Behind the Scenes: How to Plan a Successful Video Shoot for Social Media Content in 6 Steps

The best social media videos make it look effortless don't they? A swipe, a tap and suddenly you're laughing at a skit, learning a new recipe or buying a skincare product you never knew you needed. But behind the scenes of that seamless 30-second clip is often a surprising amount of planning, technical know-how and a little bit of creative chaos. I know that all too well!

Photo by Libby Penner on Unsplash

After more than 20 years helping clients with their marketing and branding strategies, trust me when I say that creating compelling social media videos is both an art and a science.

How To Shoot Video for Social Media Content

While flashy gear and high production values can elevate your content, the real secret to success in shooting video for social media content lies in thoughtful planning, understanding your tools and mastering the subtle details that make videos feel polished and engaging.

Whether you're filming with just your smartphone or a professional camera setup, I've wrote this guide to hopefully help walk you through our entire process - from pre-production to editing - while explaining why each step matters to us and our clients.

The fact is knowing how to plan your shoot can turn a good idea into great content... and great content can easily become VERY profitable.

As video production is one of the core services we offer here at P45 and with the exponential rise in popularity of long- and short-form video, I wanted to look at what goes into creating social media videos for our clients that actually get noticed; from essential gear to less obvious details like frame rates and background clutter.

So let me take you through our process from 'Action' to the final 'Cut'! Enjoy.

Step 1: Define the Goal of Your Video

Whilst each piece of content we create is different, every great video starts with a clear goal. That's why, before we press record, the first question we ask our clients and / or ourselves is "what’s the point of this video?"

Are you trying to educate, entertain, or promote your latest product or service?

Knowing your objective shapes everything from your script to your filming style. For example, a quick TikTok trend demands fast cuts and energetic pacing, while a brand storytelling piece might use slower, more cinematic shots.

Understanding your audience is equally important.

A younger demographic might prefer the more fast-paced, visually dynamic content, whereas professionals may appreciate a cleaner, more straightforward approach, but it's also more than that.

Knowing your purpose will shape everything else; the tone, length of the video, visual style, and even on which platform it's going to be posted.

As I've just touched upon, short-form platforms like TikTok or YouTube Shorts reward those snappy edits and strong hooks to create engagement as people scroll by, while 'regular' YouTube or Vimeo allows for longer, more detailed storytelling.

Step 2: Choose Your Gear (And No, You Don’t Need a £2000 Camera)

With technology advancing at the speed it is, you don’t need a Hollywood sized budget to make great videos, but understanding your gear’s strengths and limitations is key.

Let’s start with the basics; you can absolutely shoot great content using just your smartphone. Many people have and do, but just because you can, doesn't necessarily mean you should.

Entry-Level Setup: Just Your Phone

Modern powerful smartphones can now become mini production studios that fit in your pocket. Most will shoot in stunning 4K, rivalling some dedicated cameras. However, getting the best results requires more than just hitting the record button. Often it's the little things that make a big difference.

Stabilisation is crucial; a shaky video feels amateurish, so using a simple tripod or gimbal makes a huge difference.

Even though phones are getting better are working in low light, the lighting can make or break smartphone footage. Natural light is free and flattering, but if shooting indoors, a budget-friendly ring light or softbox eliminates harsh shadows.

An external microphone (even a basic lapel mic) drastically improves audio, which viewers notice immediately.

If you’re filming on an iPhone or high-end Android phone:

• Use the rear camera for higher quality (not the front-facing one).

• Stabilise your phone with a tripod, a stack of books or a phone holder.

• Record in good lighting; natural daylight from a window is your best friend.

As an extra tip, if using your phone I would always enable 'Grid Lines' in your camera settings to follow the rule of thirds. It’s a subtle trick that can make your framing look much more professional.

Next-Level Setup: Level Up Without Breaking the Bank

If (or when) you’re ready to invest, mirrorless cameras like the Sony A6400 or Canon M50 offer superior depth of field and low-light performance.

