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Etsy Insights: How do you shoot your listing video?
Hi there!
I'm Vera, and I opened my Etsy shop StudioVerSie a few years ago. I started by selling handwoven wall hangings, but after a while, I ventured into the “punch needle” embroidery technique. When I began making punch needle kits for customers to get creative themselves, my shop started to grow immensely. I now also have a YouTube channel featuring several tutorials for my customers to follow when making my kits. This is now my full-time gig, and I couldn't be more proud of it
Now let me share some tips and tricks on making listing videos that get the attention of your customer!
Tell a story
Etsy shoppers love the idea of items being made specially for them and shopping small. A listing video is the opportunity to show you making the item. Of course, 15 seconds is very short, but you can start with a few seconds of you in your workspace, then a few seconds of a close-up of your hands while making the item and then a full shot of the item in use. For example, a view of you at a pottery wheel, then a close up of your hands making a teacup from clay and then a shot of someone pouring tea in the teacup. And voila, in a few seconds you have told a story. You don't have to put your face on screen if you prefer not to, but customers love seeing the face behind a brand. So don't be shy!
Show the item as the customer would use it
Customers like to see items in use so that they can imagine themselves using it. For my kits, I've made videos of me making the kit. This way, a potential customer can see exactly what to expect from the kit and what it would be like to make it.
Edit your videos
To tell a story, you will need to put several clips together in one video. You don't need any fancy equipment these days; you can do all of it on your phone. I like using the app “YouCut.” With this app and others too, you can cut and trim footage and add clips together. You can even edit the footage to adjust lighting, etc.
Keep it on brand
Think about the backdrop of your video. Make sure it goes with your brand colors and overall mood. You don't want it to be too cluttered with all kinds of props, you want all the focus on your item. Lighting is very important when filming videos. It's best to film next to a window, but not in direct, harsh sunlight. I like filming videos in the same spot as where I take my listing photos, because this keeps it recognizable and cohesive.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic! How would you tell your story in 15 seconds?
EpiclesisConsulting
·5 years agoVideos showing me creating my items would just be me working at my computer, which I did not think would be very enticing for shoppers.
Instead, I have been gradually making animated videos to go with particular products or groups of products. I don't have any fancy CGI software. I just do it pretty much the old-fashioned way, frame by frame, except that instead of being painted by hand each frame is drawn in PowerPoint, and instead of being physically photographed on film, all the frames are put together in Final Cut Pro video editing software.
I haven't done videos for all of my listings yet, but I'm getting there, bit by bit.
Trish O'Connor
Owner, Epiclesis Consulting LLC
DCworkman89
·5 years agoI just started a business on etsy, thank you for sharing the article so that I can learn from it, in my opinion what is most effective is from experience and then drawing.
EthnicaDesigns
·5 years agoThanks for the tips! I've done a few videos but not for all my listings. Yours looks great!
DreamGreatDreams
·5 years agowhen i read “etsy insights” i keep looking for an etsy employee avatar….
BaubleShoppeBeads
·5 years agoVideos in my shop make no sense at all. I sell supplies, and I have nearly 1200 items in my shop. Does Etsy really think that I will take the time to take 1,200 videos of BEADS? Customers would get nothing from that. Good pictures are what sell supplies, not videos.
EpiclesisConsulting
·5 years ago@BaubleShoppeBeads
I agree that a different video for each listing would be an unrealistic goal for your shop. But I wonder if you could do one generic video and put it on all of them?
Trish O'Connor
Owner, Epiclesis Consulting LLC
LookBackVintage
·5 years agoI just uploaded my first video ever to this listing: Vintage scary clown metal toy tambourine | Etsy
I had a little fun with this--I hope people get it! I haven't done any vids until this one because I don't have a lot of room to do a 360 of the item. This piece is flat so I didn't get a lot of unwanted stuff in the video. I hope the link works.,
EightMileVintage
·5 years agoVery scary!!
I've done a few videos where I just linked together some of the item photos with special effects. Canva is great for that.
LookBackVintage
·5 years agoEightMile, does that take long? I already spend too much time on pictures as it is, but the video was pretty quick to do. I used a camera, not a phone BTW
EightMileVintage
·5 years ago@LookBackVintage If you know how to use Canva, it doesn't take very long to link together photos.
