How to Make the Perfect YouTube Video
I function within a professional world (maybe) and I'm constantly bombarded with information on how to succeed...professionally. I admit it bores me to death, especially within the context of creativity, because most of what comes across my desk is safe.
Who wants safe creative? OK Honda put your hand down. Anyone else?
If you want to avoid the Noid and do something that stands out, here are some tips, based on simple observation, that can ensure you the creation of a video the masses will love.
- Your only goal is to make people happy. Bonus points if you can do it in public and capture it on film.
- Do something that nobody would expect you to do. Pleasantly catching one off guard is a good thing. Trust me.
- Put a ton of effort into your editing. I cannot stress this enough. Film editing is not easy, is time consuming and it shows if you slack and cut corners. Focus on your transitions and pace and don't let anything hang there for too long.
- Don't be afraid of tight shots. Get in your viewer's face. Push them a bit. If you pull the ol "I'm making a home movie with my lady" tripod trick you're doomed.
- If you can, include kick-ass music and pace it accordingly. Video with music is infinitely better. In fact, if you can also avoid a second-rate voiceover then do it. (NOTE: To all my professional voiceover peeps; I love you.) If you use an amazing song from an incredible artist you're already ahead of the pack.
- Use Muppets. I'm serious. Muppets are so hot right now, because they have more "awwwwwbility" and "AHAHAHHAHAHA" than a puppy or chimpanzee. You don't even need an official Muppet from Henson Studios. A doll is perfectly fine.
- Be British. Now I know many of you just can't be British nor are willing to go through the citizenship process, but think about this. The country is notorious for being uptight and dry, but it also produced Benny Hill, Monty Python and Ricky Gervais. They're sense of humor is a personal favorite, because they make most Americans look like the founding Puritans.
Thankfully there actually is one video that meets this criteria. It's been viewed over 400K times, but I've personally contributed 17,345 so I don't want you to think it's that popular.
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