You just shot your best video ever. Congratulations! The footage is transferring to your computer and naturally you’re excited to start making money off of it. But if you simply upload it directly to your preferred content platform, you’ll be skipping what some consider the most important part in the clip-making process: post-production.
If you really want to make the most out of your videos, take some time and establish a post-production routine. Video editing may seem difficult, but there are plenty of free programs that are user-friendly, and myriad online resources to help you get started. Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter what program you end up using, so long as it gets the job done. Now let’s talk about what that job is.
The best video in the world can be a total flop without the right advertising, and a key component of that is good video previews made in post-production.
Watermark Your Content
First and foremost, watermark all of your content. Whether it’s professional photos, selfies, saved Snapchat shows or full-length videos, watermarking is essential. There are myriad reasons for this, like driving traffic and discouraging piracy, making it an important best practice.
Create Compelling Previews
The best video in the world can be a total flop without the right advertising, and a key component of that is good video previews made in post-production. For promotional purposes, consider prepping:
- A preview for X, which can run up to 2 minutes, 20 seconds.
- A 30-second preview for most clip sites.
- A 20-second GIF preview for Reddit promo or other socials.
- A 1-minute phone-formatted preview for Snapchat.
- Multiple screen caps.
What should you show in your preview video? People generally like to know what they are buying before they make a purchase, so try to sum up as much of your video as possible in the preview. Think of mainstream movie commercials. A good preview gets you invested and makes you want to see the entire thing. Feature the best parts of the video in the preview — but do not show the actual “climax,” just everything leading up to it.
To Show Nudity or Not?
Should you show nudity in your previews? There are pros and cons to either approach. People seek free content, so if you include nudity, you’re more likely to reach a wider audience — and more traffic generally means more sales. However, including nudity in your previews also means that many will get off to it without buying the full clip. Knowing that the vast majority of people who view previews do not end up purchasing, which is why many creators do not believe in posting free NSFW content, regardless of how much it may help with marketing and exposure. You’ll have to weigh the options and decide what works best for you.
Post-Production Is Worth the Time Investment
Post-production work can be tedious and it can take longer to edit a preview than the full clip, but the effort is well worth it. Even if you have to wait an extra day or two to release a video, previews are essential for making the most out of your content. Post-production work gets easier over time, as you gain experience and learn what works best for you and your brand. If you can’t do fancy video edits right away, don't get discouraged; everyone starts somewhere. It may seem overwhelming at first, but with hard work and dedication you’ll get to the point where you are able to hammer out post-production work quickly and efficiently.
SmartyKat314 is a multi-nominated adult content producer and performer. Specializing in full-length role-play videos, she has amassed hundreds of millions of views online during the course of her career. Find her @SmartyKat314 on Twitter and Instagram, as well as SmartyKat314.com.
