How I Make Videos

As Salam Aleykum Everyone!

We've been talking about "content creators" in the previous editions — how career creators think long-term and what helpful habits to adopt etc. Now, let's focus on the "content" itself.

I feel like video content is the most accessible for the audience and for the makers. It’s a great story-telling medium which helps us really build a connection with our audience. Which is why a lot of people, including myself, gravitate towards video content.

YouTube has changed the game when it comes to video content. It remains the most engaging and highest-converting content format of the digital age. There has not been a better time to be a video content creator. These days, all you need is a working internet connection, a smartphone and a platform to post it on.

Getting to the technicalities; it only takes 4 very important steps to turn your idea into a video. I’m going to take you through how I personally go about these four steps:

✍️Scripting 
Your script is the blueprint of your content. It's where you put all your ideas, thoughts, and creativity into words on paper. This is also where you answer questions like “What do I want my audience to take away from this?” “How long should it be?”, “What will move them emotionally?”

It's like having a roadmap that takes you through the entire video-making journey, helping you stay focused and making sure you don't miss any important points. Whether you're making a how-to guide, sharing your personal experiences, or making a movie for that matter, a thoughtfully written script not only gets the attention of your audience but also keeps it .

An advantage I’ve noticed about having a funny script is that it allows you to be more flexible and creative. You’re not worried about sticking to the exact structure of the script, you can always think on your feet because you understand the core of what you want to do.

🎥Shooting
Once your script is finalized up to 90% (I prefer to leave some room for improvisation) shooting is where the magic happens, this is where your script comes to life. Back in the day, shooting a video was something that you needed to be qualified for; with professional cameras and lighting and sounds.

While it’s just as relevant today, if you’re starting out - a smartphone and a bit of space is all you need. This tutorial by Anthony Gallo is great because it’s just 20 mins and it covers all that you need to know to start filming with a smartphone. This video by Think Media shows how you can set up lighting for your videos with just one light. I also highly recommend saving two copies of your footage in two different places, trust me, I speak from experience.

✂️Editing
Just like a chef perfects a dish with the right seasoning, editing enhances your video's flavor and appeal. So, don't underestimate the power of editing – it's where the real magic unfolds!

Editing is not just selecting the best shots and arranging them in a cohesive sequence. It’s also adding special effects, music, and transitions to improve your audience’s viewing experience. It's a process that needs a lot of patience, creativity, and attention to detail, but the end result can be truly rewarding.

Before I had an editor, I edited almost 300 of my videos using iMovie, and I kept improving using techniques I learned online. If you’re looking to start editing and you don’t know where to begin, check out this video, it covers all the basics and things you need to know.

The great thing about YouTube is that there are thousands of editing tutorials and editing hacks, that no matter what problem you’re facing, you’ll find a solution to it.

🔍Review and Refine
Watch your final video multiple times, looking for areas that can be improved or tweaked. I also like to have a fresh pair of eyes to look at it and give me feedback. Trust your instincts but also be open to making adjustments to make your video even better. But be cautious of falling into analysis paralysis, where you overanalyze and it becomes difficult to make decisions. I look forward to hearing feedback from my team, my community and other creators. Once the video goes up, I love hearing feedback from the audience as well. I get an understanding of how and what parts of it they enjoyed, what they would like to see more of in the future.

If you find yourself in this position, I liked this article by Todoist that really breaks down the concept of analysis paralysis, explaining when and how it occurs, and gives you effective strategies to work through it.

In Other News 📰

I’m planning my last Biryani Video, next week, we will be travelling to Hyderabad. At the request of many of my followers, which many say is where Biryani was introduced to the world. We’re super excited!

Much love & God Bless ❤️✌️,
Khalid