You have an amazing product that you make with your hands that you want to share with the world. You KNOW that people are going to swoon over what you can teach them.

But how do you shoot it? How can you make your video clear and concise, while entertaining to watch?

Well guess what Crafting Cutie, have I got tips for you! I’ll show you how to maintain clear instructions, while putting your own personality into your video that people flock to watch. I’ll even include a funny example of me making a paper airplane at the end of this video to give you some ideas.

One of the most important aspects of shooting a hands-on instructional video is that you want to maintain clarity. You need to be very consistent with the flow of your instructions and the angle from which you shoot. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have someone to help you, you can definitely shoot this yourself. Don’t know how to edit? No problem, I’ll show you how to create a streamlined workflow that will have your viewers jumping for joy that they can do it too, and wanting more!

Create your MASTER shot.

What’s a master shot? It basically establishes your frame of view in the camera that will be consistent throughout the whole video. If you are working from a desk, set up the camera ideally in front of the desk, so you are directly facing the viewers. Here, you can give them an intro of what you will be making. You should also set up reference points for your viewers, so it doesn’t get confusing later.

For instance, if you say RIGHT HAND you might want to also RAISE your right hand. Because it’s actually on the viewer’s left side. You can put a pretty vase or some kind of reference point on the desk as well, so if you change your angle later, the viewer will still always know which side you are referring to.

Shoot the entire video from this angle. Yes, I know. Your viewers won’t see a single thing that you are doing, but it will make more sense as we go along.

Create your CLOSE UP shot.

Now you’ll want to move your camera to where the viewers can clearly see your hands and what you are doing. Ideally, you’ll want to set up the camera slightly overhead and behind your right or left shoulder and shoot the entire video again. Make sure that you can still see that reference point like the vase on your desk. This will provide an anchor point for your viewers.

From this angle, you want to make sure that your RIGHT hand IS in the right side of the camera frame, and your left hand is the left hand. It makes it much easier for people to follow along without getting frustrated with having to mentally change the angle in their heads. This kind of reminds me of taking an aerobics or yoga class. It makes a real difference when the instructor is actually facing away from me, so I can mimic her movements. OH, and KEY point. Make sure your hands are in focus.

Take some test shots to make sure the viewer can clearly see what you’re doing. There’s nothing more aggravating than trying to learn something you can’t see.

Show them the END RESULT.

I know from past attempts at making things like origami, that it can be easy to get lost when you are not clear on the process to achieving that end result. How is folding the paper THIS way, create something that will look THAT way? It can help your viewers to understand the process better if they can see the end result.

I encourage you to think of doing this in a creative way, like using fast motion to show your viewers from beginning to end in a captivating way that will make them interested to DO it, and maybe also make them say AHA! You could even just hold up what you’re making, and say directly, “you have to make sure this looks like THIS, before you move on”.

Make your VIDEO DIFFERENT!

How are you going to infuse your own personality into your videos? There are different ways that you can show people HOW to, but people are also buying into your unique personality and how you present your knowledge. Maybe it’s a soundtrack that you consistently use in the close ups, or the funny voice overs you add when you add during your close up shots, or creating a fun introduction that is authentically YOU! Remember to bring your unique twist on your craft because that is what will attract your dream clients.

Editing time.

You’ll want to lay down your MASTER shot as your main project. From there, you’ll want to take important points from your CLOSE UP shots and lay it over only important points. This prevents your viewer from becoming disconnected with you by staring at a pair of disembodied hands.

If you don’t know how to edit yet, that’s totally cool. You can STILL Do this!

Instead of shooting the entire first master shot, you will shoot just your introduction. Then, move your camera to your CLOSE up angle that is behind your shoulder and slightly overhead. Keep in mind how you can segment this craft, and use these overhead shots to show parts that are more challenging. Once you have created the initial parts of your craft, like the main initial folds, you can move your camera back to the master shot angle, and explain what you will do next. Yup, then move the camera back to your close up over shoulder shot, and show the viewer how it’s done. So on and so forth.

Okay, in case you’re still feeling a little lost. I’ve included a DEMO video of me making a paper airplane at the end of this video. I’m not even sure if this is the correct way to make a paper airplane, but you’ll get an idea of how to create your camera angles that is ideal for your viewers.

I hope this videos has given you some tips on showing your craft in the best light possible. And remember to have fun with it! When you experiment, that joy comes through in your videos, and people will naturally be more engaged.