You’ve just gotten amazing feedback from a client on how your product transformed their life.
It’s so good you just know other people need to hear about this ‘miracle.’
But here’s the thing — you wanna show people, not just tell them.
Show where that customer was before using your product.
And where they are after using it.
That’s you, right?
Sounds like what you need to do is create a before and after video.
“But, I don’t know how to do that.”
Well, you’ve come to the right place, my friend.
In this tutorial post, you’ll learn how to create this type of video.
We’ll throw in actionable tips so you have better outcomes, and some examples to inspire you.
Alright, let the show begin!
How to Make a Before and After Video in 5 Steps
Creating a before and after video is similar to producing other types of videos.
You just need a few tweaks here and there, proper preparation, and you’re all good.
Here are the main steps to follow when getting started:
Step #1: Pick your tools
The video production process doesn’t start when you hit the record button. It begins by choosing the tools you’ll use.
You wanna research all the equipment or software you’ll need so you can get them beforehand.
Do you need lenses for your video camera?
Note it down.
How about external microphones? What video-editing software will you use?
Lightning? Tripods?
You get the point.
Step #2: Create a video script or guide
Hold up, I need to write a script for a before and after video?
Well, sorta.
While this type of video looks very simple, you need a guide to help structure the process. You know, so your subject — the person presenting the video — doesn’t go aimlessly on and on.
The video needs to tell a story. Connect with the audience in a different way.
Having a guide can help you achieve that.
It could be a video script, pointers, or a storyboard.
Step #3: Invite the subject
Next, send out invitations to customers who’ve sent in feedback worth sharing.
If they’ve previously contacted you to narrate their experience, you can just reach out to them. If not, you probably have to spend time going over reviews so you can identify who’s a great fit.
Alternatively, you can ask your audience for volunteers via social media or email.
Lastly, you could also collaborate with influencers or creators to get the job done.
If you use a tool like Insense, for instance, you can find willing creators in no time.
It’s pretty easy to use.
You just need to fill out a creative brief where you indicate what kind of creators you want and what you need them to do.
We’ll then match you with creators who are the right fit for your campaign and you can start receiving content.
Step #4: Shoot your video
You’ve got the right tools, a guide to follow, and subjects for the shoot.
Your next step is to shoot the video.
Choose a location that reflects the message of the video and where the subject feels comfortable.
Ensure the location has good natural lightning too — natural or artificial.
When recording, take different angles and several B-rolls so the audience has a good view of the transformation.
Taking several shots is also helpful during editing so you have options to fall back on if you have to cut some parts.
Pro tip! Don’t forget to take photos: You’re already shooting a video. Use that opportunity to get two visual formats at once. Like those before and after images you see in magazines. They might come in handy for your other marketing campaigns.
Step #5: Edit your video
After shooting the video, it’s time to put it together and get it ready for viewers to watch.
This involves arranging the video clips, adding transitions and background music, including text overlays, and more.
And you do all that using editing software you’re familiar with so the video comes out looking eye-catchingly better.
Speaking of making things better, how about we share some tips on how you can make before and after videos sparkle?
Tips for Making Better Before and After Videos
As you know, videos are the life and soul of the party in your marketing strategy.
Unlike still photos, they’re able to connect with the audience in different ways. Little wonder that 89% of people have said watching videos has convinced them to buy a product.
However, the competition online is fierce. Reports show that nearly 4 million videos are uploaded on YouTube every day.
So if you want people to look at your videos, you’ll need to put in some extra work to stand out. Here are a few things you can do:
✅Research your target audience
Your video isn’t for everyone.
If you run a cosmetic business, targeting people who like home renovations is probably a stretch.
Sure, they might know someone who uses cosmetics but that’s not what they really want. So, they skip your video.
Target people interested in finding the best makeup for their skin tone, on the other hand, and they’ll be more than willing to watch.
Essentially, researching the right audience will help you identify the best way to produce the video.
It’ll give you clues as to what people would like to see in your video, the tone they’ll respond to, their preferred platform, and more.
✅Collaborate with influencers
You know how we mentioned partnering with influencers earlier?
Aside from helping you produce the video, they can also ensure your video reaches a wider audience.
Influencers have a large following of people who trust them, so when they post anything, their audience usually wants to watch and share it.
So you wanna collaborate with influencers to leverage that influence for your benefit.
But before choosing an influencer to work with, you must ensure that they’re relevant to your audience.
If you use Insense to search for influencers, that’ll be super easy, especially with our marketplace feature.
You’ll get to find influencers using advanced filters like engagement rate, follower count, etc. You can also check relevant data such as audience numbers, portfolios, and ratings so you’re certain they align.
✅Highlight the benefits
Want your video to be impactful and engaging?
Then keep things interesting by showing and explaining the transformation your customer experienced.
How has it benefited them?
Don’t just film them saying, “I was… and now I am...”
Take more time to show and explain the entire process. Viewers should be able to identify three to four benefits of your product by watching the video.
This is more convincing than just showing the changes that have happened.
✅Have a clear call to action (CTA)
And when all is said and done, you need to end the video with a clear CTA.
What do you want viewers to do after watching the video?
