You're creating thought leadership content. How can you ensure your video production is top-notch?

I follow these 3 rules: 1. Have your unique angle and insight Ditch run-of-the-mill content. Even take a contrarian take to the regular advice if there's merit in in. 2. Keep it specific to your audience Generic content will not fly. Thought leadership content shows your expertise and if done right, your content will have your signature all over it. Make it specific to your audience so it resonates with them. 3. Keep it short and to-the-point No elaborate intros, building up the crescendo etc. Respect your audience's time and intelligence. Keep it short and to-the-point, while simplifying the content (not high-level, or jargon-filled). Avoid dumbing down (insults their intelligence) - just simplify for them to understand easily.

Purpose? It's your guiding light. Before hitting record, nail down your why. What's the core message you're aiming for? How does it align with your brand, niche, or industry? Keep it clear and to the point. Audience? They're your target market. Know them inside and out. ?? Who are they? ?? What keeps them awake? ?? What do they care about? Tailor your video to their needs and pain points. Hit the mark, and you've got their attention.

To plan your video, focus on: *Choose a compelling topic* (1) what hot topic (2) that has impact on the clients you want to reach (3) will allow you to give practical advice and share a recent success story? Ideally the topic would lend itself to a short series of videos. A series of videos shows your expertise - and is more likely to be watched - than a single long video. *Define your goals* (1) What next step (sign up for newsletter, attend event) (2) by people from which industry, type of company or role of person 3) Would you like to result from your video series? *Keep it easy* Do not over complicate your video project - you will risk not finishing it. Clear, practical guidance will show your expertise as a Thought Leader.

To add to this, outline a script or storyboard that organizes the key points and ensures a smooth flow of information in your video. Consider the optimal length for your target audience, keeping in mind that attention spans can vary. Plan your visuals and audio elements to complement your message and maintain viewer engagement. Choose an appropriate filming location, ensuring good lighting and clear audio. If using graphics or animations, ensure they enhance rather than distract from your message. After filming, invest time in post-production editing to refine your content and ensure a polished final product.

Crafting compelling thought leadership content hinges on the power of storytelling, especially when drawing from personal experiences. Begin by outlining the video's objective and drafting a preliminary script. Then, seamlessly integrate personal anecdotes and past experiences into your narrative framework. Throughout the process, maintain a clear focus on your initial goal. By infusing your story with purpose, you'll ensure it resonates deeply with your audience. When executed effectively, this approach yields exceptional results. So, take a calm and methodical approach, leveraging your insights and experiences to create content that truly captivates your audience.

Alright, let's talk about planning your script and storyboard. This is where the magic starts brewing. Your script? It's like the blueprint for your video. It lays out every detail: ?? The content ?? The vibe ?? How it all flows Then, there's the storyboard; think of it as your visual map. It shows how your video unfolds scene by scene, shot by shot, like a sneak peek into the final product. Planning this stuff isn't just about getting organized; it's about keeping your audience hooked. You don't want to lose them in a sea of confusion, right? So, grab your pen, sketch out your vision, and let's get this show on the road.

Before you hit record, take a moment to sketch out your ideas and organise your thoughts. Scripting is crucial because it's the backbone of any video production. You need an engaging and clean script to create engaging videos that showcase your expertise and capture your audience's attention.

THE SETTING is a LOW-HANGING-FRUIT WIN for a quality video. Here are a few basics to get right: 1. The INTENTIONAL BACKGROUND: place your brand attributes in the background around you, such as for example thematic books, symbolic objects, your product, flags, logos, book titles, pictures etc. 2. The NATURAL LIGHTING: aim for the DAYLIGHT EFFECT through the use of front and side lamps. Avoid the pointing lights from above as they create unfavourable shadow on your face. You could choose to record during the day facing the window for natural lighting effect. 3. The FRAME - camera position is key: the best is direct eye level positioning or slightly angled down, frame carefully to avoid cutting top of your head or sides

Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of video production: ?? Equipment ?? Location Now, before you start stressing about breaking the bank on fancy gear, chill. You don't need to splurge on the latest Hollywood tech. But here's the deal: your camera, mic, lighting, and editing software need to match your vibe and budget. Got it? Great. Now, let's talk about location. Find a spot that's as quiet as a library, bright as day, and fits your topic like a glove. Your gear and setting? They're the unsung heroes of your production, smoothing out technical bumps, boosting your visual and audio game, and giving you that polished, pro look. So, choose wisely, my friend. It's the difference between "meh" and "wow."

Don't overthink it. Grab your phone, set it on a tripod, position yourself in front of a light source, and start experimenting. The more comfortable you are in front of the camera, the smoother the process of creating engaging videos will be.

In the fast paced world, where time is shrinking and shrinking especially when one is in 40's and 50's, what I do for my self is use Teleprompter apps and AI tools for editing like making my eyes look into the camera. Practice certainly stands out when you speak from the whole body, the above mentioned tip is to make some quick ones in case you are at crunch of time.

Once you've got your equipment and location set, it's time to get down to business: ?? Practice ?? Record your video Practicing sharpens your: ?? Delivery ?? Boosts your confidence ?? Fine-tunes your timing Recording allows you to: ?? Capture your best performance ?? Tweak settings ?? Fix any slip-ups Be prepared to do multiple takes until you're satisfied. Practicing and recording ensure your video is polished, engaging, and showcases your expertise effectively.

Now, onto the crucial finale: editing and optimizing your video. This step is where the magic happens. You'll slice, dice, and merge your clips, weaving them into a seamless masterpiece. Don't forget the transitions, effects, and music; they add flavor. Oh, and captions and branding elements? Essential touches. Let's not overlook sound and color — quality matters. Then comes optimization: formatting, compressing, and exporting for your chosen platform or device. Sprinkle in some metadata, tags, and thumbnails for that SEO boost. This isn't just about polish; it's about: · Making your video shine · Ensuring it grabs attention · Achieves your goals

For editing, I recommend hiring an external, competent editor. Freelancers typically charge the lowest fees, but the most difficult aspect is maintaining discipline with new freelancers. Check their profile to see if they've previously worked with any other coaches or leaders. Also, most basic editors are reels and short form video focused, which may not work for deeper subject matter experts and high impact individuals such as thought leaders, so make sure to conduct a POC (proof of concept) before signing any contracts. I hope this helps.

Engaging and good content is engaging and good whether or not you have a strong script or good equipment or anything else. I don't know that I agree with some of the steps in this article being such a focus. I grew a large social media following and brand by sitting in front of a phone with mediocre lighting and a beard that usually had to be trimmed. No script, no special equipment, just an authentic and helpful message that people connected with. Focus there before investing all of this time and money.

Top-notch or not, does it matter? If you are Elon Musk, even a low-quality meme gif video from him racks up hundreds of thousands of likes and reshares. But we are not. Instead of striving for a top-notch video, focus on building your brand. It is what matters.

Just 2 days back, I was having a discussion with a very senior coach about why did he stopped posting his video content. He mentioned that it was very difficult to sustain going to a studio to get the recording done. He said that he is panning to setup a studio at home to which I suggested otherwise. Owning a creative agency, I suggest the new coaches and leaders to invest in a good mobile camera phone or a GoPro, some basic lights and a good background. Once you start making money, you can start investing is hiring externals. Remember the task is to keep the video content creation operation light to sustain it. Additionally, conducting thorough research and planning out the content beforehand can help stand out.