You’re running an online business. How will people know how much goes into your work, how much you struggle, or what your passion really looks like in action?
There’s only one way to let the world know: behind-the-scenes videos.
I know, I know. It could sound like a ‘humble brag’ or an ‘unnecessary marketing spend’ for solopreneurs or small-sized teams.
But did you know? Behind-the-scenes videos are one of the top four types of video content liked by consumers.
It’s not only a way to build transparency and authority. But it’s also a great way to re-engage previous clients, attract new ones, and simply charm your audience.
So, in this post, we’re going to share an effective game plan of how to shoot behind-the-scenes video — super easily.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Essential Elements of a BTS Video
Every successful BTS video has a few common elements. These are:
1. Output of Work
Primarily, a BTS video aims to showcase what’s going on behind the big picture —- meaning what’s the process that led to the making of the final product?
Now, no one would be interested in knowing the process of a mediocre product. Nobody would be interested in knowing how a low-grade or sloppy product was made.
Unless you’re showing world’s WORST pizza or world’s WORST anything else.
So, the first essential element of your video is your final product.
If you’re a photographer, it could be the final edited photograph. Similarly, it could be:
- Final edited video for a videographer
- Screenshots of social media account growth for a social media marketer
- Exotic house footage for a real estate agency or an interior designer
- Screenshots of your web analytics (showing traffic) if you’re a blogger or SEO specialist
- Final glammed-up outfit or makeup look for a fashion designer and a MUA respectively
- Winning moments of gameplay for a YouTube gamer
- Best aesthetically pleasing bits of a video for vloggers
- Appreciating audience or client for a coach or speaker
These are just a few ideas on the diversity of the ‘final product’. It could be anything relevant to your profession, industry, and audience. The idea here is to showcase the glorious output for all the effort you put in.
And this glorious output should be more impressive for the audience than yourself.
For example, if you’re a motivational speaker — you might be pleased with yourself for managing time effectively at a speaking event. But that’s now what you need to showcase to your target audience (unless you plan to coach other coaches about time management). You need to show audience response at the event as your glorious output.
2. Complementing Music
Unlike an educational video or a sales video, a BTS video does not demand a script. In fact, it’s best to not have a script for behind-the-scenes videos (for small to medium-sized businesses)
Why? Well, the ideal length of a good BTS video is one to four minutes. If you’re working on HUGE projects (like the Barbie Movie 😉) — you can maybe have a BTS as elaborate as 10 – 15 minutes.
It’s also worth noting that the ideal length of an Instagram reel is 7-15 seconds. YouTube shorts have a similar range.
So, in such little time, it’s best to show than tell.
Show your audience how you’re working and what you’re working on via visual media. You can use complementing background music to keep their hearing sense engaged.
If you’re speaking proper sentences in the background, it will disturb and divide their focus. And the visual message you’re trying to give will have less impact.
3. Time Lapse
This is a no-brainer. But often slips from mind if you don’t regularly film behind-the-scenes videos.
A time-lapse is basically a video that plays faster than its real speed. Most professional cameras and phone cameras come with a built-in time-lapse feature. You can also convert a regular video into a time-lapse video by simply increasing its speed by 2X, 3X, 5X, 10X, and so on.
Most social media apps like Instagram also offer the speed-increase feature.
Why is it an essential element of a behind-the-scene video?
- You can share the whole process without annoying or boring the viewer.
- You can maintain transparency and retain your ‘secrets’ at the same time.
Plus, people like more value in minimal time — which essentially is the purpose of a time-lapse video.
This is a no-brainer. But often slips from mind if you don’t regularly film behind-the-scenes videos.
4. Accenting Graphics
Lastly, there are a few must-include graphics in all business videos, including the bts videos. These include:
- Your logo
- CTA button or action-promoting graphic element
You can also add animated graphics, memes, gifs, and character figures in the video to accent the overall vibe. For example, say you’re filming the BTS of a cooking video and you want to show a secret ingredient or dish you use to make your final product appear more appealing. You can use GIFs that accent the secret or your audience’s aha-moment, such as this one:
Lastly, there are a few must-include graphics in all business videos, including the bts videos. These include:
- Your logo
- CTA button or action-promoting graphic element
You can also add animated graphics, memes, gifs, and character figures in the video to accent the overall vibe. For example, say you’re filming the BTS of a cooking video and you want to show a secret ingredient or dish you use to make your final product appear more appealing. You can use GIFs that accent the secret or your audience’s aha-moment, such as this one:
Accenting graphics enhance the overall appeal of the edited video content.
How to shoot a BTS video?
