As any kid can tell you, the best games are the ones that let you choose your next move. Whether you want to fight a dragon or slip off on a side quest, there is simply nothing cooler than a story that puts you in the director’s chair, where you have the power and autonomy to make your next move.

Interactive video takes an already-immersive art form—video—and dials up the drama to create stunning visuals that your viewer can actively participate in. You’ll choose what frames to see next and even drill down into product pages directly from where you’re watching. 

In a world where we’re passively scrolling through hundreds of videos per day, interactive is a new format to infuse novelty, delight, and action into the watching experience. 

Next, we’ll show you the differentiating features of an interactive video and tips to drive more engagement with standout marketing campaigns powered by interactive video.

Without further ado, let’s define what interactive video actually is.

Learn more about Vimeo’s interactive video platform

What is interactive video? 

An interactive video is a form of media that allows users to interact with content within the video itself. Traditional linear video only allows the viewer to stop, pause, and play the content.

But interactive video encourages engagement during the viewing experience. You can create different paths for the viewer to take through the video or include clickable links to other web pages — i.e., there are more ways than pressing play/pause to engage with the video. For a long time, interactive video was only an option for those willing to invest serious time and lots of development dollars to make it happen. But Vimeo makes it easy to turn any video into an interactive experience. (Psst…Our team takes care of the tech — and offers 24/7 support — so you can easily take your videos to the next level.)

What makes a video interactive?

In short, an interactive video lets a viewer manipulate the direction or method of engaging with the video the way they want to. There are a few techniques you can use to help them do that. 

• Hotspots direct the viewer toward another piece of related content (as an example). A hotspot is a point in the video that is clickable/touchable, hyperlinked to where you want the viewer to go, such as a product page — creating a shoppable video.

• Overlays add contextual media after the viewer clicks on a hotspot or reaches a time trigger. Overlays can include text, images, calls to action (CTA), maps, audio/visual prompts, and more.

• Time triggers are ideal if you’d rather not leave potential interactions to chance. You can trigger events to happen in the video at a specific time without the viewer needing to click or hover over the content. The most common use for this is opening overlays.
  

• Branching is arguably the coolest method of interactive video because it allows viewers to jump around the video in a “build your own adventure” style. You can take viewers down different paths of watching the video, depending on what choices they make with your interaction options.

The use of these techniques, either standalone or using more than one in the same video, is what makes videos interactive. They give the viewer the choice to take the video in a new direction compared to just watching the video from start to finish.

Types of interactive video

Now let’s dive into the different types of interactive video that you can use to create a unique experience for viewers that not only engages them but also boosts brand awareness.

Quizzes

If you want to entertain (and potentially reward) your audience, creating a fun quiz can be the way to go. 

By using quizzes that are relevant to your brand, you can educate your audience while keeping them entertained and engaged. For example, spice things up with an interactive video quiz that offers viewers a chance to win a prize or discount on your brand’s products or services. This can be a fun way to create a buzz and boost engagement with your audience.

“Build your adventure”

Remember the hype around Black Mirror’s “Bandersnatch” episode? If not, it was a feature-length Netflix show where viewers could make decisions for the main character at key moments that lead to a specific ending based on those choices.

As a marketer, you can recreate this level of engagement with branching storylines that create a “Build your adventure” video. By allowing viewers to choose their own path and create their own adventure, these videos create a sense of personal connection and excitement, making the audience feel like they’re part of the journey. For example, you can create product demos that allow viewers to choose from pre-set paths, depending on their goals, and explore the features of a product.

Shoppable videos

A little easier on the technical side, creating a shoppable video can be just what your marketing strategy needs to promote new (or resurrect old) products. 

Shoppable videos use the Hotspot technique mentioned earlier to create a clickable element in the video that leads to a product page for people to check out.

Educational

Using the same techniques as the shoppable videos, you can also create educational interactive videos about your brand or wider industry.

This type of interactive content can be used for video tutorials or for employee training and onboarding programs. You can embed checkpoints to ensure viewers are engaging and retaining the information, plus include supplemental material for folks to watch on their own time.

And instead of snoozefest PowerPoints, spice up your presentations with interactive videos. It makes for a more fun and engaging way to teach complex information.

Why you should include interactive videos in your marketing strategy

As a marketer looking for the best, most effective way to make an impact with your messaging, interactive video is game-changing. It may require a little more work and effort than traditional videos, but the payoff is oh-so-worth it.  

You’ll reap the full benefits of data collection. You’ll also see higher conversion rates thanks to more engaging, memorable videos that your audience can’t wait to share on social media.

Better data collection

Interactive videos are more than just a visual treat; they’re a valuable source of data. Interactive video tools help you track viewer behavior in real-time, including which parts of the video are being watched, skipped, or rewatched and which interactive elements viewers are engaged with. This information gives you valuable insights into viewer behavior and preferences that you can use to optimize your marketing strategy and improve targeting.

Furthermore, interactive video lets you collect viewer data, such as contact information, survey responses, and preferences, that you can use to inform your future marketing efforts.

Higher conversion rates

Engage, click, convert! Interactive elements such as quizzes, product demos, and calls to action guide viewers toward a desired action — making a purchase, filling out a form, or signing up for a newsletter. 
This improves conversion rates as viewers are more likely to take action after watching an interactive video. In fact, interactive video has a click-through rate of about 11%, compared to less than 1% of click-throughs on YouTube annotations and Google Ads.

More engaging

Linear videos, by nature, encourage a passive viewing experience, while interactive videos offer a more engaging and immersive user experience. Interactive elements such as branching storylines and clickable hotspots grab viewers’ attention and keep them engaged in a way that traditional videos cannot.

More memorable

Interactive video ads are 32% more memorable than traditional video. That’s because it engages viewers on multiple levels, including visual, auditory, and participatory. 

Viewers are more likely to remember and retain information presented in an interactive video due to the active participation and engagement required. For marketers, that means interactive videos can help boost brand awareness and recall.

Increased social sharing

Interactive videos that are optimized for social media platforms make it easy for viewers to share the content across multiple channels. And if you’ve taken advantage of the features available to you with interactive video, your viewers can’t resist sharing your content.

The result is increased reach and exposure, which makes interactive videos more effective as a marketing tool.

So now you know what interactive video is and how using it can benefit your marketing strategy, how do you make one? The next section provides a step-by-step tutorial.

How do you make an interactive video?

There are a number of interactive video makers available on the market. However, if you want an all-in-one video-creating, sharing, and storing platform, Vimeo is hard to beat. This tutorial will show you how to make interactive videos using the Vimeo video editing suite.

At the moment, these tools are only available to Vimeo Enterprise users.

1. Log into Vimeo or create a new account. Once logged in, head over to your video library where you can either upload a new video or open up an existing video in the editor.
   

2. Once you have opened the editor, you’ll see the Interactivity button under the Advanced settings option on the right-hand side of the editor.
   

3. Clicking on the Interactivity button takes you to the new Interactive studio where you can insert the interactive elements we explained earlier.
   

4. You can add a Hotspot or Time Trigger element to the video by using either the pane on the right of the video preview or by using the timeline editor below the preview. You can upload your own images or choose from a selection in the Vimeo library.
   

5. When adding a new element, you can have it “stick” to an object or open on a particular segment of the screen.
   

6. You can also use Time Triggers to build on the “branching” technique we mentioned earlier by giving the viewers the option to skip to a relevant segment of the video with the click of a button.
   

7. With each element you add, you can preview the animation before adding them to the video. Once you’re happy, you can click the blue check/tick mark in the side-panel editor.
   

That’s it! Once you’ve added all the interactive elements you want, you can preview the whole video before leaving the interactive studio. Once back in the main editor, you can choose to share the video to social media, copy the video link, or get the embed code to place on a webpage.

