Guide to video creation

Video is one of the most effective ways to show the impact of your work. You don’t need specialist equipment; your smartphone is more than enough. Below is some simple and practical guidance to help you create videos with confidence.

1. Keep it simple

  • Focus on one message per video (e.g., introducing a project, sharing an event, highlighting a community story).
  • Aim for 30–60 seconds for social media and 1–2 minutes for websites.

2. Plan before you film

  • Note the key point(s) you want to communicate.
  • Decide whether you need:
  • A short talking piece to the camera
  • Footage of an activity or event
  • A mix of both
  • Think about what you want the viewer to do afterwards (visit your website, sign up, get in touch).

3. Film in good light

  • Natural lighting is best, so try and film facing a window or outside.
  • Avoid filming with a bright light or window behind you/ the subject, as it’ll look like they’re/you’re stood in a shadow.

4. Keep your shot steady

  • Hold your phone with two hands or prop it against something solid. If you have one, use a small tripod, but it’s not essential.

5. Make sure your sound is clear

  • Move closer to your subject to make sure you get a clear sound.
  • Avoid filming in windy locations or noisy rooms, as the video will pick this up.
  • If you’re filming someone speaking, ask them to project their voice naturally.
  • This may sound like an obvious one but make sure when you’re holding your phone that you’re not covering up the microphone with your fingers – an easy mistake to make and it means sound won’t get picked up! On an iPhone, this is commonly found at the bottom end of the phone.

6. Frame your shot nicely

  • Keep the camera at eye level for interviews or talking-to-camera pieces.
  • Use landscape format for websites and most YouTube content.
  • Use portrait for Instagram Reels, TikTok or Facebook Stories.

7. Tell a simple story

A short video can follow this structure:

  • Intro: Who you are and what you’re sharing
  • The story or activity: Show people, places and actions
  • Call to action: How viewers can learn more, get involved or contact you.

8. Get permission first

  • Always ask people if they’re happy to be filmed.
  • For children or vulnerable adults, be sure to follow any safeguarding policies that you have in place.

9. Edits

There’s lots of easy-to-use software available, like iMovie, CapCut, or Canva that can:

  • Trim clips
  • Add captions (recommended for accessibility purposes)
  • Include your organisation’s logo
  • Add simple transitions or background music

10. Uploading

When posting:

  • Add a clear caption explaining what the video shows.
  • Where you can, tag relevant partners, funders or locations.
  • Include a link if you want people to read more or act (like visit the website)
  • If uploading to social media, you can generally upload the video from your laptop onto the platform. If the video is going on a website, we’d recommend hosting this on a third party website, such a Vimeo or YouTube, them embedding the video into your website.

11. Tips for confident on-camera speaking

  • Smile and speak naturally; don’t worry about being perfect.
  • Keep sentences short and conversational.
  • Practice once or twice, but avoid reading from a script, as it sounds less authentic and robotic.

*If you did have some budget, we’d recommend purchasing a tripod if you’re looking to do static videos, for a steadier shot (these can be inexpensive online). Microphones for iPhones are also available to purchase online, which provide better sound quality (also at a reasonable price).