How Do I Create Video Content for Free?

How Do I Create Video Content for Free? A Guide to Becoming a Star on a Shoestring Budget

Hey there! So you want to create video content? Maybe you’ve been watching Ray William Johnson on =3 or seen the success of Michelle Phan’s makeup tutorials. You’ve got an idea, a passion, and a message you want to share with the world. There’s just one little problem: you don’t have a Hollywood budget. In fact, you don’t have any budget.

Don’t you worry. What you have, and the tools to become a creator are more accessible than ever. You don’t need a fancy camera or expensive editing suites. You just need a little know-how and the stuff you already own. Let’s break down exactly how you can create fantastic video content for free.

Step 1: Your Camera is in Your Pocket (Or On Your Laptop)

Forget what you’ve heard about needing a $1000 camcorder. Your primary tool is probably already within arm’s reach.

• The Humble Webcam: Most laptops from the last few years have a built-in webcam that’s perfectly decent for recording vlogs, tutorials, or sit-down talks. If you have an old external webcam lying around, even better! Just make sure you’re in a well-lit room.
• The Point-and-Shoot Digital Camera: Remember those? Dig it out of your drawer. Many digital cameras from the last 5 years have a surprisingly good video mode. It might not be full HD, but standard definition (480p) is just fine for getting started on YouTube.
• The Smartphone Revolution: This is your secret weapon. If you have an iPhone 4S or newer, or a decent Android phone like a Samsung Galaxy S3, you have a high-definition (720p or 1080p) video camera in your pocket. The quality is honestly amazing for something you use to make calls. Just remember to shoot horizontally, not vertically!

Step 2: Free Editing Software is Your Best Friend

This is where the magic happens. You need to edit your clips, add titles, maybe some music. And you can do it all for $0.

• For Windows Users: Windows Live Movie Maker. This is a classic for a reason. It came pre-installed on many PCs, and if it didn’t, you can download it for free from Microsoft. It’s incredibly simple to use. You drag and drop your video clips, you can trim them, add transitions (like fades and wipes), put text on the screen, and even add a soundtrack. It’s not powerful enough for fancy effects, but it’s perfect for putting together a clean, professional-looking video.
• For Mac Users: iMovie. If you have a Mac, you are already sitting on a goldmine. iMovie is fantastic free software that comes with every new Mac. It’s way more powerful than Movie Maker. You can do green screen effects, create trailers with pre-made templates, and have much more control over your audio and video. It’s the best free editing tool available in 2013.

There are also some new, browser-based editors like YouTube Video Editor that are starting to pop up, letting you do basic edits right on the YouTube site after you upload.

Step 3: Sound and Light (The Secret Sauce)

Bad audio will ruin a great video faster than anything else. And good lighting is free.

• Audio: Your camera’s built-in microphone is okay, but it picks up every little sound in the room. For a huge upgrade, use the hands-free headphones that came with your smartphone. The little microphone on that cord is often much clearer. Just hide the cord under your shirt!
• Lighting: You don’t need studio lights. The best light source is free: the sun. Sit facing a window during the day. The natural light will make you look fantastic on camera. If you’re filming at night, position a regular lamp in front of you (but off to the side a bit to avoid harsh shadows) and point it at your face. A simple desk lamp can work wonders.

Step 4: Finding Free Music and Images

You can’t just use the latest pop song from the radio. You’ll get a copyright claim and your video could be muted. But there are places to find music you’re allowed to use.

• YouTube Audio Library: A fairly new feature on YouTube! If you go into your YouTube Creator Studio, there’s a section called “Audio Library” with a bunch of free songs and sound effects you can use in your videos without any worry.
• Incompetech: A website run by composer Kevin MacLeod. He has created hundreds of pieces of music and released them for free under a “Creative Commons” license. All he asks is that you credit him in your video description. It’s an incredible resource.

Step 5: Uploading and Sharing Your Masterpiece

You’ve shot and edited your video. Now what? In this year, the answer is simple: YouTube.

• Create a YouTube channel (it’s linked to your Google account).
• Click the upload button and select your video file.
• While it uploads, fill out the title, description, and tags. Be honest and descriptive. What is your video about?
• Choose a thumbnail. This is the picture people see before they click, so make it a good one!
• Hit “Publish” and share the link on your Facebook, Twitter, and anywhere else you hang out online.

And that’s it! You’ve just created video content for free. The barrier to entry has never been lower. The most important thing isn’t the gear—it’s your creativity, your personality, and your consistency. So grab your webcam, fire up Movie Maker, and start creating. The internet is waiting to hear what you have to say.