Game-changing examples of interactive video

So now you know just how easy it can be to create an interactive video with Vimeo, how about some inspiration? Here we’ll show you some awesome examples of interactive videos with a little explainer of why they’re so great.

Nespresso

Nespresso is a world-famous coffee brand. It produced the above interactive video to promote its Nespresso Vertuo range of coffee machines and associated products. 

The video has both Hotspots and Time Triggers that help create this “build your adventure” style of navigation. What makes this particular example great is how easy Nespresso makes it to choose a path by making the interactive elements very large.

Asurion

The next example is from the tech support company Asurion. In this interactive video, the host takes you through another “build your adventure” type video in the style of a quiz, that takes you through to a shoppable end page.

There are a ton of interactive elements in this video, and what makes it special is how engaging it is without being overwhelming (you don’t have to click on everything to keep going). 

Both of these examples show you how you can use interactive video in creative, yet on-brand ways to help liven up your marketing efforts.

Tips to make your interactive videos pop

When creating an interactive video, keep these tips in mind to ensure an engaging and user-friendly experience.

Storyboard, storyboard, storyboard  

If you’re planning a more complex interactive video (like a branching storyline), then dedicate some time in the pre-production stage to storyboard your idea. This will help you understand exactly how many storylines you’ll be pursuing.

When planning, remember that too many options can be too much of a good thing. “The simplest, cleanest experiences are the ones that gain the most interaction,” says Jack Brodie, managing director at Colada Creative. “Opt for two decisions at the end of each branch.” Keeping it simple will help your viewers navigate through your content and make your production day much easier. 

Hold your takes for longer than usual

For any videos with overlays or hotspots, it’s good to hold your shots a bit longer than you might normally. This will allow viewers to read any text on the screen or take the action you’d like them to take. 

Consider your framing

Depending on the profile of your overlays or hotspots, you might want to consider where the subject of your video sits in your frame. 

If a large overlay will unfurl on the left side of the screen, frame your subject further off to the right to make your post-production a breeze. “This will help you make sure that they don’t clash with the person or objects in the frame,” adds Jack.

“The beauty of interactive is the spectrum of what you can do, from shoppable video to overlays, to the analytics.”

Jack Brodie, Managing Director at Colada Creative

Make it shareable and promote it

Interactive videos need to be accessible and shareable — aka hosted on a website or Vimeo page — to work at their full capacity. That means you’ll want to leverage marketing channels like social and email to drive people to the full interactive experience. 

We recommend creating GIFs or short, looping video assets to show off the interactive abilities of your video. “Show people your video is interactive from the very start,” notes Jack. “Not many people even know you can click on a video. So that’s something we like to show people even in promotional images.”

The good news? Vimeo makes it easy to turn any video into a GIF for easy sharing anywhere. You can learn more about how to do that right with Vimeo’s simple GIF maker.

Review your performance

You’ve dreamed up a video, added your chosen interactive elements, and unleashed it upon the world. But are people actually engaging with it? 

Vimeo’s reporting and analytics go beyond standard video metrics to reveal super granular insights. You can see where and when your viewers clicked on different hotspots or overlays, check your shopping metrics, and more. Better insights = better learnings, which means better videos for you and your viewers.

FAQs

What’s the definition of interactive video?

Interactive video is a type of video that allows the user to actively engage with the content they see. They contain clickable elements that either take the user to another part of the video or to another webpage altogether.

What are examples of interactive videos? 

Some examples of interactive videos include quizzes, “build your own adventure”, shoppable videos, and educational videos. These types of videos use interactive elements like Hotspots and Time Triggers to create an interactive experience.

What is a shoppable video? 

A shoppable video is a type of interactive video that allows the viewer to click on a highlighted product in the video, which takes them straight to the product page.

Is Interactive video worth it?

Interactive video creates 66% more engagement. This can help increase brand awareness and conversion rates. Additionally, it enables better data collection, allowing for insights into viewer behavior and helping to optimize future videos and marketing campaigns.

Is Vimeo interactive?

Vimeo Enterprise customers are able to create interactive videos with the all-new interactive studio. With Vimeo’s interactive tools, you can create engaging and interactive videos that provide viewers with a more immersive experience. Vimeo also offers analytics tools to track viewer engagement and measure the performance of interactive videos.

Want more engagement? Go interactive

Adding interactive elements is ultimately an easy method of getting viewers to engage more with your content. However, in the right hands, they can also be a powerful lead generation tool—think targeted product recommendations based on information the viewer has chosen to click through.

Interactive videos might have seemed like science fiction a few decades ago. But now creating interactive videos is easier than ever thanks to tools like Vimeo. What’s more, your marketing team can put one together in mere minutes.

Ready to give it a try?

Get started with interactive video today

Originally published June 8, 2022. Updated on May 10, 2023.

In the world of digital, smaller is always better. Sure, creatives and video professionals alike will always chase greater pixel counts and larger RAW files. However, the real trick everyone wants is to make those big files smaller and more manageable (while still keeping the same high quality).

And how does that happen you ask? Compression, of course! 

Let’s take a look into the mysterious art of compression — and how you can specifically apply its magic to your videos. We’ll go over how you can compress video on a variety of devices (like iPhone, Android, Mac and PC) without losing video quality and explore some of the more popular video compressors available online.

What is video compression? 

In today’s modern digital video production process, video compression is quite regular and necessary because the majority of video files which you’ll deal with need to be reduce to make your workflows possible.

Wanna send a video file over email? You need compression.

Not sure what a ZIP file’s all about? That’s video compression.

When done properly, a good video compressor can reduce the size of a video file to nearly 1,000x smaller than the original. However, when done with the wrong software or in the wrong way, video compression can sometimes corrupt a file and make it unusable — so you want to make sure you’re using the proper software and following the right steps.

If you shoot video footage on your smartphone, for example, chances are it’s being compressed immediately and will be compressed even more throughout your transfer, editing, exporting and uploading process.

Overall, video compression makes it possible and easier to share files between any number of sources. Even video recorded on your smartphone is going to need compression to transfer it to cloud storage, your computer to edit it, or even to another person through email or messaging.

Do I have to compress a video in order to share it? 

This is another great question. And while the technical answer might be no, you don’t have to compress a video to share it. The vast majority of the time you probably should compress video before you share it. 

Unless you’re working in high-end video production, working with uncompressed video is going to drastically slow down your workflows and make data management nearly impossible when you start adding in larger and larger uncompressed files.

What is a codec, and why do I need to know? 

Moving right along…When discussing video compression we have to mention codecs. What are codecs and why are they important? A codec is a specific algorithm device or program which can compress video (and audio) data. Its name stands for “compressor-decompressor” as it can be used to encode or decode a data stream or signal.

Codecs are an important part of video compression as well as most video editing, sharing or streaming processes. Even if you aren’t super familiar with codecs, you’re actually most probably using them all the time without realizing it. Most computers and operating systems come preloaded with the majority of the codecs needed for playing and managing different video file types.

If you’d like to read more in-depth about codecs and the different types, here’s a great intro to file formats to check out.

What’s the difference between lossy and lossless codecs? 

Another factor to consider when looking into video compression is the distinction between lossy and lossless codecs. Let’s take a quick look at what those two terms mean and what you should keep in mind for your compression needs.

Lossy: these are smaller files overall and easier for all types of digital transfer and delivery. Lossy files are compressed following a method which is meant to be imperceptible to the human eye, which means that they are a great option for any video being streamed online. However Lossy files aren’t perfect and might not be the right option for anyone looking to do any more advanced editing, color grading or effects.

Lossless: these are larger files overall but still compressed and useful for speeding up transferring and delivery. Unlike Lossy though, Lossless files are compressed following a method which is meant to keep all of the original data intact. This obviously increases the file size causing slower playback, but also provides more information for those looking to work with raw data.

What are all the file types available? 

Now let’s go over some of the different file types which you might encounter when working with video compression. It’s important to understand these distinctions as you make your decisions as to how you want to compress your video files and where and how they might be used.

