Did you know that the Catholic Singles online dating app now includes an introduction video feature for our premium members? Now single Catholic men or women who are browsing your profile can see your introduction video and get to know you even better.
On the one hand, this is exciting because it means you might be able to learn more about a person you’re interested in dating by seeing them introduce themselves on video on their profile. But on the other hand, this new feature can be a little intimidating. It’s not always easy to make a great video of your own!
Most of us have taken videos of ourselves on our phones at one time or another, but that doesn’t mean we’re skilled at it or eager to show the whole world our filming skills.
If you’re feeling hesitant to jump into the task of making a video introduction for your online dating profile, here are five tips for making a video that will help you stand out.
1. Strive for authenticity
Perhaps one of the most important things to keep in mind while making a video introduction for your dating profile is to be yourself.
This is probably easier said than done when you’re nervous and unsure of what you’re doing, but there are a couple of concrete ways you can focus on making sure your video is authentic.
Firstly, one common problem that a lot of people who use online dating apps run into is that the person they’re meeting looks nothing like their profile picture. So when it comes time to make a video introduction for yourself, avoid the temptation of using an old video or doing anything to a new video that makes you look significantly different than you do in person.
Second, try to talk naturally. One way to achieve this is to write down an outline of what you want to say and practice speaking extemporaneously from that outline so that you sound as you actually do in real life. Also, it can also help if you pretend you’re speaking to a real person as you talk on video.
The other element of authenticity on video to consider is an extension of how you should look at your dating profile as a whole: does it show who you really are?
Read more: How To Talk Positively About Yourself On A Dating Profile
Don’t be afraid to talk about what you truly love or what you’re looking for in a relationship, or to show off your personality quirks. These are the things that will help attract the right person to you!
2. Pay attention to what’s in the background of your video
Once you have the authenticity factor down, it’s time to consider some practical aspects of making a video.
What should be the background of your dating profile introduction video?
There’s not necessarily one right answer, but there are certainly things that should not be in the background. Messy clutter, distracting personal items, or pictures of family members would all be good to remove from the background of your shot.
A blank wall, simple household décor, or a tidy bookshelf are all great choices. You can also consider taking the video with your favorite religious items or pictures of a favorite saint in the background.
A backdrop that is tidy, not terribly distracting, but also showcases some aspect of your personality is always a great choice.
3. Take a look at the lighting
No one expects a dating profile introduction video to have the production value of a Hollywood movie. Nothing has to look perfect here.
That being said, try not to take a video in dim light. Weird shadows don’t usually do a lot for us. Fluorescent lighting is often not very flattering either.
Natural lighting from a window can be good for video. Or warm light from a lamp near you can work as well.
When in doubt, try experimenting with a few different lighting options. Experiment with light placement and brightness, and take some test videos to see which option looks most natural and flattering.
4. Remember that feedback is your friend
We’re not always the best judge when it comes to the quality of projects like introduction videos.
Some of us are overly critical and might think that any video we make of ourselves looks terrible. At other times, we might miss distracting aspects that are easily fixed with another take.
Ask someone you trust to watch your video and give you feedback. They don’t have to be an expert on filming. After all, nearly everyone these days has watched enough online videos to have some idea of what is okay and what’s not.
If a friend tells you that your video is good, take their word for it and upload. Don’t let self-doubt or perfectionism keep you from moving forward!
5. Double check the final product
Once you think your video is good to go, give it one last look. You’d be surprised how many times a small mistake can be corrected by a final check.
Is the audio okay? Is the picture quality as good as you thought it was? If you’ve transferred the video file from phone to computer, sometimes compression can change things in ways you don’t expect.
Lastly, make sure you’ve got the right version of your video. You don’t want to realize too late that you accidentally selected the version where you sneezed in the middle.
It can seem stressful to try to make a good video introduction that will help attract the perfect mate, but rest assured that you’re not alone in your stress.
Keep in mind that, even if you’re finding the task of video-making to be extraordinarily difficult, it will definitely feel worth it if it helps you meet someone!
