Video Software

Video Software Tips

Video software can be a great small business tool. But to create effective videos, you need to know how to shoot and manipulate video footage in a way that sets the stage for video software to produce your best work.

Great business videos require planning.

You can't get very far without first-rate footage, but unless you know how to create your footage in the right manner you could sabotage your efforts in the editing room. The bottom line is that the editing process can either be fun and exciting or a long, uphill battle, depending on the amount of organization you put into the early stages of the project.

Far too often, business owners have an idea for a video project and then send their staff on a mission to collect hours of random footage. That's unfortunate because video is becoming an important tool for marketing your company's message in both online and offline venues. And the more upfront thought you put into the project, the more effective your videos will be when they are seen by consumers.

In theory, video editing software solutions should improve the quality of your videos because they give you the flexibility and function to produce great-looking videos in-house. But to squeeze the maximum ROI out of your video software investment, you'll need to pay attention to a few common sense video software tips.

• Plan before you shoot. The format you use for planning your video shoot isn't as important as the fact that you've created some kind of strategy for getting the footage you need for the final product. Some companies rely on a rough outline while others work from detailed scripts. But no matter which format you choose, remember that the amount of effort you invest in planning will have a direct impact on the success of your project.
• Create storyboards & shot lists. Storyboards and shot lists create a framework for raw footage collection and play a significant role in the editing process. If you haven't taken the time to sequence your shots, you risk the possibility of story gaps that can't be corrected in the editing room.
• Edit from timelines. The most common way to begin the editing process is to insert video clips into the software application using a timeline derived from the storyboard or shot list. A timeline approach to editing creates a functional framework that can be reworked and enhanced until you are satisfied that you have a viable final product.
• Use transitions. Most video software solutions come with a variety of transitions that can be used to piece clips together, creating a visually appealing and seamless presentation.
• Enhance audio quality. Pay careful attention to the quality of your audio. Multi-track editing solutions treat audio as a separate track and streamline audio syncing requirements. Also, don't forget to normalize the audio to account for variations in volume and tone.

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