MP4

One of the most common video file format types, MP4 stands for MPEG-4 Part 14 and is the preferred format for any Apple device. It’s also quite popular for video and audio in general and is a great option for posting videos to social media channels like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

AVI

AVI stands for Audio Video Interleave and is the preferred format for any Windows device. It is compatible with the vast majority of operating systems (Windows, iOS and Linux) as well as most of the popular web browsers and social platforms. AVI is one of the higher quality formats for video, but also tends to be larger in file size.

FLV

FLV is a less-common but popular Flash video format. FLV is the preferred format used by Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR to compress and decompress audio and video streams online. There are two main FLV formats including F4V and H.264. It’s important to note though that FLV does not work with Mac devices.

MOV

This is one of the best video file formats for web and TV. MOV (also known as QuickTime Movie) is one of the larger file types but great for high-quality video, audio and other file type playback. MOV is designed for QuickTime on Windows but also works with most social platforms and streaming.

WMV

WMV is another larger but quality video file format. WMV stands for Windows Media Viewer and is obviously designed for Windows devices. WMV is comparable to MOV in file size with similar high-quality playback. Mac devices can view WMV videos but can only play them through Windows Media Player.

Watch our video tutorial on how to compress a video

Learn by watching? Peep this helpful tutorial video, or consult the step-by-step lists below.

How to compress a video in iOS and on Macs 

Now let’s look at some of the different tools available to you on your computer, smartphone or favorite video hosting, sharing, and services platform provider.

For compressing a video on Macs or your iOS iPhone, you have several options to consider. For Mac desktops or laptops, you can always compress a video in iMovie (or Final Cut Pro if you’re up to speed on with their popular NLE app). However your best bet might be to use QuickTime as it’s perhaps the easiest option.

Here are the steps you need to follow for compressing a video using QuickTime on your Mac:

1. Open QuickTime on your Mac
2. Choose and open your video
3. Navigate through File > Export As > Choose
4. Select the file format you’d prefer for your video
5. Choose your output file name and location
6. Hit the Save button

Another quick tip for working with compressed video on your iPhone is to simply go into your settings, navigate to Camera, then go to the “Record Video” section and select a lower resolution.

How to compress a video on Windows 10 

To compress a video on a Windows PC or laptop, using the built-in Windows Video Editor is a great option. Here are the steps you’ll need to follow:

1. Open Video Editor
2. Start a new video project card
3. Add the video file that you’d like to compress
4. Click the “Finish Video” button
5. Select the file format that you’d prefer for your video
6. Hit Export

How to compress a video on an Android 

Just as we went over creating smaller video files for your iPhone, you can follow a similar process with your Android devices as well. All you need to do is follow these steps:

1. Open your Android Device
2. Go to the “Application Menu”
3. Choose the camera icon
4. Select the “Resolution” icon
5. Choose your new recording format

How to reduce video file size online 

Along with the options above, you also have plenty of compression apps and platforms available to you online. Here are the steps to follow for using FreeConvert.com:

1. Go to freeconvert.com/video-compressor
2. Upload your video file (up to 1GB unless you want to create an account)
3. Select your Video Codec, Compression Method and Target Size
4. Click Compress Now!

Popular online video compressors

There are also plenty of other free video compression services available online. A few others include:

• Veed.io
• Clideo
• Online Converter
• Video Smaller
• YouCompress

Ready to keep learning?

You’ve also probably been already working with different file formats and codecs your whole life at this point, but just haven’t realized it. Hopefully these definitions, insights and resources have helped you gain a solid understanding of the basics of video compression.

These are only the basics though, so if you’d like to learn a bit more about video compression and how it works with your Vimeo uploads, renders and playback, check out our full video and audio compression guidelines.

Keep honing your video editing chops with these recommended reads:

• Looking for the best video editing software in 2021? Start here
• Here’s how to crop a video (without even opening your laptop)
• Video editing 101: Here are 6 basic tips every beginner needs to know 
• How to add music to any video: A step-by-step guide
• Unsure how to use Adobe After Effects? Start here

More video compression FAQs

Do you ever wonder what makes some videos stand out compared to others? It sometimes can be hard to put your finger on, but certain videos simply feel like they’re doing something… more. But what is that feeling? And what is that specific technique?

Today we’re going to talk about video overlays and explore how you can incorporate them into your edits. Now, there’s a few different types of video overlays:

• Overlays used as an effect to make your videos pop
• Overlays that add interactive elements to make videos stickier and more engaging

Let’s explore both of these types of overlays and really break down how you can master these helpful editing techniques.

What is a video overlay? 

So, let’s start with some basic definitions.

A video overlay is simply a term for any time that you have a video and you add another video layer on top of your original video.

–

The goal of this extra layer is not to replace or cover your original video, but rather add an extra element or give footage a texture or feeling.

You see video overlays all the time with examples ranging from TV news productions to some of your favorite cinematic films. Any time an extra element is added to your video whether that be for context or effect, you’re working with video overlays.

Add video overlays with Vimeo Interactive

Here’s an example of what video overlays look like and how they can be used to make a video more interactive.

These videos are much more than just having a single person talking into a camera. These extra elements (aka video overlays) provide a great deal of context and pose a call-to-action with hotspots for viewers to click on.

What software can I use to add overlays to my video? 

Now let’s go over how to actually add overlays to your videos. However, before you start picking out elements or uploading textures, you’ll need to decide on the best video editing software for your needs. 

Depending on your level of experience you can go with a more advanced NLE like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. Or, if you’re looking for a quick plug-and-play option you can use an app like Flixier or even use Vimeo’s very own interactive video platform

There’s no wrong choice of software to use as long as you’re comfortable with the level of sophistication for creating versus uploading your assets, as well as deciding on how much control you want in terms of opacity and blending different elements and textures into your video. 

How to put overlays on your video

So, how do you actually put overlays into your video? With Vimeo’s new interactive video capabilities, creating a video with overlays throughout is a breeze.

Let’s go over some basic steps for adding overlays to a video with Vimeo.

1. Create or upload your video directly to Vimeo
2. Select the timestamp that you want the overlay to appear
3. Position and style your overlay within the video
4. Select your overlay ‘actions’, from links to information panels, and much more
5. Finish and preview your creation
6. Save, share, embed and distribute your masterpiece

I’d generally recommend doing as much editing to your base video as possible before adding in extra elements like overlays as it can get quite tricky to edit both at once.

What are the different types of video overlay effects? 

As mentioned before, there’s really two different types of overlays which you might want to use for your video projects. 

1. Overlays for interactivity

The first type of overlays are the shoppable interactive hotspots which we saw in those example videos above. These types of overlays are what you might see on news programs or sports on TV where there are smaller boxes or other elements like graphics or text. These are great overlays to add to videos for your Vimeo (or YouTube) channel as a way to encourage click-through from your video to another video, a product page, etc.

2. Overlays for oomph

The other types of overlays which are often used, but not quite as noticeable, are the overlays which add subtle texture to a video. Examples of these might include film grain, VHS glitches, or other layers of smoke, dust or particles which are used to give videos a more cinematic, real and muddled look. You can either create these overlays yourself or purchase packs online with different options to blend into your videos to give them that more cinematic style.

Putting a bow on video overlays

Hopefully these definitions and examples have given you a solid understanding of what overlays are and how to use them in your videos. Remember, overlays are really meant to be used as an added bonus to your original content. If you really want your videos to be successful you should focus first on the fundamentals of filmmaking by creating solid content which viewers can engage with on its own.

From there, adding these overlays — whether they be interactive elements or cinematic textures — should really just be the icing… not the whole cake.

Spice up your interactive video marketing with Vimeo.

And as the Gen Z workforce continues to challenge norms and improve communications through technology, video resumes are quickly becoming that next big thing. 

What is a resume video? 

