Make a Great Instagram Video in 3 Steps

May 11, 2017

We’ve been sharing some quick tips on how to make Social Video work for your business. Catch up on our earlier posts here:

Quick Answer

To create a great Instagram video, businesses should first establish a clear game plan by defining a specific goal, such as showcasing a product or company culture, and setting realistic engagement expectations. Thoughtful shooting is crucial, emphasizing good lighting and varied angles, while being selective with footage due to Instagram's one-minute video time limit. Simple editing can be done within the Instagram app, but for more capability, free apps like Magisto, Boomerang, or Hyperlapse offer tools to enhance video quality and creativity.

Want to make a great Instagram video for your business, but have no idea where to start? Don’t be intimidated by the big-name brands who look like they have it all figured out—making a great video is easier than you might think. Here are 3 steps to walk you through it.

Make a Great Instagram Video in 3 Steps

#1. Start with a clear game plan.

Start by defining a clear goal for your video. For example, you might want to showcase your newest product, offer a sneak preview of your upcoming summer collection, or just offer a window into your company culture. This will help guide your video process. A ‘company culture’ video can be pretty casually produced, if that’s what you’re going for. Also, set a realistic goal for your video, in terms of views or engagement.

#2. Shoot your video thoughtfully.

Make sure you have good lighting for your video—natural light usually looks the best. If you’re shooting a multi-shot video, try to mix up your shots and angles to add interest. You only have 1 minute of Instagram video time, so be selective about what to shoot and include. If you end up with more footage than you can use, save it for a longer video for YouTube!

#3. Edit your Instagram video.

Simple editing can be done right on your phone or within the Instagram app, but your options are limited. If you need a little more editing capability, there are several great free apps out there. We like Magisto because it’s free and really easy to use. You can also try out Boomerang or Hyperlapse, which are Instagram-specific apps. Boomerang creates a short GIF-like looping video from a burst of photos. Hyperlapse can smooth out your footage and speed it up into time-lapse video.

How can you apply these steps to make your Instagram video?

Check out this Coco’s Trading Post video that works well to show off the new company:

Ready to make your Instagram video? If you need us, we can help.

 

Sources:
How to Make Great Videos for Instagram Without Breaking the Bank

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Hana

Contributor

Former Creative Director

Hana focuses on website design, graphic design and email marketing for Technology Aloha and our clients.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1 How can a nonprofit or small business effectively plan an Instagram video to achieve specific goals?

The article suggests starting with a clear game plan by defining a specific goal for your video, such as showcasing a new product, offering a sneak preview, or providing a window into company culture. Setting a realistic goal for views or engagement is also important to guide the video process.

2 What are the key considerations for shooting an Instagram video to ensure good quality?

When shooting, prioritize good natural lighting as it generally looks best. If creating a multi-shot video, mix up your shots and angles to add interest. Remember that Instagram videos are limited to one minute, so be selective about what footage you include.

3 What tools are recommended for editing Instagram videos, especially for businesses or organizations?

Simple editing can be done directly on your phone or within the Instagram app, though options are limited. For more editing capability, the article recommends free and easy-to-use apps like Magisto. Other apps mentioned include Boomerang or Hype.

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