How to Create Your First Video

Tips for getting on camera without the hassle

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash

I’m thrilled to share this guest post from my friend,

Sara Berry

. We went live together on LinkedIn to talk about creating videos. Sara has been a major inspiration to me when it comes to content creation, especially video content. She even helped me record my first few videos as a solopreneur. I highly recommend her services!

It’s easy to overthink video and put pressure on yourself to make it perfect. But as Sara reveals, you can get started with what you have today. And you don’t even need to talk on camera. Adding video to your online content can help you build a stronger connection with your audience. Read on to learn just how simple it is to create your first video.

Over to you, Sara.

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When I posted my first video on LinkedIn, I had been overthinking it for months. I’d think to myself almost daily: “I need to get on video”. But the idea of actually hitting that ‘post’ button seemed too far-fetched.

I thought: Maybe one day, down the road. Maybe when my business gets bigger. Maybe when I stop caring what people think.

But with the launch of a new LinkedIn video feed format in 2024, I knew there was no better time to start posting my videos. I had to start before I felt “ready”.

And, now that I’ve done it (many times over), I can safely say it was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my personal brand and business.

So, how do you create your first video, too?

Let’s go over the basics and get you on camera.

What type of video should I create?

Most people automatically think “I’ll pull out my camera and just speak”. After all, we get on Zoom calls regularly. We see talking head videos in the feed. It looks easy enough!

So you pull out your camera. And immediately freeze up.

Almost everyone goes blank here.

This is why I always recommend people start by not speaking on camera at all. Instead, film some clips of you working, and let the text part of your post do the talking. It’s still you appearing on camera, but it’s lower effort and you can go through the motions of posting a video without the cringe factor.

By the time you do that a few times, you’ll be ready to speak on camera. And if not, that’s okay too. I help people all the time in getting past the overthinking that comes with this part.

What do I talk about?

A ton of people get tripped up here. Even if you’re an expert in your field, just know that it’s normal to not know how to translate that into bite-sized content.

Here’s a simple activity I do when I’m drawing a blank:

Start with the end result. It might seem overly simple, but what do you actually want the video to achieve? Are you looking to get more sign-ups on your newsletter? Get more clients? Get hired? Start with that, and work your way backwards.

I like to write down 3 big “buckets” or themes for my video content, that way all my video topics fall under one of those categories. This also helps you to never run out of ideas, because you can brainstorm and add topics to this list whenever your creative juices are flowing.

What equipment do I need?

I always say, “All you need is a phone and a face. And you have both!”

You don’t need any other equipment, but here are some pointers.

Lighting: Use natural light from a window in your office. I like to open the camera and hold it out, selfie-style, while walking to various windows to see which has the best lighting. And if you want to invest in equipment, a simple ring light will do wonders for a beginner.

Audio: If you’re going to purchase any new equipment, this would be where I’d recommend. Great audio is hard to achieve on our phones and laptops. They pick up background noise and sometimes sound low-quality, but it’s definitely not a deal-breaker as a beginner, so don’t sweat it too much. If you want to invest in equipment, there are some lapel mics for under $10 on Amazon that work really well!

Tripods & stands: You can easily prop your phone up against a stack of books, a lamp, a shelf, etc. But if you get tired of fumbling with it, there are several low-cost stands and tripods. I like to use a phone stand on my desk, so I’m hands-free.

What apps should I be using?

You can absolutely film using just the camera on your phone. Some people choose to use an app where they can do some light editing, but I would caution you to not let this part consume your time — especially when you’re just starting out.

The first time I edited a video, I used Instagram because I was already comfortable with the Reels editor. I also used Canva when I wanted to add text in a specific font over top of footage from my phone. I’ve also tried Capcut and Descript. It’s easy to get overwhelmed here, so just pick one and test it out! Or, just stick to the camera on your phone for now.

Bottom line: Don’t let lack of equipment be another excuse to put off filming.

How do I create a video?

As you can see, the options for creating a video are endless. But really — all you have to do is pick something and post it!

Your audience (if you’ve built one already) will cheer you on just for the simple fact that you were brave enough to show up on camera. Use that momentum to keep going!

And if you ever find yourself needing some moral support or quick video tips, swing by my profile — I love helping beginners out!

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Thanks to

Sara Berry

for sharing her simple tips on how to create your first video. Please follow her on LinkedIn and let us know if her advice inspires you to post your first video!