When it comes to posting video content, YouTube is the ultimate destination.

In fact, at this point, YouTube is almost synonymous with internet video.

YouTube has over 1.9 billion monthly active users and they watch a billion hours of video every day. To put that in perspective, that’s over 114,000 years of video consumed EVERY DAY.

Top YouTube content creators can make hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars a day. But ironically, being successful and making money on YouTube has little to do with making videos.

So how DO you become successful on YouTube?

Today I’m going to share with you techniques from some of the top YouTubers that show exactly what you should (and shouldn’t) do for YouTube content creation.

And, better yet, I’m going to share a FREE template to help you make YouTube videos faster!

With a few simple steps (and this awesome template), you’ll be creating content in no time!

Let’s go!

Here’s everything, step-by-step, that you need to make a successful YouTube video:

Step 1. Create a YouTube video strategy

Step 2. Make sure your video is found on YouTube

Step 3. Find YouTube ideas and topics

Step 4. Understand YouTube equipment for beginners

Step 5. Learn the first YouTube video you should make

Step 6. Set up your video recording

Step 7. Record your desktop

Step 8. Edit your video

Step 9. Upload your video on YouTube

Step 10. Optimize your video for YouTube

Step 1. Create a YouTube Video Strategy

Choose the right topic (for the right audience)

Want to know the best-kept secret about being successful on YouTube (or any other content platform)?

It has very little with you as the creator.

You can be charismatic, funny, and smart — but if you don’t provide value, your videos are useless.

It’s not about you or what you can gain. If you show up to YouTube looking to get something out of it, you probably won’t be very successful.

You need to focus on your audience. Not yourself.

Find your perfect audience for YouTube

Before you start working on your first script or storyboard, you must answer this question:

“Who is your audience?”

Knowing your audience will guide nearly every decision you make about your video.

Knowing general information is helpful, but think about your specific audience.

• What are their problems?
• What do they need to know?
• What will they learn from your video?
• How does your video benefit them?

If you can’t answer these basic questions you need to dig deeper. The answers to these questions will guide you as you plan out and create your video.

Experts’ Take

As you start looking at what your audience wants and needs, there are some things you can do to help you narrow your focus.

Here’s advice from YouTube experts who have learned (from a lot of practice and work) what you need to define your audience.

YouTube Marketing Consultant Owen Video says, “The very first thing we do is run our clients through a questionnaire that helps them to get the biggest topics that the audience would be interested in.”

Jeremy Vest, Director of Marketing for vidIQ, suggests that listening is critical because “if you don’t listen to your audience then…you’re not going to serve them very well.” However, it’s not all about just seeking what the viewer wants.

Once you have a sense of your audience, you need to create content that matches your persona. It doesn’t matter if your video doesn’t work for other groups or other personas.

When you’re just starting out you want your audience to be as specific as possible.

Niche is good. Broad is bad.

Focus your content on helping the viewer achieve their goals. If you’re selling software, you need to make sure your video helps the viewer learn exactly what they need to be successful.

Fernando Silva, Account Executive for Wistia, emphasizes this need and suggests that we must “[get] a sense to what your audience is actually interested in and what they want to keep watching or maybe what doesn’t interest them. It … helps you make better content in the future.”

If you work hard to understand your audience but aren’t sure of what you should create for them, Tyler Lessard, Vice President of Marketing at Vidyard, stresses that you should, “focus more on the quality of the content and how you deliver it. Making sure it’s relevant to your audience, and I think that’s a simple way to start.”

Throw perfection out the window

Just start.

It’s really that simple.

I know it can be tempting to watch the big-name YouTubers and think you have to create videos just like that and engage a massive audience all at once, but all of those thoughts can be paralyzing.

“I personally believe that we’re all on the same plane, whether you’re a business or whether you’re an individual creator. Because we all start somewhere…”

Amy Landino, Co-founder of Aftermarq, and Best-Selling author of Vlog Like a Boss.

Too many people worry about getting things perfect from the beginning. We paralyze ourselves into not creating anything or releasing our content because we’re so concerned about whether we have all the right equipment, or if every part is perfect.

What should you do if you find yourself stuck on making it perfect?

Start by asking yourself a few questions:

• Will my audience not clearly understand the purpose of the video if these changes aren’t made?
• Will the video, as is, achieve your goal?
• Does the video contain something incorrect that would seriously impact the viewer?
• What is the worst that will happen if the current version is released as is?
• Can the time that could be spent continuing to edit be put to better use on another project?

Once you answer these questions, give yourself permission to move on. If you focus too much on creating the perfect video you will limit yourself in the long run.

Step 2. Make sure your video is found on YouTube

A video can’t be successful if no one sees it! You must consider Search Engine Optimization (SEO) when you start creating your video.

There is a lot to learn and figure out, but mainly you want to get your content found by the people who are searching.

Two key ways to rank your YouTube videos:

1. Make content that is good for the users
2. Make content that is good for search engines

At the end of the day, you want your content to be found. SEO can be a hugely complicated endeavor, but you don’t have to do everything at once. The creators we talked with made a few easy suggestions.

Andrew Kan, of TubeBuddy, recommends you make content focused on a specific topic and niches, which will help your content be more searchable. It also helps ensure that the right audience is finding your content.

“Many people spend time on broad terms that have so much competition they’re never going to show up for [in search],” he said. “If you show up on the race day, and you’re [not] a runner and you’ve practiced once, you can’t expect to win. So by practicing, by understanding that being more specific helps you be more discoverable, it helps you win.”

In addition to focusing your content on specific topics, Jeremy Vest recommends that you make sure your content is helpful and answers questions your potential audience is asking.

“Match that search intent with ‘how do I fix this blank’, and you sell that blank,” he said. “Instead of just talking about how good your widget is, be the answer to questions being asked … And being the answer to those is…one of the easiest ways for brands to start doing well in this environment and then from there beat that expectation. Provide things they’re not expecting. Have guests they wouldn’t expect to be on your program. And, give more value than they can even believe.”

To make your content helpful and findable, consider the questions being asked and where they’re being asked. Then you can create the right content and post it where it will be found.

Step 3. Find YouTube ideas and topics

Now that you know your audience, you may be wondering “What should I make a YouTube video about?” The good news is that there are tons of ways to find YouTube video ideas that your audience is searching for.

Let’s say you run a home contracting business. You decide you are going to target your channel towards current homeowners looking to spruce up their house. Your initial video topics might include things like How to Remove Popcorn Ceilings or How to Refinish Your Kitchen Cabinets.

