Want to create more compelling videos? Here are 5 tips to help you:

1. Pre-production planning. Hollywood moviemakers never begin shooting without planning out everything in advance, and neither should you. Planning before you shoot your video is called pre-production. It doesn't have to be complicated: write out a "shot list" (a list of shots you want to capture), or script the monologue you want to have. Pre-planning will make sure that you don't miss anything: it helps you keep track of what you've shot and what you haven't yet done.

2. Make sure you get a variety of shots. The best videos are made of short clips that are edited together. So do what the professionals do for your best results, too. Start with a wide-angle shot (called the Establishing Shot) to show the overall scene or context for your video. Medium shots can include one subject or more. As you go along, you'll get better at editing, which is where you'll nail the video. Close-up shots can be cropped at the head and shoulders like a portrait.

3. Break up the video by moving the camera's position. Variety is what moves any story forward, so make sure that just as you vary the shots, vary your camera angle too. Don't shoot everything at eye-level from a standing position: there's nothing more boring! Look for creative angles, low to the ground or even from a high vantage point. You're not trying to win at the next Cannes Film Festival, but you do want people to watch your video!

4. Pad your shots and shoot stills. Shoot a little extra footage before and after your video's main action. This will make it easier for you to edit your movie together, because you'll have extra frames to edit around. In addition, shoot lots of stills, because you can incorporate them into your video for even more variety.

5. Limit camera motion. Too many zooms (in and out) or pans (from side to side) can be distracting to the viewer.

And there it is! Follow these easy tips and you'll get far more professional-looking videos.