In the world of online work, it can sometimes be difficult to establish a personal connection through written profiles. Having an introduction video on your profile is a great way to build rapport with clients looking for talent. An introduction video provides a preview of your unique characteristics and what it’ll be like to work with you. Top clients hire freelancers who are a joy to speak with and passionate about their trade. Videos enable you to quickly build a bond that can set the stage for that perfect freelancer-client match.
Follow these eight steps to create a top-notch introduction video:
1. Plan out what you want to say
A great script is essential to a great video. Your script should introduce you to the client and convey your objective, professional experience, and most marketable skills. Communicate these points in 30 seconds or less.
Make sure you practice a few times before the camera starts rolling so you speak easily and clearly.
Here’s a script template to help you get started:
An introduction (5-10 seconds)
Who are you? What services are you offering? How long have you been doing what you’re doing?
Objective (10-20 seconds)
What types of roles, projects, or clients are you looking to work with?
Career highlights (10-20 seconds)
What professional experiences showcase the breadth and depth of your expertise?
Conclusion (5-10 seconds)
What actions do you want the viewer to take after watching your video?
2. Use a digital camera
If you don’t have a digital video camera, you can use the video mode on a digital photo camera, smartphone, or webcam on your computer. Shoot in high definition or 1080p to ensure the video quality is good.
3. Record with good lighting
Along with a great script, good lighting is one of the most important components of creating a stellar video. We recommend that you film indoors in a well-lit room with plenty of light in front of you or to the side of you. Make sure you don’t have strong light behind you. If there’s lighting above you, make sure it doesn’t cast shadows on your face. A tabletop lamp can help offset any shadows.
Tip: Position a lamp to the right of your face and do a test recording to see how it looks. Adjust it as needed until it’s in the right place. Bad lighting can create an impression of poor quality to the viewer.
4. Set the stage with a clean and quiet background
A clean, plain background with limited clutter will help ensure that the focus is on you and not the things around you. Also, make sure you’re in a quiet place (e.g., no children at play, electric fans, etc.) because your mic will pick up the sounds and make your video hard to watch.
Tip: Try placing a lamp or another object such as a plant or table at your side to set the scene without adding clutter.
5. Frame your video
Now that you have your camera, lighting, and background ready, it’s time to frame the shot. Place the camera so you’ll be slightly off-center in the frame. It may sound counterintuitive, but it’ll better capture the viewer’s attention when you’re standing slightly to the left or right of the center. Also, shoot from the waist up and make sure your face and hand gestures are visible as you talk in the video.
Tip: Use the Rule of Thirds and position yourself slightly off-center so your face appears where the lines intersect.
6. Lights, camera, action!
Before you start recording, it’s time to get yourself ready. We recommend that you dress in business casual attire. Once the camera starts rolling, be yourself so clients can get a sense of who you are and how you can help them. And don’t forget to have fun, smile, and enunciate!
7. Review your video
Sometimes getting the perfect introduction video takes a few tries until you’re completely comfortable in front of the camera. Before your video is ready to share, double-check for the following:
- Did you speak clearly and not too quickly?
- Is the video free of awkward pauses?
- Can you hear your voice in the video?
- Can you see your face?
- Is the background clear (i.e., no one else in the shot, no personal belongings, etc.)?
- If someone is recording for you, is the shot steady and not shaky?
- Did you smile in the video?
When you’ve answered “yes” to the questions above, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
8. Upload your video to YouTube
To upload your video from a computer, follow these steps:
- Go to YouTube and sign in or create an account if you don’t have one.
- Click the “Upload” button at the top right of the page.
- Select “Unlisted” from the drop-down menu.
- Select the video from your computer.
- Change the title of your video to “Your Full Name – Introduction.”
- On the “Advanced” settings tab, make sure “Allow Embedding” is checked.
- Click “Done” to finish.
- On the next page, copy the link to your video.
For instructions on how to upload a video from a smartphone,
9. Add the video to your Upwork Profile
Go to your profile settings, click on “My Profile” on the left, and click “Edit My Profile.” In the Video section, click on “Add a Video” and copy and paste the link into the text field. Make sure you select “Me talking about my skills and experience” for the type of video.