That’s a great start, but for even more ideas than your initial list, here are some tips from Gord Isman of the best places you can use to get inspired and find highly-relevant topics for your specific audience.

1. YouTube search

YouTube search is one of the best ways to find what people are looking for. When you come up with a content idea, do a quick YouTube search and see what comes back.

Then look at the search results and decide if it’s a saturated area or there’s room to create a unique, valuable version.

You want to choose topics that you’re passionate about and that are relevant to your audience.

When you have a basic topic idea YouTube can help you narrow it down.

Search YouTube by typing some keywords into the search bar.

The auto-suggest/autocomplete feature will give you additional keywords that YouTube suggests.

Here’s an example where I typed “tutorial video” into the search bar, and a list of suggested topics appeared below.

You want to take those terms and write them down. You may find after all of your research that one video can cover a lot of the same topics, or that you can create a series of videos.

For a topic focusing on “video tutorial” I would want to focus on editing, video ideas, and background music as a good starting point.

2. Comments section

The comments section of videos and articles can be a great resource for YouTube video topics.

Viewers often suggest additional topics or ask questions that suggest areas of interest for creating additional content.

So start by looking at a competitor’s YouTube channel and start mining the comments.

3. Communities and groups

Whether it’s Twitter, a Facebook group, or a membership group, find like-minded people who will inspire you and help you out along the way.

Don’t discourage yourself by assuming you must go at it alone.

Find a group that you can bounce ideas off of and ask questions. You might even come away with some different (and better) video topics to start with.

4. Ask your audience

If you already have an audience (even a small one) it’s worth asking them what types of content they would like to see.

This is a surefire way to figure out what your audience wants to know, learn, and watch.

Step 4. Understand YouTube equipment for beginners

It can be easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you don’t have the right tools to create your video.

It’s fun to have high-end equipment and there is no question that better equipment can produce a better quality video.

Keep in mind, too, that highly specialized equipment that can be complex to run, and requires considerable time and training to master.

Especially as you’re starting out, try not to worry too much about equipment.

First, learn to get good at creating the content and worry about leveling up your gear later.

If you’re still worried about what gear you should use, Brian Fanzo, of iSocialFanz has some advice. He suggests baby steps, “…start with your phone, and then move to a web camera, then move to professional gear.”

A lot can be done with things like screen recording software, a simple video editor, or a smartphone and a little bit of creativity.

These tools can help you learn the basics of video creation, and help you to practice good techniques that will be beneficial no matter what gear you use.

“So many people focus on ‘I don’t have the right gear’ and ‘I don’t have the right camera,’ but they don’t really think about, well, what is my message? What am I trying to get across with my brand? They don’t want to just be told, buy my product. If you can make someone feel something, if you can make them relate to what you’re doing, that’s more important than any piece of gear.”

Andrew Kan, TubeBuddy

Here is some of the basic gear (outside of your phone) you may want to consider if you are going to create high-quality YouTube videos:

1. Microphone

Whether for your mobile device, input directly into your camera, or even a digital recorder, a microphone will improve the overall quality of you your video. A decent mic doesn’t have to be expensive, but it is well worth it.

2. Screen recorder and video editor

When you choose screen recording software, pick a tool with built-in recording, editing, and sharing features. It will save you time and let you do all of your work in one tool.

Recording your screen is a great way to make a YouTube video without a camera. At TechSmith, we think Camtasia is the perfect video editing software for beginners. And, it has the power and versatility to level-up with you as you gain more skills.

If you want to learn more about Camtasia and it’s simple video editing functionality, check out this quick video from Tim Schmoyer of Video Creators.

3. Lighting

If you’re recording camera video or even a webcam, video lighting will make a big difference in how you look, and the overall quality.

Lights will even improve the look of mobile device videos and can be a great investment. You don’t have to pay a lot of money for lights when starting. Since lighting is a mixture of science and art, a basic set will help you create a professional-looking video.

4. Camera or webcam

Cameras can be large investments, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

While DSLRs or other high-end cameras can drastically improve the look of your video, they also add a ton of settings and options that need to be managed, increasing the complexity of shooting your video.

An external webcam is a relatively inexpensive option to improve your video quality. Most built-in webcams are pretty low quality when compared to their external counterparts.

And don’t forget, you probably have a pretty nice camera in your pocket, backpack, or purse. Most of the latest smartphones can record video in full HD (1080p), and many can even do 4K.

Step 5. Learn the first YouTube video you should make

There are all kinds of videos that people create on YouTube. The best video you can start with is an instructional video.

According to a recent TechSmith study, 53% of people reported watching two or more instructional videos per week (up 152% compared to 2013).

A simple tutorial or how-to video is a great way to get your feet wet.

A tutorial video simply answers a question someone asked. It could be How to Freeze Panes in Excel or How to Change Your Oil. Either way, you’re simply sharing your expert knowledge with others.

These types of videos are all over YouTube, and with good reason.

According to a Pew research study that surveyed over 4,500 Americans in 2018, 87 percent of users said that YouTube is important for helping them figure out how to do things they haven’t done before.

That means you have a great opportunity to take create helpful and valuable instructional videos for your audience.

Do you have dog training tips to share? Gather a list of all the questions a dog owner might have and create a series of how-to videos to give them answers.

If you are an expert in Photoshop and want to help others get better, a tutorial video or training video would be a great place to start.

And if you’re a business or entrepreneur, there’s no better place to start than a product demo video or explainer video.

These videos will help your potential customers see exactly what your product or service does without having to read a ton of material.

People look for video help every day. Learning and educational content alone drives over a billion views a day on YouTube.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to make a high-quality YouTube video using screen recorded content, just like this one from TubeBuddy:

Step 6. Set up your video recording

Now that you know your audience, have you topics planned out, and know what video to make it’s time to get started making your video.

A script may seem pretty formal, but it’s a great tool to help you stay focused. Plan out the visuals (shots, angles, graphics, etc.) that go along with each line of dialogue.

If you already have a blog post for a topic, I’d suggest you write a script based off of the original post. It doesn’t have to be elaborate.

Write a script or outline

If a script seems like overkill, a simple outline will help you talk through your points, and is better than hitting record without a plan.

Clean up your desk (and desktop)

One of the top mistakes to avoid when you record yourself is to have too much clutter, both on and off the screen.

If you’re shooting a video at your desk, business, or home you want your environment to be clean and presentable.

Next, you’ll need to adjust your camera or webcam, and video lighting (if you have them). Use an external webcam mounted behind your laptop, or—even better—turn a DSLR camera into your webcam for superior video quality.

