Video Content Creation Tips

Most creators have this backwards. They're chasing views and subscribers, hoping they'll magically become clients. But after analyzing over 10,000 videos across 150+ channels, I realized something profound: YouTube success is about viewer intent. Last month, I worked with a founder who had 87K subscribers but was only making $12K monthly. She was creating "viral content" instead of strategic content. When I shared my systems with her, everything shifted. Here's what I learned about building in public through strategic YouTube content: 1. Foundation First Build genuine authority by teaching what you know deeply. This creates the trust foundation that turns viewers into clients. When you share knowledge transparently, you become the obvious choice for implementation. Your expertise becomes undeniable when demonstrated consistently. People trust those who teach before they sell. 2. Solution Showcasing Demonstrate your expertise through real problem-solving. People hire those who prove their value transparently. Your public work becomes your most powerful sales tool without feeling salesy. Live problem-solving builds immediate credibility and rapport. Prospects see exactly what working with you would look like. 3. System Transparency Share your actual methodology and frameworks openly. Building in public creates magnetic attraction to your process. 4. Transformation Stories Show real before/after results from your work. Transparency about outcomes builds unshakeable credibility. Success stories create emotional connection and logical proof. Other founders see themselves in your client transformations. 5. Strategic Bridge Building Use clear CTAs that guide viewers toward next steps. Every piece of content should have a purpose beyond views. 6. Value Ladder Creation Design a clear path from free content to paid services. Building in public means showing the entire journey. 7. Intent-Based Content Target purchase-intent keywords that your ideal clients search for. Strategic transparency attracts ready-to-buy audiences. 8. The PVT Formula Address specific problems, validate your understanding, then reveal your transformation approach. This converts 273% better than standard tutorial content. This is about creating beautiful, systemized, and impactful brands together. When you build your expertise in public through strategic YouTube content, you create multiple conversion opportunities while establishing deep trust. We 10X'd her revenue within 90 days using fewer videos but with clear strategic intent behind each one. The future belongs to those brave enough to build their systems in public. It starts with sharing your methodology transparently. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want help applying this in your business? DM me ‘Blueprint’ and let’s chat. Only for founders ready to scale.

Spending thousands on video equipment that's not driving engagement? The data shows you're wasting your money. I analyzed 250 videos on LinkedIn's new Video Feed to "decode" the algorithm — Here's what we found: 1. The most popular length 2. The two best-performing hooks (with examples) 3. If text overlays help you get more eyeballs 4. Do captions really help 5. The best format (vertical or landscape) 6. The truth about storytelling 7. What style of content is still king 8. Which is best: high production or smartphones (below) 9. If hashtags really help your reach 10. The best CTA (this one surprised me) One big discovery? The most successful creators focus on authenticity over production value. You don't need: ❌ Fancy Equipment ✅ Storytelling and delivery matter more than 4K resolution. ❌ Perfect Editing ✅ Raw, authentic clips with minor imperfections often perform better. ❌ Viral Hooks ✅ You don't need clickbait. Just a clear message that resonates with your audience will keep them watching. —— I put all the findings — data and tips — into one easy checklist. Perfect if you want more reach and engagement on your videos. ✅ Two ways you can download it -Tap "NEW LinkedIn Video Checklist" by my profile pic above -Go to my Featured section ORRR if you really prefer, comment "video" and I'll send it to you. Let's grow together 🤙🏻

One-way video interviews—candidates often tell me how awkward they feel. But here's the irony: these same candidates spend hours on apps like TikTok watching one-way videos. So, what's the difference? TikToks don’t feel like someone awkwardly reading cue cards for a local used car commercial. They’re casual and conversational, like the creator is talking directly to you. Even when the content is carefully planned, it still feels natural. So, how can you bring that same energy into a HireVue or similar platform? ⏱️ Use the Planning Time Wisely Most platforms give you 20–30 seconds to review a question before recording. Use that time to jot down 3 key talking points. This prep time is your superpower! In a live interview, you wouldn’t get such a luxury to think and structure your response. Leverage it to shine. 📚 Don’t Script. Seriously. Do not write out your answer and read it word-for-word. We can tell. Every. Single. Time. From your eyes darting across the screen to the robotic tone of your voice, it’s obvious—and painful to watch. Instead, stick to key points. It’s okay to stumble or say “um” occasionally—it’s more authentic than reading a ChatGPT-generated monologue. ⚡ Bring the Energy We review hours of video interviews, and let me tell you: most are boring. Candidates often dial down their energy in an effort to sound professional, but the result? 😴 Think of your tone as conversational, like you’re talking to a real person—not just a camera. Channel a bit of that “Hi guys, welcome back to my channel!” energy from the YouTube girlies(without being fake). Let your personality shine through naturally. 🎥 Practice Makes Progress Most platforms offer a practice mode—use it! Get comfortable with the interface so you don’t accidentally hit “submit” instead of “record.” Beyond that, practice answering questions on video and watch yourself back. If you don't like watching yourself, send it to someone who will give you honest feedback. Get comfortable with timing and how you present yourself. Mastering one-way video interviews isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being prepared, authentic, and engaging.

