How to make a YouTube video in ONE SINGLE TAKE

[@Daniel-bn1jf]

Thank you, Ben. I must say, one-take videos are not my favorite, but we needed a video about the awkwardness and issues of talking to a camera in an empty room as if addressing a large audience. I'm sure I'm just one of billions who struggle with the issue you described. It's inspiring that, despite being a pro with a decade of experience, you're brave enough to show us that this challenge still exists for you, and yet you've succeeded despite it. I really appreciate you posting this video uncut and all the advice you provided.

[@EspenJohan]

Making mistakes is perfectly fine, to me it seems more believable. 95% of my videos are one take videos. Yes, I make mistakes and sometimes it can be a bit boring to watch. And as a non-native English speaker, it's hard. I totally agree with everything you say in this video Ben 👍

[@TedMattos]

Thanks so much for this, Ben. I'm enjoying these one-take Wednesdays! :) What helped me with confidence is when I first started on this KZbin journey, I challenged myself to a 30-day challenge. Talking to the camera for 30 days. I could talk about anything, but I had to speak as if I was speaking to a friend. It was really neat to see such a difference between Day 1 and Day 27! I've invested in a teleprompter, and while I know some people frown upon it, it has also helped build my confidence because it has helped me have something to focus on... which has helped with the UMs and UHs and ERs that may come when I'm speaking off my cuff. Again, your videos are very much appreciated! :)

[@BenClaremont]

That’s a great idea Ted- I’ve always wanted to do a video a day… I’m sure it would build confidence very quickly (as would a teleprompter, especially for more technical videos)… there is no one right way to do things 😀

[@Conservator.]

What also helps a lot is practicing *out loud* what you want to record off camera first. Do it at least 3x and you’ll be surprised how much it improves your performance. Please not that it’s absolutely key to speak out loud.

[@karamanosnikos]

You are absolutely right. I've had a TikTok channel for a year now with over 500 videos, and most of them are single-take recordings, except for a few podcasts. None of them are technically perfect, but I believe that content matters more than technical artistry. And being genuine. Like you're chatting with your friends over coffee. In addition to all the valid points you mentioned, I'd like to add that a great way to learn how to articulate your thoughts without hesitation is to join a theater workshop that teaches the Stanislavski method. Keep up the good work! Greetings from Greece!

[@Oldgreycowboy]

I’ve bought a decent GoPro with some accessories, an iPhone 15 pro for its camera. I’ve been trying to learn the editing side. But I’m older now and for what ever reason, I find myself rambling in conversations. I was trying to write a few notes to keep me more on track. Been watching your videos for a couple years now. Good info. Thank you 👍

[@4la9-Card23]

I like this video. I like it because it shows you are hearing what you are saying for the first time. There's a live feeling where you can say that's not entirely true and contradict yourself. This shows the process of saying something from the heart and editing it with your head. The beauty is sometimes the heart can surprise you. It's how you feel, not what you think. There is a sincerity and natural progression of thought: I want people to like my videos but there are always going to be some who don't. I like the simple background, it is non-distracting and the color is calming. I saw some posts in last video where some were disjointed because of change and I think it's nothing more than a new operating system -- it takes a few days before you adjust. You actually are making me motivated to move 80-percent of my stuff to closets and the bedroom. My place is neurotically cluttered. As far as 'perfectionism" I installed the 90-percent rule -- never do mored than 90-percent except when cleaning the toilet. For those who doing math, if you make your kitchen 90-percent cleaner and come back to it the next day and make it 90-percent cleaner, it's more than 90-percent cleaner than it was after the first pass. Perfectionism has ruined my life. Seriously! I must have a thousand songs I need to make perfect and not a thing in public circulation. I think it's fear of rejection. Like if you like someone but won't ask them for their number. They would say no and you will be forever embarrassed. In reality you will never know for sure. That's worse. What if you put a song that's not ready to be released out anyway. Someone might say something critical and you may realize they are right. Then you fix it. You like it ten times better and in the future you remember not to make the same mistake again. But you are trying to help people. It's for them. You are not bragging about how great you are, you are telling them how to be better. That's the key right there! My song example is about me! That's dangerous on KZbin. People have their own problems and you are trying to help them solve them. That's golden. My first video will be how to give a cat with chronic kidney disease intravenous fluids. It was something I struggled with and overcame. Others struggle with it and many times end up putting their beloved pets down when they could have extended their lives. And I'm not going to be a cat channel unless I realize I should. That's another thing -- what is my channel, my ID? I hear a lot of advice and I ignore most of it. I have found the only way to solve something is to try it for yourself. KZbin and Reddit is full of advice and most of it stinks. Some of it is brilliant. Can you tell the difference? If not you will be in big trouble. This world has always been full of false claims. It's really bad right now. When I hear the term "AI" I cringe. It's everywhere. Please stop! It's out of control. I am going to get KZbin Premium. I can't believe the ads I am getting. I'm being watched. If I google yarn I will have ads about yarn tomorrow. With KZbin you have two distinct kinds of viewers -- those who want nice relaxed, natural flow and others who want the three most important parts in under 20 seconds. I have had friends (had) who would say, "I know, I know," before I would say anything. They would say, "I didn't read the book but I know what it's all about." I think, and I have not even posted my first video, the haters should be ignored. To respond is to feed the trolls. Bad!