Now, let’s see how you can shoot a behind-the-scenes video easily…
Step 1: Have a work plan
If you have a proper schedule or system to work, this is going to be easy for you. You will know how you will execute the process step by step. This makes it easier to guess what aspects of your work process are fit for BTS content.
If you do not have a schedule and you work as you will, we recommend outlining your day. Use a pen and paper and list down all the stuff you’ll be doing throughout the day. It will help identify what parts of your work process are worth sharing during the BTS video.
Step 2: Know your goal with the video’
Now, think about; why are you filming this BTS video.
What’s your goal? Are you aiming to give potential customers an inside look at your product’s creation process? Are you showcasing your company culture to attract top talent? Defining your purpose will guide your shooting approach and help you make decisions about what to include in the video.
Some common goals with BTS videos for small businesses are:
- Product or Service Showcase: Revealing the creation process to showcase product quality and effort.
- Brand Building: Humanizing the brand by sharing company culture, values, and mission.
- Team Introduction: Introducing key team members to put faces behind the business. It builds trust.
- Indirect Event Promotion: These BTS videos provide a sneak peek of upcoming events to generate excitement.
Note that it’s best to aim for one of these with each video. If your goal is not well-defined, you might not be able to make an impactful video.
Also, consider the emotions you want to evoke in your audience. Do you want them to feel inspired, informed, or entertained? Deciding on this aspect will guide both shooting and editing styles.
Step 3: Stage your work setup and equipment (show your ADDED value)
Ever seen those top creator videos and envied their workspace? Well, that’s usually a staged setting. No one works in a delicate, sophisticated, always-so-shiny environment — unless they really do earn six figures per month.
So, stage your own workspace to compete with theirs.
The point? Alluring your potential employers. We’re living in a time when companies want to hire top talent without having to afford a proper work environment or work equipment for them.
So, if you’re working from home with your own equipment, you might as well show off a bit.
Say you film a BTS baking video showing how you top-grade cooking tools and ingredients to bake cookies. People might contact you to order cookies for personal celebrations or even large-scale events.
Similarly, if you’re a vlogger and you share how you shoot each day’s vlog using your Canon 6D Mark II or iPhone 14 with a proper mic and dedicated space — brands relevant to your niche might reach out for a partnership program. They may sponsor a video or two.
Here are some more tips on how to stage your workspace and equipment:
- Location: Choose appropriate locations that align with your message. Clean up clutter and ensure the area reflects your brand’s aesthetics. Incorporate elements that highlight your company’s identity, such as branding materials or company values displayed in the background.
- Lighting: Good lighting is essential for video quality. If possible, use natural light or invest in soft lighting equipment to prevent harsh shadows and ensure a professional look. Adjust the lighting to match the mood you want to convey.
- Camera Equipment: While you don’t need the most expensive gear, using a good-quality camera with stabilization features will help achieve steady shots. Tripods, gimbals, and sliders can further enhance the visual appeal of your video.
- Sound Quality: Poor audio can ruin an otherwise great video. Use an external microphone to capture clear, high-quality sound. Test audio levels before recording to avoid distortions or background noise.
Overall, professional videography equipment and setup can cost you around $1250 or more. If you can’t afford that much, we recommend hiring a video editor to take care of the professional looks.
Step 4: Film!
Now, there are various ways to film behind-the-scenes videos. You can choose a suitable spot, place a camera on a tripod, and film the entire process on time-lapse.
Alternatively, you can keep your phone camera ready and film the most interesting bits now and then. If you have a team, give this job to someone who isn’t required in the frame.
Here are a few more tips on how to shoot behind-the-scenes videos:
- Capture Authentic Moments: Embrace authenticity. Capture genuine interactions, reactions, and day-to-day activities. Candid shots can create a stronger emotional connection with viewers.
- Variety of Shots: Incorporate a mix of wide, medium, and close-up shots to keep the video visually engaging. Highlight intricate details, facial expressions, and any processes that require emphasis.
- B-Roll Footage: Gather supplementary footage (B-roll) that adds depth and context to your video. This could include shots of products, environments, and behind-the-scenes processes.
- Movement and Composition: Experiment with camera movement techniques such as panning, tilting, and tracking. Follow the rule of thirds and use framing techniques to create visually pleasing compositions.
- Multiple Takes: Shoot multiple takes of key scenes to have options during the editing process. This will help your video editor select the best shots and ensure you only post the best of video content out in the open.
End Note
And voila! There you go. That’s how you shoot behind-the-scenes videos while keeping ease and impact in check.
Of course, a professionally edited BTS video is 10x better than a regular BTS video. It can help add special effects like these:
