How to Make the Perfect Crowdfunding Video for Less Than $40
Thinking of running a Kickstarter campaign for your idea? You need a good video, no doubt about it.
Statistically speaking, campaigns with videos do far better than campaigns without. This is because they engage, educate, build trust and drive action more than text and images alone.
But you have a problem. You don’t have a fancy camera, you’ve never made a promotional video before and your budget might as well be zero.
Does this sound like you? If so I might be able to help. Here are 5 tips to recording the perfect crowdfunding video for your project.
Tip 1. How To Get Hold Of The Perfect Camera For Free
Recording a high quality compelling video is no longer just possible for film studios and people with all the best gear. Nowadays the power to do the same is in your hands. Literally.
Assuming you bought a smartphone in the last couple of years, your phone is more than good enough to record good quality video. Chances are it has auto-focus, auto light balance and can record in HD. It might even do time-lapses and slow motion!
All your phone needs is a little help, read below to find out what.
Tip 2. How To Supercharge Your Audio
Although smartphones have improved in many ways over the last few years. Capturing high quality audio isn’t one of them.
Almost all smartphones produce tinny, noise-filled audio when recording videos. This is fine for WhatsApp, SnapChat and Skype, but not for professional sounding video.
Luckily there’s an easy solution! You can get low cost microphones for as little as $20–$40 that plug into your phone (or connect to it via Bluetooth if you don’t have a headphone jack). They’re not going to record perfectly crisp audio, but it will be a lot better than your phone, and plenty good enough for a crowdfunding video.
Tip 3. Get The World’s Best Lighting Rig For Free
You already use this light source every day and it’s perfect for lighting up prototypes, people and scenes. I’m talking about the sun!
Indirect sunlight is the perfect colour temperature for good colour reproduction. It avoid “yellowing” of your footage like indoor lights too. It’s also bright enough to make everything crisp and clear looking.
For best results record inside close to a window, with something large and white the other side of the subject (like a bed sheet or whiteboard). This will partially reflect the light back onto the other side of the subject so it’s not in shadow. If you want to record outside, aim to do so on a cloudy day so the light is more diffused and not too bright.
Optional: if more light is needed (for small subjects or close-up work) you can use low cost ($30-$40) LED lamps which are readily available online. If your budget allows, go for a dimmable one with colour temperature control. It’ll give you more flexibility.
Tip 4. Keep it Short, Sweet and Simple
If it’s your first foray into Kickstarter videos don’t be too ambitious. Instead aim to:
Get the important stuff in in the first 2 minutes. If it’s longer than this you can assumed lots of people won’t watch past the first 2 minutes. Just put the “nice to haves” after the 2 minute mark.
Follow this basic format: 1) Outline problem. 2) Explain your solution and how to addresses this problem. 3) Highlight how your idea benefits the people watching (i.e. what’s in it for them?) and 4) Finish with a call to action (i.e. “back this campaign to get yourself a [WIDGET]”).
Steer clear of excessive humor: It’s true that, if done well, funny Kickstarter and Indiegogo videos can be wildly successful. But it’s a gamble; if the humor doesn’t quite hit the mark it might come off as awkward. Think a comedian doing stand-up at a comedy club with no-one laughing…
Short, sweet and simple. That’s it!
Tip 5: Do’s & Don’ts
Don’t: Make false claims, be too salesy or over the top, or rely on fancy video effects and over the top music in the place of real substance.
Do: Show the person/ people behind the idea, this helps build trust.
Do: Show footage of a working prototype if your idea is a physical product.
Do: Include testimonials, awards and other credibility building stuff if possible.
That’s All, Folks
So there you have it, 5 tips to to record the perfect crowdfunding video for $40 or less. Hopefully a tip or two here offers something new to help you out. All that’s left to say now is, good luck with your video and campaign!
About The Author
Simon runs Version 22, an awarding winning consumer product company with a few ideas of its own.
Simon has set himself the challenge of raising £100,000 with his own Kickstarter campaign in 100 days. You can follow along with this “100 To Launch” challenge here.