In the beginning, I made the same mistake most creators make. I posted a video and just hoped it would perform well. Then I realized: We don’t have to guess. We can test. 🔹 We started creating multiple versions of every video. - A tighter intro.  - A different hook.  - A restructured story. 🔹 We began A/B testing before publishing. - We let the audience tell us which version was best. 🔹 We validated ideas before even filming. - If the title and thumbnail didn’t perform in testing, we didn’t waste time making the video. And the result? Small tweaks, huge impact. In just one year, one of our core businesses tripled. Some videos performed 80% better just from simple tweaks. This isn’t luck. This is strategy. And any creator can do it. If there's one thing I've learned from having posted ~2,000 original videos: I have no idea what's going to work. Test. Learn. Improve.

I’ve generated ~40M social impressions in 2024. Here are 5 rules every single one of my videos follow. 1️⃣ Avoid Retention Editing Too many creators look at Mr Beast for inspiration, but fail to realize his audience is mostly children. Viewers want a more raw authentic experience with you. Ditch the sound effects and motion graphics. Just drop the value. 2️⃣ “But Therefore” Rule Any great story has peaks and valleys. Insert contrasting phrases like “but, however, except, therefore, or unfortunately" right after you deliver value to keep the audience continuously engaged.   3️⃣ Hooks that actually hook The hook is arguably the most important part of your video. Be menacle. Be intentional. Your hook should create a curiosity loop that can only be closed if the viewer watches the video all the way through. You’ll need a verbal hook (what you say), visual hook (what you show), and text hook (what the words on the screen say).  4️⃣ Write, write, and rewrite. I used to never write scripts. And that’s f*cking crazy. If you have an idea, start writing. It may not flow or make any sense. But just write. Jerry Seinfeld once said "the best way to write better jokes was to write a lot of jokes, and the only way to write a lot of jokes was to write every day." 5️⃣ There are never enough angles. Too many creators make the mistake of letting a clip breathe too long. Specifically on short form content. If you’re filming yourself doing work at your desk, don’t just film that clip for 10 seconds. Get 5 two second clips from different angles. This adds another element of depth to your video. This is by no means an all encompassing list. Nor do I believe this is the ONLY way to create video content. There are creators like Sam Sulek who just lets his camera rip for 45min straight. No edits. And it works (some how) These are just the 5 rules I currently like to follow. But what else would you add to this list?

It's never a "quick" edit. Let's break down my process for creating a 2-minute video as an amateur: 1. Planning This involves meeting with everyone involved in the project (stakeholders, product teams, designers, etc.) to flush out the goals and purpose of the content. 2. Concepting Ideating and researching ways to bring the video to life. Depending on the platform, there are various nuances to consider beyond just the format. Sometimes, I spend hours just scrolling through different channels for inspiration. 3. Scripting This one is pretty straightforward but needs to be emphasized. Writing a script helps flush out the message so you're hitting all the points. Start with freewriting before making edits. Let the words fall out. 4. Storyboarding Before recording, I like to visualize the video's flow and structure. I've found that when I storyboard, especially when working with others, it's a lot easier to see if it makes sense for the overall project. You can do this using tools like Miro or even just a piece of paper to map out when things happen. 5. Recording Setting up the camera, lighting, and mics is just the beginning. Multiple takes are definitely required to capture the best footage. 6. Editing This is the most time consuming part. It involves more than just cutting and trimming footage. You need to spend time selecting the best takes, adding transitions, applying color correction (especially since iPhone cameras can be ugly af), and integrating audio (music, voiceovers, etc.). Every frame is carefully scrutinized to make sure the video flows smoothly, fits within 'safe zones,' and aligns with the overall goal and messaging. Then there are captions and graphics to consider. 7. Review This is the second most time consuming part because the more people involved in the approval stage, the tougher it becomes. Subjectivity plays a big role here—what one person likes might not align with someone else's preferences. This feedback loop can be tricky because there can be several rounds of feedback and adjustments, requiring you to jump back and forth between steps 6 and 7. 8. Export Finally, after all is approved, you need to go back and format and do a quality check, making sure everything fits correctly. Post-production tasks include exporting SRT files, creating thumbnails, and determining where the content will live after it's finalized. 📌 Just because a piece of content is lofi doesn't mean it's low effort. My tip for keeping the process smooth—and something I learned a little too late in the game—is that having a really clear brief at the beginning is the single most important aspect of any video project.

“How do I knock my video out in one take?” 👀 Last week, someone asked me this, and it got me thinking about the video planning process. Planning your next video and trying to feel more comfortable. Here are three easy tips I have: 1. Plan your talking points. Take time to outline your main points. A script can be helpful, but try to avoid writing out every word—this can feel stiff on camera and super “read.” Instead, bullet out key points to keep you on track while giving yourself room to be natural and conversational. 2. Rehearse your talking points. I have found that the more you know your material, the easier it becomes to riff, play, and experiment. I also believe that the more you know your material naturally, the more comfortable you’ll feel in front of the camera. Review your notes and know your material and what you want to say. Remember, your favorite actors, celebrities, and artists have rehearsed. You just see the finished product. 3. Take multiple takes for variety. I will tell you a secret: Your favorite scene from your favorite movie was 99.9% likely done in multiple takes. Don't be afraid to record multiple versions of your video. Sometimes, the first try isn't perfect—and that's okay. I love to use the first time to just get the words out of my mouth. After that, I know what I want to keep and what I want to revise. Keep it comfortable, casual, and approachable. Extra tip: Use tools. If you’re nervous about staying on script, a teleprompter might help! Plenty of apps on your phone or laptop allow you to stay focused while sounding natural (a simple Google search will bring up tons of options). Just remember: the goal is to sound like yourself, not like you're reading from a book. What other tips would you recommend? 

