In this episode, Angie and April are speaking with guest Chloe Tascoff about how to create and use preview videos for your TpT resources. Join in on the conversation in the mastermind group at www.growwithusmastermind.com.
We’re excited to have Chloe Tascoff on the podcast to talk about all things video previews. Along with creating her own TpT resources, she specializes in creating preview videos for her clients. She’s going to share some of her tips and tricks about how to make video creation faster and easier along with the best way to use the videos.
Chloe got started creating video previews when a friend asked her to try filming a product for her. She played around with it and found she really enjoyed the process. Word started spreading and people started reaching out to her for help on their videos and things grew from there.
What is the purpose of a preview video?
PDF previews and photographs are helpful at showcasing your resources, but video previews help bring them to life. Chloe shared that consumers are 80% more likely to purchase a product when there is a video attached to it. When teachers are able to see your resources in action it gives them a better idea of what they’re actually receiving.
A lot of our video previews end up being flipping through the pages of the resource or sharing pretty much the same information that’s already in the PDF preview. These types of videos can still be helpful, but there are so many additional ways to create a video preview.
Chloe recommends if you’re creating a video preview for Pinterest that you keep it to 5-16 seconds long. On social media platforms, your main goal is to stop the scroll so you can get people to click through to your resource. However, for the videos you use on TpT, you have two minutes to use. It’s helpful to create longer videos for this purpose because the people looking at your resource are already there because they are interested in it. That means you can go more in-depth with what you explain and show.
What to include in a preview video?
Chloe recommends starting your video with overlay text asking a question that appeals to the problem they’re having. She shared the following example:
Imagine you’ve created an organizational system to help small groups or centers run smoother. Your audience might be teachers struggling with spending too much time trying to put out fires while doing small group math. You could start with a question like: “Are you struggling with other students interrupting while you’re helping small groups?”
Then in your video, you will show how the resource solves that problem for them. Show them the resource in action. This will look differently depending on the type of resource it is. You could flip through blank pages, fill out some of the pages beforehand, or complete the pages on video.
If you are creating a video preview for an existing product with reviews make sure to include testimonials for social proof as well. At the end of the video include a call-to-action like “Invest in our bundle today to save your sanity!”
What if you have a resource that isn’t exciting?
If you have test prep resources or other resources that are heavy question and answer format, Chloe recommends keeping the video preview short. You can show how to fill out the worksheet by only doing one or two pages. She also recommends showing the answer key so teachers know it’s included, but you can keep the video short.
What about talking over screen recordings?
Screen recordings are a great way to show how your digital resources work, however, Chloe recommends using text overlays instead of voice-overs. The majority of people watch videos with the sound off. If you voice-over your video preview, it’s important to do a text overlay at the start to encourage them to turn their sound on.
Suggestions for shortening videos
Keep in mind you don’t want your video preview to be exactly the same as your PDF preview. If you have a lot of details about the resource to share or how it compares to other resources you have, these details are best shared in your PDF.
The video preview is more about showing the printed product or screen recording of the digital product. You want to use the video to connect with the buyer by tapping into the problem their having and their feelings about it. If you have longer explanation videos you want to create, YouTube is a great platform to share them.
Equipment and technology for creating preview videos
We have good news—Chloe shared that you don’t need to run out and buy a bunch of fancy and expensive equipment to create good-quality video previews. In fact, she uses her iPhone to record her videos. You don’t need a professional camera if your phone takes clear video.
Equipment
Along with a phone to record videos, Chloe recommends having a phone mount to keep your phone steady as you record. She uses an Akron Phone Holder you can find on Amazon and it’s the only one she’s found to be really steady. She also recommends putting the phone holder on a separate platform so you can get a good birdseye view and avoid any shaking of the camera if you’re doing things like coloring or cutting on the table.
If you will be filming when it’s darker or you don’t have access to film in a room with good natural lighting, you’ll likely want to get a ring light to use.
Software & apps
There are a few different video editing options Chloe mentioned during the podcast.
The first is called InShot. This is a free app for your phone that can do basically everything you need. You can record your products, brighten the video while also adding text overlays transitions. This is also helpful because when you export your video file from the app it will be a smaller file than the raw video. Chloe also likes to speed up the video in this app before exporting it.
DaVinci Resolve 17 and Adobe Premiere Pro are also editing apps that she recommends. DaVinci Resolve 17 is basically a free version of Adobe Premiere Pro though, so start there if you want to use one of these options.
Chloe starts the process using InShot and then uses Final Cut Pro to finish editing the videos. This is for Mac users and is a paid option, but worth it for Chloe since she offers video creation as a service.
Canva
The functionality of Canva video has improved a lot over the years. They have some templates with slides that make it easy to put a photo at the start to introduce your product and then add the video. If you enjoy using Canva, this can be a resource to try while creating TpT video previews as well.
How to repurpose preview videos
If you’re taking time to create video previews there are many additional ways you can repurpose them. If you already have Pinterest pin templates created in Canva, it’s really easy to add your video into them. Then you can simply export them and upload them to Pinterest.
Chloe also likes to repurpose videos for Instagram, IGTV, and Facebook ads. She’s also fond of YouTube which is a platform that TpTers are underutilizing. Buyers are on YouTube yet it’s not something many of us have tapped into yet. A simple way to get started is by uploading the videos you’re already creating. Remember, they don’t have to be perfect.
You can also include video previews in your blog posts and emails to reach more people. If you use WordPress, it’s really easy to embed a YouTube video into your blog posts. If someone watches the video on your website, the analytics are still tracked and shown on YouTube as well.
Want help creating preview videos?
Chloe has lots of experience creating effective product videos for TpTers. She has created a free guide and shares tips on how to create high-quality videos on her You don’t need that much. In Shot to edit and recommends some sort of phone mount. She uses Arcon Phone Mount. You can get them on Amazon and is the only she found to be really sturdy. She sets it on a separate platform so if she is coloring or cutting the camera doesn’t shake. This also gives a birds eye view. Bends an 18 inch ring light over and sits by a window so it’s nice and bright.
Lately, been using more natural light, but if you have to film when it’s dark out, you might want to get a ring light.
“>website as well. You can also follow her on Instagram @videomarketingtpt where she shares tips and tricks regularly.We’d love to continue the conversation in our podcast group. Head over to Grow with Us Mastermind Group to share your preview videos so we can give each other feedback and share ideas.