I also spend way too much time on photos. Do you remember a few years ago when Etsy posted something that said taking photos for each listing should take a total of 5 minutes? And we all laughed and laughed.
LookBackVintage
·5 years ago@EightMileVintage, well you can certainly tell that you take a lot of time with your photos. They are gorgeous!
MichaelVermeij
·5 years agoBeautiful vids, my compliments! What I would really, really want to know; HOW do you manage to get this big size, the light clear and sharp? I've bought, especially for making Etsy videos, an iPhone once. Unfortunately... no matter what I'm trying; they all look downright sh*t. I can take the movie in 4K, in Etsy's reccomdation (1080p HD at 30 frames per second) or in whatever else, the result is always the same; somber and unsharp results. I use a mini-tripod and even more surprising... the result on my phone itself or desktop computer is always looking fabulous!!! But as soon it's uploaded... nothing of the magic is there anymore. Summarizing, I would love to know; what phone settings, panorama, standing-up or square? Other important settings...
Thanks ahead for your help! And have a good weekend all,
Greetings, Michael
MargieGrodskyPottery
·5 years agoDo you use the app "YouCut" on your iPhone or just your computer. Would love to learn how to edit my videos better... Thanks!
Margie
i8gtfurj
·5 years agoI like a video to be simple and without fancy special effects that might not allow the product to be seen clearly. Currently the item descriptions link has a very small font and customers might find it hard to see. At least that is what I have noticed in my own shop and in others. So in the future I just might have to include more text in my videos to include the item description. I'll have to experiment with this idea.
ChesapeakeArtisan
·5 years agoI sell OOAK items (driftwood as a craft supply) and feel that adding videos to each listing helps with sales. I work in batches, so taking the videos isn't that much more time consuming than taking the photos. I have a simple video style where I just turn each piece over in my hands to demonstrate size, scale and orientation of details. Since both of my hands are in the video, I use a basic tripod with smartphone-holder attachment, and a simple Bluetooth clicker. I leave the clicker on the floor and hit the button with my toe to start and stop the video. I find this method to be easy and I don't have to worry about video-editing and splicing! Hope these ideas can help someone! I like the idea of "telling a story" with your videos too, maybe I'll try it for my shop's About Me section.
DCworkman89
·5 years agothanks
PrayerquiltsbyRosie
·5 years agoI make quilts. Very detailed work. Cut fabric, cut more fabric, sew pieces into bigger pieces...etc. A listing video would be 3 second shots and be almost meaningless. Also, I am not very camera savvy. So instead, I used photos and Canva to make a video of my best 5-star reviews. That seems to be working for my shop. Take a look.
EightMileVintage
·5 years ago@PrayerquiltsbyRosie That's a great idea, using reviews!
SecretSafeBooks
·5 years agoHi @PrayerquiltsbyRosie,
I love this idea, it looks great the way this one of yours has text lines appear and then go to a portrait of you, it's really appealing. I've seen this on Canva and I'm going to experiment with it. So thanks for sharing this!
SecretSafeBooks
·5 years agoHi @TeraTreasureHunter,
Could the release for any person (paid or unpaid) be as simple as a paper that says: "I give my permission to be in the Secret Safe Books video of ________ product forever and on any platform." Signed ______________ Date________________
TimelineTemplatesCo
·5 years agoGreat advice, thank you!
NuriartDeko
·5 years agoI love the idea of showing a story of how your item is made but I think it is very difficult to show it in 15 seconds, I know that my videos are not very good and will try to improve them, thank you for your tips.
MurrayBolesta
·5 years agoMy product is fine art photography so my listing videos are more like a shop video, with scenes of me “in action” so people get to know me a little bit better. As such, though, 15 seconds is too short!
KristinaMWoodShop
·5 years agoHi. I create modern wood jewelry and home essentials and Iˋve started to add videos this year. Since I canˋt afford a proffesional to model my earrings I had to do it myself. And since I donˋt know how to do make up, to glam myself up while modeling my earrings, I got an idea to use Instagram filters. This way I look all glamed up and the videos turn out amazing...They show the earrings in action and I Got a lot of positive feedback from my followers ♡
I just stand in front of a white wall in my living room and take pictures and videos with my Samsung phone. And as far as the editing goes, I use the InShot app which has a lot of features so you can play with the video in many ways.