Here’s everything you need to know about setting up your workspace for a perfect video:

Clean up your mess

If you’re getting shots of yourself, make sure anything that can be seen on screen is clean and free from clutter. A blank, single-color wall is a great background, but if you don’t have access to that, just make sure that your setting is as free from distractions as possible.

You want your viewers focused on you, not the artwork on your wall.

If your video includes a screen capture or screen recording, clutter on your computer screen is just as distracting. And there’s nothing worse than having to fumble through unnecessary apps and programs to get what you actually want to show in your video.

Make sure to close any unnecessary programs and windows before you record.

Avoid recording in front of windows

If you record near a window, avoid recording in front of it. Position yourself next to the window or facing the window. This way, you won’t be washed out or become a silhouette. Pro tip: this is also a great way to enhance your lighting, though be careful, as it can be hard to control the amount of light.

Position your camera correctly

Tilt your webcam or camera so that it’s at eye level and your viewers don’t have to look up at you. Stick to the Rule of Thirds or position yourself in the center of the frame.

Step 7. Record your desktop

Pick your favorite screen recorder and walk through your script as you record your desktop.

Here at TechSmith, we use Camtasia for a lot of our YouTube videos.

It’s perfect for anyone who needs to make instructional videos on YouTube and we have a ton of help videos to get you started.

Your recording can be as simple or complex as you want to make it. You can record webcam to give it some personality, create an intro, add music, or simply hit record and share it out.

1. Record your screen

To start a recording, click the Record button at the top of the tools panel. This opens the Camtasia recorder, which by default, is set to capture everything that happens on your screen.

2. Customize your settings

First, you’ll want to choose to record the full screen or select a custom region to record.

Next, choose other inputs to record along with the screen. Options include webcam, microphone audio, and system audio. Select the down arrow or double arrows next to each to choose a specific microphone or webcam.

Finally, click ‘Start Recording’ to begin.

3. Finish Recording

Windows

When you’re finished recording, click the Camtasia recorder icon in the taskbar, then the stop button. If you need to re-record, choose ‘delete’ to start over.

Quick Tip: Press “F10” to stop a recording, or “F9” to pause/resume a recording.

Mac

To finish the recording, click the Camtasia icon in the Apple menu bar, then click “Stop Recording.” Or, if you need to re-record, choose “Start Over.”

Quick Tip: Press “CMD+OPTION+2” to stop a recording, or “CMD+SHIFT+2” to pause/resume a recording.

Step 8. Edit your video

Editing your video can be the most fun and most time-consuming part of the creation process. And for a beginner, it can definitely be the most overwhelming.

Here a few simple edits you can use to get started:

1. Trim mistakes

Often we record a little extra at the beginning and end of a recording. To remove the extra content, drag the end of the clip “in.” This is called trimming. If you trim too much, drag the video clip back to restore your video.

It’s good to note that any edits you make on the timeline, won’t affect your original recording in the media bin.

2. Use cuts

Drag the red or green handle on the playhead to select the area to remove, then click the cut button to remove the section. A stitched line appears, showing you where the cut was made.

If you make a selection and want to bring the playhead back together, double click the playhead.

3. Add titles, transitions, annotations, and more

Add a level of polish and professionalism to your videos with eye-catching titles, annotations, effects and more. Click and drag them from the tools panel to the timeline or canvas.

Video editing tips

There are endless resources across the web that can show you the intricate details of video editing. But there are a few video editing tips you’ll need to make a high-quality video without overcomplicating it.

Let’s go over some other common enhancements that can really make your video stand out.

Add a simple intro

A video intro leads your viewers into your content. Keep your intro simple and to the point. Viewers want to get to the meat of your content. They don’t care about anything other than what you promised to teach them.

An intro can be used throughout all the videos on your YouTube channel, a playlist, or just a single video.

Create lower-thirds

A lower-third (also called a chyron) is placed on the lower third portion (usually to the right or left) of the screen and is a simple way to provide your audience with information. Usually, they display a name, place, or other useful information.

They shouldn’t cover up your visual and are meant to be complementary to your primary subject.

Add music

Finally, you’ll want to add music to your video. It will probably take you more time to choose the music you want to use than it will to actually add it to your video.

For most purposes, your best bet is to use music from a premium royalty-free music site. While the music won’t be free, it’s typically inexpensive, and you’ll have a wider range of high-quality music to choose from.

Where can you find music for videos? You can access a huge library of free and premium music tracks from TechSmith Assets.

Focus on good audio and voice over

Poor audio can sink your video.

For recording voice over, you can use Camtasia. However, for the easiest voice over experience, I highly recommend TechSmith Audiate.

Audiate transcribes your voice over as you speak. You can then edit your audio just like editing text. No more searching through the wave form to find your mistakes.

And, Audiate even lets you quickly find and delete your “ums,” “uhs,” and other mumbles and hesitations.

If you have music in your video, make sure it doesn’t overpower your with your voice over. Don’t be afraid to add those phat beats, but remember that your audience is here to learn from what you’re saying.

Pay special attention to your final edit by focusing on the sound. Close your eyes and just listen to your video. If it sounds off, you should adjust it, regardless of how amazing your footage or screen content is.

“My editing style has always been to keep our content as concise as possible. I want people to get what they need from my videos as fast as possible. And to keep our videos on brand, we always use the same font, brand colors, and tone of music – which creates consistency and familiarity.”

Sunny Lenarduzzi, Founder of YouTube for Bosses

Create a compelling outro

A YouTube outro is where you can add specific calls to action to your video. This can also be referred to as the end screen, and it is the last part of your video.

There are four different content types available for use in your end screens on YouTube, called elements. These four elements are:

• Video or playlist: This allows you to link to a different individual video or a YouTube playlist of multiple videos.
• Subscribe: This allows you to link to your own channel where a viewer can click to subscribe.
• Channel: This allows you to link to a different YouTube channel.
• Link to approved website: This allows you to link to a website outside of YouTube.

Step 9. Upload your video to YouTube

Uploading to YouTube is simple. If you use Camtasia to create your YouTube video you’ll have the option to share directly to YouTube from within the product. You’ll simply have to log into YouTube and connect your YouTube account to Camtasia.

Or you can upload videos with the YouTube platform.

Step 10. Optimize your video for YouTube

As you start making your video there are few key areas you’ll want to focus in on to make sure your video performs well in YouTube. By being strategic while you make your video you’ll give yourself a better shot at ranking on YouTube.

Video Production Optimization

Target keywords that list videos on Google


Have you noticed more videos popping up in your search results?

