SalesMail Blog

In a world where first impressions dictate success, your video's frame isn't just a square—it's your stage. Optimizing your Frame Game enhances message clarity, captivates viewers, and ensures your content takes center stage.

Poor framing, just like a bad stage, can make it difficult for viewers to focus on your message. For example, a crooked frame could create a sense of discomfort, which might draw attention away from you, the subject. To help you create a more immersive video, align the top of your phone to be parallel with the ceiling and floor.

From the rule of thirds to advanced camera positioning, we've got you covered. Maximize the impact of your message, engage your audience, and turn your frame into a stage for success with our SalesMail framing techniques.

How-To Framing (for a subject):

Stepping into an off-center frame is like wearing your shoe on the wrong foot—it just doesn't fit. Poor framing creates discomfort and a sense of awkwardness, which makes it harder for viewers to focus on the content of your video. To perfect your vertical SalesMail framing, start by ensuring you are positioned in the middle of the frame, and that your camera is aligned in parallel with the ceiling and floor. Orienting your phone this way will prevent diagonal angles.  

Now it's time to play with vertical positioning. Enter the rule of thirds—an intermediate framer’s secret weapon. Imagine two lines going across your screen to divide the screen into three equal vertical parts. Align your eyes along the upper line to guide the viewer's gaze with intentionality. Putting your eyes above this line will make you feel like a giant because you take up too much of the screen, while positioning your eyes below this line will make you feel tiny because you won't take up enough of the screen.  

Now we’re going to move to advanced techniques, and I’ll start this section by asking a question: is it better to sit or stand to optimize your frame game?  

The answer is that it's up to you! In either case, the goal is to maintain consistent framing across your shots. To do that practically, put the camera anywhere from three to six feet away from you. Bringing the frame closer may emphasize your presence and professionalism, so it’s optimal to use in a less dynamic office setting. On the other hand, it is best to pull it back for more dynamic environments like colorful office spaces and unique entryways because it showcases your surroundings. For more information on framing your environment, stay tuned for next month’s episode of Boot Camp Basics: Framing for a Space.  

For the experts out there, moving the camera back allows you to play with the horizontal alignment of the frame. Rather than lining yourself up symmetrically, you can utilize the rule of 2/3 to comfortably position yourself along one of the vertical lines running down the screen.  

The final expert tip is a two-parter that describes where you should position your camera, both in height and rotation. 

First: Position the camera slightly higher than your eye level, somewhere around 4-6 inches above.   

Second, angle the camera flat (at a 90º angle) or down slightly, by about 15°. This is a nuanced tip, because it’s not the end of the world if you keep your camera straight up, but angling down can help diminish the appearance of a double chin. 

Combining all the advanced tips—positioning the camera 3-6 feet away, slightly above eye level, and angled slightly down—creates a deliberate effect. Ideally, your eyes naturally sit around the upper thirds-line, transforming the rule of 2/3 from guidelines to a litmus test for optimal framing.  

Mastering these techniques turns your frame into a stage, setting the tone for your message and inviting your audience into an immersive experience. But sometimes, they can be a little difficult to work with. So whether it's about optimizing framing to effectively highlight property details or ensuring a professional yet engaging presence, I'm here to support you in perfecting your vertical video strategy. Reach out for guidance tailored to your specific Sales Mail needs—I'm ready to assist!