Video Content Creation Tips

Applying for International Roles? Let’s Talk About Videos I have been seeing a lot of mistakes lately with people applying for international jobs, and I thought to share because not everyone knows how this thing actually works. Recruitment processes are changing every day, and one of the biggest changes is the request for an introductory video rather than a cover letter alongside your CV. Now, let me tell you, if a company asks for a video and you don’t send one, there’s a very high chance your application will be overlooked. And even if you send a video, the quality of that video matters a lot. I have seen people record with poor lighting, noisy backgrounds, or even mumbling so their voice isn’t clear. Some wear clothes that are simply not appropriate, I have literally seen spaghetti straps, bonnets, and even hair nets in job application videos. Please, that is highly unprofessional. Nobody is asking you to wear a three piece suit, but at least look neat, put together, and presentable. Now, imagine you’re applying for a sales role or a customer service role where you’re going to be in front of customers. Your appearance really matters because you’re the first contact people have with the company. You’re basically the face of the brand. No company would want someone showing up to a client meeting looking tattered or unprepared, so why send a shabby video? Always act like the role is already yours. Represent well. Your environment also plays a huge role. A plain background, good lighting, and clear sound can make all the difference. And please, do yourself a favor and tilt your phone horizontally or better still record with a laptop/tablet, it just looks way more professional than the “Instagram story” style vertical videos. And nooo, don’t record your video while lying on the bed or walking on the road 😅. And one more thing, don’t rush it. If you’re tired or not prepared, it’s okay to wait until you can record something that truly represents you. A rushed video will only hurt you. In some companies, no matter how strong your CV is, a poor or missing video means you will not move forward. And if a recruiter even gives you another chance to re-record, that’s a big sign they really liked your CV, don’t waste it. The international job market is competitive, and honestly, it’s the little details like this that set you apart. That said, wishing you all happy new week ahead!

Video interviews are the norm these days, so, students and grads here are some tips to help you prepare: Check your internet, camera, and mic beforehand. The VC platforms (Teams, Zoom, etc.) are quite different. Do a practice run. Connect a few minutes early in case of last-minute glitches (you'll be stressed enough already). Find a quiet, well-lit space with a plain background. Avoid messy wardrobes or posters, or your bed. Make sure your camera is at eye level—stack books or use whatever you have (I've used suitcases, books, and my child’s toy box over the years!). Wear professional attire, head to toe. Ditch the PJ bottoms - it’ll help you feel more polished. Plus, if you need to stand up unexpectedly ... :) Research the company, practice common questions, and practice your elevator pitch (in front of a mirror or with a friend). You won't have people across from you, so online interviews can feel a bit "flat". Bring a bit more enthusiasm. Look into the camera - it’s like making eye contact in real life. Have a glass of water handy. If you panic or need time to think, take a sip. It gives you a moment to gather yourself without it being obvious. Only ask questions if you genuinely want to know. If time is tight, as online interviews often have a time limit, don't scramble to say something. Wrap it up, thanking them for their time. (Pop them an email after if you think of something you forgot to ask). Confidence comes from preparation. You’ve got this - good luck! #CareerTips #VideoInterview #JobSearch #CareerCoaching #GraduateRecruitment Please share.

I succeeded as an executive in part because I knew how to command a room. Today, it’s not enough to show up strong in person. Here are 3 ways to build a strong video presence: Note: video presence isn’t just for people aiming for leadership roles. Video interviews are the default, so presence on video matters to anyone looking for a new job. Here are three direct actions I recommend to increase your online hireability: 1) Image and Location Don’t take video calls from the car or train, and turn your camera on. Make sure you are in a quiet, peaceful location with a neutral backdrop. You don’t need to be in a professional studio, but your environment should say “I am taking this seriously.” Practical truths: --If it is a small call and you already have credibility with everyone on it, you can get away with the occasional call from bad locations. Make this choice intentionally and sparingly. --You can go off camera only when you are truly a lurker, with no expectation of being asked anything or needing to say anything. You cannot have presence as a black screen. 2) Be animated Make eye contact, use gestures and facial expressions, and don’t speak in a monotone. If you want people to be engaged with what you are saying, you also need to be engaged. 3) Enjoy the conversation and be present If it seems like you would rather be somewhere else, your team (or the interviewers) will notice. They will be less compelled to support you, work for you, or hire you. Your energy and excitement is a lever- use it. In today’s newsletter, startup founder Simran Dua has packed in pages of specific tips for how she projected presence as the new CEO of a team just as COVID forced everyone onto Zoom. She explains how to inject your virtual meetings with more energy for you and the team, how to get engagement from the group (and avoid the dreaded Zoom silence), and how to structure each piece of the meeting (including your background) for maximum impact. The piece is filled with tactical advice that you can begin using in your meetings today. Find the article here: https://lnkd.in/gZfS9HB9 Readers- What is the biggest virtual meeting mistake you regularly see?