Google processes 3.5 billion searches per day, and many how-to based searches now include YouTube videos directly in the Google search engine result.

These online videos show up for all sorts of searches. Simply type in “how to fix my fridge” or “how to change spark plugs” and Google will give you the top YouTube videos based on your search.

Make longer videos

Longer videos generally rank higher than shorter ones.

Backlinko analyzed 1.3 Million YouTube Videos and found that the average length of a video on the first page of YouTube is 14 minutes, 50 seconds.

YouTube will push longer videos higher in search results.

This has to do with two key ranking factors: Total Watch Time and Total Session Time.

Essentially YouTube will push videos higher in the ranking if they provide value and keep people on the site as long as possible.

So as you plan your videos, think about how you can expand them. And rather than just adding filler content, think about how you can dive deeper into your topic to create an even more useful video.

Make sure your keyword is spoken in your video

YouTube transcribes your content, so try and say your main keyword 1-2 times in the script.

Make a unique introduction

Retention is everything on
 YouTube. Incentivize users to
 watch as long as possible in 
your first 10 seconds. Tease out what you’re going to talk about and give them a reason to stay and watch your video.

Tell users to…

Comment, like, subscribe, and visit your site at the end of the video. If you don’t tell them to do it, they probably never will. And if you are creating supportive, helpful content they will be more likely to interact with your YouTube channel.

YouTube Ranking Optimization

Now that you’ve created an optimized video, it’s time to optimize within the YouTube platform. You don’t want to overcomplicate this. It isn’t about stuffing keywords into places and trying to trick YouTube into ranking your video.

You want to be strategic in what you do, and above all else, provide value to your audience.

Title, description, and thumbnail

Get the keyword in the title and description, preferably at the front, but don’t forget to make it compelling and click-worthy. It’s less about trying to stuff keywords in and more about letting viewers know that your video will help solve what they are looking for.

Pro tip: Be honest in your title and description. People stop watching videos that don’t deliver on their promises.

According to YouTube, 90% of the best-performing videos on YouTube use a custom thumbnail. Try to make your YouTube thumbnail interesting and different than everything else in the search results.

Make your video worthy of a click.

Leverage your current audience to build video velocity

The first 48 hours your video goes live are critical. This is where leveraging your current audience plays a big part.

You can create a stronger buzz and your views begin to climb through your existing base. Owen Video likes to create video velocity by acquiring views before a video is public and rewarding his followers with exclusive content.

As a result, YouTube sees the video as more valuable and it becomes more likely to appear high in the search results.

Here is one of Owen Video’s most successful strategies for YouTube video promotion. Mirroring his strategy with your own videos will help you improve their performance early on:

Owen Video’s video promotion strategy example:

• The first day he publishes a video, he leaves it unlisted (the video can’t be searched or found by the public without a link).
• The link to the unlisted video is distributed on social media channels.
• The link to the unlisted video is emailed to applicable mailing lists.
• The audience gets early access to a new piece of content and feels rewarded for maintaining a relationship with Owen Video.
• Then he makes the video public. When the video goes live, there are already views which help build traction for the video.

This is video velocity, and essentially, you’re getting a head start on YouTube.

“So what happens is, you create velocity with your video…people are watching it before it’s even public, yet. Having that distribution, or pre-promotion plan is going to set [you] apart from your competitors who are just figuring this stuff out.” – Owen Video

What’s next?

We’ve covered a lot in this guide. And whether you’re just getting started, or you’re a video veteran, you’ve learned some of the key tools and strategies to create successful YouTube videos.

Camtasia is built for anyone who needs to make any kind of instructional video. We offer a ton of helpful tutorials to get you started. And, for the record, we make 100% of our tutorials and other screencasts using Camtasia.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2019 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Video file formats are so plentiful these days. It can be overwhelming to choose which file format is best suited to your project.

This quick, down and dirty guide will help you gain a core understanding of how video files differ from one another and what formats you should be using in various stages of your workflow.

What is a video format?

Let’s start with the basics – what does “video format” even mean? 

Video formats refer to the way in which the video’s information is stored on digital devices or servers. 

There are two main components to each video format; the Codec and the Container.  

Codecs

Codec is actually an acronym; it stands for compressor/decompressor. Think about all of the information contained in a video file – there are combinations of data related to images, audio, video, and meta data among others. 

The amount of data held in a video file takes up a lot of space and the codec helps to reduce the amount of storage required to house each file. While in storage, the video codec will reduce the file size by merging like data, minimizing the number of colors in a video and reducing the resolution. 

When the video is opened for viewing or editing the same codec will decompress the data.  

It is important to explain that Codecs can be “lossy” or “lossless” in their compression methods. If the codec’s method of compression involves removing or merging files, this is what would be described as lossy. It can result in the quality of your file diminishing after each edit.

Lossless Codecs will store your data in a way that preserves all of the information from the original file, which is great, but there is a tradeoff for that benefit – a larger file size.  

Containers

Now we’ve explained a video Codec, one of the two components of a video format, but you may still be wondering what a video container is.  

Funny enough, the image that came to mind when you first read the word “container” is probably pretty close to what it is!  A video container is used to keep all the elements of a file together so that they can be played back synchonously. So if you pictured a box or jar when you first read the word “container” in this article – you weren’t far off! 

All video containers can hold data related to audio and video but they can differ from one another in their abilities to hold elements outside of those.  

Some video containers can hold metadata and subtitles among other things, but some can only hold audio and video elements.

Video containers can be identified by their file extension. Some common video file extensions are .mp4, .mov, and .avi, among others.     

Formats vs. codecs, what’s the difference?

Container vs Codec is a consistent point of confusion  – they do both play important roles in video file creation and management so it’s not unreasonable that people sometimes believe them to be synonymous.  

Containers and Codecs, though, are very different from one another and serve two important and unique purposes. 

The Codec encodes and compresses, then decodes and decompresses the data that makes up your video. It is about what comes out of the camera; the filming and recording process. 

An example of a Codec is H.264

The Format or Container, stores the audio, video, subtitles, and other elements that make up your video.  It’s about the end product.   MP4 and MOV are examples of video formats.  

The most common video formats

There are many different types of video file formats. We’ve gathered the details on some of the most common to help you better understand when to use which one. 

Video format 1: MP4

What is it? 

MP4 is the most common and most popular video format. It is the most universally compatible and is capable of storing audio, video, subtitles, text and still images. It is the best option for use on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and twitter. 

