Videos are becoming an effective way to share your message during this age of social media. With today's smartphones and tablets, it's easy to create professional-looking videos. So here are some helpful hints to help you get the best results. Clean your camera lenses on both sides of your phone or tablet. When oils build up on the glass you'll see a haze in your photos and videos. Make sure you have enough memory. Video can use a lot of storage. Position camera at eye level or above. Recording in landscape (horizontally) is preferred so your video will fill the entire screen which is preferred for broadcast television. Make sure you can see yourself on camera while recording. Make sure your face is framed correctly and is at a proper distance (not too close, not too far). Keep the light in front of your face. Natural filtered light from the outside is best. Bright light behind you makes it harder to see you and your facial expressions. Avoid harsh shadows such as when standing in direct sunlight. Use your earbuds with built-in mic for better sound quality. The closer the mic is to your voice the better sound quality. Dress appropriately. Stay well-groomed. Apply some makeup if needed to reduce the shine on your face. Remove any visual distractions behind you such as doors, furniture, wall art, etc. Practice, Practice, Practice. Practicing helps you internalize your message making you appear more natural. It also helps eliminate long pauses, filler words, false starts, awkward facial expressions, or other distractions that may take away from your message. Record multiple videos and choose the best one. Upload your video to your favorite photo or storage site like YouTube, Google Photos, Google Drive, Dropbox, or One Drive. Share the link with Kelly Loussedes, and your state and local chapter leaders.