When you first show up on camera, it’s not your words that land first. It’s the visual. When I’m working with a client who will be doing a lot of their interviews and sales calls online, we start with your setup. That’s because credibility begins the second you appear on camera. Here’s what we review: Camera Laptop camera? Is it good enough or do you need a plug-in webcam? Using your phone or iPad? Do you have a stable tripod at eye level? Audio Built-in mic, plug-in USB mic or a lav? If people have to strain to hear you or there’s too much background noise, your authority drops immediately. Lighting Outside? Direct sun? Walking and talking? Inside? Do you need a ring light or a soft light source to avoid harsh shadows? Lighting shapes perception more than most people realize. Backdrop Home office? Conference room? Is it clean, intentional, and aligned with how you want to be perceived or is there too much stuff making you look disorganized? And here’s what this really signals: When you invest in your setup, you’re demonstrating standards. You’re showing your audience that you take your message and yourself seriously. That visual investment communicates preparation, discernment, and executive presence before you ever speak. The goal isn’t “fancy.” It’s professional and high quality. Whether you’re on a video sales call, recording content for LinkedIn, or preparing for media interviews, your camera, audio, lighting, and backdrop are doing a lot of the talking for you. If you’re stepping into a bigger stage this year, start with the fundamentals. Have you invested in equipment? What upgrades are your favorites?

Many amazing presenters fall into the trap of believing their data will speak for itself. But it never does… Our brains aren't spreadsheets, they're story processors. You may understand the importance of your data, but don't assume others do too. The truth is, data alone doesn't persuade…but the impact it has on your audience's lives does. Your job is to tell that story in your presentation. Here are a few steps to help transform your data into a story: 1. Formulate your Data Point of View. Your "DataPOV" is the big idea that all your data supports. It's not a finding; it's a clear recommendation based on what the data is telling you. Instead of "Our turnover rate increased 15% this quarter," your DataPOV might be "We need to invest $200K in management training because exit interviews show poor leadership is causing $1.2M in turnover costs." This becomes the north star for every slide, chart, and talking point. 2. Turn your DataPOV into a narrative arc. Build a complete story structure that moves from "what is" to "what could be." Open with current reality (supported by your data), build tension by showing what's at stake if nothing changes, then resolve with your recommended action. Every data point should advance this narrative, not just exist as isolated information. 3. Know your audience's decision-making role. Tailor your story based on whether your audience is a decision-maker, influencer, or implementer. Executives want clear implications and next steps. Match your storytelling pattern to their role and what you need from them. 4. Humanize your data. Behind every data point is a person with hopes, challenges, and aspirations. Instead of saying "60% of users requested this feature," share how specific individuals are struggling without it. The difference between being heard and being remembered comes down to this simple shift from stats to stories. Next time you're preparing to present data, ask yourself: "Is this just a data dump, or am I guiding my audience toward a new way of thinking?" #DataStorytelling #LeadershipCommunication #CommunicationSkills

We built Chubbies from zero to a 9-figure exit and part of a 10-figure IPO. If there's one thing you can do to increase the new customer revenue you're getting through owned and organic channels (the most profitable kind of new customer revenue), create exceptional video content in-house. Here are the 4 keys that worked for us: 1. Find the right people. - These people are fundamentally funny, magnetic, creative, and scrappy. There's no way around this. - Often times they won't have any formal training in this arena. - Often times they will already be in your friend group. - These people are a joy to be around. - They love to make people laugh. - They are already doing it in some form. They might be moonlighting as a standup comic. They might be the person posting the funniest memes/content on your friend group text thread. They've had some of their own tweets go viral. There's a nugget of existing passion and results. 2. Find people who can do it all. They can go end-to-end - generate the concept - Storyboard - write - film - act - edit - package - distribute - analyze performance - incorporate learnings - repeat - No need to over-specialize. Sure, you can find separate people for all of these things, but that's the opposite of scrappy. 3. Go fast. Learn fast. - High volume + measurable objective definition of success = a process for maximizing the probability of finding winners - What do you have to embrace in order to do that? low production value. this will NOT look like a Nike or Apple ad. That's the point. - Success is NOT having your content look like a feature film. Success is moving the metrics you're trying to move as much as possible with as little investment (time, people, money) as possible. - you can't get this tight + fast feedback using external resources, nor can you get the compounding learning that becomes essential to continue to progress 4. Uncomfortable constraints + high standards - You can reshoot 1000000 times and then edit for 10000 hours. - or, you can require your team to get 2 shots on goal out into the world 2x per week. - creative endeavors without uncomfortable constraints are doomed. - Not advocating getting content out for the sake of getting it out. - When you have people in-house putting out content consistently, their personal reputation gets attached to that content, which is a great filter + incentive structure to ensure high content quality - the high standards DO NOT mean high production value. - the high standards DO mean a great piece of content people love + want to share, which is a combination of exceptional concept, execution and packaging - southpark's "6 Days to Air" is a wonderful example of how this plays out. ... THIS IS NOT EASY. Actually, it is very hard. Exhausting. Humbling. Exhilarating. The most rewarding thing you can do if you love making content people love. Great things are not easy. P.S. What do you think? Share in the comments👇

