Answer
Can the clips on my phone really become a marketing video?
Yes; phone video is all it takes. If you shoot a few seconds before you start, a few while you work, and a few when you're done, that's enough for a 20 to 30 second vertical video for Facebook and Instagram.
I do this for $300 a month: up to 4 videos, each in 3 different styles so you pick the one you like.
Example: a deck build for Howe Renovations
Bare framing to finished railings in under 30 seconds, cut from Mike's own phone and drone clips. You can watch it, and a basement remodel, on the homepage.
What to shoot on the job
- Before, from where you'll stand at the end. The best before-and-after shots are taken from the same spot. Pick a corner, shoot it before you start, and shoot it again when you're done.
- Hold it still for 5 to 10 seconds. Short, steady clips are easier to work with than one long walk-around.
- Shoot vertically. Hold the phone upright; that's how people watch on Facebook and Instagram.
- Get the in-between. Framing, tile going down, the first coat of paint. These are what make it feel like a real job and not a stock photo.
- Drone footage helps, but you don't need it.
One thing people get caught on: music
Music you pick inside Facebook or Instagram is licensed for those apps only. If you want the same video on your website or YouTube, it needs music you're allowed to use everywhere. When a video is going to more than one place, I use music made for it so it can be posted anywhere.
How it works with me
- You send your clips, however you have them.
- I sort them into before, during and after, cut them to the music, and send back 3 versions with different music and pacing.
- You pick one and post it that day; it comes sized for Facebook and Instagram.
Common questions
How long are the videos?
Usually 20 to 30 seconds. Short enough that people watch to the end.
Do I have to be in the video?
No. Most of my videos are just the work: before, during and after.
What does it cost?
$300 a month for up to 4 videos, with 3 versions of each. Billed monthly; cancel any time.