HOW to produce a slick video
1 In a video pitch, what you show is just as important as what you tell. People will unconsciously make judgement on your pitch based on the quality of your video. Make sure you produce a slick video to give yourself the best possible chance to shine through and win people over.
the camera You don’t need to be a pro to produce a great video. There’s no need to use an enormous lens and expensive editing software. These days an iPhone can take high quality video that is easy to upload and easy to film. Here’s a video that can help out:
However, if you do have access to a higher quality camera, or know someone who does, it’s worth an ask to see if they can help. It could improve your video’s quality and save you time, which is pretty important as the quicker you produce it the more time you’ll have to get votes from the public!
2 the shot You’ve got up to 90 seconds for your pitch. It’s short so every word counts and there’s no risk that your viewers will switch off. Besides, if you haven’t convinced them in 90 seconds how amazing your business is, it’s unlikely you will be able to later. You want to keep your video dynamic and punchy. You might want to keep it simple and just talk to camera but you could also use a mix of different shots and perhaps show your product or workspace. Make sure at least one of your shots is a front shot of you talking about your business. For the front shot, choose a background that is simple and contrasts with what you are wearing. “Don’t use a dark background with dark clothes or you could get a a ‘floating head’ effect!” Also make sure you don’t wear busy patterns or colours too as it can cause colour banding in the video. This doesn’t mean the front shot has to be taken in a formal setting; it can be anywhere as long as you stand out clearly. Make sure the camera is at eye-level and use a tripod to avoid shaky footage.
3 lighting The general rule is the more lights the better. Make sure you are somewhere that puts you at the centre of the shot and doesn’t distract the viewer’s attention, i.e. don’t shoot in front of a window. Generally it’s best to have the main light behind the camera facing onto yourself.
4 Getting the
sound right Your pitch needs to be heard clearly by the viewer. Pick a quiet place to avoid any background noise. If you can hear it when filming, the viewer will be able to hear it too – and that will be distracting.
5 the delivery It is important to rehearse your pitch and make sure you communicate it clearly. Take your time, enunciate and don’t speak too quickly. A general rule of thumb is an audience will take-away a maximum of three points, so make sure you know what those are before you record the film. Not quite sure what to say? Check out our guide on how to deliver a winning pitch.
6
Test Do a test! Review your pitch to ensure that your sound and image is the best it can be. When you have finished your video, show it to colleagues, friends and family before you upload it to the website. Ask them for some honest and valuable feedback. They may spot something you’ve missed out or think of a way to communicate your idea in a simpler way. When you are happy with how your video looks and ready to upload it, take a look at our guide on how to upload your video pitch.
7 be creative Originality stands out. Be brave if you’re using visuals and try to make your video look and feel unique. Think about how yours will stand out from other video pitches.
Case study
If you would like to see an example of a good pitch video, check out this one by Snact who are raising money on our partner’s platform – crowdfunder.
When you are happy with how your video looks and it’s ready to upload, take a look at our guide on how to upload your video pitch. Everyone at Virgin Media Business wishes you the very best of luck. We’d love to help you #VOOM.