How to Create Videos on Your Smartphone: 4 Steps for Event Professionals

You’ve seen them, and you’ve probably been one of them: People sitting, standing, or walking on the street, in your restaurant, or just about anywhere else with their faces fixated on the smartphone in front of them. What could possibly be so interesting that it takes up that much time and attention?

Video.

According to a study by marketing firm Wyzowl, a typical user views one-and-a-half hours of video per day, and 15% of people watch three hours of video on average during the day. What this means for your restaurant, hotel, or venue is that by taking advantage of video marketing, your content can be a part of someone’s regular video viewing. You’ll be more likely to be noticed by using video, and that awareness can lead to more bookings and more revenue.

And the good news is that you can do a lot of this yourself, without having to spend money on a professional videographer. Only 24 percent of small businesses reported that they used external agencies to create videos.

Ready to get started? We’ve gathered tips and best practices to create this four-step guide for event professionals on how to create great videos with your smartphone.

1. Purchase the right equipment
First, let’s talk about your gear. The smartphone in your pocket or purse is actually a very sophisticated video camera. If you want to make a quick video on the fly, you can typically get good footage and audio. But if you are interested in shooting quality video, you’ll need a few pieces of equipment to take your recording to the next level.

Here’s some video gear recommendations from social media marketing expert Mari Smith:

Lighting

• Bidafun Clip on Selfie Led O Ring Light, $8.99
• Lume Cube, $69.95
• Rotolight from iOgrapher, $145.99

Microphone

• iRig Mic Lav, clip-on lavalier/lapel microphone, various brands starting at $9.35
• Audio-Technica AT2005USB, $59
• Sennheiser MKE600, $329.95

Stabilization

• Mini tripod, various brands starting at $13.59
• Smartphone cases from iOgrapher, $59.99

Don’t buy all of this equipment at once and try everything at the same time to see what works. Smith suggests starting with lighting, then audio, then stabilization equipment.

2. Use editing apps
It’s very rare to capture the perfect video on the first try. You might have to film a couple of times or record a few different clips to get the footage that you want. That’s OK. Make your video look and sound exactly the way you want it to by using editing apps.

Edit your videos directly on your smartphone with your phone’s built-in apps. iPhone users have access to iMovie and Clips. Android phones come with editing features within the device’s default video player. Looking for more options? Download these suggested apps for iPhone or Android:

• Adobe Premiere Rush for the power of Adobe Premiere’s desktop version, downsized for your phone, plus multitrack timelines and easy resizing options
• Boomerang from Instagram for iPhone or Android to create a short video loop
• Magisto for iPhone or Android to add effects and music, and create your own reusable video templates
• Quik from GoPro for basic editing tools and to combine photos, videos, music, and text
• Videohance to mix and match HD effects, control color, adjust speed, and edit clips and transitions

3. Create videos that work
Let’s talk about the types of videos you can create to promote your restaurant and your events program.

• Explainer video: This type of video typically includes someone on your team explaining the types of services your venue offers and can include footage or images that visually tell that story.
• Video sales letter: Similar to the explainer video, but shorter and embedded into or linked from an email you send to prospects.
• Interview: Sit down with someone on your staff and ask them questions to show their expertise to customers and prospects.
• Behind the scenes: Show your staff doing what they do best! Show off your chef’s skills in the kitchen, follow your staff as they set up for an event, or do a walkthrough of your venue to allow viewers to feel like they’re coming along on the journey.
• Timelapse or slow motion: Most smartphones have the ability to play with time with your videos. Set your phone up to record a timelapse of your staff getting a private dining room ready, or do a slow motion take of food being prepared in the kitchen.
• Livestream: Broadcast live from your venue through the Facebook or Instagram apps. This video could be an explainer, an interview, or behind the scenes video. The difference is that it’s live, not edited, and you can see your audiences’ views and reactions in real time on social media.

4. Share your videos in the right places
Post your videos in the places you’re most visible online, including your website, your social media networks, video publishing sites like YouTube or Vimeo, and your email marketing. Choose the places online that your prospects or customers are most likely to find out information about you.

And don’t post just once! In most cases, you can use these videos multiple times across your marketing channels. Just make sure you’re creating several different types of posts so you’re not sharing the same thing every time.

Just push the button
The hardest part about creating videos for your venue is getting started. But once you push the record button, and give it a try, you’re one step closer to creating content that will get your business noticed. The more you create video, the easier it will be to create and build a library that shows the best aspects of your events business and attract new customers.

Need more marketing resources?
Marketing tips and tools change every day – read Tripleseat’s blog posts on marketing for the latest information on how you can promote your restaurant or venue. And check out articles, infographics, and more on our Marketing Tips for Event Professionals and Social Media Marketing for Event Professionals boards on Pinterest.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in Tripleseat’s Seated magazine, 2019 Spring/Summer issue.