Tips for Improving Video Content

"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

How I Went from 50 Views to Over 75,000: Lessons from the YouTube Trenches When I first started posting my Tools, Talents & Techniques podcast episodes on YouTube, the audio downloads and listener support were strong — but on YouTube? Crickets. 50 views here, 100 views there. I honestly didn’t think too much about it at first. I was having fun, meeting amazing people, and learning a ton from the conversations. But after a while, I started wondering: Could I be doing more to share these conversations with a bigger audience? So I went down the YouTube rabbit hole — and it turned into a full learning experience. Here’s what I found (and what actually helped me grow organically): ✨ 1. SEO is about intent now, not just keywords. People aren’t just searching for “entrepreneurship” — they’re searching for answers, inspiration, and solutions. Descriptions need to be natural, not stuffed. ✨ 2. Micro-moments matter. Timestamps are gold. They help viewers (and YouTube’s algorithm) find the exact part of your video that matches what they need. ✨ 3. Engagement is everything. Likes, comments, watch time — they all outweigh raw views. You have to invite people to interact, not just sit back and watch. ✨ 4. Formatting and flow make a difference. Emojis, bullet points, and clear sections in the description improve readability — especially for mobile viewers (which is most of them now). ✨ 5. Prioritize YouTube links before pushing people elsewhere. Link your playlists and related videos first before dropping external links. Keep people in your ecosystem longer. ✨ 6. AI Summaries are coming. YouTube is starting to auto-summarize videos. A strong, well-organized description helps your content get summarized correctly — and shown to more viewers. ⸻ Bottom line: If you’re a creator or marketer, the game has changed. It’s not about chasing viral moments — it’s about setting up your content so it can work for you, even while you sleep. I’m still learning every day, but seeing growth from 50 views to over 75,000 (and climbing) has been a huge validation that these small tweaks work. If you’re trying to grow your audience — whether on YouTube, LinkedIn, or anywhere else — I’d be happy to compare notes. The journey is way more fun when you’re building and learning alongside others. If you want to check out the Tools, Talents & Techniques podcast, you can find it here: 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gM8nHMA3 Let’s connect. Tools Talents & Techniques (podcast)

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 🤙🏻

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?

Things to consider when making “creator-style” videos: 1. Light. The most important thing. Many think you need a light right on you from the front but it depends on the natural light you have around you. If the light is strong on your right side, you need to balance on the left. Never shoot with light behind you unless you want a washed out glow effect. I always tell people to just trial and error when they’re getting started. It’s not like you’re wasting VHS tape! 😉😉 2. Sound. Acoustics of rooms can make things awful even in our caption-conscious world. Too many people hold the mic right up near their mouth (The “MC” effect) but then the needles are in the red and they have a hot mic. If you don’t hold a mic close enough you pick up background noise. Some swear by lapel mics but you may want a small directional condenser mic. Again, think of something you can use in a room by itself but also at an event where you have less control of crowd noise. I personally love the Shure MV88+ because you can set it up on a desk to do voiceovers when you’re traveling or on the go. 3. Imaging. Most videos are people on a camera with text overlays. But it rarely tells a visual story. Think of what your cutaways, split screens or picture-in-picture moments will be. Your jump cuts. This helps break up the monotony of what everybody else creates. Several services provide stock video you might want to check out like Envato, Pond 5 or Canva. 4. Script. “How do you deliver to the camera without any mistakes?” Well we all make mistakes but I suggest using a teleprompter app. You can load in the script and you’re looking directly at the camera. There’s another reason to use a teleprompter. It’s good to get used reading from one on camera. It’s an acquired skill worth developing Other tips? Please share.

