5 Essential Resources for Upping Your Social Media Video Production Skills

As the Ancient Ones tell us, “video killed the radio star.” As an entrepreneur, influencer, or content creator, perhaps you’ve occasionally felt the same way about video production and the social media star. A lot of blood, sweat, and skill goes into making the perfect viral video, and it can all seem pretty overwhelming when you’re in the thick of it. 

Well worry no more, friend. Whether you’re brand new to creating your own videos or a seasoned pro, there’s always room to improve your skills and make your life easier. Here’s a short list of some resources to check out for taking your social media video skills to the next level. 

1. For YouTube creators of all stripes: YouTube Creator Academy

YouTube wants you to be successful. Heck, they need you to be successful. You’re doing their programming for them, after all, and the bigger your audience the more they benefit. That’s why they launched the Creator Academy, and it’s also why you can be certain it’s legit. Limiting discussion just to their production aids (or else we’d be here all day!), they have multi-part tutorials on filmmaking techniques, editing skills, and picking the right equipment. And because it’s YouTube, of course they tell you about all the features integrated into the platform to help you along the way. This really should be the first stop of any would-be content creator. And with intermediate and advanced courses, there’s always a reason to keep going back!

2. For beginners new to the entire video world: The Complete Video Production Bootcamp 

Udemy is one of the best online learning sites out there, and they have a great range of classes related to creating and editing videos that are tailored to varying skill levels. One of the best choices out there for a beginner who wants a crash course in making videos is their Complete Video Production Bootcamp. It covers everything from basic editing, recording better audio, getting good lighting, and posting online — and no fancy equipment or software required. At the time we put together this list, the 9-hour course was $14.99. (Udemy also offers several free video courses you could check out for those on the tightest budget.)

3. For all those specific questions you thought you were the first person to ask: Shutterstock tutorials  

Shutterstock’s background as a stock footage company gives them an interesting perspective on the medium, as they branch out into video production and tutorials. The fact that they’re used to fielding literally any kind of stock media ask and providing the answer means their how-to bench is crazy-deep. Think of the most specific question about video production you can, and the odds are they’ve got you covered. “How do I pick the right drone for my overheads?” “Can I make my video look like the 1980s on no budget?” “What sort of lighting should I use while I’m driving?” (Editor’s note: probably don’t film while you’re driving?)

4. For advanced creators who want to learn from the pros: ProVideoCoalition

If you’ve already got an expert handle on creating and editing online videos and are at the point where you’re starting to think about upgrading your gear, advancing your skills in professional editing software, and learning new techniques, consider stopping by where the pros in the industry hang out: ProVideoCoalition. They’re based in Hollywood and cover all aspects of professional video production, from equipment reviews to tutorials to podcast interviews with Oscar-nominated editors and more. 

5. For livestreaming and live videos: Stream Geeks

It’s no secret that livestreaming is one of the top trends for social media video creators and influencers, who use live video as a key opportunity to directly interact and engage with their audience. But livestreaming can be a complex task. With Stream Geeks’ training courses (some of which are hosted for free on Udemy), you can get an introduction to Facebook Live Streaming, YouTube Live Streaming, advanced streaming tools like OBS Studio, and more. If you’re ready to click that “Go Live” button but want to do so with professional quality, consider checking out their resources. (They also have a podcast.)

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