Something like a 50mm prime lens creates that cinematic bokeh or 'blurred background' effect, making subjects pop. That's because prime lens also have a much wider aperture than zoom lenses.

Good audio is non-negotiable!

Built-in camera mics often pick up unwanted noise, so a shotgun mic (like the Rode VideoMic) or wireless lavalier ensures clear dialogue.

Lighting also becomes more controllable with softboxes or LED panels, allowing you to shape the mood of your shots.

If you’re ready to invest in slightly more advanced tools as your content starts to gain traction, I'd consider buying a:

• Ring light or softbox lighting for consistent, flattering light.

• Lavalier microphone or a wireless mic system like Rode Wireless GO; your audience will forgive so-so visuals, but not bad audio!

• Gimbal stabiliser for silky-smooth moving shots.

• Backdrop or portable green screen to control your environment, especially if your space is cluttered or busy.

High-End Production Setup

For high-end productions, cinema cameras like the Sony FX3 deliver unparalleled image quality, especially in log profiles that allow for advanced colour grading.

Investing in multiple lenses (wide, telephoto, macro) provide creative flexibility, while professional audio setups, like boom mics and wireless systems, ensure broadcast-quality sound.

However, more gear means more complexity and more expense.

A slider or drone adds production value but does require practice to use effectively. Personally, I think the best approach is to scale up gradually, mastering one piece of equipment at a time.

If you're working (or aim to) work at this level, then the quality (and price) of equipment you’re using is obviously going to escalate somewhat. If and when you do, look for:

• DSLR or mirrorless cameras like the Sony FX or A7 series or even Canon's EOS R range.

• External audio recorders for crisp sound capture.

• Professional lighting setups, such as three-point lighting (key, fill and back light) for interviews or beauty content.

• Monitors and teleprompters although this often depends on the content type.

This kind of setup is ideal for serious YouTube content creators, business promos or anyone creating polished video for brand campaigns.

Step 3: Plan the Shoot (Like, Really Plan It)

You might not think so at first, but good planning can cut your filming and editing time in half because you'll know exactly what you need, what you get and how it will fit together. Even a 15-second video benefits from a bit of structure.

Write a Script or Outline

Even if you’re filming a casual vlog, a rough script helps avoid rambling and ensures you cover key points.

For more structured content, like tutorials or commercials, a detailed script keeps messaging tight and on-brand.

If your video includes dialogue, write it out. If it’s instructional, list each step clearly and succinctly. These will help, especially if you're using actors or a voiceover artist.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you need a full screenplay, but a basic outline of what you want to say or do helps keep your video concise and focused. Bullet points work great too.

Storyboard or Visual Plan

Storyboarding, even with simple sketches, visualises how shots will flow together. This prevents gaps in footage and ensures you capture all necessary angles the first time.

For instance, if you’re filming a cooking video, you’ll want close-ups of ingredients, wide shots of the process and a final glamour shot of the completed dish. Without planning, you might forget a crucial step.

Even a few quick sketches or screenshots can help you visualise:

• Camera angles.

• Framing.

• Key moments.

• On-screen text or captions.

It’s also helpful to plan transitions between scenes if you're going to use jump cuts, match cuts or trendy transitions (think outfit changes, wipes or snaps).

Think in Scenes, Not Just Shots

Social videos often rely on short, dynamic scenes to hold attention. If your videos don't catch the viewers eye quickly, users will scroll right past.

Plan your content around 3 - 6 second segments, each with a purpose, whether it’s delivering a punchline, showing a before/after or highlighting a key product feature.

Location, Props and Wardrobe

If you can keep your shoot in a self-contained environment, that's great, but it won't always be the case.

Location impacts both aesthetics and practicality. Natural light is ideal, but the wrong time of day (like harsh midday sun) can create unflattering shadows and can be hard to replicate from day-to-day.

Sometimes the background becomes the star of the show (for better or worse). If you're indoors, a cluttered background will distract from your subject, whilst a well-styled setting adds professionalism.

