🎥 Better Quality in 5 Steps!

Tired of feeling like your content needs a glow-up but don’t want to drain your savings? Been there, done that! The good news is you don’t need fancy gear or a budget to make scroll-stopping content.

This week, we’re sharing 5 super-simple ways to improve your content quality - and the best part? They’re budget-friendly, so your bank account will thank you, especially because you will also GET MORE PROJECTS.

📸 Spoiler alert: You’ll want to bookmark these tips!

1. ☀️ LIGHTING is your best friend

This might seem obvious, but great lighting really is such a game-changer for content quality - and you don’t need expensive gear to get it right!

NATURAL LIGHT is your best friend. Position yourself near a window and face it, or head outdoors during the “golden hour” (an hour after sunrise or before sunset) for soft light, perfect for shooting outdoorsy content. Avoid harsh midday sunlight to prevent unflattering shadows.

DIFFUSE artificial lighting. If you’re indoors and the natural light is simply not giving, it’s time for an artificial lamp to shine (quite literally). You don’t need expensive equipment, find a nice small light that you can attach to your phone to start with and see how you get on! Then, place a sheer cloth or baking paper over the lamp to soften its intensity. This creates a professional, even glow.

EXPERIMENT. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Got an idea for a neon-lit background or aesthetic lighting for a product close-up? Go for it - we dare you! Experimentation rarely leads to regret, and some of the best shots happen unexpectedly.

2. 🎬 POV: You change the scenes frequently

There’s nothing better than content that connects quality with authenticity. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is by capturing a variety of POVs (points of view) and perspectives.

TIP: Next time you record, challenge yourself to shoot the same scene from three different perspectives (for example, straight on, behind-the-shoulder, and bird’s-eye view). This will help you see how the same scene can be captured in multiple ways, keeping your content fresh and engaging.

KNOW YOUR ANGLES. (Jokes, but seriously!) Experiment with how you shoot your unboxing clips, close-ups, and product showcases. Try capturing from above for a flat-lay vibe, use side angles and move the camera around to create dramatic lighting, or go ultra-close for detailed shots that highlight textures and features (micro lenses are super cheap). Play with movements like slow pans or zoom-ins to add that cinematic and demure vibe.

Make the most of your LOCATION. Changing scenes often doesn’t have to mean running all over town to shoot content. You can create a variety right from the comfort of your own living room. All you need is a tidy space and at least three different angles. This will give your scenes dynamic shifts without needing to leave the house!

3. 📕 Tap into Online Resources

Just like in any other industry, it’s extremely important to stay updated and know about any emerging trends. Luckily, the internet is full of free or affordable resources to help you sharpen your skills and stay inspired.

YouTube is a goldmine for creators, with countless tutorials on everything from video editing and photography to lighting hacks and storytelling techniques. Many professional creators and educators share their expertise for free. Search for how-to videos to find tailored tutorials. For example, “How to shoot cinematic B-roll on a budget.”

Platforms like SkillShare and HubSpot Academy offer free courses or free trials in content creation, marketing, and branding. Make the most of the free versions, and remember - skills in social media marketing are crucial to create content that converts.

4. 🪴 Set the scene

Your videos should always feel inspirational and appealing. Creating an aesthetic backdrop for your clips doesn’t have to mean renting a studio or spending $$$ on decor. With a bit of creativity and a keen eye, you can make magic in any space, without spending anything.

First things first, keep it clean and tidy. A clutter-free background makes your product stand out. Create a little checklist for yourself: Is the mirror I’m shooting with clean? Is the inside of the oven looking nice for my cooking video? Should I swap that stained shirt? Little details make a big difference.

Make your everyday space feel natural, but with a little razzle-dazzle of aesthetic. For example, put a small plant pot next to you if you're recording a testimonial video, or use a nice tablecloth if there are marks on the surface. Don’t like the background for your premium product close-ups? Use plain bedsheets or shoot against curtains in your bedroom - make what you have work for you!

PRO Tip: Test your setup. Before filming or shooting, take a few test shots or clips to see how the backdrop looks on camera. Remove distractions (like that product box in the background), and tweak angles to make it the best it can be.

5. 📲 Don’t underestimate Camera Settings

Your smartphone is a powerhouse for creating high-quality content - you just need to know how to make the most of it. But before you start changing anything, make sure you CLEAN your camera lens, just wipe it - trust us!

Enable gridlines in your camera settings to use the rule of thirds and create more balanced compositions - this is a game changer for making sure everything is aligned and in the middle of the frame.

Choose the highest resolution available (usually 1080p or 4K, depending on your phone). For most UGC, 1080p is more than enough, but 4K is great for creating high-quality content that can be cropped or edited later. Set your frame rate to 60fps to capture smoother motion.

Turn off HDR (High Dynamic Range), unless for shots with extreme contrast, like sunsets or backlit subjects. HDR blends multiple exposures to bring out details in both shadows and highlights - which can sometimes ruin the organic vibe of your video!

By following these steps, you can easily produce high-quality, engaging content for your audience - without breaking the bank! Start implementing these tips today and watch your content shine 🎬✨

Is there a topic you’d like us to feature in the next newsletter? Don’t be shy - reach out and let us know! We hope these tips help you craft your best UGC yet.

Oh, and speaking of creating, have you checked out Clip Opportunities lately? Trust us, you don’t want to miss out—there are some seriously exciting projects waiting for you! 💥🎬

If you want to dive even deeper into the world of UGC tips and tricks, check out this Clip Collective Podcast episode: Editing, Production, and Prep Tips for UGC Creators.

We’re unpacking everything you need to know to level up your content game. Tune in now and take your skills to the next level! 🎧🎙️ And don’t forget to let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

LOOK AT YOUR SHINY UGC VIDEO!

Watch Jasmine tackling the Airox Nasal Strips brief…

See you next week!

Team Clip