[@virtualjourneysnz]

Very inspirational for upcoming creators. Guess we all have to find the right balance on what we do, how we do it and for whom we are doing it. After watching this I will try to take in your advice on board and be more relaxed. Thanks 🙏 Ben

[@BenClaremont]

No worries!

[@mackenziemill]

One Take Video ... Doing this for sure!

[@Conservator.]

The key to one-take videos is practicing what you want to say out loud off-camera at least three times, better yet five times.

[@tebs2]

Great video Ben! Love the tips

[@VideoEditing-oj1zs]

You are saying many things that I've been thinking about as well over the last few weeks and months. I can relate 100% to what you're saying. Thanks!

[@BobbyInBlue]

Great video, Ben! Better and better each time. I am going to try my first one take this week. Excited to try it.

[@BenClaremont]

Cheers Bobby - I have no doubt you will ace it haha!

[@lawrymccarthy3292]

This is a very good video Ben, really not just about KZbin but public speaking in general. I have one friend who can get up and just talk pretty much with no planning. He is popular for MCing weddings. BUT he is a rare exception. I have another friend who plans every word and can only work off detailed notes. He is a little wooden but still good. I am sort of in between, similar to you, I have what I will cover on cards, power point or more often the layout of some software I am showing or the steps I use to do something. My favourite enhancements are visuals and jokes. The words to cover the points are entirely off the cuff, set to suit the mood at the time. It works well for me. I used to worry about ums and ahs, and I still edit out a few long ums and clearing my throat, mostly though I keep it organic, like I am talking one on one with a friend. When we do that we are naturally spacing out the points to give them a chance to sink in before you go on.

[@CoachAdamRuns]

Pretty much all of my videos are one takes, as I share the success and challenges in summary of my training runs as I prepare for my next race with lots of b-roll dropped in. I realize this format doesn't work well for every niche, but it's working for me. Some of my best ideas are worked out during my runs and it gives me something to occupy my mind during the tough parts of my training. 🙂🏃🏼‍♂

[@o1ecypher]

Focus on the feeling and never the words

[@iXplainIT]

Been following you for years, Ben. I like your new format!

[@BenClaremont]

Glad to hear it 😀

[@philq01]

Thanks Ben. One thing that has helped me is using Descript to edit my videos.

[@BenClaremont]

Good to know- I’ll check it out

[@ChristopherRevon]

great advice. I should do that myself.

[@Jensomat]

I watched your videos years ago and I was impressed by how much time you put in every video. Now I am impressed, that you did a move into a new way of content creation. High five! Great video and I like one take videos. I don’t need a cut or zoom every 2 seconds. Maybe because I am 50+. 😂

[@BenClaremont]

Haha glad to hear it 😀

[@unpretentious_book_talk]

Thanks for the tips Ben. Posted my first video a couple days ago - a one-take video 😊

[@BenClaremont]

Well done!

[@inSurfersParadise]

Looking at the lens is the moment of freeze. I wonder if putting a smiley face or a small cute toy on the lens hood to talk to could dramatically shift the freeze. I t would make the camera friendlier, less cold. Make the situation and yourself more comfortable. Lenses are a bit daunting. Im gonna try it.

[@10711851]

thank you for this and all your tutorials: )

[@sertocd]

What a great point I always thought a single take would be an inherently flawed version of any video. Thanks for this insight, it's a great encouragement for anyone.

[@BenClaremont]

Glad you liked it 😀

[@rozmcnulty9575]

Well said! If you turn into to much of a perfectionest editor - you stop editing enough and edit too well.

[@BenClaremont]

Absolutely

[@EKYWPat]

Really enjoying your vids.

[@BenClaremont]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@TheGadgetGuru]

Well said Ben!

[@BenClaremont]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@therealrealshocker]

fuck the haters Ben. Everyone knows you are a great guy and very helpful and knowledgeable. Don't overthink it. You are one of the the best I know! Thanks for all your tricks and tips over the years! I personally love the insta360 camera videos best

[@MarcosJPinto]

Omg, I'm SO glad you hit post for this video. You have no idea how your thoughts have just helped me now. I can totally relate to this... I recorded my first video over and over again... haven't posted it yet.... I will do it again. I'm getting better with the camera, I really laugh at myself when I make mistakes and this ends up being relaxing... BTW, I am an introvert but I would never have guessed you are too. No way. This means you do a very good job. The irony is my videos will be about meditation, *relaxation* and spirituality. So... I HAVE to be relaxed. The first video I recorded made my wife say: "You sound and look as if you're trying to sell bananas". I watched the video again and there I was selling bananas. I did it again, trying to be more natural... still not good. Did it again, it's better. But I can do better. Now I have to fix my lighting... my video looks flat (I've just watched your video on this subject). HOWEVER... I've given myself 15 days, this is the deadline. I will post whatever I have by then. BTW, this video of yours is one of the many reasons why AI can't replace human youtubers. I felt as if I was listening to a friend telling me about this stuff. AI will always be perfect and robot like, people won't buy it. Thanks for the video! I see higher success in your way. Greetings from Brazil.

[@BenClaremont]

Glad it helped! And good luck with your video- you can do it 😀

[@PKWModelwerx]

Looking forward to a video from you on scripting. I wasn't sure about yyour re-branding but this new direction has promise. It's keeping me engaged.

[@BenClaremont]

Thanks, will definitely consider a video on scripting 👍🏻

[@IntrovertMaxxing]

TEAM INTROVERT

[@tuesdayswithed]

When I watch myself I realize I say "and..." also "um" too much so I always try to cut those out in editing. Also, my videos only average about 20 views and that's it so why should I care that much. Not this channel but my other failed channel. I'm at a point where I'm asking myself if I really want to do this or not.

[@mediamannaman]

Is it possible to get these videos down to 10 minutes or less? I might watch them if they are shorter.

[@BenClaremont]

Anything is possible, but sticking to time limits is over curating the content, which is the opposite of the point i’m making in this video. I’ll have plenty of shorter videos coming if you don’t want to watch beyond 10 minutes.

[@SpectralightPhoto]

I suffer from "performance anxiety" when I go on-camera. My wife says she's experienced that with me off-camera. ;-)

[@BenClaremont]

TMI 😂

[@IntrovertMaxxing]

I wonder though, why not just livestream one take videos for greater interaction with audience?

[@BenClaremont]

Because these videos are not about real time audience interaction. They’re about articulating points honestly and effectively, being present in the moment and creating something that lasts a very long time, without future watchers being forced to watch me get distracted every few seconds responding to people.

[@IntrovertMaxxing]

@@BenClaremont understood!

[@RoadTripsGlobal]

This is all well and good - however without followers, it is of little use. Should you try and build a following under your name or as a brand? How do you get the followers? With almost 190k followers you are fine - but under my name, I have three (and I am probably one of those) !!! So the chances of videos even being seen are slim. Should you post under different accounts if the topics are totally different?

[@BenClaremont]

Not true - this video is about on camera delivery, regardless of follower numbers. I started a new podcast called The Creator’s Journey - in it I talk about how to build a following & monetise… you should check it out if you want tips on how to grow your channel.

[@o1ecypher]

"its not good enough" and/or "i can do better than this", can be self sabotaging. know when to stop have a plan script and stick to it, and it cant be perfect.

[@mendryk]

i dont have such problem i just put a camera and you don`t stop me))))

[@Lev3lUpLife]

You're such a jerk, Ben!! There, I said it, so you don't have to worry now. 😄 I'm still working on getting started but hope to have my first video out in the next couple weeks. I got "baby's first gear set up" so that was step one. This was some good encouragement to just do it!

[@Master0fHyrule]

Yeah... I can't do that... lol My mind thinks about two things at once or my speech goes bljsglsjdg jsdfgsdj

[@BenClaremont]

Try the things I mentioned. It will help 😀

[@Conservator.]

I stopped watching after that sub-optimal into. 😜 On a more serious note, without a well rehearsed script, you tend to speak slower. I’m watching at 1.25x the speed. 1.5x is still easy to follow but it sounds a bit weird.

[@Jimbo878]

Stop trying to be "Pro".

[@BenClaremont]

?

[@Jimbo878]

@@BenClaremont That's it, that's the message I got from this video, *Stop trying too hard* would be another way of wording it.