Pros

This file format is universally supported by most digital devices and media players. It is compatible with both Windows and iOs and can be used on popular devices like Xbox 360, television sets and DVD players. MP4 files are relatively small in size but the video quality is high. Compression of these files only causes a very slight loss of quality.   

Cons

The MP4 file format is still being developed but its popularity and ease of access has resulted in an ease of piracy that could be concerning to some creators. This video format can be challenging to edit. Though it is uncommon, MP4s can experience issues with audio syncing due to Codec issues.  

Video format 1: MOV

What is it?

The MOV file format is quite similar to the MP4 format but was developed specifically by Apple for use with Quicktime Player. It is the best video format for use on Apple devices. 

Pros

This video format holds audio, text, and video effects and is highly regarded in the film industry because of the ability to be separated into multiple tracks. MOV files are very high quality and easy to edit. They are playable on Apple devices as well as programs in Windows and most usb-compatible televisions. MOV files are the professional standard in video editing. 

Cons

This video file format is not widely playable across devices, and the tradeoff for the high quality is a very large file size. The compression of this video file format causes some data loss which reduces the video quality. 

Video format 1: AVI

What is it?

The AVI video file format was Microsoft’s answer to the MOV. Developed in 1995, it is the one of the oldest video file formats in existence. It is an ideal format for short videos and television but is less suited to streaming and sharing because of the large file size.

Pros

AVI files are compatible with most major operating systems and web browsers in addition to being adaptable and versatile in terms of working with other video file formats as well. This video file format creates excellent audio and video quality and is even suitable for DVD recording. 

Cons

The AVI video file format is somewhat outdated and is not ideal for streaming or sharing, making it less than practical for many modern video uses. Its very large file size is coupled with some quality loss during compression. This video file format does not hold the data required to generate subtitles which, with today’s focus on accessibility, is not helping its case.

Video format 1: WMV

What is it?

As AVI’s successor, WMV files are supported across Windows devices and on Apple as well, as long as Windows Media Player has been downloaded. The WMW is one of the only video file types that beats the MP4 in terms of compression capability.

Pros

WMV video files have a licensing and copyright function that makes them ideal for the sale of digital video products. They also have 1080p video support and a file size so small that it can serve many different purposes – even holding the capability to be played via Google Drive. 

Cons

The WMV is one of the least accepted video file formats by video players. Video files saved in this format can lose image quality during the compression process and there is also a lack of ability to manually select compression proportions for them.  

Video format 1: MKV

What is it?

The MKV video file format is becoming increasingly popular. It uses open-source code and holds multiple Codecs simultaneously.

Pros

This video file type supports the inclusion of audio, video, subtitles, metadata and menus. Multiple Codecs can be supported within this one file type, and there is no loss of data during compression. These video files result in an excellent quality end product.    

Cons

The tradeoff for the excellent quality is a large file size, so this video file format requires more storage than some others. MKV files also use a more complicated compression process than most video file types so there is not support across all devices, though compatibility does seem to be increasing.

Video format 1: AVCHD

What is it?

This video file type was co-created by Sony and Panasonic and was designed for use with Camcorders.  It is the highest quality video format for those shooting high end video footage. 

Pros

The H.264/MPEG-4 compression technology used by this video file format results in very small file sizes without a loss in data quality. The AVCHD can store audio, video, subtitles, menu navigation, and even a slideshow! Its newest format also supports 3D video.  

Cons

The AVCHD video file format is very limited in compatibility, having been specifically developed for use with Panasonic and Sony products.  

Video format 1: WEBM

What is it?

Another open source video file type, WEBM was developed by Google for HTML5.  It plays directly in the browser, without the need for Flash Player or another plugin. 

Pros

Because it plays in the browser itself, this video format takes less time to load than others. It is supported by the major browsers, like Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Opera. The WEBM video file type easly compresses and decompresses data, resulting in high quality video playback with a very small file size. Videos using this file type can also be embedded directly into the background of a website.

Cons 

This video file format’s requirement for HTML to enable playback means that its compatibility with mobile devices is quite weak.

How to Choose a Video File Format?

The video file format you choose should be based heavily on the video quality requirements for your specific project. Some other things to consider include the length of your video, how you want to share it and how you plan to edit your work. 

For online videos

When creating a video for online playback, make sure you choose a file format that will be supported by most web browsers. This way, your video will be played natively on the browser. MP4 and WEBM are the best choices for videos that need to be web compatible. .

For home video recordings

If you are making home videos, chances are pretty good that you want them to stand the test of time. Because of that, it’s best to choose a format with high video quality and a good chance of being usable in the future. Open-source file formats would be the best bet for this, as they are more future-proof than formats that are owned by or specific to one platform. MP4 or AVI formats are good choices for this.

For Windows applications

Of course if your video needs to be compatible with a Windows application you need to choose a format that is compatible with Windows. If this is your goal, WMV is a good choice for your project.

Best video formats for Youtube

While many video formats can be used effectively with Youtube, it’s important to consider details like time required to upload, process and play the video – this is tightly tied to the file size associated with your video. To maximize effectiveness, Youtube itself recommends the MP4 video file format with AAC-LC audio Codec and H.264 video Codec.   

Best video formats for Instagram

There are two formats that are accepted by Instagram, MP4 and MOV, however, due to the smaller file size and lower data loss during compression the MP4 file format is preferable.  The MP4 format should be paired with an H.264 Codec for optimal results on this platform.

Best video formats for Facebook

While many video file formats will work for Facebook, MP4 and MOV are the most highly recommended, with MP4 coming out on top once again due to its smaller file size and fewer losses during compression.

Video formats FAQs

Creating a stunning video requires a wide variety of skills and talents. One of the key factors in a video’s success happens long before any lighting decisions are made or the audio recordings need editing. Excellent videos require excellent scripts, but writing a script for a video can be one of the most difficult things for a creator. 

Because of that, we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to creating a great video script! We’ve even included a free video script template that you can use to make sure all of your videos start out with a solid foundation.

For some great scriptwriting tips, check out the video below!

Why do you need a video script?

To get more inspiration

How often have you found that getting words flowing from your mind onto paper just opens up a floodgate? Ideas and inspiration just seem to multiply once you allow them to flow. Because of this, the process of writing a video script can unlock ideas you may otherwise have missed. 

So often when we put pen to paper we are able to access pieces of our imagination that add really important elements to our end product. Writing a video script can be a springboard for all of the things that will make your video impactful.

To deliver your message efficiently 

Structure and clarity are two non-negotiables for successful videos. Writing a script for your video is a great way to make sure that your message follows a logical pattern and that the viewer is able to clearly understand the point you are trying to get across. 