Marketers succeed when they put audiences first, not products. This shift transforms your entire strategy. Start by mapping where your audience already spends their time online. Identify specific problems they're actively trying to solve right now. Pay attention to the exact language they use to describe challenges. Try defining your audience as "people struggling with X" instead of demographics. This approach will naturally improve your content relevance and channel selection. Your messages will finally connect on a deeper level. The best campaigns don't showcase product features first. They demonstrate a deep understanding of the audience's pain points. They speak directly to the real problems they face daily. When you truly know your audience, marketing decisions become clearer. Your content resonates more authentically with the right people. This audience-first mindset is what separates good marketing from great.

Staying true to yourself and authentic in the age of social media can be a real challenge. It's a platform where trends change, algorithms shift, and the pressure to conform or seek validation from vanity metrics can be overwhelming. But here's how I approach it, along with some advice for others: 1. First and foremost, it's crucial to keep your ego in check. Don't become solely driven by vanity metrics like the number of likes, followers, or comments. These metrics can be fickle and don't necessarily reflect your true impact or authenticity. 2. Authenticity starts with being yourself. Speak your mind, share your passions, and stay true to your values. Don't try to be someone you're not or pander to your audience's every whim. People appreciate realness. 3. While being authentic is important, it's also essential to create content that aligns with your audience's interests. Building a community means sharing content that resonates with them. Find the balance between what you're passionate about and what your audience values. 4. Avoid shortcuts. Short-term tactics like clickbait or controversy might get you quick attention, but they rarely lead to meaningful, long-lasting relationships. Building trust takes time, and authenticity is the foundation of trust. 5. Aim for consistency in your online presence. Be the same person online as you are in person. It's not about creating an online persona but rather an extension of your real-life self. 6. Be open to learning and adapting to changes. Social media is an ever-evolving landscape. Experiment with new ideas and strategies, but always evaluate whether they align with your authentic self and purpose. 7. Remember that mistakes will happen. It's okay to make them, and it's part of the learning process. If you realise you've posted something that doesn't align with your authenticity, don't be afraid to acknowledge it and learn from it. In the end, being authentic on social media means being a genuine, unfiltered version of yourself. People connect with authenticity, and building a loyal and engaged community is more valuable than chasing fleeting trends or metrics. Stay true, stay you.❤️

Virtual interviews are now common, but they can feel overwhelming. A bit of preparation can make a big difference. 1. Test your tech early Check the link, sound, and camera a day or two in advance. Try a practice run with a friend to feel more confident using the platform. 2. Set up your space Choose a quiet, distraction-free spot. Use a neutral or blurred background if possible. Keep a glass of water, a notepad, or a small fidget item nearby to help you feel calm. 3. Use the virtual format to your advantage You can keep notes or cue cards with reminders of your strengths, STAR examples, or questions to ask. Adjust lighting or wear headphones to feel more at ease. 4. Ask for adjustments If certain changes will help you perform better—like getting questions in advance, extra processing time, or having your camera off—it’s okay to ask. You don’t need to share your diagnosis/label, just state what would help. Ask what is being expected; how long will it last; who is on the panel etc., 5. Practise—but stay flexible Speak your answers out loud beforehand, but don’t try to memorise them. Focus on key points you want to share. It’s fine to pause, take a breath, or return to a question later. 6. Plan self-care before and after Give yourself time to settle before the call, and allow time to decompress afterward. Remember that if an employer isn’t open to making some 'reasonable' adjustments, that tells you something too. You deserve to work somewhere that values you as you are.

If your videos don’t perform… You probably don’t know your audience well enough. Who you help the most? If your brand is for everyone, you’re beating yourself. You need to know: 1. Their pains. People pay attention and most importantly money when someone allieviates their pains. 2. Their upbringing To become a master storyteller you need to get through the mind and hit at the center of the heart. If you know what your audience experienced in the most decisive part of their life you’re halfway there. 3. Their dreams Believe it or not, most people hope for a better day. They often dream about it. Show them that it’s possible, show them that you can help them to get there. 4. Their fears People first and foremost look for a reason NOT to buy. If you know their fears, avoid them. If you’re brave enough show them in a way which showcases your deep understanding of their situation. Video is a form of communication. No matter how engaging your story seems, if it’s a language your audience doesn’t understand, it’ll fail. P.S. From 1-10 how confident you feel with how well you know your audience? See you tomorrow 💎