While a written resume is still a crucial tool used by job seekers to list relevant job skills and experience, a video CV is where candidates can show off those soft skills and other qualities that are hard to define on paper.

Video resumes allow applicants to make an impression with their personality traits instead of relying solely on their achievements. And, video resumes are a great way to show potential employers short clips of you working with team members or screen captures of your current projects.

When exactly should I send a video resume? 

For creative positions like social media management, graphic design, or performance-based careers, a visual aid can help capture your skills more effectively.

Although digital transformation is reaching its peak, not all businesses are using savvy digital  business tools for important tasks such as keeping track of profits, let alone watching video resumes. Know your audience, and when in doubt, ask.

7 video resume do’s and don’ts 

Let’s go over some basic do’s and don’ts of creating a video resume:

1. Do – Be yourself 

For best results, be your most authentic self and show off what makes you unique. 

2. Don’t – Make things too personal 

Leave out the family drama, don’t cry on camera, and keep it professional. And don’t say anything on a video resume that you don’t want out on the internet for the rest of eternity. 

3. Do – Dress the part 

Make sure that you dress the way that you would as if you were going to an in-person interview with your future boss. Present yourself to express your personality while still maintaining a professional vibe. 

4. Don’t – Sound like you’re reading off a script 

Having a script is important to keep your short video resume focused, but if you’re reading from a poster behind the camera, hiring managers are likely to notice. 

5. Do – Come prepared with notes 

You definitely don’t want to wing it on a video CV. It’s important to have notes to keep you on track.

6. Don’t – Rely on a video CV alone

A video resume is meant to augment your written CV, and highlight skills and experience that are hard to communicate on paper. Send them over a copy of your CV along with your video resume. 

7. Do – Keep it short

Like Tik Toks, video CVs should only be about 30 to 90 seconds long, or else it’s unlikely employers will carve out time to watch your video. Remember, you want to engage them, show them who you are, and make them want to pick up the phone and call you. Don’t bore them. 

How to make a video resume that screams “hire me” 

Here’s what it takes to make a video resume that will fill your inbox with job offers: 

Write a script

While you may not go off the script verbatim when you record your video CV, it’s nice to have to support a seamless presentation of your hard to quantify skills and abilities. Plan what you want to say in advance to avoid becoming tongue-tied or leaving out a cool project that you want to show off. 

Prep your filming space

Even if you’re not a pro, it’s crucial that your video resume looks and feels like it was made by a professional. Start by prepping your filming space with a neutral background and comfortable lighting. Choose where you will sit, what camera angles you want to capture, and whether or not you need any props. 

Set up your recording device

Whether you are using a smartphone, computer, tablet, or digital camera, make sure that it can capture high-quality images and audio so that your video resume comes out clear and professional. Make sure you set it up at the right angle and make sure the camera captures you fully. 

Record a few takes

You’re probably not going to nail it on the first take. That’s ok! One of the perks of pre-recording your video resume is that you can go back and take it again as many times as you want to get it just right.

Don’t forget about B-roll!

B-roll is video that supports your main video content. In a video CV, this could be film of you in action or views of your current office. Use visuals that are both engaging and relevant to your work, your skills, and the job you are applying for. 

Edit your video like a professional

It’s time to put your best foot forward! Review your footage and choose the best takes to include in your video resume. There are many video editing software products that are free to use forever or for a limited time. If you want your video to stand out and impress potential employers, do not skip this step.

Ask for feedback

Have a friend or coworker review your video resume and provide you with constructive feedback that you can use to improve your video before sending it off to potential employers. Your end result should be clear, organized, professional, and adequately represent what you have to offer an organization to make a five-star impression. 

3 ways companies can recruit talent using video

Using video to recruit talent is much like building a sales pipeline for your business or website. If you’d like to recruit talent using video, it’s important to consider your audience and market the job opportunity to the right audience.

Here are a few tips for companies that want to start using video to recruit future talent:

• Optimize your video title and description. Use keywords to make sure that the algorithm has plenty to work with to get your video in front of the right users. 

• Include a CTA. Recruiting talent is a lot like marketing. Give viewers a clear indication of what they can do next to learn more or apply for an open position. 

• Publish your video on multiple channels. There are many places to post your talent recruitment videos such as social media platforms, job board sites like ZipRecruiter or Indeed, and video platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, or Vimeo. 

Wrapping up 

While the jury is still out on whether or not video resumes will replace written CVs completely, there are some strong arguments for their effectiveness. Video resumes allow applicants to speak to employers directly while highlighting their best qualities in an accessible video format. 

Ready to show off your skills in a new and unique way?

Explore our easy-to-customize video resume templates.

Like a great novel, did you know that the best online videos are also broken down by chapters?

From YouTube to Vimeo, adding chapters to your videos can be a great way to give your videos more structure, as well as provide points for viewers to quickly navigate back to sections most important to them.

But how do these chapters actually work for these online video formats? And how can you add them to your YouTube and Vimeo videos yourself?

Let’s explore everything you need to know about adding chapters to your content.

What are YouTube chapters? 

YouTube chapters, also simply called “video chapters” by YouTube, are markers which you can add to your YouTube videos which add information and allow users to easily rewatch different parts of the videos.

How to add chapters to YouTube videos in 5 steps 

Adding chapters to your YouTube videos is a fairly easy process. Here are the steps that you’ll need to follow.

(1) First, sign in to YouTube Studio.

(2) Select the “Content” tab.

(3) Click on the video that you’d like to edit.

(4) In the “Description” box, add a list of timestamps and titles. (It’s also important to keep in mind that the first timestamp should start at “00:00” and that videos should have at least three timestamps with chapters of at least 10 seconds.)

(5) Click “Save,” and you’re done!

What about YouTube’s automatic chaptering? 

Rolled out in 2021, YouTube has been experimenting with automatic chaptering features which may prove to be a helpful way for creators to add chapters to their videos. However, this feature is only available to select YouTube users at this point.

What are Vimeo chapters? 

Available to Vimeo Pro members and higher, you can also add chapters to your Vimeo videos as well. Chapters are great for long-form content like training sessions, lessons, recitals or anything else and will appear during playback on all embedded and showcase videos.

You’ll also be able to see which chapters get the highest engagement and track your engagement rates chapter by chapter.

How to add chapters to Vimeo videos in 5 steps 

Adding chapters to your Vimeo videos is a simple process as well. Here are the steps that you’ll need to follow:

(1) Head to the Interaction tools tab of your video’s settings.

(2) Under the Chapters section click “+ New”.

(3) Enter a title and timestamp for when and where you want your new chapter to be placed.

(4) Add as many chapters to your video as you’d like.

(5) Click “Save,” and you’re done!

Keep in mind that, unlike YouTube, you can add up to one chapter per second of your video, and you can also edit and remove chapters whenever you want. Pretty sweet, huh?

How do I know if chapters are right for my video? 

Now that we’ve covered how to add chapters to your videos, let’s go over some reasons why you might need these markers for your content.

The biggest reason many creators use chapters is to break up long form content into much more manageable sections. This is the ideal approach for uploading longer lectures, demonstrations, recitals, sports events, etc…

This not only helps you keep your content organized for yourself, but also so that your audience can quickly find sections with information relevant to them. The chapters are great too as they can easily revisit sections time and time again — giving you more views and exposure.

Overall, chapters can be a quick and easy way to help make your longform videos feel punchier, shorter, and more accessible. All great reasons why you should experiment with these functions for your videos new and old.

FAQ

Try more easy Vimeo tools.

At Vimeo, we empower creators to… well, create.

Creativity doesn’t rely on organization or assets, but in the ability to do. And, simply put, there’s a lot of information to sift through online. That’s why we’re big believers in pre-designed templates and simple, intuitive video creation tools.

However, for all those creators who are wanting to work with different (and sometimes more advanced platforms), we’ve put together answers to your burning questions about video editing, plus a shortlist of seven of the best video editing softwares currently on the market.