Writing a video script also helps to make sure that the message is delivered in a way that is in line with established brand standards – audience confusion is not efficient!

Also read: Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Video Recording

To save editing time

The script for your video will outline all of the audio and visual components that the final product should display. This could include sound bytes, illustrations, and animations among others. An editor who is able to work from a prepared video script will be able to do their job in a more timely way than the editor who is left to guess where each element belongs. 

A narrator or main character who is guided by a full script will have fewer instances of hesitation or interjections of fillers like “um”, “like”, and “uh”, which can significantly impact editing time.

To make recording easier

Recording is made infinitely easier when the process is guided by a well-developed script. If you are recording solo, having a script to refer to can help calm your nerves and keep you on topic. 

If you are recording an interview, being able to provide the script to the interviewee in advance can help them prepare, often resulting in fewer takes and less editing required to create an excellent end product.

How to write a video script?

Identify your audience 

A key step in video script writing doesn’t involve a pen, paper, or a video camera. Identifying the target audience for the video being developed is an all-important first step. Your choices around language, humor and tone will vary depending on the audience identified for the video. Creating a script that is engaging for teenagers is very different than writing a script for a video targeting retirees! If you don’t know exactly who you are speaking to it is likely that your message won’t be well received.

Knowing your audience is also important when it comes to how the end product is used. A video geared toward teenagers may be only a few minutes long, recorded vertically, and placed on TikTok, while a training video for new employees would be much longer in duration and require less focus on an attention-grabbing hook. 

Set a goal for your video

Because creating a video consists of so many different elements (lighting, sets, cast, crew, sound, etc…) there are often many people participating in the process. In order to have that process run smoothly and create the desired end product, all of these people need to be working towards one unifying goal. Without this, you can run into a lot of difficulties as a result of each person holding a slightly different perspective about why the video is being made.

The key question to ask yourself at this pivotal point is “why?” Why is this video being made? Is it meant to teach people something? To unify a group of people? To establish a brand’s identity? Knowing and sharing the answer to this question will help steer your video script writing and the work that everyone else involved is doing as well.

If you are struggling to identify your video’s goal, think about the problem that the video is meant to solve. Is it to direct potential clients to a specific offer that needs some attention? Provide clearer instructions on a protocol that’s not being adhered to. Reduce workplace accidents? Increase website conversions on an underperforming site? It can be a challenge to narrow down one specific goal but it is an absolutely essential step to take before you begin writing a script for a video. 

Choose the main characters

Good storytelling is key to creating compelling videos, and what is a story without some engaging and relatable characters? Developing a character, or a set of them, for your video, not only helps your audience engage more with the content but it can also help you focus on creating an effective narrative around your message instead of simply selling an idea. 

If you are struggling to identify the main character, go back to your target audience and your goal. Think about who that audience would relate to and want to hear from in relation to the goal you have established for the video. For example, if your video‘s goal is to build trust with a company following a public failure, having the CEO as the main character may suit, whereas if your video is a solution to a recurring workplace accident, the health and safety representative might be a good choice.

Once the main character or characters have been established, you’ll build out some details about them that will help guide your video script writing. How do they relate to the product or subject matter at hand? Is their backstory relevant? If so, what is it? You don’t need a full character profile but you should go into as much detail as is necessary to help you reach the goal you have identified.

Write an outline

Starting with an outline helps to give structure to your video script. It is a great starting place to get all of your ideas out of your head and onto paper so that you can see which ones fit well in a structured video script and move you toward your goal and which ones may actually end up as distractions.

It can be tempting to jump right into video script writing but skipping this important step can cause your message to be lost and the video to appear overstuffed and disorganized. Your outline should help to establish what the beginning, middle, and end of the video script will include. You can include any details that might be helpful as you move into the next step – video script writing. 

Here’s the script formula we use to create how-to videos:

The A.A.A.A Formula

• Attention (Grab their attention in the first line)
• Agitation (Agitate the pain that you can solve)
• Activity (Show them HOW to solve it)
• Action (Call them to action and tell them how to get the solution)

Create sections

Breaking your outline down and writing a video script section by section is an excellent way to make sure your thoughts stay organized and the storyline for your video follows a logical progression. So what exactly should be included in each section of your video? Let’s take a look! 

In the beginning:

• Start with a hook. What’s a hook? A compelling introduction to your video that delivers an accurate preview of what the viewer can expect and immediately captures their attention. You might use phrases like “Have you ever…” “Here are 3 of our top tips for…” or “If you’re looking for…” as components of your hook.
• Make sure the viewer can recognize your brand and associate this video’s message with it. You can do this by incorporating brand colors into the scheme for the video, displaying a logo, and making sure to write your video script using brand-aligned language and tone. This helps establish your video as something familiar and trustworthy rather than a random piece of content to ignore. 

Now that you’ve drawn them in, you’ll use the middle section to:

• Deliver your message. You’ve drawn them in with the hook and established who you are, so now is the time to tell them exactly what you came here to tell them. Be sure to write this portion of your video script to be as clear and concise as possible so that the message doesn’t get watered down or confused. 
• Share the evidence. This is a great opportunity in your video script writing to present anything to the audience that can back up or solidify any claims made with your message. Is your video script meant to introduce a new product?

Share the experiences of your beta users. Is this a training video? Establish the proven benefits of absorbing and applying the information being provided. 

And finally, the end. This section of your video script should 

include a Call to Action (CTA). This is the opportunity within your video script to tell the audience exactly what you want them to do. Whether that’s “book now”, “watch the next video”, “buy now”, or anything else, do not miss this opportunity to provide that extra bit of clarity around what you want the viewer to do with the information you have just provided. 

Writing a video script is a lot of work, but the end result will be well worth it. And the great news is, you don’t have to start from scratch every time you need to create one! A video script template can really speed up the process and help keep you on the right track with your video script writing. We’ve created a video script writing template that you can download for free here and put to use on your next project! 

Also read: The ultimate guide to instructional videos

Tips to write an amazing video script

Stay true to yourself

We’ve all had the experience of watching someone speak, whether live or on video, and being painfully aware that they are reading from a script. And you would probably agree that those experiences were not the most engaging. 

So how do you prevent that from happening with your video scriptwriting? Well, a focus on writing conversationally is a big help with this.  If you’re writing a script that you will be speaking from, write it the way that you talk normally. If the video script will be read by someone else, learn a little bit about the nuances of how they speak and interact with others and write the script for their video in a way that reflects that. 

