Budget Friendly Brand Video Ideas (You Can Shoot on Your Phone)
You heard it here first: the new era of video is DIY. Gone are the days of polished, high-production video needs; welcome, raw DIY realism. Today’s audience wants to see and hear directly from the founders, peek behind the scenes, and connect with brands that are — wait for it — human.
And the best part? You don’t need a whole camera crew to pull this off. The phone in your pocket is more than enough. Find some natural light and a compelling storyline, and you’re good to go. If you’re a founder, small business owner, or a marketer working solo, here is your blueprint for creating high-converting video content on a budget.
What makes a Lo-Fi Video Work?
What is a lo-fi video, you ask? Well, it stands for low fidelity, meaning it is intentionally unpolished. It is all about embracing imperfections, giving the audience a sense of relatability and authenticity. Some of the main features a lo-fi video might lean into are:
Minimal editing
Natural lighting
Casual tone
Off-the-cuff delivery
Imperfections
Audiences are craving video that feels human and real, and with AI-generated content on the rise, low-budget videos are only becoming more valuable. So, grab your phone and try these simple DIY video ideas to kickstart your brand’s story–no crew, no stress, or fancy tools required!
7 DIY Ideas You Can Shoot This Week
Founder Intro Reel
The audience wants to know who is behind your brand. Talk directly into the camera, share who you are, what your business does, and why your brand matters.
Try saying:
“Hi, I’m [Name], founder of [Brand]. We help [audience] solve [problem] using [product/service].”
Pinning this as your first post on your social media channels can help to reintroduce yourself to any new followers.
Behind the Scenes
People are nosy; they want to see what's behind the scenes of your brand or business. Show your audience how you make the product. Demonstrate how you connect with customers or clients. What does the average day look like for you? How do you pack an order?
Don’t script it, just film some snippets and stitch them together with some light music or a voiceover. These types of videos offer your audience a unique and authentic glimpse into your brand's day-to-day operations and culture.
Mini How-To or Demo
Whether it’s a physical product, digital service, in-person service, or app, walking your audience through the “how” builds confidence and reduces hesitation. A short, clear demo can be the difference between someone scrolling past and someone engaging with you, and then ultimately making a purchase.
Before & After
A great before-and-after video doesn’t just show results, it builds trust by making your work visible and tangible. Whether it’s a glowing facial, an organized space, a branding refresh, or a mindset shift, this format lets your audience see the impact of what you do.
Customer Feedback
Use real feedback, reviews, or testimonials to highlight what makes your product or service genuinely valuable. You can feature a happy customer speaking directly to the camera, or you can narrate a glowing review as a voiceover while showing your product in action.
Let the customers do the talking; nothing sells better than social proof!
Weekly Updates
Each week, take 1–2 minutes to share what’s happening behind the scenes. What did you actually learn this week about your business, your audience, or yourself? What’s working? What flopped? Did you launch something? Scrap something? Hit a milestone? Miss a goal?
You are inviting people into the process, whether you are scaling it or figuring it out; these raw, in-the-moment check-ins build serious trust.
Pro tip: Record these in the same spot each week (your desk, couch, car), consistency builds familiarity. Add captions, share across platforms, and encourage others to follow your journey.
The Team Behind the Brand
Even if it is just you and your dog, or it’s a team of ten, share your team with the world. Let people build connections with your staff and with you, showing faces, sharing roles, and letting their personalities shine. It could be as simple as everyone introducing themselves and their roles, or following a social media trend that’s recreated to suit your personality and vision. These videos instantly add warmth, relatability, and trust to your brand.
Now Just Post!
In a world of filters, brands that feel human stand out. You don’t need fancy gear or a production. You just need your phone, your story, and maybe a bit of courage to hit the record button.
So, set your phone on the windowsill, hit record, and tell us who you are. We’re listening.
If you need help with your social media or digital marketing, Summary Content Marketing is here to help! Our team of experienced innovators can help you build your content!
Just pop us an email to chat more.
