Best Ways to Make a Quick Instagram Video

Creating an appealing video is one of the most effective marketing strategies on Instagram. The platform prioritizes video over any other type of content, and as a result, they get increased visibility and more engagement.

Between Stories and Reels, Instagram gives numerous versatile features and flexibility in how you can use the content to support your business goals. If you’re looking for simple tips and tricks to help you make a quick Instagram video, check out our practical guide.

Have a Goal in Mind

Before you start shooting, you need to have a clear idea of the goal of the video. For example, do you want to attract more followers, or do you want to drive people to your website to make a purchase? Maybe you want to engage your followers or teach them how to do something? Figuring out the purpose of your video is crucial because it will affect the next steps of shooting, editing, and publishing.

Decide on the Video Type

When deciding on the type of video, you should consider your brand image, products, aesthetics, and message you want to tell. Behind-the-scenes, product videos, and sneak previews are some of the options. If you come across a fantastic video posted from your competition, you can use a video download Instagram tool to save it. That way, you can refer back to it when you need inspiration for your own Instagram videos.

Provide Value

You’ll get viewers’ attention if the video makes it worth their while. Consider using captivating conversation, entertain them through comic relief, or share thought-provoking information. Make the value proposition of the video simple and clear to viewers upfront. 

Script Your Video

You may think that writing a script is unnecessary for a video of a few seconds. However, this practice is very beneficial for action flow. So, even when shooting a quick Instagram video, lay out some filming directions. Additionally, consider writing the text that the subjects will say in the video. Be sure to keep the script brief and make every word count.

Optimize

Planning out your video is essential to ensure each second of the video is used optimally. Instagram’s videos play automatically when people scroll through their feeds, Reels, or Stories, so start your video with a captivating scene that would give people a reason to continue watching. The end of the video should include a CTA to entice people to take action. Last but not least, keep in mind that Instagram videos play silently by default unless the user opts to turn it on, so it’s always helpful to use on-screen captions.

Use Good Lighting

You don’t need full-fledged professional lighting when you’re shooting a quick Instagram video. However, following some basic guidelines will make sure your objects look great on screen. Try to find natural light and remember not to shoot under overhead lights as they would make the subjects look unattractive. Or, you can soften the light by using a white poster board as a reflector or black plastic to block out unwanted light sources.

Shoot

Now it’s time to film your video. You can use your smartphone’s camera when looking for a quick solution. Avoid the built-in camera function within the Instagram app as it poses some limits on the shooting capabilities. For best results, you should fill in portrait or landscape mode. Whatever orientation you choose, the entire shot will fit into the frame as Instagram no longer crops videos in a square. Focus on your subject and keep the shot steady. You can use a tripod to ensure the video isn’t shaky.

Edit Your Video

Instagram videos are only a few seconds long, so you need to be selective about which frames you’ll include. Beyond that, invest some time in editing your video to fit your brand’s aesthetics and the style of your Instagram account. You can do this with the help of video collages, stickers, filters, and other additions you can find on Instagram or third-party editing apps.

Final Thoughts

Instagram videos can take your Instagram presence to another level. Luckily, you don’t have to invest a lot of money in creating Instagram videos. Following these simple steps will help you create a winning strategy and film quick videos that boost your viewership and expand your account. The key is to plan ahead, set up the shot properly, and consider your brand identity when choosing what type of content to create.