Make sure to write your video script using language that feels comfortable, is aligned with the brand you’re representing, and feels familiar. If you are comfortable and remaining true to your natural communication patterns (or those of the speaker you are writing for) your audience will be more fully engaged than if it feels obvious that you are “putting on a show”.

Go straight to the point

The average human attention span is a maximum of 8 seconds, and people are used to being entertained. Taking the time and energy to consume your content may not seem like a big ask, but in this day and age, it actually might be. 

For these reasons, it is important to get right to the point and be as concise as you can be when writing a video script. Surrounding your message with too much back story or context can be distracting and confusing for viewers. Save any of the information that you think is important to share but doesn’t fit well within a concise video script for use in future videos or other types of content.

Stick to the video script (mostly)

You are writing this video script for a reason right? And part of that reason is to make sure the message gets delivered and the video fulfills its goal. A little riffing or adlibbing here and there is ok but do try to stick to the script as much as possible. A few additions to add personality can go a long way, but too much will likely have a negative impact. 

If you or the person who will be presenting the script are likely to go off script, try to include some of the content that may inspire the adlibbing in the video script itself. This can reduce the temptation to go rogue. And if, in the end, the video script just isn’t working, a rewrite is often more effective than an improvised, unscripted video. 

Also read: The guide to creating Youtube videos

Do a verbal run-through off-camera.

A verbal run-through, or table read, is a great opportunity to take your video script out for a test drive and identify any challenges you may have missed in the writing phase. It is not at all uncommon for a word or phrase to look great on paper but sound ridiculous when spoken out loud. 

An off-camera run-through can also help to shorten sentences, cut unnecessary words, and make sure the real-life impact of the words chosen is the same as what you were hoping for during the video script’s writing.

Having someone who is a member of the target audience for the video you have scripted sit in and provide feedback at this point can also help to make sure that your video scriptwriting is going to land the way you want it to with the intended audience. 

Support any B-roll with the proper callouts in your main narrative.

B-roll is a term used to describe secondary shots that are shown while the storyline continues audibly. Using B-roll footage can allow you to feature products, employees, happy customers, charts and graphs, testimonials, and other content that enhances the message presented by your video. 

Be sure to include cues and instructions for your narrator or main character to help integrate B-roll footage without causing confusion or distraction for the viewer. Phrasing like “…in the chart you see here…” can help the viewer contextualize what they see on the screen and guide the speaker to gesture or position themselves appropriately.

We’ve all seen the videos where the subject points in one direction and the B-roll footage shows up somewhere else, but that’s much less likely to happen to you with a properly scripted video. 

Don’t forget – there is no need to start from scratch every time you need to write a script for a video. If you have a video script that has worked well in the past, you can easily templatize it and keep using it!

If you need some help to get started, click here to download the free video script template we created for you. You simply document some background information, like your target audience and goals, and then fill in the blanks – what could be simpler?

Are you wondering how to go record high-quality audio? You may think it’s as simple as buying an expensive microphone and diving in but there’s a lot more to it than that. There are many choices to make and steps to take to ensure that your audio recording is high quality and brings value to your project. Throughout this guide, we’ll share all you need to know about audio recording. Let’s start with some basics.

What is high-quality audio?

High-quality audio is best described as audio that sounds natural; as if the listener and the speaker are in the same room. In a high-quality audio recording, you will not hear hums, hisses, microphone handling sounds, plosives, foreign noises (ie a leafblower or footsteps), or overly processed effects.

The different ways to record audio

There is not just one way to capture excellent audio recordings. There are many tools and software options for recording audio. Let’s take a look at 4 different ways to record audio. 

Recording directly into audio editing software

If your audio recording will feature only one voice from one location, this is a great option. Setup for this method is straightforward, requiring nothing more than plugging in your USB mic and ensuring it is properly selected in the settings.

Recording via video conferencing software

Meet and Zoom aren’t only for hosting e-meetings! You can easily record audio through these programs if you plan to have multiple voices involved from various locations. It is important to note though that because these platforms were designed for video conferencing first, the quality of the audio recording may be less than ideal. 

Recording via a remote recording platform

Designed specifically for remote audio recording, these platforms allow for high-quality audio to be captured from multiple participants while also offering video capability so that you can see who you are talking to. Some platforms allow for the video to be recorded as well, but not all offer this. 

Recording on a portable recording device

The final option we’ll share is to record audio on a portable recording device. If you want the flexibility of being able to record with other people at your home base or on location, this is a great tool for you. These audio recording devices are easy to travel with and some models can also be used as an audio interface. 

How to choose the right microphone

Choosing the right microphone is a key factor in recording great audio – especially if you plan to record audio on your computer. Built-in computer microphones are typically of a lower quality than those found in modern smartphones. Still, luckily there are plenty of options for fantastic external microphones for use in recording top-quality audio.

Dynamic microphone

The classic “on stage” mic you would associate with a vocalist or stand-up comedian is a dynamic microphone. Their inner workings consist of coil and magnets which are quite durable making them a travel-friendly option. Dynamic mics are great for recording in noisy environments and there are effective options available that cost around $100 USD. 

Condenser microphone

A condenser microphone is a common choice for audio recording and is significantly more sensitive to smaller vibrations. These mics use capacitor plates rather than coil and magnets and tend to be very effective at capturing vocal subtleties. 

Ribbon microphone

These are currently the least common type of microphone but were used extensively in the early years of audio recording for broadcasting. Their delicate functionality relies on a conductive ribbon between two electromagnetic poles to respond to a sound source. These mics work well for recording two people speaking, because of their bi-directional polar pattern.

How to record audio on my computer?

If you choose to record audio from your computer, there are many options you can choose from. Most of these options depend on the Operating System (OS) you use; Windows or Mac. Two of the most popular options for recording audio using a computer are QuickTime Player on Mac and Voice Recorder on Windows 10.

How to record audio on Mac

Your Mac does have a built-in microphone, but as we mentioned above it is often worthwhile to record audio using an external mic instead for a higher quality result. QuickTime Player is a simple tool to use, with an intuitive interface. Follow these steps to use this program to record audio on your Mac:

1. Open Quicktime Player
2. Click File and then New Audio Recording
3. Make sure that the correct microphone and quality settings are in place using the Options popup menu. Remember that the higher the quality, the larger the resulting files will be. 
4. Ensure the volume is set properly for your audio recording
5. Use the red circle to begin recording audio and the grey square to stop. 
6. Save your work
7. Edit the audio recording using functions like split, rearrange, and trim

How to record audio on Windows 10

Your Windows 10 computer comes equipped with free audio recording software called Voice Recorder. If you haven’t already, download the audio recording software from the Microsoft Store. 

