In the age of Instagram and Facebook Stories, TikTok, and YouTube, every entrepreneur must build a social media presence in order to attract and connect with customers and clients. Even the camera-shy will need to create photo, video, and stories ads to be posted across various social media platforms. But fear not: These tips from TC Productions will help entrepreneurs confidently put their best face (and smile) forward as they navigate the world of social media marketing. 

Invest in the Right Equipment

If you’re new to social media marketing or entrepreneurship in general, one of the best things you can do to shine in front of the camera is to purchase the right camera equipment and accessories. You could upgrade your smartphone to a top-rated camera phone. We recommend you purchase a digital camera with video capability. You could even invest in a great webcam for live streaming on social media. 

Some other must-have accessories for creating quality social media content include the following:

• Smartphone tripod
• Remote shutter release
• Ring light
• Tabletop umbrella lights
• Recording microphone
• Photo and video backdrops
• Teleprompters

You can use this equipment to help you shoot a host of different kinds of videos for your business. Because of the variety and potential to do so many different things, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when choosing what to do. Let Cooperative Computing guide you through branding and marketing your business. This tends to ensure that you have the most successful strategies available.

Beautify Your Videos and Images

In addition to investing in the right equipment, entrepreneurs can use photo and video editing tools to take their social media content to the next level. These tools can be used to create shareable photos, videos, and other social media graphics. Resize images for Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter; and add text or quotes to photos and videos as a way of increasing engagement. 

If you’re new to social media marketing, WordStream shares nine free online courses to introduce you to topics. Some are social listening and selling, search engine optimization (SEO), influencer marketing, and social media advertising. You can also find graphic design courses on learning platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Alison. 

Content Marketing

If you aren’t very familiar with content marketing, basically it’s a highly specialized area of advertising and business promotion that’s definitely worth spending some time investigating not only how it works, but what your competitors are doing – and what’s working or not working for them. Video marketing in particular is a highly effective sub-category and can be very to your business. If you aren’t sure where to get started, there are plenty of sources like Cornerstone Content that can help!

Maintain Good Personal Hygiene

Even with the best camera equipment and photo and video editing tools, it’s important to maintain good personal hygiene if you’ll be marketing yourself on social media. Wear solid-color clothing that makes you feel confident yet comfortable. Make sure your nails are well-manicured (especially if you tend to use hand gestures in videos or you’ll be photographing your hands). Be sure to take good care of your skin, hair, and teeth. 

Don’t be afraid to add a bit of color to your lips, conceal any skin imperfections, and frame the eyes with eyeliner and mascara. The following products can help to create a camera-ready face:

• A good facial moisturizer and primer.
• Setting powder to minimize shine.
• Setting spray to hydrate the skin and lock everything in place.

If acne, hair loss, or dental problems are holding you back from shining in front of the camera, visiting a specialist could help to mitigate these issues and boost your confidence. Dermatologists and estheticians, for instance, can address many skin and hair-related concerns, while dentists help to improve your smile and overall oral health. 

When shooting video content for social media, staying hydrated is also important. Keep a glass of water nearby in case you need to combat dry mouth, and remember to breathe. Additionally, beginners should start with shorter social media videos: Think 15- to 30-second clips. And most importantly, don’t forget to smile!

Even Camera-Shy Entrepreneurs Can Shine

With a great smile, the right tools and equipment, and a desire to succeed, even camera-shy entrepreneurs can master social media marketing. All it takes is some practice to help you achieve a beautiful, more confident smile. 

TC Productions is a full service video production company that partners with marketing executives and business owners. Call 678.744.3908.