Video Recording Tips Every Small Business Owner Should Know
Video is the most powerful format on social media right now. It gets more reach, more engagement, and more saves than almost anything else.
And the barrier to creating it? Lower than you think.
You don't need a studio. You don't need a DSLR. You don't need a professional lighting setup. You need a phone, good light, decent audio, and a steady hand. Here's how to nail all four.
Tip 1: Get Your Orientation Right
Portrait (vertical) orientation is the default for Reels, TikTok, and Stories.
Landscape (horizontal) is for YouTube, website videos, and presentations.
If you're creating for Instagram and Facebook, film vertically. Every time. Filming horizontally and then cropping to portrait loses quality and cuts off important parts of your frame. Set yourself up correctly before you hit record.
Tip 2: Sort Your Lighting First
Lighting is where most phone videos fall apart.
The fix is almost always the same: natural light, facing a window.
Position yourself so the window is in front of you (lighting your face or subject) and the camera is between you and the window. This gives you soft, even, flattering light without any special gear.
Avoid filming with a window or bright light source directly behind you - it turns you into a silhouette. If you're in a darker space, a small ring light or LED panel makes a significant difference.
Tip 3: Fix Your Audio (People Will Leave If They Can't Hear You)
Viewers will forgive average visuals. They will not forgive painful audio.
Before you start recording:
Move away from background noise (traffic, fridges, air conditioning, coffee machines)
If there's wind, tuck yourself into a corner or face away from it
Do a 10-second test recording and listen back before you film the full take
If you're creating a lot of talking-to-camera content, a wireless microphone is the single biggest quality upgrade you can make. We use the DJI Mic Mini on shoots - it's compact, affordable, and makes a huge difference.
Tip 4: Stabilise Your Shot
Shaky footage is distracting. Here's how to fix it without spending money:
Body technique: Hold your phone with both hands. Tuck your elbows into your sides. Soften your knees. Move from your hips, not your arms. This instantly reduces shake on walk-through and pan shots.
Simple gear: A basic tripod costs less than $30 and is invaluable for talking-to-camera content. If you're filming movement, a gimbal smooths things out significantly.
Tip 5: A Quick Format Cheat Sheet
Reels, TikTok, Stories: Portrait (9:16)
Facebook and Instagram feed videos: Portrait or square (1:1)
YouTube: Landscape (16:9)
Website header videos: Landscape (16:9)
When in doubt, portrait works for social. Landscape works for everything else.
Your Pre-Record Checklist
✅ Phone is in portrait orientation
✅ Light source is in front of you
✅ Background noise is minimised
✅ Phone is steady (tripod, gimbal, or body technique)
✅ You've done a 10-second test and it looks and sounds good
Ready to Create Content That Looks the Part?
Our Content Creation workshop covers mobile photography, video recording, CapCut editing, Canva graphics, and caption writing - all in one afternoon.
Or, if you'd rather leave the filming to us, our content creation packages cover everything from strategy to shoot day to the finished product.
Get in touch to find out more.
