How to film better business videos on your phone

Ten tips that make the biggest difference

• Sound first. Get the phone close to the person talking, or use a small clip-on microphone.
• Face the light. Put your subject facing a window, not with their back to it.
• Clean the lens. Phones live in pockets. A wipe makes a visible difference.
• Shoot vertical for social, landscape for your website, and decide before you press record.
• Keep it steady. Lean on something, hold the phone with two hands, or use a small tripod.
• Use the main camera, not the ultra-wide, for people. The wide lens distorts faces.
• Lock focus and exposure by pressing and holding on the subject, so the picture doesn't pulse.
• Film more than you need. Ten seconds before and after each moment gives you room to edit.
• Ask open questions in interviews, and ask people to include the question in their answer.
• Turn on Do Not Disturb or airplane mode so a call doesn't ruin the take.

Editing

Cut hard. Start with the most interesting moment, not the introduction. Add captions, keep it under a minute for social, and end with one clear next step for the viewer.

If you've filmed something and never got round to editing it, send it to us. We edit short videos for £69, with captions, music and your logo.

When to get help

Phones are brilliant for day-to-day content. Bring in a professional when the video has to carry your brand for a long time, like a home page film, a recruitment video or a testimonial, or when there is no second take, like an event or a live stream.