I like the idea of making a story, to show how the product came to life and I will defenetily try to do a few of them.
Check out this one video and let me know what you think, I would really appreciate it ♡
https://www.etsy.com/listing/996270374/tulip-earrings-floral-earrings-statement?ref=shop_home_active_6
MurrayBolesta
·5 years agoCool
StudioVerSie
OP5 years agoWell done! Great way to work with what you have and see solutions rather than problems.
The video looks good! I love how you can see what the earrings look like on a person. You get a good idea of the size and proportions. Maybe it would be nice to see them in a close up aswell.
And would love to see that story
KristinaMWoodShop
·5 years agoI made my first story video
https://www.etsy.com/listing/995611418/aztec-earrings-resin-wood-earrings-taupe?ref=shop_home_active_1
Would love to hear your opinions on it. Thank you.
K.
TeraTreasureHunter
·5 years agoGreat tips. Aside from my Etsy project- I create professional videos for brands on social media and Amazon and would offer two insights. 1) Well lit close ups of your product. Customers want to see texture and details. 2) shoot you or someone interacting with your product. This makes an emotional connection to you brand/product.
EightMileVintage
·5 years agoThe videos in your shop are FANTASTIC.
SecretSafeBooks
·5 years agoHi @TeraTreasureHunter,
Because you do Amazon videos professionally, and I see your Tera The Treasure Hunter, The Atlantic Adventure Letters video features a young girl, could you please advise me:
and
and
I'm pretty sure my niece and my sister-in-law would be delighted she's in a video of mine, and I plan to be with my husband forever, but you never know what would happen if I happened to get divorced, you know?
TeraTreasureHunter
·5 years agoYes it's always good to have your on screen talent (or parent if under 18) sign a release. Most likely they are thrilled to be in your video. Asking for a signed release is an added layer of protection for your biz, no matter what the future holds. @SecretSafeBooks PS: Love your shop product!
StudioVerSie
OP5 years agoWow, your videos are gorgeous and a very good example of how you can tell a story in just 15 seconds!
And great additional tips. Quality close ups are always a good idea
i8gtfurj
·5 years agoI don't take videos for everything. I use an online video clip editor to edit video clips I take using my cellphone. I try to wait for daylight and record next to a window. I put my cellphone on a little tripod I got for $4 recently. I like to keep things simple.
SalvageDreams
·5 years agoI've only done a few videos...mostly because I'm a chucklehead and couldn't keep the filming smooth. I've been practicing with my you tube channel and a friend hooked me up with a Hohem 3 axis hand held stabilizing Gimbal...when he told me about I had no idea what the heck he was talking about...it's currently charging and I was only to mess with it for a few minutes....bit Holy Guacamole....what a difference it seems to make. Video (when done right anyway) adds a whole dimension and perspective to an item. My stuff us usually big, so I have to move around it not it moves and I film, this thing may be a game changer once I practice with it. I plan on adding more videos soon...not sure about telling a story in 15 seconds..but in 15 seconds you can certainly highlight the item in a way a still image cannot. Good luck.
CuriosAnCollectibles
·5 years agoIt doesn't have to be an Oscar winning performance:)
15 seconds isn't very long at all, it just gives a better idea of the item or the making process.
SecretSafeBooks
·5 years agoHi @StudioVerSie,
I really like your video Beginner Punch Needle Kit with Plant Pattern It's so satisfying to watch the chunky thread coming to life, and I love how some of it is sped up and some of it is regular speed.
This is exciting and inspiring to hear from a fellow seller, I love the challenge of storytelling in just 15 seconds! I only just started making listing videos last month and made only 3 experiments as of now. I haven't yet told a story, but I've made a video of how one of our Secret Safe Books could be used.
I'm glad to share here how one could put embroidery supplies or petite gifts/gift card in a book here in this stop-motion video I made of our Little Women Secret Safe Book.
Thanks so much for this inspiration. I'm looking forward to coming up with a story in the future.
- Kara
StudioVerSie
OP5 years agoThank you, I'm glad you got something out of my article!
