Before Your Book: How We Plan Client Content Shoots & Why They’re Useful

Planning is everything when it comes to a successful content shoot. We make the most out of content shoots by batching content to ensure our clients have months worth of future content to work with. 

When a client reaches out to book a content shoot, there’s a lot happening before the camera ever turns on. We take time to understand the brand, the goals, and how the content will actually be used, so nothing gets wasted and expectations are clear.

Know before you book! This is how we do content shoots the right way…

1. Pre-Shoot Check-List

Before shoot day, we pack knowing we’ll need extra camera batteries, extra SD cards, and the right equipment to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Our packing list includes: 

• Fully charged camera batteries (bring backups)

• Empty SD cards/storage space cleared

• Tripods or stabilizers 

• Phone mounts (clamp or tripod-ready)

• External mics or lavs if you’re recording audio

• Charging cables and power banks

• Extension cords if you’re indoors

• Headphones to quickly check audio

2. Decide the Job of the Content 

Before we arrive, we ask one simple question: “What is this content supposed to do?”

The content being created should stick to one or two primary goals:

• Start conversations

• Explain what you do

• Build trust

• Answer FAQs

• Drive inquiries

• Create evergreen posts

By defining the job, we’ll end up with content that looks nice and satisfies brand needs. 

3. Plan Content Buckets

After we’ve identified what the content will do, we’ll plan 3 - 5 content buckets, like…

• Education / tips

• Behind-the-scenes

• FAQs

• Proof (results, testimonials, outcomes)

• Brand personality / culture

This does two things: it keeps the shoot focused and makes the content easier to schedule later. 

Having an abundance of content to choose from offers ease and convenience when content planning, and when you know how each clip fits in your system and strategy, the more likely you are to use the content as intended. 

4. Write Prompts, Not Scripts

If we’re filming interviews, we always plan prompts that will effectively get the content you need without choreographing every word.

Examples include…

• “Explain this like you’re talking to a first-time customer.”

• “What’s something people get wrong about this?”

• “What’s one tip that saves clients time or money?”

• “Walk me through what happens after someone calls you.”

This keeps content natural, clear, and easy to clip into short-form posts. 

5. Decide Where the Content Will Live

Content gets used when there’s a plan for it. That’s why we decide where the content will live ahead of time, so the content reaches its full potential.

During the decision process, we’ll ask ourselves…

• What platforms is this for?

• Is this for Reels, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, our website, or email?

• Vertical or horizontal?

• Educational or conversational tone?

6. Leave With a Posting Plan

After the content shoot, we create a plan on how the assets are saved and give the client full access to save them on their own. We do this to stay organized and to make sure all the content gets used. 

That’s why we follow this checklist:

• Name the content

• Organize the clips

• Assign next steps

• Decide posting order

• Schedule the first few posts

7. Pre-Shoot Check-List

Before shoot day, we pack knowing we’ll need extra camera batteries, extra SD cards, and the right equipment to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Our packing list includes: 

• Fully charged camera batteries (bring backups)

• Empty SD cards/storage space cleared

• Tripods or stabilizers 

• Phone mounts (clamp or tripod-ready)

• External mics or lavs if you’re recording audio

• Charging cables and power banks

• Extension cords if you’re indoors

• Headphones to quickly check audio

Bonus: Don’t Sleep on iPhone Content 

Some of the highest-performing social media content we see is shot on an iPhone. The difference isn’t the phone, it’s how you use it.

When we’re not on-site for a content shoot, we encourage clients to use their iPhone when capturing most videos and photos. However, there are many good practices we recommend when using a phone versus a camera.

Consider these tips when shooting or capturing with an iPhone:

• Use the rear camera, not the selfie cam (higher quality)

• Lock exposure & focus (tap and hold on the screen)

• Shoot vertical by default for Reels, TikTok, Shorts

• Turn off HDR if the lighting keeps shifting

• Film in 4K if storage allows (gives you flexibility to crop later)

Nowadays, audio matters more than video quality. If you’re filming on an iPhone, use a clip-on lav mic if possible. Avoid heavy background noise or pause for background noise before recording. 

The Bottom Line

A content shoot can be a great way to achieve a new look, refresh assets, or produce specialized content for any brand. 

At Makin’ It Marketing, we work with clients to get the content they need so they can continue to post social media content on a regular basis. Our content is crafted to be inspiring as well as emotionally engaging and designed to connect with the customer at a deeper level. We strive to make our clients’ stories come alive through imagery, allowing them to communicate with their customers with a level of depth that words alone cannot provide.

Learn more about what we can do for you at MakinItMarketing.com or reach out to Tara at Tara@MakinItMarketing.com.