Five fundamental questions before choosing a video editing software

The real trick though for figuring out which editing software that is right for you is going to come down to your needs. To help you figure out exactly what your needs are, here are some helpful questions to ask yourself to understand what editing features your video might require.

1. What kinds of videos will you be editing? 

This is a great, open-ended question, to get you started. Just what kinds of videos will you be editing? Are they long or short videos? Do they use multiple cameras and angles, or is all one shot? Do you have intro and outro sequences? What is the overall level of professionalism that you’d like for the videos to be?

2. Do you need your videos to live in the Cloud? 

The next question has to do with where you want your video to reside once it’s exported and uploaded online. Is the video something that you want to live in the cloud and be accessible to anyone anywhere? Or is something meant for internal audiences online where you want the file(s) only on your computer or network to show to prospective clients, family or friends?

3. How long do you want to spend on video editing? 

Editing videos can vary for a great variety of reasons, but one of the biggest has to do simply with how long you want to spend on editing your video. Is this a project which you need to have edited and uploaded right away and in a matter of minutes (or possibly hours)? Or is it something which you can spend all day, if not all week working on to perfect every little detail?

4. Do you want a free tool, or can you swing a subscription? 

We also have to talk about budget. Not just in terms of time and resources spent, but in actual currency that you have available to work on editing your project. Are you looking for a free editing tool which you can use simply and easily without a commitment? Or do you have enough money available to pay for a subscription based software (which is the standard format for working with NLE editors like Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro)?

5. What features are must-haves for your business? 

Finally, the last question has to do with what features are must-haves for your project’s needs. Videos these days can offer lots of bells and whistles from styles and looks, flashy effects and animations, to more practical features like click-through links and other call-to-action (CTA) elements. Ask yourself what you feel your video needs to be successful and justify your time and resources spent on your edit.

7 popular video editing tools and software 

While keeping your answers to the questions above in mind, let’s now take a look at some of the popular video editing tools and softwares currently available online.

Adobe Premiere Pro 

Our first pick is Adobe Premiere Pro, which is perhaps currently the single most popular NLE software in the industry. It’s a great pick for beginners and pros alike as it’s easy enough to pick up, but includes plenty of higher-end features and controls.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use timeline editor
• Advanced features for color grading, effects and motion graphics
• Very popular app with plenty of resources online, plus syncs with Adobe Creative Cloud

Cons:

• A little bit of a learning curve to get started for beginners
• No ready-made templates for quick edits
• Subscription pricing model can add up over time

Price: $20.99/month (for Premiere Pro), $52.99 (for Creative Cloud)

Final Cut Pro X 

After Premiere Pro, Apple’s Final Cut Pro might currently be the second most popular NLE software in the industry. It’s timeline-based editing platform is also easy-to-use for both novices and experts alike. It’s a bit more complicated than Apple’s iMovie which might be better for true beginners, but it offers more advanced controls in terms of editing, effects and color controls.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use timeline editor
• Advanced features for color grading, basic effects and motion graphics
• Works great with Macs and syncing with other Apple products

Cons

• A little bit of a learning curve to get started for beginners
• No ready-made templates for quick edits
• Only compatible with Apple computers, plus a bit pricey

Price: $299.99

Adobe Spark 

Released in 2016 (and as a combination of Adobe’s previous web tools Voice, Slate and Post), Adobe Spark is a free-to-use online video editor that’s simple to use for creators on the run. It’s pre-formatted story templates include an array of slideshows, montages and other basic effects.

Pros:

• Free online video editor
• Easy-to-use templates
• Quick upload to export process

Cons:

• Not timeline based for edits
• No advanced features or controls
• Limited amount of templates and customization

Price: Free

Vimeo Create 

Similar to Adobe Spark, but with a bit more templates and customizations to choose from, Vimeo Create is an easy-to-use online video editor that allows creators to make videos on the fly. It’s template-based as you can browse hundreds of pre-formatted options which include different montages, transitions, effects and other slideshow-style features.

Pros:

• Free online video editor for Vimeo members
• Thousands of easy-to-use templates
• Quick upload to export process

Cons:

• Limited advanced features or controls

Price: Available with Vimeo paid plans.

iMovie 

While not as sophisticated as Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro, yet not as straightforward as Vimeo Create or Adobe Spark, iMovie is a solid software that offers a good mix of both worlds. This Mac-based app is free-to-use and comes pre-installed on most Apple products. It allows for basic timeline editing for trimming, transitions and simple color, filters and audio controls.

Pros:

• Free to use on Mac
• Easy-to-use timeline editor
• Includes basic controls for filters, effects and audio

Cons:

• Only compatible with Mac
• Limited controls for advanced features for color, motion and effects
• No ready-made templates for quick edits

Price: Free on Mac

Lightworks

While developed way back in 1989, Lightworks has slowly been making inroads in the film and video industry as a solid NLE software which can seriously rival both Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. It’s a relevantly easy to use timeline-based editor which includes beginner and advanced functions and controls for effects, transitions and motion graphics. It is available for Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use timeline editor
• Advanced features for color grading, basic effects and motion graphics
• Available for Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems

Cons:

• A little bit of a learning curve to get started for beginners
• No ready-made templates for quick edits
• Subscription pricing model is one of the more expensive

Price: $23.99/month, $239.99/year 

DaVinci Resolve 17

Another name on our list which might not be as well known as iMovie, Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro, Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve has also slowly been making a name for itself in the professional video editing community for several years now. With its roots developed in the realm of color correction and grading, DaVinci Resolve 17 is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux and also offers a free version, and a more capable paid version.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use timeline editor
• Advanced features for color grading, basic effects and motion graphics
• Available for Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems

Cons:

• -Still takes a little bit of a learning curve to get started for beginners
• No ready-made templates for quick edits
• Free version is great, but most serious editors will need the pricey full version

Price: $295

Frequently asked questions

Ready to learn video editing? 

No matter what editing software that you choose though, it’s important to remember that you’ll be learning an invaluable skill for your business in the process — the art of piecing together a video.

If you’d like to read up a bit more on some editing tips and tricks, here are some helpful articles to aid you in your editing journey.

• Video editing 101: Here are 6 basic tips every beginner needs to know 
• How to trim your videos on Vimeo
• How to add masterful transitions to your videos (even if you’re a total beginner)
• How to make a Vimeo Create video
• How to make a slideshow video

Once you’ve the unlocked video editing skills that you need to be successful, it should be easier to scale up production, add video content into your larger marketing and advertising strategy, and better-looking videos in way less time.

Sharpen your editing skills with Vimeo Video School.

Filters serve a valuable purpose for almost every creator out there, whether you’ve been snapping shots since Instagram’s “Valencia” filter days, or you’re new to the game. Video filters can create visual consistency, heighten the natural setting, or instantly set a mood for your footage.

How to add filters on your iPhone or Android

Figuring out how to add filters to videos you have on apps like Photos on iPhone or Camera on Android is simple.

1. Just film your vid on your phone, then pop into your photo app. Click “Edit.”
2. Adjust brightness, contrast, or try one of your phone’s existing filters, whether that’s in the Photos App or Google Photos.
3. Toggle the dial on the screen to up or diminish the filter’s strength. Or, if you’re not feeling the filter you choose, select “None” on Google Photos or “Original” on iPhone Photos to undo.
4. Click “Done” to save your new filter!

How to add filters to your video in Vimeo Create

Step 1: Head to Vimeo Create and click “Create a video” to get started.

Step 2: Choose from a myriad of templates in Vimeo’s template library, or click “Start from scratch” to make a creation that’s entirely your own. Upon selecting a template, click “Customize” to enter the video editor. 

Step 3: Navigate to the “Styles” menu in the top left hand corner of the editor. Then, you’ll see a menu of filters — everything from minimalist to playful pops of color — to choose from. Once you’ve chosen a filter, click “Done.” 