I love your stop motion video, it's very informative and gives good ideas for what to do with the item. Well done!
wrightsonarts
·5 years agoI love your video,i keep watching it,i dont even need one of those empty books,but thinking about what it would be like to have one lol
SecretSafeBooks
·5 years agoThanks @StudioVerSie for taking the time to check out my video, I really appreciate it. Yes, your article and your work are very inspiring!
SecretSafeBooks
·5 years agoThanks @wrightsonarts, I really appreciate you've taken time to watch my video. I'm so proud of it because it's my 3rd video haha. I love your Tree of Life paintings!
p.s. Have you posted any videos in your shop? (I clicked on several of your Tree of Life ones and the Elephant ones but didn't see any).
OneEyeCatStudio
·5 years ago"Etsy shoppers love the idea of items being made specially for them and shopping small."
I'm sorry to say, and I wish it weren't so, but I think that was the old Etsy.
SchweitzerCustoms
·5 years agoIs there a way to add a video to listing from a phone?
MamaBearsTreasureBox
·5 years ago@SchweitzerCustoms
Yes, just edit your listing from the web browser on your phone.
BloomingVioletStudio
·5 years agoCheck out this page from Etsy's Seller Handbook!
https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/how-to-take-listing-videos-with-your/821069114343
CuriosAnCollectibles
·5 years agoYes, that's what I always use.
Serrelynda
·5 years agoI just figured out how to do that! You go in to listings from your sell on Etsy app, then click the listing, then preview. Then you click edit. It will ask you to sign in, and then you can add the video from the edit screen. @MamaBearsTreasureBox was right, It just took me several tries to figure out how to do that-- I hope that helps, I know I will be adding more listing videos now that I know how.
CuriosAnCollectibles
·5 years agoI don't video everything as all my items are antique or vintage with each listing only being used once.
However I haven't found items with a video sell any better than those that dont.
roaminate
·5 years agoThank you for the tip on “YouCut.” I will definitely use this.
My clips are very bare bones. I hope to grow this part of my shop. I admire the shops that use stop motion. What an impressive skill.
-Cristina
EmagesEmbroidery
·5 years agoMaybe I am having device issues, idk. I was curious since she shared to get ideas. Thanks
KohatuPatterns
·5 years agoHi Christina, Try using the stop-motion movie app . It makes stop motion really easy! I’ve used it for some of my videos. I used to use Life Lapse but paying for “stop-motion” was much better (and it’s a one off cost)
EightMileVintage
·5 years agoI've done a few videos but not for all my listings. Since all my items are OOAK, it's a lot of work to post a video for everything. For higher priced items, though, a video helps to show the item from all angles. I had a cheap IKEA turntable so I found instructions on YouTube for converting it to electric and Mr EMV did it for me. The only problem with it is that a full rotation of the turntable takes just a few seconds longer than the 15 seconds allowed for Etsy videos so I don't get a smooth rotation.
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1041773538/19th-century-majolica-elephant-humidor
SilverandEarth
·5 years ago@EightMileVintage Looks great!! But then again, your pictures always do!!
SecretSafeBooks
·5 years agoHi @EightMileVintage,
I love how the video really accentuates the glossiness of the ceramic.
StudioVerSie
OP5 years agoI don't have videos on all my listings either, because indeed they are a lot of work. I think the turntable is a really good idea; it looks very professional. I took a look and it doesn't bother me, that it doesn't go all the way around. It's these tiny details that can bother a creator, but most people watching, don't even notice it
EmagesEmbroidery
·5 years agoOdd, I found not one video in your shop. Wanted to check it out since you had tips on videos.
LoveTreasuresCrafts
·5 years agoDitto, I checked too. I did spot a couple.
Edited to add: deleted the rest of my comment since I do not do listing videos.
BloomingVioletStudio
·5 years agoShe does have videos. Look at the Punch Needle Kit with flowers. And by the way, her shop photos are gorgeous!
DesertChains
·5 years agoI found several videos when I looked at the shop. Listings didn’t have the video tag, but videos were there.
@StudioVerSie I would be interested in your opinion of my video- https://www.etsy.com/listing/226814380/sterling-silver-chain-link-bracelet-in