Video Content Specialists have a strong combination of creative, marketing, and technical skills that digital agencies, large corporations, startups, non-profits, and tech-savvy companies covet. They are often responsible for creating content and telling stories through video. They create marketing videos used for recruiting, social media campaigns, to be uploaded to the company social media sites, and to sell/promote the company brand. Video
Content Specialists work closely with Video Editors, corporate communications and marketing teams to develop, plan the shoot, edit, and distribute video via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, mobile applications, and/or internal or external audiences. They also work in post-production and ensure videos meet brand standards/guidelines before “launch” or being published.
What does a Video Content Specialist do, typically?
Use a variety of digital skills to edit/distribute video
Video Content Specialists spend their days working with Video Editors, marketing team members, graphic designers, and corporate communication leaders to ensure videos meet company guidelines and brand standards. In some ways, Video Content Specialists are jack-of-all-trades in the digital marketing landscape, spending some days “on-site” where the video is being shot, and other days in the office editing video, creating video snippets for various social or media channels, developing copy for the video delivery, such as for a landing page, or for a social post.
They also are able to ensure the technical quality meets compliance standards, and/or best represents the company/client the video is created for. Video Content Specialists tell stories through video and then edit/distribute the video based on project scope or client needs. Video content could include client or subject matter interviews, customer testimonials, features or “news” stories. They may add graphics/charts and other visual elements to the video, including animation. The bottom line is that Video Content Specialists create a variety of multimedia content that engages an audience.
Use a variety of technical skills
It’s no secret that a strong understanding of the latest software programs is invaluable in the digital marketing space, and the same is true for Video Content Specialists. In addition to understanding the storytelling aspect and shooting/editing video, Video Content Specialist should understand programs such as Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Premiere, and Adobe After Effects. The ability to create multiple formats of one video is helpful, and using these programs, along with the above digital/marketing skills, are important for any Video Content Specialist role.
Use their soft skills to communicate with and work in a team
Video Content Specialist must have strong soft skills, as well as project management skills. Just like say, IT professionals, Video Content specialists must be able to communicate the technical details of a video project to these stakeholders, in a manner they can understand. If the video content does not meet project expectations, they need to explain why in a manner stakeholders can understand.
The key soft skills are verbal and written, as well as strong attention to detail. They will sit in meetings, on conference calls, and use email to communicate. They must also be able to work in a team environment and collaborate with many different departments to achieve goals. They must also be able to adjust, as a project needs change, and be able to meet regular and sometimes tight deadlines. Being flexible and having a positive attitude are also key soft skills of a good Video Content Specialist.
Video Content Specialist versus Video Editor
A Video Editor, according to Sokanu, is a “highly skilled film industry employee who edits movies or videos. The success or ultimate failure of the production lies in their hands. The final production must be a coherent project that incorporates the storyline and personality of the starring actors. Video editors assemble recorded raw material into a finished product that is suitable for broadcasting. The material may include camera footage, dialogue, sound effects, graphics, and special effects.”
Video Content Specialists, meanwhile, take the video from the Video Editor and add the necessary elements to ensure the video is ready to be distributed – such as through a video landing page, social media, or through review from a client or agency partner. They ensure the final product meets compliance and brand standards, includes any additional elements – graphics, animation, and is prepared for final delivery/launch based on project scope/needs.
