Video tasks usually pay more than simple social tasks, because a short, honest clip from a real person is valuable to a business. You do not need a ring light or a new phone. If you know how to record a good video on your phone, with decent light, clear sound and a steady shot, your videos will be approved far more often.
1. Light: face the window
Light is the biggest difference between a dull video and a clear one. Stand or sit facing a window in daylight so the light falls on your face or the product. Do not stand with the window behind you, or you will look like a dark shape. At night, use the brightest room light and avoid mixing coloured bulbs.
2. Sound: get close and get quiet
- Record in the quietest room you can find, away from generators, fans and roads.
- Keep the phone within an arm's length so your voice is clear.
- Soft furnishings help. A room with curtains and a bed sounds better than an empty tiled room.
- Wired earphones with a microphone can improve sound a lot.
3. Framing: steady and at eye level
- Hold the phone with both hands, or rest it on a stack of books.
- Keep the camera at eye level, not looking up from below.
- Film vertically unless the task asks for landscape.
- Wipe the camera lens first. A greasy lens makes everything blurry.
4. Follow the script, then be natural
Read the task brief and note what you must say or show: the product name, a feature, a call to action. Cover all of it, but say it in your own words. Businesses want videos that feel real, not read from a sheet. Do one practice take before the real one.
5. Keep it the right length
If the task says 30 seconds, aim for 25 to 35. Too short often misses a requirement, too long wastes the business's time and your data.
6. Check before you upload
- Watch the whole clip once with sound on.
- Check that every requirement in the brief appears in the video.
- Make sure the file is under the size limit. On Microtask, task videos can be up to 100 MB.
- Upload on Wi-Fi if you can. Video is the biggest data cost of any task.
A cheap setup that makes a big difference
| Item | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Window light | Free, flattering, the best light you have |
| Phone stand or stack of books | Removes shake |
| Earphones with a mic | Clearer voice |
| Plain background | Keeps attention on you and the product |
| Clean lens | Sharper picture instantly |
A simple structure for a 30-second video
- Hook (0 to 3 seconds): show the product or say what you are about to show.
- Show (3 to 20 seconds): use the product, point out the feature the brief mentions.
- Opinion (20 to 27 seconds): one honest line about what you liked.
- Close (27 to 30 seconds): the call to action from the brief, if there is one.
Your privacy on camera
Before you record, check what is behind you. Hide documents, letters with your address, and anything personal. Do not show your house number or street name unless the task specifically needs a location. You can make great videos without sharing private details.
Common reasons video tasks get rejected
- The product or brand is not clearly visible.
- Audio is too noisy to hear what you say.
- A required line or action is missing.
- The video is too dark or shaky.
For more proof tips, read how to get your tasks approved faster. If you enjoy making videos, brand content work can become a bigger income. See user-generated content in Nigeria.