bring the idea to life.
If you do have the necessary skills, you can look for work opportunities in the field. Or, if you don’t yet have the necessary skills, you can determine where you should focus your learning. Skill sets can vary from camera operation, editing, and sound design, to writing and producing the actual script.
Hire The Right Help
When you’re seeking help, be sure to hire an expert in the field. Even if you have the necessary skills, there’s no sense in wasting your time trying to learn when the task can be accomplished more easily by someone else. Hiring help when you need it is always a good idea, and will certainly make your life much easier. If possible, be sure to work with someone who has experience in your niche. This ensures you get what you need while avoiding unnecessary complexity.
Start Small
When creating videos for your website, it’s important to start small. Even if you have the perfect idea for a thirty-minute video, starting with a quick five-minute experiment can help you gauge the interest of your audience and determine the perfect length for your longer-form video.
If you see positive results from the five-minute video, you can extend your project and create a longer version. And if the longer version still doesn’t seem to work, you can always go back to the shorter version and try a different tack. Smaller videos are a lot easier to produce and a whole lot less stressful. They don’t require as much financial investment or effort, so there’s no reason to rush. Take your time and don’t feel pressured to finish something that may not be suitable.
Use Templates
Creating videos from scratch can be a lot of work, so it’s best to avoid that if possible. Luckily, there are a number of video templates you can use to get your video content online quickly and easily. Simply search for the template you need, and you’ll find a variety of stock clips, music, and fonts that can be used to create a professional-looking video in no time.
Create A Plan
A good plan never hurt anyone, and creating a detailed video plan can certainly help you keep on track. Instead of randomly shooting video content and hoping for the best, you can lay out a plan and stick to it. This will help you ensure you get your money’s worth and minimize the amount of extra work you have to do later on. For instance, if you have a week’s worth of assignments and you plan on shooting on a Friday, you’ll know you’re not going to be able to complete the work by the following Monday. By creating a plan you can ensure you have enough time to get the video content you need and that there are no last-minute surprises. And remember: nothing ruins a plan more than an unexpected crisis or circumstance. Being prepared for the unexpected is one of the best ways to ensure you get the most from your video content.
Be Creative
Even though you might have the necessary skills, experience, and everything else required to complete a project successfully, there’s no sense in doing so if the video isn’t any good. Simply put, it won’t make much difference if you have an amazing idea for a video if you can’t execute it well. The important thing is to have an idea, however crazy or weird it might sound, and to make it come alive through creative use of video.
If possible, shoot in a way that will allow you to show the creative side of your work. Whether you’re an entrepreneur trying to explain your company to the world or a student looking for inspiration, being creative with your camera can help you find the right angle for the perfect shot and help you show your personality. And remember: a good video doesn’t necessarily need to be professional. Even something as simple as a trip to the park can be beautiful and creative if you know how to use your camera.
Know The Law
It’s no secret that the entertainment industry is largely governed by copyright law, and this is largely because people want to protect their work. When you create a video and want to share it with the world, you’re essentially sharing someone else’s creative work. Even if you own the copyright to the video, you still need to abide by the laws regarding intellectual property if you want to share it with the public. Simply put, you need to know the laws pertaining to intellectual property and copyright to ensure you properly represent the rights of the owner of the IP.
Try Something New
When you’re searching for new ideas, it’s always best to look for inspiration in unexpected places. If you have a creative mind, you can always come up with some crazy ideas for video content. But sometimes inspiration can come from the most unexpected places, like a love letter from a girl you’ve never met before, or a funny conversation you have online. These videos might not be pretty or polished, but that’s what makes them unique and interesting.
If you find yourself stuck for ideas, take a look at the current trends in your niche and see what’s hot and what’s not. You can always find inspiration for a video project from these trends—especially if you know how to use them to your advantage. For example, if you’re seeking inspiration for a fashion-related video, you can look for designers who are experimenting with new looks or seasonal fashion trends, and try to figure out how you can use this to your advantage.
One of the best places to find crazy and inspiring ideas is YouTube. With over 1.9 billion monthly active users, you’re bound to find something to inspire you. And while YouTube is a great place to find inspiration, it’s also a place people come to for entertainment. If you want to create a video that will entertain your audience, you’d better make sure your content is up to par.
If you’re looking for inspiration, YouTube is a great place to find it. But if you want to create a professional-looking video that will resonate with your audience, you’d better ensure your talent is recognized.