Free tools for your first live video

Have you noticed that social media has been shifting lately? Welcome to the world of live-stream video. The filters of Snapchat, the floating hearts of Periscope, the world of Instagram Stories and Facebook Live: suddenly, everyone wants to see your face in real time. But as a video editor who likes hiding behind the camera just as much as the next introvert, I know it can feel overwhelming + like the tech hurdle is just too high to jump over, along with everything else you have on your plate.

But here’s the good news: a lot of the storytelling and social media principles you’re already implementing also apply to live video, and you don’t need to rush out and buy a bunch of fancy new gear. True story: the majority of my clients film their videos with iPhones. So let me break down the essentials of what you really need for great video:

The Essentials for Great Live Video:

• A Stable Surface: a tripod like this one I use (*affiliate link*) would be ideal, but let’s be honest, a stack of books works! A stable surface eliminates shaky footage, one of the major distractions in a video. This piece of “gear” is less important for short snippets of Snapchat and IG stories, but still, something to keep in mind. Our hands tend to shake more when we hold our breath, so if you’re taking videos for Snap or Insta, remember to breathe! 😉
• Natural light: I’m all for minimizing equipment, so filming in soft natural light whenever possible cuts out the need for lighting rigs and other fancy stuff. Those things have their place (when creating course videos for example), but for the quick clips, stay natural and put that sunshine to work for you.
• A good story: So what exactly makes a good story? Try to share from one of these categories: things that educate, things that inspire, or behind-the-scenes. Do you have a daily social media tip to share? Want to take us behind the scenes on a buying trip for your boutique? These are the elements that add value to your live video + are a natural continuation of your other social media content.
• A lot of grace: There are very few of us mere mortals who are naturally gifted at being on camera. Give yourself grace and approach live video as a training ground where you can experiment and learn. Bonus: Snaps + IG Stories disappear after 24 hours, so that makes it even easier to approach in a light-hearted way.

Don’t make video content harder for yourself than it has to be.

If you discover that it’s your jam, then invest in the better camera or the lighting equipment or the professional editing (hey, girl, hey!) but being the resourceful boss that you are, I know you can create amazing things using what you’ve already got in your hand.