In recent years, the importance of personal branding for entrepreneurs has increased. We have seen individuals from different industries and backgrounds appear on social media in their efforts to raise awareness about their businesses and companies. The appearance of entrepreneurs and executives on social media has added a personal touch, which in turn deepened the relationship with clients and target audiences. This communication takes different forms, such as written (through articles and posts), visual (through photos and videos), and audio (through podcasts and recordings).
According to research, 93% of marketers confirm that video marketing delivered positive results, including higher engagement, more views, increased website traffic, stronger brand awareness, and higher sales.
It is expected that 89% of businesses will use video as part of their marketing strategies in 2025. Unsurprisingly, YouTube remains the most popular platform for video, followed by LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
A global survey by Statista showed that 67% of marketers plan to increase their video marketing on Instagram.
The Importance of Recording Videos
Videos are one of the most powerful forms of communication and marketing. Today, videos are no longer a luxury; they have become a necessity. They increase credibility and distinguish your content from AI-generated material.
Here are some key benefits of videos for businesses:
- Enhancing Marketing Efforts:
– Better visibility in search engines
– Higher audience engagement and interaction - Building Stronger Relationships with Customers:
– Humanizing the brand, making it feel closer and more relatable
– Building trust and credibility
– Telling stories more effectively than text-based posts or carousels - Gaining a competitive advantage in saturated markets where products and services often look alike.
Challenges of Recording Videos
Many people avoid being on camera for various reasons, some cultural, others personal, such as discomfort in front of the lens. Cameras can also be unforgiving, showing people differently than in real life due to factors like lighting or shooting angles. Some believe they need expensive equipment and complex technical setups before recording, which creates an additional challenge for small businesses with limited budgets.
To address this, Riyada hosted a photography specialist in February 2025, who shared advice on how to prepare for recording personal videos using simple tools like a mobile phone and everyday items around us, such as furniture, wall art, and natural lighting.
Simple Steps to Record Videos on a Limited Budget
Here are some tips gathered from our guest’s insights, our video-making experience, and additional research:
- Plan Your Video
Before recording, study your environment and camera angles. Prepare a clear plan—what you want to say and how you want to present it. Writing a short script, listing the scenes and locations, and sequencing them helps make videos structured and effective.
Bring along simple tools such as: a tripod to stabilize your phone and avoid shaky footage, and a wireless microphone for better sound quality (or record in a quiet place if a mic isn’t available).
Cars can also serve as a great recording spot during the day, offering good lighting, quietness, and a distraction-free background (the car ceiling). That’s why many content creators record inside their cars. - Use Natural Lighting
Good lighting is essential. Use natural sunlight to avoid the expense of professional lighting equipment, keeping in mind you have limited time to take advantage of it. This can be harder in winter or cloudy weather. Record near windows or outdoors during the day. Avoid hours when the sun is too harsh or overhead, as direct light and sharp shadows may ruin the scene. - Use Your Smartphone
At the start, you don’t need a professional camera. Modern smartphones provide excellent video quality. Enable the grid feature on your phone camera to help with proper composition.
The grid assists with the Rule of Thirds, a key photography technique that creates more engaging and balanced visuals. Instead of centering your subject, you place it along the lines or intersections of the grid to draw the viewer’s eye naturally.
The following photo from Riyada’s meetup shows how one of the attendees was placed within the grid:
How to enable the grid on smartphones:
Samsung: Open the camera app → Settings → Enable “Grid lines.”
iPhone: Go to Settings → Select “Camera” → Enable “Grid.” - Pay Attention to Details While Filming
When recording, leave some space above your head, and make sure your body occupies no more than one-third of the video frame. Minimize background distractions such as clashing wall art or off-topic text advertisements.
To add depth, keep some distance between yourself and the background. You can also place small objects in the foreground (like a penholder), but ensure they do not overshadow the main subject—you.
The following photo shows how the tree in the background and the cup in the front were used to give some depth to the image taken:
- Editing Your Video
Once all clips are recorded, move on to editing to add the final touches. Free tools like Canva can be useful for trimming, adding text, overlays, music, or your logo.
If your speech pace is too slow, use the speed-up feature. Explore the application’s other editing options until you achieve the look you want.
When uploading your videos, you can add sound effects directly in Canva or in the platform where you will post them, such as Instagram.
Recording videos, like learning anything new, feels difficult and imperfect at first. But with time and practice, it becomes easier and more rewarding.
While general tips can help, you’ll still need trial and error to find what works best for you. Some may prefer recording from their left side, others from their right. Often, you’ll need to re-shoot several times at different angles until you find the one that suits you most.
Videos are a powerful tool to build your personal brand and strengthen your relationship with customers. They allow entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services in a realistic and engaging way, while reinforcing credibility.
By following the simple steps above, entrepreneurs can produce effective, professional-looking videos on a limited budget, helping grow their businesses and build stronger connections with their target audience.
Check out our Instagram reel for a recap of Riyada’s meetup on the topic.
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