How to Create Engaging Videos Without Professional Equipment

Video is one of the fastest ways to win trust, show value, and turn views into listings and sales. The good news is you can create strong video with a phone, a quiet space, and a simple plan. This guide shows you how to make clear, engaging videos for property and community work using tools you likely already have.

Why video matters in real estate today

• Buyers and sellers want to meet you before they meet you

• Video shows warmth, care, and market skill in seconds

• Platforms give video more reach than plain posts

• A single video can be used on many channels

The only gear you need

You can start with the basics you already own.

• A modern phone

• Natural light from a window or shaded outdoor area

• A quiet room

• A simple phone tripod or a steady shelf or stack of books

• Optional clip on or wireless mic for clearer sound

• Optional small ring light for evening or cloudy days

Tip. If you can only upgrade one thing, choose audio. Clear voices feel professional.

Plan once, film fast

A short plan saves time and nerves.

• Purpose. What is the one thing you want the viewer to do
  Book an appraisal, enquire on a home, or save a tip

• Audience. Who is it for
  First home buyers, downsizers, investors, local owners

• Promise. What will they learn or feel in the first three seconds
  Example. Three ways to add value before sale

• Path. Where will the video go
  Reels, Shorts, Facebook, listing portal, email, listing presentation

Write a one page plan you can reuse. Keep each video to one message and one clear next step.

Lighting that flatters

• Use soft natural light from a window. Face the window. Do not put the window behind you

• If outside, stand in open shade

• Keep harsh sun off faces

• Turn off mixed lights that add different colour tones

Clear audio on a small budget

• Choose a quiet room with soft surfaces

• Stand one to two steps from the phone

• If you have a clip on mic, place it at chest height

• If you do not have a mic, move closer to the phone and speak with energy

• Close windows to reduce traffic noise

• Record a ten second test, then check it

Framing and steady shots

• Place your eyes on the top third line of the screen

• Keep the phone at eye level for trust

• Use a tripod, a stable table, or a shelf

• Clean the camera lens with a soft cloth before you start

• Smile before you speak. It changes your tone

Record settings on your phone

• Use the rear camera if possible for sharper image

• Vertical for Reels, Shorts, and Stories

• Horizontal for YouTube long form, property portals, and your website

• Aim for full HD. If your phone can handle it, 4K gives more room to crop

• Turn on grid lines to help framing

• Lock focus and exposure by holding your finger on the screen

Five high impact video types for property work

1. Listing preview

   • Walk through key rooms and say the one buyer who will love it

2. Street or suburb spotlight

   • Parks, cafes, schools, weekly markets, local beach or river walks

3. Seller tip of the week

   • One practical tip with a clear action

4. Open home or auction invite

   • When, where, why to come, and how to reach you

5. Just sold story

   • The challenge, the plan, and the result with a kind word from the owner

Simple script lines you can copy

Use these as training wheels. Speak them like you would to a friend.

• Hook

  • In the next sixty seconds I will show you the three features buyers will race to see at this home

• Problem and promise

  • Many owners spend money in the wrong places. Here is where you will get the best return

• Body

  • First the kitchen. Stone bench tops and a big pantry make family life easy

  • Next the outdoor area. North facing yard gives light all day

  • Finally the location. Two minute walk to the school and shops

• Call to action

  • Send me a message for the list of upgrades buyers ask about most

  • Book your private viewing this week. Times in the caption

  • Want a price guide for your street. Comment guide and I will send it

Short scripts for common clips.

• Open home invite

  • I am at 12 River View Court. We are open on Saturday at 10. Come see the new deck and the huge yard. Message me for a private time

• Just sold

  • We had 47 groups, 6 offers, and a great result for a lovely family moving north. If you want a plan like this for your home, reach out

• Market update

  • In our suburb days on market are steady and stock is tight. Here is what that means for you this spring. More buyers per home and strong prices

B roll ideas that make every clip richer

B roll is extra footage that sits over your voice. It keeps attention high.

• Front door opening

• Feet walking up the path

• Hands touching bench tops or turning on a feature light

• Wide shot then medium shot then close up of one detail

• Street sign then the local cafe, park, or beach

• Auction day. People arriving, flags, the sold sticker

• Paperwork and pen for the call to action

Shoot three to five short shots for each scene. Two to four seconds each is fine.

Edit in minutes on your phone

Free apps make this simple.

• Trim the start and end so you begin with energy

• Cut out long pauses

• Add B roll over your voice so the viewer sees what you are saying

• Add on screen text for the hook

• Keep total length short for social posts. Forty five to ninety seconds works well

• For property portals and your website, two to three minutes can work if the pace is good

Basic edit steps

1. Drop your main talking clip on the timeline

2. Add your best B roll on tracks above your voice

3. Add text for the hook and a call to action at the end

4. Export at full HD and save a copy to your camera roll

Add captions, titles, and brand touches

• Many people watch with sound off. Turn on auto captions then fix any errors

• Use clean fonts that are easy to read

• Keep colours simple. One main colour and white

• Place your name and phone number at the end card

• Add your logo in a corner at a small size

• Do not crowd the screen

Thumbnails and the first three seconds

• The first frame decides if people watch

• Show a face and a clear promise

• Use big simple text like Price guide for Fairfield or Three tips before you sell

• Avoid busy backgrounds

• Start with action. A door opening or a smile and a wave

Publish with purpose

Post where your clients already spend time.

• Instagram Reels

• Facebook feed and Stories

• YouTube Shorts and long form

• Your Google Business Profile

• Your listing presentation as a QR code or link

• Email to your warm list

• Your listing on realestate dot com dot au and Domain where allowed

Write a clear caption with

• One hook

• One benefit

• One call to action

• Location tags and keywords like suburb, school zone, and lifestyle draw cards

Safety, privacy, and permissions

• Get written consent from the owner to film and share

• If tenants live in the property, get written permission before you film

• Do not show personal photos, mail, medication, or car plates

• Do not reveal alarm codes or where keys are stored

• Respect the wishes of any person who does not want to be on camera

• Use music that you have the right to use inside each app

A seven day starter plan

Day 1

• Record a sixty second suburb spotlight outside a cafe or park

• Post it as a Reel and a Short

Day 2

• Record a seller tip on preparing the home

• Add captions and a simple end card

Day 3

• Record a listing preview with three features and one clear next step

• Add two shots of B roll for each room

Day 4

• Record a market update for your core suburb

• Use one number and one story, not many stats

Day 5

• Record an open home invite from the driveway

• Pin it to the top of your profiles for the weekend

Day 6

• Record a buyer question and answer

• Example. How does the cooling off period work

Day 7

• Record a behind the scenes clip of your week

• Show your care for clients and your process

Repeat this plan each week with new addresses, new tips, and new local places.

Quick checklist before you hit record

• Purpose and call to action are clear

• Phone lens is clean

• Battery and storage are ready

• Natural light or soft light is set

• Mic is on or you are close to the phone

• Background is tidy

• Framing is at eye level

• Hook line is ready

• Smile, breathe, and begin

Final word

You do not need a big budget to make video that wins attention and trust. Keep it simple. One message. One call to action. Clear sound. Soft light. A friendly face. Share your local knowledge and care for people. Your phone can do the rest.

Author Ken Hobson
ken@agentslibrary.com.au