Beginner's Guide: How to Create a Corporate Video

If you’re a business owner who is interested in developing your online brand further, video creation is an excellent and essential skill to have! For some, video creation may feel like a chore, especially if you don’t consider yourself to be a creative person. 

With technology finding its way into all aspects of daily life, it’s easy for those who may not identify as creative to create compelling content that assists in promoting visibility for their business, services and products.

If you’re a beginner looking for a few tips and tricks on video creation and editing, then look no further. Video production and editing can be a bit overwhelming at first, but with a bit of patience and practice, you’ll get the hang of it. Read on to find our beginner's guide to corporate video creation!

Here’s our guide on how to create and edit corporate videos!

Choosing your filming equipment for a corporate video

When it comes to the creation and editing of video, the equipment you choose is important to the process. First, you’ll require a desktop computer or laptop with a decent monitor alongside a video card. Most newer computer models come equipped with a video editing card, but older models may not have them.

If your computer is a little bit older, make sure to check the video editing software's specifications so that you can determine whether your computer and the software are compatible. If you find your computer can’t handle the software, you’ll need to consider upgrading your system.

Often, older computers cannot handle video editing software as it will require a certain size of hard drive and a large amount of memory to run smoothly. If you are investing in a new computer, make sure to choose one that can be upgraded later in case you decide to invest further time and energy into crafting a personal brand through video creation and editing.

Choosing between working on a Mac or PC comes down to personal preference, though it is sometimes argued that a Mac is easier for beginners whereas a PC is favoured for intermediate or professional editors. However, either can be used and it is recommended that you go with the one which you feel most comfortable.

Choosing your video editing software

There are plenty of options on the market when it comes to choosing a video editing software. All options will vary in price as well as the skill set required to operate them. If you’d consider yourself a beginner, it is recommended that you test out the free video editing options before you invest in anything too expensive.

At first, you might find the interface for your video editing software to be slightly complex. But do not worry, it’ll just require a bit of time and patience to understand how to use this software. It would be wise to look up a tutorial on the basics of the software you choose, and we’ll mention a few common choices below:

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Free video editing options:

Shortcut: This is a free and open-source video editing software that can be used across multiple platforms. It works for Linux, Windows and Mac OS X. This software is straightforward for those who are new to video editing, and you can import files in multiple formats including MP4 as well as still JPEG images.

iMovie: This program comes installed on new Mac computers, and corresponding apps can be downloaded on iOS devices. Some may not consider this program as user-friendly as other video editing software. However, after watching a few tutorials, we’re certain you can get the hang of it. iMovie integrates video, as well as music and still photos that work across all devices.

VSCD Video Editor: This program runs exclusively on Windows Vista 7, 8 and 10. If you find you like this software, there is also an option to upgrade to a paid version. Also, this program is compatible with iPhone and is easy enough for first-time video creators and editors.

Paid options:

Final Cut Pro: Final Cut Pro is a professional video editing software option that is industry standard. However, this program works for Macs alone. Final Cut has a similar interface to iMovie, so if you’ve growing comfortable with that program but are looking for a more professional option, this would be the way to go. This program has several options for customization, including speed control and final video formatting.

Adobe Premiere: Adobe Premiere will be initially expensive, but this program is a long-term investment that will make even the simplest of business videos looking professional. Premiere's interface is quite traditional and very user-friendly. A bonus is that this intuitive program can be used on a Mac or a PC.

Making the corporate video

We can’t lie, shooting video is quite complex. Planning is fundamental to the success of short films and videos, so start your planning process by writing a detailed script. The script of your video should describe all the visuals and audio elements that you intend on including, in the exact order that they will happen. 

The script will also help you to determine the length of the video. For business videos, it is recommended that you keep it short and sweet. we are suggesting under 2 minutes long.

Your video should be to the point and compelling, avoid loading it with unnecessary information or images. Do a bit of homework and consider the structure of commercials or marketing videos you've seen and loved recently, especially those with products or services that are related to yours. Learn from the best to be the best!

If the video you are creating is meant for marketing purposes or for increasing the visibility of your business, it is important to consider your target audience. 

Make sure your video is created to capture their attention, and to list the reasons why your business could benefit them. Of course, listing your company benefits should be subtle and fun, so get creative! When shooting, consider all shots and angles.

Close-ups will translate well if you are focused in on a product, whereas wider shots should be left for interactions between people or on the surrounding building or landscape. 

If you are considering adding motion graphic or animations, it might be beneficial to hire a professional. Animations can have a significant impact, but they can be costly. If your budget is limited, it would be recommended you avoid these features. 

Editing & exporting your video

Once everything has been carefully shot, either using a handheld camera or your phone, you will need to start transferring the material onto your computer or device. 

Make an accessible folder on your desktop or otherwise, and store all unedited files in one place. Footage can be copied directly from your iPhone or, if you were using an SLR camera, directly from the SD card.

The way you edit your photos will depend on the software you’re using. As we stated, it is recommended that you watch a tutorial detailing the simplest functions of editing video.

Go through all your raw footage to decipher the best shots and takes, being critical of important aspects including pacing, line delivery and facial expression. 

Once you’ve found the takes you want to include, put them in order on your timeline. There will be several tools available so that you can create seamless transitions and make sure your video looks flawless.

After the major clips have been assembled, and transitions between them are established, make fine adjustments to the flow of your video. You want your video to come across with a human touch, rather than robotic. For this reason, do everything in your power to make things flow seamlessly.

Adding background music plays another key role. Music will determine the tone of your video as well as creating emotion and power around the message. This will be the last step, and music should only be added after all the other edits have been fine-tuned. Choose a song to complement your content.

Remember, there are plenty of free sound banks online where you can find music and effects that do not require a copyright. It would be best to avoid using commercial music for your promotional materials, as this could be a lawsuit in the works. Further, when you do add music, make sure that it is at the right volume and doesn’t overpower the narrative.

Once all the elements are set in place, you are almost ready to export the final product! Maybe consider getting a second set of eyes and ears to see if they notice anything you might have missed. Also, before exporting, make sure to watch and listen to the video on a variety of different devices so that you can make sure it feels right from more than one perspective. Once you are satisfied with the final product, hit the export button!

Looking for tips on corporate photography (headshots, product photos, office photos, etc.)? Check out our article Beginner's tips on photo creation for websites and businesses.