Step 4: Save and preview your video to see your chosen filter in action! Click “Edit” on the lower right hand side of the screen to go back into the editor and add other finishing touches to your video, like adding stickers, creating new scenes, or changing the background music.

Step 5: If you’re done, click “Save and Share” and voila — your video is ready for prime time!

Wrapping up

Adding filters to videos is easy as pie. Most filtering apps are straightforward and intuitive because adding filters to videos or photos is so ubiquitous these days.

Vimeo Create launches fun, new filters on the reg to keep things interesting. Pop on filters like classic Black and White, Retro, Rustic, Desktop, or VHS for decades-ago vibes. Feeling something more futuristic? Try out the minimalistic Luxe, funky Glitch filter, or elemental Blocks.

Of course, you might want to evoke a specific mood or feeling with your video. Try Horror to give your project a spooky hue. Going for nostalgic, sun-filled days? Slap on the Summer or Super 8 filters.

Whatever you’re going for, Vimeo Create filters will automatically adapt to the color palette of your video (or you can customize based on your preferences).

Explore Vimeo’s library of video filters

So you’ve just finished your video and uploaded it to Vimeo. Now you want to pull out a segment to share easily and make it a GIF —or jif, however you pronounce it. Well, fear not meme lords, we’re here to help.

It used to be that you could only make GIFs in photoshop. Those days are no more! In fact, Vimeo’s own interface makes GIF creation a total breeze —with GIPHY and Adobe Premiere remaining solid creation options, as well. Now let’s GIF going. (Get it?)

Why GIFs?

GIFs convey information quickly and easily — like tasty memes, strong Powerpoint presentations, or sneak peek vibes — without having to link or embed a full video. They play and loop automatically so you won’t be breaking the flow of your video just by needing someone to press play on a video.

GIFs are excellent tools for tutorials and education graphics, perfect for everything from presentation decks to blogs.

And in our current tech climate, videos are currently not embeddable in emails. So, if you want to reach all of your fans, but aren’t able to drop your video in your mass email, GIFs are a great way to reach lots of people. (You can see how to do that right here.) 

Now, here’s how you can do it yourself!

How to make a GIF with Vimeo (in 3 quick steps!)

First, make sure you’ve got a video uploaded to your Vimeo account. Then, you’re ready to get gif-ed.

Step 1: Upload your video

Once you’ve clicked into the clip page for the video you’d like to GIF, select “GIF” from the left sidebar. Click the “Create a GIF” button to jump into your GIF editor.

Step 2: Make your GIF

Then, choose the part of the video you want to loop.

Select the start and end time of your GIF from your video timeline — it can be up to six seconds. Once you’ve picked the correct time range, click “Create GIF.”

Step 3: Export or embed

Your GIF is now created! From here, you can download for future use and share anywhere. You can create up to four gifs per video.

(Or you can generate an email platform-specific embed code that’ll make embedding as easy as a simple copy + paste!)

How to make a GIF in Photoshop (in just 4 steps!)

An oldie but a goodie, let’s dive into the process for making GIFs in Photoshop. (You can review the official Adobe guide here.)

Step 1: Trim down your video to gif length

If you’re in Vimeo Create, you can trim your clip down to six seconds, save, and download. You can also use tools on your computer, like QuickTime, to trim your content. Then, you’ll upload your file to Photoshop.

Step 2: Reduce your GIF size

Head to “Image > Image Size” to pop out the dimensions, and go ahead and reduce that file size a bit. 

Head to “File > Export > Save for Web [Legacy], which will open up a control panel to the right of your screen. 

Step 3: Set up your loop

Select “GIF” from the dropdown on the right hand menu.

Don’t forget this step: select the “Repeat” menu in the Timeline panel, then tap “Forever.” This will create your endlessly looping GIF!

Step 4: Export your GIF

You’re almost done! Head to “File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy).” From there:

• Select “GIF 128 Dithered” from the Presets menu
• Choose “256” from the Colors menu
• Select “Forever” from the Looping Options menu

Once you’ve previewed your GIF and like the looks of it, hit “Save” and select a download destination to finish up.

How to make a GIF with Adobe Premiere

Adobe Premiere heads, this one’s for you. Here’s how to make a GIF in four easy steps.

Step 1: Edit in your timeline

Drop your video clip in a timeline. Edit however you wish, and then lock it between some In and Out points.

Step 2: Prepare to export

Make sure you’re clicked into the video timeline, and prepare to export the file as you would a video: “File > Export > Media”.

Step 3: Adjust your settings

Now with that window open, select “Animated GIF” from the “Format” dropdown menu. Name your file, add its destination, and change any video settings.

(Note: Larger resolutions and longer length GIFs may have some issues when being exported or embedded. To avoid this, try to keep your GIF short and sweet.)

Step 4: Export

Now just click “Export!” You can also hit “Queue” and send it to Media encoder, which has the same animated GIF option as well.

Video by Jennifer Arfi.

How to make a GIF with GIPHY

You can also use an online video to GIF converter like GIPHY to get it done. Here’s how.

Step 1: Upload and “Create”

First, head to Giphy’s website or app and tap “Create.” You can directly paste in your Vimeo video link into this field. Note: you’ll need to make sure your video settings allow downloads for this to work. Once you’ve selected that, you’re good to go.

Step 2: Trim your video

Select the duration of your GIF and what section of you video you’d like to loop, using the sliders. Then hit “Continue to decorate.”

From there, you can add any text of your choosing, with options to customize both the style and the animation of the text. Once you like how it looks, tap “Continue to upload.”

Step 3: Add a source link and tags

For better discovery within the GIPHY site and to make sure you’ve got proper sourcing, drop in the URL of your original video and tag with any relevant terms.

Step 4: Upload to GIPHY

Once done, hit “upload to GIPHY.” Now you have a shiny new GIF! You can either copy the embed code, download it directly, or share with others via social.

Turn your videos into GIFs with Vimeo

Originally published on October 23, 2019, updated November 18, 2021.

Videos come in all shapes and sizes. And while each video size might be different, they’re also all unique and perfect for the right situation. Today let’s take a look not only at video sizes, but also share how you can work with these different video sizes for your various needs. Need to change the size of a video? We’ll teach you.

Here are the easiest ways to resize your videos, plus 4 online resizers that’ll do the job in a pinch.

How to resize video in 5 simple steps 

Before we dive in too deep, let’s quickly go over the basic steps to resizing a video. Simply put, you’re going to need to use some sort of application or software. (Unfortunately you can’t reach into your computer screen and stretch or shrink a video file.)

Till that happens, here are the basic five steps to video resizing.

1. Find and select your video file
2. Open it in your app of choice
3. Pick a new aspect ratio and size
4. Select your compression settings (if offered)
5. Compress and export

While that sounds straightforward enough, there are some aspects we’ll need to cover before you master resizing your videos on your own.

Why/when do you need to resize a video? Why does video file size matter? 

There’s a lot of reasons why you might need to resize a video in today’s day and age. For anyone who works in any sort of online function, whether that be with social media platforms or media networks, video sizes can be quite crucial.

A general rule of thumb is you simply want a video that is the right size for your needs. And by that I mean you don’t want to be working with file sizes that are far too large for your needs (which can eat up your bandwidth and cause delays). And you also don’t want videos too small for your needs (which can result in poor image quality which can reflect negatively on your company or brand).

Once you’ve mastered how to quickly and efficiently resize videos though, it should be a cinch to pick the right sizes for the right needs. 

For example, if you want to post a high quality video on your Vimeo page you can be sure to export at the best settings. However, if you want to share parts of the same video for your Instagram or on TikTok, you’ll be able to resize (and probably reformat) your video to something smaller which will still look great, but won’t take forever to upload.