Pick a space that matches the 'vibe' of your content; calm and minimalist, colourful and playful, or branded and intentional.

Sound is another often-overlooked factor, especially if you're filming on location. A busy coffee shop might seem like a cool backdrop, but background chatter can ruin your audio. Scouting locations beforehand helps avoid these last-minute issues.

Don’t forget:

• Background clutter can be distracting to the viewer.

• If presenting to camera, your outfit should contrast with the background (no white-on-white, unless you want to disappear).

• If you're using a green or blue screen for chromakey, then don't wear similar colours to the background or you'll disappear too!

• Natural environments (outdoors, cafes, parks) work great if you can manage sound and lighting. Bear in mind, you might need a licence or permit to film in parks or other public spaces.

Photo by TheRegisti on Unsplash

Step 4: Film Smart - Tips You Might Not Expect

As I touched upon earlier, there's more to filming than just hitting the record button. Here’s where knowing some of your equipment's technical settings come in that can make all the difference between footage looking like it's filmed on a phone with little regard for the quality, and it looking like it's been professionally shot with purpose.

Even if you ARE just filming on your phone, understanding these can really elevate your content.

Frames Per Second (FPS)

Aim for:

• 24 fps for the 'cinematic' look.

• 30 fps is standard for most social platforms.

• 60 fps or higher for smoother motion and allows for slow-motion editing.

If you are wanting to show something in slow-motion, film at 60 or 120 fps if your device supports it. Once captured, THEN slow it down in your editing software for dramatic effect (think hair flips, pouring coffee, or action shots) because otherwise slowing down 30fps footage looks choppy.

Aspect Ratio

When shooting think about where (i.e. the platform) your content will be published / viewed.

• 16:9 is the more traditional landscape format for YouTube, Vimeo, etc.

• 9:16 (aka vertical video) is used to watch on a phone for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc.)

• 1:1 is square and is good for Instagram's grid layout but can look odd everywhere else.

I'd always recommend shooting in the format that matches your platform. Cropping a horizontal video into a vertical frame after the event can completely ruin your composition so plan ahead.

Lighting Matters More Than You Think

In my experience, and you'll very soon learn this yourself, even the best editing can't fix poor lighting.

Avoid overhead lights that cast shadows on your face and never film with a bright window behind you unless you want to look like a silhouette.

Use soft, even lighting from the front and if you're going for something a bit more fancy, add a backlight for a bit of depth.

Resolution and Cropping Flexibility

While 1080p is sufficient for most platforms, shooting in 4K gives you room to crop and reframe without losing quality.

This is especially useful for vertical formats like Instagram Reels, where you might need to adjust composition in editing.

Shutter Speed and Motion Blur

A too-fast shutter speed makes movement look unnaturally sharp, while too slow introduces blur.

The "180-degree rule" (shutter speed = double your frame rate) keeps motion looking natural. For example, at 24fps, use 1/50 shutter; at 60fps, 1/120.

White Balance and ISO

Auto white balance can shift between shots, creating inconsistency. Manually setting it ensures all footage matches.

Similarly, high ISO introduces grain, so instead of cranking it up in low light, add more lighting or use a wider aperture.

My Final Tips for Success

• Over-shoot: It’s better to have extra footage than miss a crucial shot.

• Back up files immediately: Losing footage is devastating. Trust me! Back up your files at the earliest opportunity. Cloud-based back-up preferably.

Step 5: Edit Like a Pro (Even If You're Not One)

The editing process is where your raw footage becomes magic. Thankfully, you don’t need to spend a fortune to make slick videos. Nowadays, there are some very competent free (or at least cheap) apps and software that can even edit videos on the go!

Beginner-Friendly Apps:

These apps let you do the basics like trim, add captions, effects, transitions and even music so they're perfect for quick, eye-catching edits.

