Video & podcast tips from a pro - with Gareth Harrison

Join me and Gareth Harrison, professional video and podcast editor, for his 10 top tips on how to create and level up your own videos and podcasts.

Gareth is a freelance video editor based in Leeds, West Yorkshire – with over 15 years experience in post-production, editing content for tv and online commercials, corporate videos, internal communications, live events, charities and social media.

Gareth also has a mobile edit suite, if required, offering the flexibility to work on location or from his own office (when we aren't in lockdown, of course).

Using the current lockdown to create more and better video and podcast media is a great, productive and creative use of time.

Listen in for Gareth's advice on how to  make better videos and podcasts cheaply and effectively, if you're just starting out or want to take your output to the next level.

If you'd like to contact Gareth direct, you can reach him via his website here. 

You can also connect with Gareth on Linkedin.

notes for the Top Ten Tips:

 

TIP 1. Sound

Make sure you’re getting good sound

Do a few practice runs to make sure the sound level is ok - not too quiet / not distorting from being too high

You don’t have to spend a lot to get a good microphone, but it’s worth investing

There is a lot you can do to improve what you see on screen, but you’re limited when correcting sound

 

TIP 2. Lighting

You can get away with a lot these days with cameras being able to shoot in low light

But set yourself up for success by having a well lit environment

And natural sunlight is always the best

Have the light facing you - illuminating your face

So ideally facing a window or if it’s a nice day go outside

But make sure it’s not too windy, because that can ruin the sound

 

TIP 3. Static camera

I recommend you place yourself in the middle of the shot

Not too close, not too far away

In what’s called a mid-shot

And keep the camera still - you’ll have a lot more control over things like focus and composition if you use this method

And have the camera at the same level as your eye-line - a tripod is good for this if you’re presenting stood up

 

TIP 4. Use second camera

Using a second camera helps when it comes to editing - this can simply be a camera on a phone

But it allows you to cut from one camera angle to the other and keeps the video interesting

The second camera also gives you the option to cut around any mistakes during filming, helping the video to flow

The second camera should be positioned about 45 degrees to the main camera

 

TIP 5. Get a tight Script

Writing it down beforehand will help you focus on the points you want to make

It will give you structure to your video or podcast - using storyboard is a good idea

Even if it seem like someone has done it on the fly - there will have been a lot of work done before the camera was even switched on

Try and learn the script or the points you want to make - so it comes across naturally rather than it being read

 

TIP 6. Don’t make it too long

Attention spans aren’t very long these days

So it’s far better to create 5 2min videos than 1 10min video

Less is definitely more

Plus then you’ve got 5 separate videos to post up and share through your social platforms, instead of having just one hit

 

TIP 7. Regular content

Produce content on a regular basis

Give your audience a reason to return

People like the reliability of regular updates

If your channel isn’t providing new content people quickly move on

 

TIP 8. Offers

You need to give something away

This doesn't have to be a free gift

It can be information / tips / insights

But you need the audience to feel that they’ve gained something from watching or listening to your content

 

TIP 9. Replicate

Look at the videos or podcasts you like and use them as a source of inspiration for yours

Don’t copy them but try and work out what it is that you like about them

Once you’ve figured this out you can then apply your own personality and brand to that style

 

TIP 10. Have a go!

It might be that you create a video and realise it works better as a podcast

There’s no substitute to experience

Without trying you’ll never know what works and what doesn’t

 

 

Here’s the microphone Gareth mentions, the Apogee MiC 96k: https://www.dv247.com/en_GB/GBP/Apogee-MiC-96k-/art-PCM0012816-000?campaign=GShopping/UK&ProgramUUID=HADAqJarPzAAAAFlea9yjI.G&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9If867DF6AIVWfBRCh2TtAb_EAkYASABEgLNSvD_BwE