Lighting is literally the number one thing that you can do to make you look better in your next meeting or content creation video. So how can you do it yourself? I've experimented for years on the best ways to utilize simple lighting techniques to get an almost professional look to my videos and I just wanted to share some of the things I've learned along the way. Our home offices have become our studios for content creation and virtual meetings. And one of the most overlooked, yet critical, elements for success in is lighting. Whether you're recording a video, livestreaming, or simply engaging in a Microsoft Teams or Zoom meeting, good lighting can make a world of difference. Professionalism: Proper lighting instantly elevates the production quality of your videos, making your content look polished and credible. Clarity & Engagement: Clear, well-lit visuals ensure your audience can see you clearly, preventing distractions and keeping them engaged with your message. Brand Perception: High-quality visuals reflect positively on your personal brand and the brand you represent. Improved Presence: Good lighting helps you appear more present and attentive, fostering better communication and connection with colleagues and clients. Confidence Boost: When you look good on camera, you feel more confident, which can positively impact your participation and contributions. So take a few minutes and watch how I actually demo several lighting scenarios that you can easily use to make yourself look better on camera. PS....Any questions you have on lighting let me know in the comments. I can do another video to address it. Tattooed Nerd

"Just be natural on camera" is the WORST advice I’ve ever received. (And I heard a lot of bad advice in my TV days…) Here’s what your audience actually craves from you instead: 1️⃣ ENERGY Not that jittery coffee-buzz energy. I’m talking about that genuine “I’m excited to be here” vibe that makes people lean in. Quick insider secret: In the news, we’d amp up our energy 15% above normal. Sounds weird, but plays perfectly on camera. 2️⃣VOCAL VARIETY Let’s be real - monotone = audience death Your voice needs to dance. Up, down, pause… like you’re sharing gossip with your best friend over coffee. 3️⃣ BODY LANGUAGE • Your hands aren’t criminals - stop keeping them locked up! • Let them move naturally (yes, even on Zoom) • Drop those shoulders (I can see you tensing up) • Own your space like you pay rent for it 4️⃣STORY STRUCTURE Without this, you’re just another talking head in the digital void: • Character (make it personal) • Conflict (what’s at stake?) • Content (your core message) • Conclusion (tie it with a bow) The difference between “natural” and “intentional” is the difference between being ignored and being unforgettable. Drop a 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the comments - which element challenges you most? #video #oncameratips #videocontentcreation ============================ I’m Kerry—Emmy award-winning former-NBC news anchor, reporter, and producer. I turn video-shy lawyers into video-confident lawyers.    If you liked this post, please consider commenting and sharing. I’m looking to take on 1 more client for February.  If you’re interested email me at kerry@kerrybarrett.com

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤. Ever watched a video that had great content but just didn’t feel right? Maybe the pacing was off, the transitions were jarring, or the message got lost in the noise. That’s the power of 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠. It’s not just about cutting clips together—it’s about 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 that keeps your audience engaged from start to finish. 🎬 I recently had a great conversation on 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 about the 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠. With my co-host Andrew Cardy and our guest Max Partain, we broke down why even the best footage can fall flat without a strong editing process. Here’s what you need to know: 🔥 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬. A compelling video isn’t just about shooting great content—it’s about how you shape that content. A skilled editor enhances clarity, strengthens storytelling, and ensures your message resonates. 🔑 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝. A common mistake? Shooting without the edit in mind. The best editors are involved from the beginning, helping to shape the vision and structure. If you plan with editing in mind, you’ll save time, avoid unnecessary retakes, and create a smoother final product. 🎯 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭. Messy edits, poor pacing, and unclear messaging? That’s a fast track to losing attention. Clean, intentional editing ensures your audience gets your message, stays engaged, and takes action. ✅ 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: Start with a clear story arc—don’t “fix it in post.” Focus on pacing—keep it engaging but not overwhelming. Use cuts, transitions, and effects to enhance, not distract. Always put yourself in the viewer’s shoes: Would you watch till the end? 🚀 Great editing isn’t just a technical skill—it’s an art. Whether you’re creating sales videos, brand content, or thought leadership pieces, investing in high-quality editing can make all the difference. What’s one video you’ve seen recently that had amazing editing? Drop a link or share your thoughts! ⬇️ #VideoMarketing #ContentCreation #Storytelling #SalesGrowth ♻️ Repost to help your network grow 🚀 Follow Howard Wolpoff, MBA for more like this Hit the 🔔 if you enjoy my content. 📽️ Video credit: The Buzz Daily News Network