• CapCut (free and surprisingly powerful)

• InShot (great for mobile editing)

• iMovie (Mac / iPad / iPhone only)

• VN Video Editor

• Splice

Desktop Software:

At the higher end of video editing software, the feature-set is more-or-less the same, so the choice of which one to use often just comes down to user preference.

• Adobe Premiere Pro / After Effects is the industry standard, but subscription-based meaning you'll pay for the software monthly (or annually) whether you use it or not. There is a less feature-rich version, i.e. Premiere Express, available for free.

• Final Cut Pro is for Mac / iPad Pro users only. Unlike Adobe, FCP has an initial purchase price, but then is free to use. If you're in the Apple eco-system (iPhone, iPad, etc.) that this might suit you.

• DaVinci Resolve have a free version available. However Davinci Resolve Studio comes with more powerful features available but has a cost (around £250).

My Pro Editing Tips:

• Hook early. The first 3 seconds should grab the audience's attention; pose a question, show a result, or offer a bold statement.

• Use captions. Believe it or not, most people watch videos with the sound off, so captions increase retention and accessibility.

• Keep it tight. Cut ruthlessly. Attention spans are short (and getting shorter) so cut unnecessary pauses. Every single second should earn its place.

• Match the vibe. Background music, filters and effects should suit your tone (and brand), not distract from it. Don't use them just for the sake of using them (and certainly don't OVER use them as they'll look gimmicky).

• Colour grading: A consistent look to your footage makes your content feel polished.

• Sound design: Subtle background music and sound effects enhance engagement.

• Test different versions. A 30-second version for Instagram Stories, a full-length for YouTube Shorts and a teaser for X (aka Twitter) can all come from one shoot.

Photo by Peter Stumpf on Unsplash

Step 6: Review and Publish

Finally, before uploading your finished cinematic masterpiece, double-check:

• The spelling in captions or title.

  • That said, on platforms where engagement is a key driver like TikTok, creators often misspell captions deliberately to 'encourage' users to comment which drives up their metrics.

• Audio levels (especially if you’re mixing music and speech).

• Framing and composition.

• Some platforms compress video, so test / preview it before posting.

  • In other words, if your platform of choice only outputs in 1080p (for example), putting all your time and effort into shooting content in 4K will be lost.

• That you’re exporting in the correct format and resolution (most platforms prefer 1080p)

Then, hit publish... and don’t forget to engage with your audience. Respond to any comments (even the negative ones), ask for feedback and use analytics to see what works (and what doesn't).

Conclusion: Keep It Simple... or Don’t

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." - Ecclesiastes 9:10

The beauty of social media content is its flexibility. Great video content doesn’t require perfection, just thoughtful planning and continuous improvement.

Start with what you have (even if it’s just a smartphone), master the basics and gradually incorporate new techniques and gear as you become more proficient.

The most important thing is to create, learn and refine your process with each project. The more you do it, the better you'll get. You'll learn new techniques so the more professional the content you create will become.

As I hope I've highlighted, you can film an engaging, viral video with nothing more than a smartphone, good light and a clever idea. Alternatively, if budgets allow, you can dive into the deep end with multi-camera shoots, cinematic editing and audio perfection.

The secret isn’t the gear, its intention. Plan thoughtfully, film purposefully and edit with your audience in mind.

Behind every scroll-stopping video is someone who did a little planning, took a deep breath and pressed record. Now it’s your turn. #BelieveInSuccess

---

A bit longer than our usual blogs but I hope you found it useful. If you've taken the plunge in creating video content for your business, what benefits did it bring? Which is your platform of choice? What are your favourite pieces of equipment / software? Do you have any tips of your own? Let me know in the comments below.

If you need any help with creating compelling video content for your business, whether it's to designed for social media or television, our team are here to help you. We'll work with you from concept to publication. Check out our website then get in touch and let's have a conversation about how we can create something special.

If this blog has given you some value and you'd like to show your appreciation, please give the button below a click. A virtual coffee will spring into 'Action'! Thanks in advance.