3 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Videos
Easy to Fix. Often Overlooked.
Here are three mistakes that will kill your first impression on video.
1) Poor Framing
If your head is in the center of the frame or, worse, down at the bottom, you’re quite literally starting off on the wrong foot.
Here’s a trick. Place your head in the top third of the frame.
This small adjustment does two things:
- It makes you look more professional.
- It keeps the viewer’s focus on you, not the distracting background.
Always double-check your framing before hitting record!
2) Poor Sound
Pro Tip: Bad audio is worse than bad video.
People will swipe away faster if they can’t hear you clearly. It doesn’t matter how crisp your video looks. If the sound’s off, your message won't get through. Audio quality is crucial for making that strong first impression.
Invest in a $30 or $40 mic. Trust me, it’s worth it. Good audio makes a huge difference in keeping your audience engaged.
3) Scripting Your Videos
Don't do it.
I get it, scripting feels safe, but no one enjoys hearing someone read from a script. It’s stiff, it’s awkward, and it kills the connection.
When you're too focused on reading word-for-word, your delivery feels unnatural.
- Use bullet points to guide your thoughts. Glance at them when needed, then look back at the camera and let your ideas flow. Keep it conversational, keep it real.
- Speak in sprints, not speeches. Break your video into smaller sections, then stitch them together in post-production. This way, you can keep things smooth and authentic.
Those are three common mistakes I see all the time. They’re easy to fix, but they’re often overlooked.
About Justin
Justin is a marketing nerd. His gateway drug was in middle school when he and his buddies would make up brand names and draw logos for fun. He graduated with a B.A. in Graphic Design from UW Eau Claire. He then cut his teeth leading the marketing for a $4 million non-profit, moving them into the digital age with new channels and systems. He joined a $60M healthcare manufacturer as marketing team of 1, helping grow them to $90M in three years. Justin became a full-time marketing entrepreneur in 2018. He now enables founders to grow their pipeline and thought leadership through social media videos. Follow him on Linkedin here.