1. Launch Voice Recorder
2. Click the microphone icon to begin recording
3. Use the standard pause and stop icons as needed to complete your audio recording
4. Use the icons near the bottom of your app window to trim or share as needed

Audiate is an audio recording and editing software that works with both Mac and Windows systems. You can download your 30 Day trial here.

How to record audio on my phone?

If you choose to record audio on your phone there are many options to choose from, and once again these options depend on the OS your phone runs on. Below we will cover recording audio on android and recording audio on an iPhone. 

How to record audio on Android

There is no one standard set of Apps that is relevant across all Android phones, so you will need to do a little digging to find the best fit for you and your device – there’s no one size fits for how to record audio on Android. As a first step, search your installed apps using keywords like “voice recorder” “memo” or “notes”. 

If nothing suitable appears, head to the Google Play Store and use the same terms to identify an audio recording software that will meet your needs. You will find that most of the options available use the standard symbols for Record and Stop, and are relatively intuitive.

How to record audio on iPhone

Every iPhone comes with a built-in voice recorder! To record audio on your iPhone, you will need to open the Voice Memos App. Tapping the red “record” button will start your recording and the red “stop” button will end it. Once you’ve completed your recording press “done” and then name and save your file. Once that is complete you can even share or airdrop your audio file right from the iPhone’s voice recorder app to the device you will use for editing. 

Tips to record great audio

No matter what audio recording software or audio recording hardware you have, there is no substitute for setting yourself and your space up intentionally to achieve great audio. Here are some additional tips to help make sure that your audio recording turns out great.

Silence everything else

Of course you know you need to record in a quiet space, but there’s more to that than just closing the door and silencing your notifications. Before you start recording sit in the space and really listen. Can you hear a fan whirring? Do you notice when the furnace or A/C kicks on? Do you hear footsteps or pet tags jingling from outside your door? Consider things like rustling papers, and ice cubes in a glass as well. 

All of these seemingly small background noises can easily be picked up and heard by your audio recording software and can create unnecessary editing time or distractions for your listeners. 

Put your phone on airplane mode

That’s right, it’s not enough just to silence your phone’s notifications. Your phone emits signals when receiving calls or messages, initiating searches or performing background functions that your ear may not perceive. 

However imperceptible they are to you, the signals can be picked up by your audio recording equipment and show up in your recording. Putting your phone on airplane mode in addition to silencing notifications is a simple and effective way to eliminate this. 

Minimize echo

If you’re hearing an echo on your audio recording, there are some steps you can take to reduce that. Echo happens when the sound you are making bounces off of the hard surfaces around you and gets picked up multiple times by your audio recording equipment. In order to reduce this, you can use acoustic foam or sound-dampening panels, but there are less expensive options as well. 

Adding books, curtains, or area rugs is quite an effective way to minimize echo using things you already have on hand, and if you’re really in a pinch, sitting underneath a blanket is surprisingly effective – this can be a great option if you want to record audio on your iPhone on the go! 

Get close to the sound

Don’t shy away from the mic! We talked above about getting your audio recording space as quiet as possible. This tip is a way for you to minimize the impact of those sounds you can’t completely eliminate. 

Speaking as close to the mic as possible reduces the potential that you’ll hear rogue noises when you listen back in your audio recording software. When you get close to the mic you can reduce its sensitivity settings, making it less likely for ambient and unanticipated noises to make their way to your audio recording. 

Control your breathing

Your breath is, essentially, the wind that you do not want your microphone to pick up. While barely perceptible in an in-person conversation, breath sounds are more pronounced in audio recordings and can drastically reduce the quality of your audio. 

If you’ve ever been on the phone with someone walking outside on a windy day you can understand why! The sound which is barely perceptible to the naked ear is significantly enhanced when it comes through a microphone. Be conscious of the timing of your breathing. Try things like turning your face away from the mic or pulling away slightly each time you take a breath.

Find a great place to record

Many of these tips for recording great audio, whether on an iPhone, Mac, or another device, can be taken care of by being very conscious of your location choice. The space in which you perform your audio recording can make a huge difference to the quality of audio you are able to produce. 

Choosing a space that doesn’t have a lot of hard surfaces that will create echoes reduces the amount of time and energy required in softening the space. A small carpeted room with curtains and bookshelves is a much better option than an expansive space with hardwood flooring and desks and bare walls. Using a closet can actually be quite effective for achieving high-quality audio recordings! 

How to remove background noise from your recording

Even when you follow all of the tips and suggestions we’ve provided, it’s difficult to eliminate all background noise unless you’re recording in a professional sound booth. This is problematic because background noise is the biggest offender for videos with audio – it can be the thing that makes or breaks your final product, so it is essential to get rid of it. You can do this before or after you start recording.

How to remove background noise before you start recording

One way to remove background noise before your audio recording begins is to use a tool like Krisp. If you are recording audio on a Mac or on a PC, Krisp can be used as a filter along with the audio recording software you are recording with. The noise canceling tool can reduce the effect of sudden loud noises like a dog barking in the background as well as eliminate the chatter and buzz of a busy office. 

With this tool you don’t need to have a fancy microphone or a perfectly curated space – its echo cancellation feature helps create perfectly clear, echo-free audio even if you choose to record in the bathroom! 

How to remove background noise after you record

Even if you aren’t able to eliminate background noise before recording, you can take care of it after the fact. If you are working solely with audio you can export your tracks into Audiate but if you are working with audio and video, your best bet is a tool that allows both audio and video editing. 

Camtasia is an excellent option for this and it has a built-in noise removal feature so it’s easy to reduce your audio recording’s background noise! Download your free trial here and follow these steps to remove the background noise from your audio recording: 

1. In Camtasia, click Properties
2. Select Analyze – this automates the noise removal process. At present, this function is exclusively for use with Windows, but if you are working with audio on a Mac you can manually adjust the Sensitivity levels to get the desired effect.

Camtasia allows for editing audio and video right in the timeline so there is no need for importing and exporting through multiple systems – it’s quick and easy to make changes!

Whether your project involves exclusively audio content or is an audio-visual masterpiece, the quality of your audio recording is crucial to its success. 

The good news is that you have all the power necessary to create excellent results whether you are recording audio on a computer or iPhone, in a quiet dedicated space, or in a busy office. With just a little bit of prep work and some robust easy-to-use tools in your pocket, you will be creating incredible content in no time.