Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of creating videos for your business? You’re not alone.

The process of video production—scriptwriting, shooting, and editing—can be intimidating if you’re not a professional videographer or editor. But the good news is, you don’t need to be the next Spielberg to get the job done.

Here’s how to get started:

Start simple by using what you have on hand

You don’t need professional-grade equipment or a Hollywood production team to get the job done. Businesses just like yours can create high-ROI videos with smart phones and basic editing tools. Bring your team together for an inventory assessment. Confirm what tools you already have on hand.

Tips:

• Use your phone’s camera or a basic DSLR.

• Record in a quiet, well-lit space. Natural light works wonders.

• Use affordable tripods and external microphones for better stability and audio quality.

Take time to clarify your message (here’s what to focus on)

The most important element of your video is the message. Whatever you’re working on, take time to consider the true goal of your video and craft a message that resonates with your intended audience. 

Oftentimes, we fall into the trap of summing up the “goal” of video content according to business metrics or KPIs. The “point” of your video isn’t simply to “convert more leads” or “showcase the product,” even if it seems that way at first. Look for an emotional core message centered on the benefit to your intended customer. 

Example:
Imagine you’re a company selling fitness equipment. Instead of showcasing the features of your latest treadmill, consider focusing on stories about people who transformed their lives through fitness. With this in mind, your message could be more about empowering individuals (like your potential buyers) to achieve their own health and fitness goals, and less about the technical specifications. 

Start with simple video production tools even if you’re working on a complex project

Editing doesn’t have to be intimidating. There are user-friendly tools that allow you to edit videos without prior experience:

Even complex projects can have simple solutions. With the wealth of free information online and the user-friendly tools available, you can start by editing your own videos. Here are a couple we recommend:

• Free Options: iMovie (Mac), Windows Video Editor.

• Affordable/Advanced Options: Canva’s video editor, Adobe Premiere Rush, or CapCut.

These tools offer drag-and-drop functionality and templates to streamline your process.

Use templates and stock footage to get started (everyone does it)

If creating videos from scratch feels overwhelming, start with pre-built templates and stock resources. Platforms like Canva, Biteable, and Animoto provide templates for various business needs, including social media promos and explainer videos. You don’t actually need to do everything from scratch to produce a professional-looking corporate video. Start with pre-build templates and stock resources. You can find these on platforms like Canva for all sorts of use-cases included social media promo and explainer videos.

Where to find stock footage and templates:

Don’t do it all alone: Identify your internal production team

Even if you’re the main person responsible for pulling this project together, you shouldn’t have to do it all alone. Based on what you’ve set out to do, consider the following roles and who might be best suited to fill them on your team.

• Spokesperson

• Scriptwriter

• Main camera person

Although hiring a full-time video production team would be amazing, that’s not necessarily possible for every business. If the people on your team have other commitments, you’ll need to maximize their time. Take time to map out your scenes and schedule shoots in batches. If you’re working on a series, for example, consider future needs and bulk shoot with your main spokesperson ahead of time.

Finally, identify your core stakeholders. Who is responsible for ensuring the video meets the needs of your business and is on brand/ message? They’re part of the team, too!

Start with short form content to get your feet wet

Short-form videos (30-69 seconds) are an excellent starting point for a high-ROI video marketing strategy. They’re quick to produce and perfect for platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. Plus, as the saying goes, creativity thrives on constraints. By limiting video length, your team will be challenged to find more creative ways to convey your brand message. This approach eliminates unnecessary content and sharpens the focus on what truly matters. Trust the process!

Take it one step at a time

Perfection was never the goal here. Start small, get your videos into the market  and see how they perform. By paying attention to metrics like view count, watch time, and engagement you’ll be able to draw conclusions about what to do next. You can gather feedback from your audience via direct comments, shares, and direct conversations to better understand how the content you put together resonates. Over time, you’ll build a feedback loop that will streamline future content you produce and ensure you can maximize its value.

Outsource when necessary

If any part of this process feels daunting, outsourcing is always an option. As you plan your corporate video marketing and production strategy, consider which tasks your team can handle in-house and which might benefit from expert intervention. 

This is where Seven Ashes Productions can step in. Whether you need help with scripting, filming, editing,equipment rentals, finding a studio space, or even full-scale production, Seven Ashes offers tailored services to meet your specific needs. By partnering with Seven Ashes, you can streamline the production process, save time, and focus on what your team does best, while leaving the more complex or resource-intensive tasks to the experts. 

Final thoughts

Getting started with video marketing might seem overwhelming, but you don’t need to master every aspect at once. Focus on simple, authentic content that conveys your message effectively. With practice and the right tools, you’ll improve over time and start seeing the benefits of video for your business.

Even if you’re not a professional, you can still work toward crafting high-quality video content that meets the needs of your business. Focus on simple, authentic content that clearly articulates your message. With a bit of practice, you’ll get better over time and start seeing the benefits for your brand. Looking to save time? Consider booking a consultation with the Seven Ashes team.