Top 9 Reasons User-Created Video Reviews Suck (but don’t have to)

What are the top mistakes user-created review videos make and how can they be easily avoided?

Essentially, it comes down to keep it short, get an editor, be interviewed, basic lighting, basic audio and put your best foot forward.

I should note that I co-founded the book review site BlueRectangle.com, which has over 500 book reviews on video. Although we produce our own content, I stay current on what’s available in user-created video reviews, especially books.

Here’s the list of worst practices:

1. As Shakespeare wrote, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” So, who wants a ten minute book review anyway? If you can’t say it in about two minutes, it probably doesn’t need to be said. Remember, that’s still the length of about four television commercials or about how long it takes to read this article.

2. Editing… they don’t give an Academy Award for it for nothing. Most user- created product review video is un-edited. If it is edited, it’s by the on-camera talent. It’s best to edit and better yet to have someone else edit it.

3. With the exception of Jack Kerouac’s “On The Road,” stream of consciousness is incredibly boring. Even a monologue with notes and an outline is not that great. Interviews are more personal, spontaneous, real, organized and interesting. Especially, an edited interview (see #2).

4. A bad video camera can put out a lot better video with more light. Not everyone has a good camera, but there’s no excuse for not having a light. And, a good camera will still look bad in low light… so, either way, get a light! In fact, get three lights. Here’s a good primer on basic 3 point lighting: http://www.3drender.com/light/3point.html

5. How can I disagree when I can’t hear what you’re saying? The easiest way to get good audio is go to Radio Shack and buy a cheap clip-on microphone. Almost any clip-on is better than any on-camera mic from a few feet away.

6. Find someone to talk to. If it’s only you and a camera, it’s a whole different vibe than you speaking to another person. One may think that talking is talking, so fire up the camera and blurt, but it’s really not. Speaking to one other actual person approximates how it will be viewed. It’s the difference between how a person sounds when they’re leaving a voicemail message vs. how they sound speaking to a friend.

7. If it’s bad, fix it or don’t use it. No one says you have to use everything you shoot. If you can’t improve it through editing or re-shooting, don’t use it.

8. Choose a background wisely. Remember, the viewer is looking at that also. Do you really want to show your living room with the bathroom door open behind you? What does that say about your authority?

9. When it’s finished, show it to three other smart people and listen to what they say. A lot of user-created video has mistakes 1 through 8, which almost anyone could have pointed out.


Michael Johnson co-founded BlueRectangle.com, has a B.A. in Broadcast Communication Arts from San Francisco State University and still finds time to read. BlueRectangle.com is all about books We not only buy back used books and textbooks; but also offer video book reviews. Concise and fascinating insights into a wide variety of books
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