Resizing a video by aspect ratio 

So, one quick way which you can resize a video is by changing a video’s aspect ratio. What is an aspect ratio, you ask? Simply put, aspect ratio is the correlation between the width and the height of a video. You sometimes see aspect ratios described as 16:9 or 1:1 for example.

However, in the world of sizes, changing aspect ratios can be a helpful way to resize a video while simultaneously better preparing it for a different display format. 

For example, if you were to take a 16:9 video which you might see on Vimeo or in certain social ads and turn it into a 1×1 box-style video for use on Instagram, you would most certainly be resizing the video in the process.

Changing your video’s orientation

Another way to approach resizing video comes from simply changing a video’s orientation. Whether that be from switching a video from landscape to vertical (or vice versa), this process will usually include a resizing of your video overall.

For anyone interested in changing a video’s orientation to be more in line with different social media specs, here are some helpful articles for resizing videos for Instagram or Facebook.

Cropping videos to resize them 

If you’re looking for one of the easiest ways to resize a video, you might want to consider cropping as a first option as well. There are several apps that can help you with cropping a video, including options even built-in to your smartphone if you’re using an iPhone or Android.

However, some of the best ways to crop a video will come either from using a video editing software like iMovie or Clideo, or by working with an app or platform like Vimeo Create.

Compression 101 

Alright, while we’ve talked about a few methods for resizing a video by cropping or making adjustments to the orientation or aspect ratio, the real way that you’re going to want to resize a video in most situations is with compression.

So, what is compression and how does it work? The logistics behind compression is a bit complicated… suffice to say that a good compressor requires a specific algorithm to magically make a big file smaller. However, if you use the right program, the results can be outstanding.

If you’d like to read up on how to resize a video by using compression, here’s a great in-depth article that outlines everything you need to know on how to compress a video.

How to resize video when you export files  

Another helpful trick to consider when looking to resize a video is to more closely examine your export file options. For many advanced video editing apps and softwares (as well as plenty of basic video and file editors) you’ll usually be given a few options of both where and how to save a video file.

While many of us might simply choose to go with the default export options in most instances, if you actually stop and consider some of your selection you might have more sizing options available to you than you might realize.

For instance, choosing to export a video as a Quicktime file vs JPEG will make a difference. Also, many video editing softwares like Premiere Pro for example will give you options for exporting for different platforms like YouTube, Facebook or even Vimeo along with different resolution options.

You can also read more about Vimeo’s compression guidelines and recommendations for file sizes.

4 helpful online video resizers  

Now let’s explore some of the many helpful and easy-to-use video resizers currently on the market. A few of these will be higher-end video editing softwares which do require purchase or a subscription, but we’ll also provide a few free options as well.

How to resize video in Adobe Premiere 

Premiere Pro is one of the best video editing softwares in the world, and while it’s mostly used for video editing and effects, it’s also a great tool for simply resizing a video when needed. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open Premiere Pro.
2. Import your desired video file or clip(s).
3. Create a sequence and drop your video onto your timeline.
4. Right-click the clip and select “Set to Frame Size”.
5. Adjust the frame size as you’d like in the sequence settings (or in the export).

How to resize video in Final Cut Pro 

Similarly, Final Cut Pro is another popular video editing software that you can use to resize a video. With many of these NLEs, you’ll have plenty of options to transform and tinker with your video sizes, however pay attention to your export settings to choose your perfect file size.

1. Open in Final Cut Pro
2. Select a clip in your timeline
3. Bring the clip up in the viewer
4. Use the Transform effect to choose the right size
5. Make your file size selections in the export

How to resize video with EZGIF

Moving on to some of the best free options, EZGIF is a great and simple way to resize a video without downloading any softwares or apps. By simply going to the website and navigating to the “Resize” tab you can quickly upload and resize a video clip. Here are the steps.

1. Go to ezgif.com
2. Navigate to the “Resize” tab
3. Upload your video clip
4. Select your desired height and width
5. Click the “Save” button to export

How to resize video with VLC Media Player

Another quick and popular option for resizing videos, VLC Media Player is a free open-source option which can help convert videos in an instant. You can download VLC Media Player here, before following the steps below.

1. Open VLC Media Player
2. Click File tab and select your clip
3. Select the “Convert” option and select your codec and resolution options
4. Also review where you’d like to save your file to
5. Click to convert your video and save it as a new file.

Those are a few free and paid options to consider, but there are always plenty of other quick resizing apps and websites available to you online. A quick Google search should give you plenty more to check out and research to find the best option for you and your needs.

FAQs

The long and short of video resizing

Remember, resizing your videos doesn’t have to be scary! 

And in fact, videos are resized, compressed and transformed more often than you might think in their normal everyday use. If you’re unsure of what size a video should be, or if you need to be converting one you can always try to share or post a video in its original format first.

Only if and when you see an error message or some communication telling you that your video needs to be a different size should you follow through with resizing a video manually. 

Discover more video know-how with Vimeo Video School.

YouTube is the world’s second most-used website and social platform. People watch more than a billion hours of video content on YouTube every single day. The creator economy is booming. If you’ve been wanting to start a vlog, there’s no time like the present. 

If you’re ready to learn how to vlog, this post will show you how. If you’re not ready to take the leap, hopefully, this in-depth guide will help you get there.

Let’s get started. 

10 YouTube ideas when you’re just starting your channel

1. Introduction video

Create a video telling anyone who comes across your channel who you are. 

2. Channel intro 

Let your audience know what your channel is all about. Show them what kind of content they can expect, and maybe even ask for recommendations. 

3. X things you don’t know about me 

Share some fun facts about yourself. You can find questions to answer online or brainstorm questions relevant to your niche. Make your subscribers feel like you’re a close friend, not an aspirational internet celebrity.

4. Travel and experience vlogs

Especially now that people are spending more time at home, travel and experience vlogs are a hit. If you’re doing something fun, pull out the camera and share the experience with your audience. This can be even something small (like going to Trader Joe’s). Hey, who knows what your audience will love most?

5. Product reviews

Product reviews are a great way to put yourself on the map. If there’s a product your audience is thinking about purchasing, they’re probably searching for reviews on YouTube. Creating a review is a great way to harness existing interest and get discovered by members of your target audience. 

6. Tutorials and how-to videos

Tutorials and how-to videos are another way to reach new viewers. Post tutorials relevant to your niche to reach people who will be interested in the content you have to offer.

7. Routine videos 

Routine videos are super popular. You can post your morning and evening routine, your skincare routine, a get ready with me video, an outfit of the day, etc. The options here are endless. It’s all about finding the routines your target audience will find most interesting.

8. Reaction videos

React to viral TikToks, trends, popular movements, or even just another YouTuber’s video. You can even recreate someone’s video after you react. For example, you can react to a cooking video then try out the recipe for yourself. 

9. Mukbangs

Order some yummy food, pull out the camera, and film yourself chowing down and chatting about whatever your audience will find interesting. 

10. Storytime

Tell stories from your life, or retell stories from books or movies you’ve read (giving credit, of course). 

Making a memorable vlog intro and outro 

Creating a memorable vlog intro and outro is a way to connect with your audience. Make it unique to your channel — something that really lets your personality shine. One easy way to save time with video creation is to start with a customizable template.

Plus, here are a few templates we’re into lately in the Vimeo Create library. Guess what? There’s probably already a template for your niche that you can use as a starting point.

Beauty channel intro

Beauty channel outro

Baking vlog intro

Gamer vlog outro

Generic call-to-subscribe

9 always-relevant best practices for starting a vlog

YouTube is a crowded platform, but the world is a crowded place. There is an audience out there, just waiting to listen to your voice. All you have to do is find it. These best practices will help learn how to start vlogging — and how to find that audience.

1. Discover your target audience 

The key to growing an audience is understanding your audience. Mapping out the wants and needs of your target audience inspires the content for your channel, and sticking with content that your audience will enjoy is a necessary step for growth. 

