At the 2025 New England Area Conference (NEAC), I attended an informative session titled “Build Your Own Brand with Short-Form Video” by Annette Richmond. I’ll admit, I hadn’t seen Annette speak before, but her presentation delivered practical, relatable, and inspiring strategies for video content creation—especially for those of us juggling multiple hats.
She began by tackling the common roadblocks that often come with video creation:
- Too many retakes
- Time-consuming editing
- Not knowing what to film
I’ve been there. But Annette’s advice made these challenges feel more manageable.
Video Creation Tips That Hit Home
While I typically work on a desktop using OBS Studio and DaVinci Resolve, Annette challenged us to embrace smartphone video creation—something I haven’t done much of but now want to explore.
1. Script Your Video
This is a strategy I already use when recording desktop content. Having a script or outline keeps you focused and helps eliminate awkward pauses.
2. Record One Line at a Time
Annette recommends recording a single line, pausing, then continuing. That way, editing becomes much easier. I first learned this technique while recording the audio for my first book. The strategy works well because you can spot those pauses when editing.
3. Don’t Fear the B-Roll
This is an area where I’ll admit I struggle. Annette emphasized collecting everyday B-roll—think simple, real-life footage. She showed examples like her husband grilling in the rain and encouraged us to get creative with overlays like:
- Text
- Sound effects
- Background footage
Using Templates & Tools Effectively
Annette also discussed using video templates to improve flow and production quality. On my end, OBS Studio’s scene switching lets me simulate studio-like effects.
She also mentioned tools like:
- Canva
- CapCut
Again, I’m not currently using these, but now they’re on my radar for experimentation, especially for short-form mobile videos.
The “Three from One” Video Strategy
One of her coolest strategies was creating three videos from one recording:
- Record three different hooks (opening lines).
- Record your main content once.
- Edit the hook + main content combinations into three unique videos.
This is an efficient batching strategy I plan to try. It aligns with how I already structure learning content, and it’s a great way to expand reach.
Capturing Ideas on the Fly
Annette uses Post-it Notes to capture ideas during daily life—whether she’s watching TV, reading, or relaxing. She sticks them on her whiteboard and then batches content creation based on those notes. That’s something I could easily integrate, especially for planning content across categories like:
- Promotions
- How-To Tutorials
- Book Highlights
- Instructional Design Tips
Beyond Social – Repurposing Content
Another takeaway was the idea of repurposing video for podcasting and vice versa. Annette emphasized being a podcast guest, recording the conversation, and then:
- Using the audio for podcast channels
- Pulling video clips for short-form social
- Converting key points into text-based content for blogs or LinkedIn
This ties in beautifully with my own work around AI-powered content repurposing and instructional design. It also opens up new opportunities to extend a single piece of content across multiple platforms.
Practice Makes Progress
If you’re nervous about video, Annette had a simple challenge:
🎥 Record one video a day for 14 days.
Then, watch them in order—you’ll see progress in confidence, clarity, and comfort.
I haven’t recorded video in a while—mostly due to time and motivation—but this challenge has sparked my interest in getting back into the groove.
Final Thoughts
This session reminded me that video doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be authentic and intentional. Whether it’s through a smartphone, desktop setup, or podcast clip, what matters most is showing up and sharing value.
Key Takeaways:
- Script and record in short, editable chunks.
- Embrace B-roll and everyday visuals.
- Use templates and hooks to increase efficiency.
- Repurpose content across multiple formats.
- Practice daily to build confidence.
Thanks to Annette Richman for reigniting my video spark. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines like me, maybe it’s time to hit record again.
🎬 Ready to challenge yourself?
Try the 14-day video challenge and see how far you can go.
Photo by Ron Lach and George Milton
