Six steps to making an expert-looking video for your website

Videos can give your clients a more personal view of your firm, are easy to share and can help increase the visibility of your business. Kick-off 2012 with a professional-looking video for your website in six easy steps.

1. Technique

Shaky, grainy, and dark videos are likely to put viewers off. Avoid excessive zooming and panning - it makes the video difficult to view and timing can be difficult to get right. These effects can be added post-production. To avoid a shaky video, use a tripod or set the camera on a solid, unmoving surface.

2. Lighting

Poor lighting will make it hard for viewers to connect with you. If your camera doesn't have a light, make use of household or desk lamps.

For videos which capture people, set the light to shine at eye level; too low means excessive reflections and too high means too many shadows.

If there is a window in shot, make sure the person is facing it so it will be behind the camera. This will maximize the effect of the natural light. If the window is behind the subject, facing the camera, the light will turn your picture into a silhouette.

3. Prepare

If you want to sound like an expert, make sure you at least write down notes about what you want to say. Prepare as if you were making a public speech. Don't be afraid of looking in the camera and talk naturally.

4. Keep it short

People have short attention spans. Video content should be concise, relevant and to the point. Most videos shouldn't be more than five minutes long. If you have a lot of timely content, consider breaking it up into two videos or more.

5. Edit

Chances are your computer came with an editing program which will meet your post-production needs. There are also free options such as Lightworks or Jaycut. With most video editing software you can add introductory and concluding credits, captions, transitions, effects, in addition to adjusting zooming, panning, angles, cropping, cutting and other effects.

6. Share

Upload your video to your site!