How to make your short ministry videos better!

Karl Vatner, the pastor and small church guru, has posted on his blog this fantastic list of 8 things to do or not do when making a short ministry-related video to share online. While geared towards those delivering a message or announcement, the "tips" are good for Christian educators and teachers too.

I've summarized them below in text, but his video is well-worth watching. I've added two additional tips specific to teaching in a video.

Even as we (hopefully) come to the end of the pandemic, we’re still facing years of doing ministry in ways we never had to consider before. (And) let’s face it, it’s harder in a small church. We don’t have a staff or tech team, so there are a lot of small church pastors trying to figure out our new technical realities with varying degrees of success. Here's a handful tips I've learned.

His 8 Tips In Brief:

1. Get to the point. 2 to 5 minute videos.

2. Hold your phone in landscape mode so that it records your video in landscape proportions which will display in the right orientation on people's laptops and places like Facebook (Instagram requires portrait orientation).

3. Look at the lens! This is the most important point. Don't look at your own face on your screen. Look right at the camera lens, i.e. eye contact with the person who is viewing you.

4. Keep your camera at eye level or slightly above. Don't have your camera below your eye level. Get an inexpensive tripod to hold your phone/camera.

5. Hold your camera still, not hand-held.

6. Pay attention to your background. Make it nice, simple, no clutter. Keep the light source in front of you, not behind you.

7. Stay away from the pulpit. Pick an informal space.

8. Audio Quality: Use earbuds with a microphone that connects to your phone for better recording!  You can also use a bluetooth earpiece that has a microphone.

9. I would add "be energetic and animated" on camera. No "scared stiffs." Karl's energy and pace are exemplary.

10. I would also add "bring color and props" to your ministry video if you're teaching kids.