Follow you? Get a limited discount offer?
While the transformation video is a message in itself, the CTA is the guide telling viewers “Okay, this is where you turn next.” Without one, you’ll be throwing away an opportunity to connect with your audience and get them to take action.
***
That’s it for tips you can leverage. Now, remember we promised you ideas? Time to deliver on our promise.
4 Most Common Before and After Video Ideas
So, you’re ready to record the video but you need ideas on how the video will look.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you.
Let’s go over a few ideas and examples that can inspire you to get started.
Make-up videos
Run a cosmetic or beauty brand? This one's for you.
If you go online, you’ll find that there are several before and after makeup videos.
Just like this short video from @PatynaMakeup.
Here, she showed her face before using makeup and the transformation that followed.
Now, that’s something you can do too.
Considering there are so many skin tones, you can be sure there’ll always be someone to watch videos like these.
But you can follow a different approach. You know, to make yours stand out.
Here’s what you can do:
- Find different subjects (influencers or customers) with unique skin tones.
- Record a video showing their skin without makeup, the process, and post-makeup.
In the end, you’ll have different creatives to reach different customers based on their specific situations and the different stages of their buying journey.
Room and home transformation videos
You’ve probably seen this type of video so many times.
A homeowner feels their house is getting old. They decide to revamp it and document their journey.
Viewers watch such videos and go “Aww, that’s so beautiful.” They save it and try to replicate that the next time they wanna redecorate.
You can do the same.
Videos like this are usually engaging because the viewer wants a similar transformation. Plus, they can relate to it.
That’s what House & Home did in this before and after video.
They took viewers on a journey showing what their client’s home looked like before and showed different angles after they worked on it. And of course, the comment section has been on fire since the video was uploaded.
Now, whether or not you run a construction or home-design company, this is an idea you can leverage.
Let’s say you own a nutrition brand. You can document a customer or creator’s journey since they started using your product.
Here’s what you can do to make your version unique:
- Get your customer or content creator involved. Let them be the ones telling the story.
- Add a CTA.
Fitness videos
A fitness transformation video is always a hit on most social media platforms.
The reason isn’t far-fetched. It’s usually a story of someone achieving their fitness goals against all odds.
It’s a story of determination that inspires viewers never to give up.
If you own a fitness business, this is a strategy you can leverage.
A good example is this video from Bethany Leo.
Here she narrates her fitness journey and how she hired a personal trainer.
It’s an efficient way to inspire people and get them to trust you.
Styling videos
For this type of video, you’ll be sharing how customers or influencers style up using your products.
You’ll be sending a subtle message that the cool kids are using your products to look fashionable and viewers can too.
That’s the case in this example from Marty Blendz.
An underlying message in the video is that all sorts of people can come for a haircut and their transformation will be amazing.
As we mentioned for the make-up video ideas, you may wanna work with different people on this one.
You know, so different viewers can find someone they can connect with.
Oh, and the styling could involve clothes or hairstyles.
***
So once you decide on what idea to go with, you’ll need an appropriate tool to help you wrap it up.
3 Tools You Can Use to Create Before and After Videos
You’re gonna need a video-editing tool when creating a before and after video. One that allows you to add transitions between clips, among other things. And can be used on PCs (Windows, macOS) and smartphones (Android, Apple iOS) too.
Here are some of our top picks:
CapCut
This is a popular video editor and design tool you can use to produce before and after videos.
You can either download the app on PC and mobile or use it online. CapCut has different video templates and powerful features to help you get started with ease.
FlexClip
FlexClip is a video maker that can help you create before and after videos with different aspect ratios.
It’s a great option if you’re producing videos for either Instagram or YouTube channels.
You can also make other edits like adding music and voice-overs, changing the video speed, adding stickers, and more.
Movavi
Movavi is a free video editor with different features needed to make your videos. It offers features like stabilization, audio editing, transitions, color corrections, and the list goes on.
With that, we’ve come to the end of this guide!!! 🎉
Over To You
You know how you get buzzing with knowledge after reading guides like this?
That ‘I can take on the world’ feeling?
A feeling that strangely disappears when the time for taking on the world actually arrives?
Well, we don’t want that happening to you.
So, here’s the plan.
Step one, book a demo with Insense and let’s help you produce videos for your marketing at scale.
Step two, see step one. 😉
And that’s all!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let’s go over some questions frequently asked by people on this subject.
How do I make a before and after video for YouTube?
- Take into account the different video formats YouTube supports and ensure your video aligns with one of them.
- Use the recommended aspect ratio for YT (16:9 for normal YouTube videos and 9:16 for YouTube shorts).
- Design an engaging thumbnail.
How do I make a before and after video for TikTok?
- Partner with popular creators or influencers in your niche.
- Keep the video duration short and engaging.
- Use the 9:16 aspect ratio for your TikTok videos.
- Add trending and relevant keywords to your video.
How do I make a before and after video for Instagram?
- You can use the carousel feature. A ‘before’ video on the first slideshow and ‘after’ on the second slide.
- Collaborate with your customers and Instagram influencers.
- Leverage Instagram reels, Instagram stories, and IGTV too.
