In today’s ever-changing world of social media, it’s becoming increasingly important to keep up with the people around you. One of the best ways we recommend doing that here at Great Dental Websites is by creating simple videos for your website. Video content can be easy and fun to make and is also a great way to show off the personality of your practice. Google’s search algorithm really likes video content at the moment because it’s one of the most engaging ways to interact with patients on your pages. Video topics are broad and can range from video FAQs and testimonials to musical office introductions or calls to action. This being said, here are a few easy-to-follow pointers for when it comes to shooting basic videos using just your smartphone.

What you’ll need

• A phone (or anything with a camera and microphone)
• Light (window or indoor)
• A subject

Tips:

It’s all about lighting.

• If you’re looking for lighting that will make both you and your practice look great, consider using window lighting. Light coming from windows is natural and soft looking. Position your subject to the side of a window for a nice side lighting that wraps around them and lights the room surrounding them as well. If the light from your window is too bright, use the blinds or shades to block out any extra light.
• Even though you’re using the window light, keep on the lights in the room you’re in. They can provide a little bit of fill lighting, and also help to keep the room looking staged.
• Don’t shoot with a window directly behind your subject. This will cause your subject to be silhouetted and darker than the background.
• If possible, have your subject lit slightly brighter than the background to help them stand out and create depth in your image.
• If you’re interested in having additional lights, a cheap option is clamp lights. You can get these for around $20. This LED light switch for just $4 at Amazon, provides a nice amount of soft, yet bright light, and it can be placed just about anywhere.

Composition is key.

• Create depth in your image by positioning your subject at least twice as far from the background as the camera is to the subject. For example, if the subject is three feet from the camera, position the subject at least, six feet in front of the background.
• Avoid using dull backgrounds (like a flat wall). Give the image some depth, and some interesting features by positioning your subject in front of a background that is dynamic and includes objects and shapes. If a blank wall is your only option, then consider positioning the camera and the subject at an angle with the wall.
• Remove things from your background that may be too distracting.
• Leave yourself a little room for cropping your image when filming. Shoot your scene with a bit of extra space on the borders, and you’ll have more control of your end composition when and if you chose to crop your image.
  • Tip: Getting yourself a cheap tripod (or an expensive one, we don’t care) can dramatically increase your composition possibilities by giving you the ability to place the camera nearly anywhere in relationship to your subject. We actually have free mini phone tripods, so reach out to us if you’re interested in getting a small tripod to use for your videos for FREE.

Don’t forget about sound!

• The microphone on your phone is a great microphone to start with and should work well enough in most cases.
• Cut out any additional background noise possible while recording.
  • Keep conversations (even outside of the room) to a minimum.
  • Turn any audible fans off.
  • Wait for exterior traffic to pass.
• If you’re looking to further enhance your sound, and cut out more background noise, consider getting a lavalier microphone that works with your phone. These run from your phone to a small mic that can attach right to your shirt. This mic from Amazon has great ratings and is around $60.

Consider your audience.

• When filming, it’s essential to proceed with the viewer in mind. Think about the language that you’re using in your shots and ask yourself if this is the language that your audience wants to hear. Avoid getting too technical and act as if you speaking to your audience in-person.

Be yourself.

• This one should speak for itself. Treat the camera as if it were another person in the room. Don’t act as if you are presenting to an audience at a conference, but rather as if you are having a conversation with someone you know.
• Being personable in front of the camera makes you seem more confident, which shows that you’re comfortable with what you’re doing. Naturally, patients like to go to a doctor who seems comfortable in their practice.

So what are you waiting for? You’ve got the equipment and the knowledge, now get out there and make some videos!