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Video can be a compelling format
to help your brand come to life for shoppers,
from showcasing creative details or techniques
behind your products,
to providing inspiration about how your items can be used.
Thanks to smartphones,
capturing high quality videos doesn't have to be complicated.
In the first half of this video,
we'll walk you through the nuts and bolts of capturing short-form videos
that can be used for social media, listing videos, and more.
Then we'll share content ideas
to help you get your creative juices flowing.
Let's get started.
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Before you begin filming,
make sure your phone is charged
and check to see that you have at least 2 GB of storage space,
so you can capture as much footage as needed.
Choose a spot to film with plenty of indirect natural light.
Allowing light to softly fall on you
or your subject from the side
will have an illuminating effect.
Avoid harsh, direct light
from behind or in front of your subject.
Keeping your camera steady is one of the best ways
to make a video look more professional,
especially if you're filming a process video
that will be sped up.
A simple tripod or a clip-on stand
can be helpful for stability.
If you're planning to record audio with your videos,
there are a few important elements to keep in mind:
Make sure you speak clearly
and are positioned within a few feet of your phone
to get the best quality.
You'll also want to think about background noises
and whether they'll distract from the content of your video.
Using a royalty-free music site
is an easy and inexpensive way to source music.
Just always be sure to read the fine print.
We'll link to a few examples in this video's description.
Many smartphones have two cameras,
one on the front and one on the back.
While the front camera is a great option
for shooting selfie videos,
use the camera on the back
when filming other video formats
since it captures higher quality video.
Make sure the resolution settings is set to 1080p HD
at 30 frames per second.
From an iPhone, you can go to Settings > Camera > Record Video
to select this option.
Focus the shot by tapping on
the most important subject in the frame.
If your phone has a feature
that auto-locks for focus and exposure,
most iPhones do,
hold your finger on that spot
until the camera indicates the AE/AF Lock is activated.
This will ensure that your subject will stay focused and well-lit.
Once you have everything set up,
take some test videos
to make sure everything looks the way you want.
Change things around until you're happy.
Once you're ready, just press Record.
Use the Trim function on your phone
to cut off any extra footage at the beginning
or at the end of your favorite clips.
There's no magic number for length of your final video,
but somewhere between 15 to 45 seconds typically works well.
You want to keep the viewer engaged as much as possible,
so it's a good idea to cut out stagnant moments
and use a mix of different shots if possible.
Now that we've covered the basics of how to record videos using your phone,
it's time to get inspired.
Whether you're recording videos of yourself
or your products,
personality is key to engaging your audience.
Be yourself.
Don't worry about trying to create videos
identical to someone else.
Instead, focus on sharing what's unique about you,
your brand and your items.
It's also helpful to think about telling a story with your videos
rather than simply selling a product.
Buyers are averse to videos that seemed too much like an ad
or like you're pushing products on them.
As you brainstorm ideas,
think about how you can pique your viewers curiosity
to keep them engaged.
Here are some content ideas to help you get started.
Show your process.
We've seen these types of videos perform really well
on Etsy social media accounts.
Remember, you can always speed up your videos
within TikTok and Instagram
to show a time-lapsed video of your creation process
while keeping viewers engaged.
Record a tutorial.
Do you sell patterns or kits?
Consider recording a tutorial video of yourself
putting together or creating one of your items.
Show how easy it is to use
or show how you can put your own creative spin on the materials.
This is a great way to get potential buyers excited about your items.
Give a studio tour.
Give audiences a tour of your studio space
and the tools you use to create your items.
Pack an order.
Show your buyers what it looks like when you pack up an order.
Pack-an-order-with-me videos
are a great way to engage with your audience
and give buyers a behind-the-scenes look at your process.
Show your products in use.
If you sell wearable items,
like jewelry, accessories, clothing, or shoes,
filming your items on a model
helps clearly convey scale and movement.
It's also an opportunity
to style the piece with complementary items in your shop
to encourage multi-item orders,
like earrings and a necklace
or a dress paired with a jacket.
Think about how you can use video
to highlight any of your product's multidimensional components
that might not translate in a static image.
If your items are used for a specific function,
like a vintage French press
or minimalist jewelry stands.
Uploading a simple demo of the product in use
can have a big impact.
For home-and-living items,
consider adding a video demonstrating the ease of installation
or showcasing styling suggestions to engage shoppers.
Address common questions.
Any experienced online seller knows how difficult it can be
to ensure that shoppers take the time
to read detailed listing descriptions.
Video can be a fun and engaging way
to address those common buyer questions.
If you offer item variations,
like different sizes, colors, or materials,
think about ways to demonstrate these options in a video, too.
The most important thing to remember with video content
is to have fun and experiment.
No one is an expert overnight.
The more you try it,
the better and the more comfortable you'll get
with creating content that engages
and grows your audience.
For more tips, visit etsy.me/seller-handbook
or visit the link in this video's description.