Creating Professional Online Course Videos: A Guide for Solopreneurs

Creating professional-looking videos for your online course can distinguish your material and captivate your audience. However, the prospect of doing so might appear daunting, especially if you’re a solopreneur with limited resources. Fortunately, with a few simple tips and the right tools, it’s possible to produce high-quality videos without needing a TV crew or a videographer.

In a detailed YouTube video (How to Record Professional Videos for Online Courses) Marcel Samyn presents a comprehensive guide on how to record videos that stand out in terms of quality and edit them efficiently during the recording process itself. This blog post aims to convey the same valuable insights outlined in the video, so grab a coffee and your notebook, and let’s dive in!

The Basics of Video Recording

Creating a visually appealing video starts with an understanding of framing, lighting, and sound. Here are some of the key points:

Framing:

• Background: Use the corner of a room as your backdrop. This technique offers a visually pleasing perspective, with lines that draw attention to you.
• Depth: Have as much space behind you as possible, creating the illusion of depth which is aesthetically pleasing to viewers.
• Camera Position: Place the camera slightly below eye level for a flattering angle that imparts a sense of authority appropriate for an educator.

Discover the video recording kit Marcel uses for his high-quality video setup.

Lighting:

• Aim to have the background darker than the foreground by controlling the natural light with curtains and using your own lighting setup.
• Position one key light at a 45-degree angle and slightly above eye level to cast appealing shadows and depth on your face.
• Consider using a secondary light to outline your figure and separate you from the background, particularly if you’re in a permanent studio setting.

Get more information on the lighting gear from the Gear List on Kit.co.

Sound:

• The closer your microphone is to you, the clearer the sound quality. Use a lavalier mic or a boom mic positioned close to the chest.
• Marcel uses the Rode VideoMic NTG, which offers versatile usage, clarity, and the convenience of a USB connection.

Browse through the entire gear list, including the mic, on Marcel’s Kit.

Advanced Setup with OBS Studio

Editing while recording can save post-production time. This live editing process can be achieved using OBS Studio, an open-source software for video recording and live streaming.

• Connect your camera to your computer via an HDMI output and a capture card.
• Use OBS Studio to compose your scenes with camera feeds, screen shares, or slide presentations.
• For smooth and professional scene transitions, use the OBS Move Plugin.
• Manage your live edits with ease by using a Stream Deck or programmable macro pad to switch scenes.

Visit OBS Studio’s official site to download the software and explore its functionalities.

Post-Recording Editing with Descript

Even with live editing, you may need to cut out mistakes or retakes. Descript is an editing tool that allows you to make changes to your video by editing the transcript text.

• Import your OBS Studio recordings into Descript.
• Automatically transcribe the audio to text.
• Edit the text to cut or adjust parts of the video.
• Utilize tools like Shorten Word Gaps and Studio Sound to refine the audio.
• Export individual or multiple videos at once, ideal for creating a series of course modules efficiently.

Experience Descript’s powerful editing platform by visiting Descript.

Conclusion

Creating high-quality course videos as a solopreneur might require effort, but with Marcel’s approach, it doesn’t have to be overly complex or time-consuming. The blend of strategic video techniques, judicious use of gear, and savvy software tools like OBS Studio and Descript can streamline the process, leaving you with professional-looking videos that inspire and educate.

Remember, dedication and a little persistence can lead to outstanding results that reflect your care and attention. For more personal insights and real-time updates, connect with Marcel on Instagram. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment if you have any questions or need assistance with your video creation journey.

Embark on this video-making venture, and let’s make the world a more beautiful place, one course video at a time!