Your video's purpose isn't to tell the best story. Your video's purpose is to change the audience's behavior. And you have to change several different behaviors along the way. Behavior change 1: You need to stop their scroll They're not looking for your content. It's interrupting their feed, in between the stuff they actually want to see. You need a compelling enough image that will make them stop. Pro tip: if your media buy is in a social feed, there's an 80% chance it's being viewed on mobile. Make sure your video is 4x5 or 9x16 so that it takes up as much real estate on the screen as possible. Behavior change 2: You need to keep their attention "Storytelling" rules will have you put the most compelling message in the climax of the video, usually around 2/3 of the way in. But you don't have a guarantee that your audience will stick around that long. Put the most compelling message in the first few seconds of the video. Behavior change 3: You need them to remember you Keep your messaging tight. The more you try to get the audience to know, the more fractured and less effective your messaging is. Behavior change 4: You need them to act Make sure your call to action is clear. Don't use multiple CTAs. If the audience doesn't know which action to take, they won't take any. And make sure the benefit the audience gets from taking that action is clear. Connect the action you want them to take to your most compelling message and benefits. When you focus less on story mechanics and more on the behaviors you're trying to change, the more likely you are to create an effective ad.

After 100+ recording sessions with creators, I've noticed a pattern: The best content often comes from uninterrupted flow states. Here's the simple but powerful method I've been teaching: 1. Enable Airplane Mode Not just silent mode. Not just "Do Not Disturb." Complete digital isolation. Why it works: * Prevents notification anxiety * Eliminates background app refreshes * Stops those subtle vibrations we've been conditioned to check * Creates a true "studio environment" mindset The results? My clients report: - 40% fewer retakes - Better energy throughout sessions - Significantly reduced editing time - More authentic delivery 🔍 But here's what most people miss It's not just about blocking notifications. It's about training your brain to enter "creation mode" the moment that airplane icon appears. 💭 Think about it: How many times have you stopped mid-sentence because you "felt" a notification? Question for fellow creators: What's your biggest distraction during recording sessions? Let's brainstorm solutions together. #ContentCreation #Productivity #CreatorTips #DigitalContent #CreatorEconomy #ProductivityHacks #ContentStrategy

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

Stop wasting the first 3 seconds of your videos! When people scroll, they see your name. They see your job title. So why are you wasting those first precious seconds repeating what they already know? Instead of: ❌ "Hi, I'm Susie Hawkins, and I work and travel..." Try this: ✅ "I almost missed my flight, but it turned into the best networking opportunity of my life!" See the difference? The first one is forgettable. The second one? Instantly hooks your audience. Social media isn't a formal introduction—it's a storytelling platform. Start with the climax, then fill in the details later. This keeps people engaged and stops them from scrolling past your content. Try this in your next video and let me know how it works for you! #ContentCreation #SocialMediaTips #PersonalBranding #LinkedInMarketing

🚨 CEOs: You don’t need a $50K production budget to dominate your market with video. You need clarity, consistency, and a smart strategy. 🚨 This week in the Social South Dakota community, we had an eye-opening discussion about how high-impact video content isn’t about having the most expensive gear—it’s about having the right approach. 📈 Because when video is done right, 👀 it doesn’t just boost visibility 🤑🫰🏻 it drives revenue. 💰💵 We broke it down into 5 key fundamentals: 🎯 Strategy – What’s the business goal behind content? – Who are we talking to? – What action should they take? 🎬 Pre-Production – A little planning goes a long way. – Script. Storyboard. Structure. It’s where magic (and efficiency) happens. 👤 Presence – Whether it’s your CMO or your CEO, how your team shows up on camera defines your brand’s trust factor. 🎥 Equipment – You don’t need Hollywood just smart tools. – A quality mic, good lighting, and a solid camera setup that doesn’t break the bank. 📢 Publishing – It’s not just about posting. – It’s about posting with purpose. Think: algorithm-friendly formats, strong hooks, consistent cadence. 💡The takeaway? If you're not integrating strategic video into your brand-building, you're leaving serious money on the table. You don’t need more budget. You need better execution. Let’s raise the bar without raising the costs. Your brand—and your bottom line—will thank you. *This video does a comparison of video & audio upgrades with a simple mobile phone adjustment & a lapel mic. TOTAL COST $16 #SocialSouthDakota #VideoMarketing #RevenueGrowth #ContentStrategy