How To Hold A Content Shoot Day as a SMM

As a social media manager, you've likely felt the frustration of your client or company not having content, and/or you love the filming side of content, too!

Content days are amazing for getting the content that personalized want for socials, and great extra income. In this blog, we are going over our top tips for holding a content shoot day.

What to Charge for a Content Shoot Day:

If you are an in-house social media manager, skip to the next section! Content shoots should be an add-on to your packages and should be priced out separately to account for everything that goes into it. Freelancing SMMs, here's how you can price for content shoots:

1. Schedule out your time for prep, shooting, and editing (plus a bit of buffer time for revisions or anything else that pops up) and multiply this by your hourly rate

2. Add in any expenses and overhead. This can include:

   1. Equipment

   2. Travel

   3. Meals

   4. Props

   5. Tools (editing tools, etc.)

How to Prepare for a Content Shoot Day:

1. Research! What shots do you want, what does your audience respond to, what do you want to try out?

2. Create a master spreadsheet of all the information.

3. We like to include the following tabs: Time Block, Location, Outfit, Description, Type (photo, video type), models, prop/packing list, Inspo/audio, and client notes.

4. Get client approval and feedback.

5. Have this list on you the day of as a reference!

What to Bring on a Content Shoot Day:

1. Bag/Cart - you'll want your hands free!

2. Chargers - Portable chargers, plug-in chargers, bring them all!

3. Another Team Member - If you have another person you can bring with you the day of, this can be helpful for filming the b-roll and assist you while you're filming.

4. Portable Ring Light - Depending on where you are filming, some locations can have less-than-ideal lighting but are still great backdrops. Bring a portable ring light for those moments!

5. Camera and/or Phone Stand/Gimbal - If you're the queen of caffeine shakes like yours truly, having a stand and gimbal can help you get that perfect shot.

6. Camera or iPhone - Of course! Choose something high-quality to film with and test out your equipment.

7. Water & Snacks - you're not you when you're hungry, right?! Bring water and small snacks and remember that self-care shouldn't be forgotten even when you are busy.

8. Mini-Mics - If you are filming content like interviews or very talking-focused, consider using a mini-mic to capture high-quality audio.

9. Outfit changes - outfit changes are a must to make your content feel different and add variety.

10. Props - If your main character isn't exactly comfortable in front of the camera, or you need an extra fun boost in your shot, props can be just the thing. Find fun props that can be an added element and avoid those awkward hand placements. We love using phones, computers, disco balls, balloons, drinks, food, books, and notebooks.

Important tips for a content shoot:

1. Schedule breaks! You need breaks - brain, bathroom, and food. Don't sleep on taking breaks to refuel!

2. Don't just go off of trends. Trends are short-lived of course, so we want content that can be evergreen - this is where those B-roll and simple shots will come in.

3. Have fun with it! Inspiration strikes when you're having fun and embracing it.

4. Have a plan for the weather. If you are traveling between buildings or shooting outside, make sure to account for the weather in your planning.

5. Don't feel like you HAVE to do a content shoot. Connect with a photographer or videographer if you aren't up for the task, there's nothing wrong with that either.

Wishing you the best of luck on your content shoot day! Have more questions on this subject? Ask our community of social media managers!