Start posting content, injecting your videos with your authentic personality. As your audience grows, keep a close eye on the analytics and listen to what viewers ask for in the comments. As you create more content, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of your audience and what content promotes growth. 

2. Map out video content themes

Once you understand your audience and the type of content you aim to create, it’s time to map out video content themes. To make the process easier, define a few content buckets to pick from. Each content bucket should be a general theme you can pull ideas from. Alternate content themes to keep your channel interesting. 

For a beauty channel, content themes might look something like this:

• Makeup tutorials
• Favorites and fails
• Makeup hauls
• Makeup challenges

3. Keep video quality high 

YouTube is a crowded space. Recent research shows that when surveying young children about what they want to be when they grow up, “YouTuber” was the most popular response — 3 times more popular than “Astronaut.” The space is only going to get more crowded. Oh, how times have changed.

While authenticity is the best way to stand out, keeping your video quality high is also super important. It shows your viewers you mean business and keeps people from clicking out because they’re annoyed by the video or sound quality. 

Luckily, smartphones have stellar video quality these days, especially if you befriend a natural light source. You can stick your phone on a tripod and even add an external mic to improve the sound. 

If you really want that crisp quality, investing in filming equipment isn’t a bad idea. A professional lighting setup means you can film with good lighting anytime you want, and using a vlogging camera with an external mic will help you create amazing quality videos at your home setup or on the go. 

4. Always have a call-to-subscribe

Don’t be afraid to ask your viewers to subscribe and click the notification bell. Try to fit this in at the beginning and end of your videos. Some people don’t know about these features, and others who would benefit just don’t think about using them. 

At the end of the day, these features are useful to your audience. They help your viewers keep up with your content and easily access your videos. The more people subscribe and click the notification bell, the more video views you’ll get. This will help you grow your audience and monetize your content. 

5. Cross-post snippets and teasers of your blog to other social channels

If you have an existing audience elsewhere, use your other social media channels to advertise your YouTube content. The goal here is to convert your followers to YouTube subscribers. Not everyone will follow you to YouTube just because you ask them to, though. You have to show them what they’re missing out on by posting clips and screenshots from your YouTube videos. 

6. Go niche — don’t try to please everyone!

Vloggers are meant to have an opinion. Your audience watches your content because they want to hear what you say. Speak directly to them, without worrying about what everyone else will think. There are people out there who will resonate with what you have to say, and there are a lot of people who won’t. Create content for the people who do. That’s your audience. 

The most successful vlogs on YouTube have either stuck to their niche or evolved their niche to meet the needs of their audience. Take LauraDIY for example. She started as a DIY vlogger, but her content moved toward lifestyle as she (and her audience) grew into different interests.

Choosing a niche helps your audience find you. That could be vlogs, beauty, lifestyle, DIY, mukbangs, storytimes, etc. Your audience should be able to instantly recognize your niche from your channel’s branding and your content. When people find your channel and recognize your niche, they know what they’re getting into. That means you’ll attract less negative feedback. 

7. Post on a consistent schedule

Success on YouTube requires dedication and consistency. You most likely won’t blow up overnight, and you definitely won’t find success if you give up. Create a manageable posting schedule and stick to it. The more content you post, the better chances you have for growth. You have to post good quality content for that to work, though. Figure out how many times a week you can churn out high-quality content, pick your posting days, and stick to that schedule. 

This will help keep you accountable while allowing your audience to build anticipation for your next upload. 

8. Edit ahead

Some creators love editing, others don’t. However you feel about the editing process, it’s a time-consuming necessity. If you wait until the day before or the day of posting to edit your video, you might find yourself rushed. The whole point of starting a vlog is to love what you do. The constant cycle of editing and posting videos one at a time can be a fast track to burnout. 

Editing ahead of time is a great way to avoid this. Editing your videos ahead of your posting schedule relieves some of the stress and makes the editing process more enjoyable. This strategy helps you build a bank of ready-to-post videos you can use to stay ahead of your schedule at all times. 

You can also hire a freelance video editor to take the job off your hands. Of course, this is a monetary investment and takes a bit of your creative control away, but it can be a great solution for creators who dislike editing and have the money to spare.

9. Don’t forget tags, cards, and end screens 

Tags, cards, and end screens are extra steps you can take to get the most out of your video content. If you’ve maximized your quality, this is the next step to getting more video views.

Tags are keywords that tell your YouTube and your viewers what your video is about. They give your video a boost with the algorithm, associating your video with similar videos so that it can be recommended in the right-hand column. Tags have a 500 character limit. Use as much of this as possible, but this will only work if the tags you use are relevant to your video.

Cards are the little boxes that pop up in the right-hand corner of YouTube’s video player. They come in a few types:

• Channel cards: link to another channel (could be someone you mentioned or collaborated with).
• Poll cards: gather feedback from your audience via a poll. You can include a question and five choices. Viewers will see the poll results on the card after voting.
• Video or playlist cards: promote relevant videos or playlists at a certain timecode. 
• Link cards: link to a website (must be in the YouTube Partner Program).

End screens are a visual version of cards that appear at the end of your video and must be at least 25 seconds long. They promote other videos your viewers might find interesting and can also prompt users to subscribe to your channel or follow your social media accounts. You can create a custom end screen using a tool like Canva, leaving space for the recommended videos to appear. 

The essentials: vlog cameras, lighting, and gear 

Want to learn how to make a vlog but you don’t know what equipment you need to get started? Here are our top recommendations:

Vlog camera

The best compact vlogging camera on the market is the Sony ZV-1. While it lacks a viewfinder, it shoots 4k video and has amazing autofocus. 

If a viewfinder is a must for you, try the Fujifilm X-S10. This mirrorless camera also shoots 4k video, has a viewfinder, and is easy to hold. The only downside is that it isn’t weatherproof. 

If you’re on a budget, opt for the Nikon D3500. It’s a beginner DSLR camera that’s easy to hold and shoots in 1080P. 

Microphone

You can get the Rode Video Micro Compact microphone for around $60. It can be used with a camera or smartphone, making it a great option across the board. It gives you great sound quality without adding too much bulk or weight to your camera. 

Lighting

For a stationary setup, you can try this LimoStudio Photo Shooting kit. It’s a three-point lighting system with umbrella and softbox lights. For a little more, you can get the Lume Cube Wireless Light. It’s a powerful 18-inch ring light with a 6.5-foot stand. It can also be used wirelessly for 90 minutes. For a portable option, opt for the Joby Beamo Ring Light 12”. It’s an affordable option that can be used with a phone or a camera. 

Windscreen Muff

For even crisper audio, try the Movo WS10n Universal Furry Outdoor Lavalier Microphone Windscreen Muff. It’s super affordable (just $15) and will keep the wind from interfering with the sound quality you’ve worked so hard for. 

How to vlog better (using just your phone or laptop)

Luckily, smartphone video quality is pretty solid these days. If you have a newer smartphone, the video quality on your phone will probably be better than your laptop’s. Test them both out and see which you like best. Alternatively, you can add an external webcam to your laptop. 

To improve the sound quality, it’s probably best to use an external microphone as well. These can attach to your clothing, phone, or laptop, or you can opt for a tabletop version.  

If you haven’t invested in a lighting setup, try filming facing a window with natural lighting.

Using your phone to vlog on the go can result in shaky footage. You can avoid this by using a tripod or stabilizer. 

Once you’ve made the quality as good as you manage, it’s all about the content. Show off your authentic self, share your personality, and create content your audience will love. 

FAQs about vlogging

Tying everything up

And with that, you have everything you need to get started on your vlog! You don’t have to invest in fancy equipment right away. Start small, and remember — the most effective way to grow your audience is by posting niche content consistently and being your authentic self. People love watching vlogs because they relate to the creators. Be someone your audience can relate to.

Make your first YouTube video in minutes.