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The First Video I’d Make If I Were Starting My Business Today

January 27, 2026 by Katie Peterson
A simpler way to approach video when you're just starting out - michigan videographer

If I were starting my business from scratch today, no audience, no content library, no fancy setup… I wouldn’t start with a viral Reel or a perfectly polished brand video.

I’d start with something much simpler.

Here’s the thing no one tells you at the beginning

When you’re starting or restarting a business, video feels like this big, intimidating thing. Everyone online makes it seem like you need:

  • Daily posts
  • Perfect lighting
  • A strong hook every three seconds
  • A personality that never runs out of energy

That pressure alone is enough to make most business owners freeze.

But clarity beats creativity, especially at the beginning.

If I were starting today, I’d focus less on “content” and more on communication.

The very first video I’d create would answer one question:

“Here’s what I do, who I help, and why it matters.”

That’s it.

Not a pitch.
Not a montage.
Not a viral trend.

Just a short, honest video that helps someone understand me in under a minute.

It would include:

  • Who I work with
  • The problem I help solve
  • Why I care about solving it

Because if people don’t understand you, they can’t hire you.

If I were filming it today, here’s exactly how I’d do it:

  • Shot on a phone or simple camera
  • Natural light, nothing fancy
  • Talking directly to the camera
  • 30–60 seconds max
  • Vertical format for social media
Video for business - social media videographer in ann arbor

Why this video matters more than anything else

This one video does a lot of heavy lifting.

It becomes:

  • Your introduction
  • Your anchor
  • Your reference point

It’s the video you can point to when someone says,
“Wait… what exactly do you do?”

And it makes every other piece of content easier to create because you’re no longer guessing what to say.

You’ve already defined it.

Where would I use it?

This video would live:

  • Pinned to my social profiles
  • On my website Homepage or About Us page
  • Shared anytime someone asks what I do
  • Repurposed into shorter clips

One video. Many uses.

Starting this year with intention

If you’re reading this in January, this is your reminder:

You don’t need more videos, you just need the right ones.

Start with one video that explains what you do clearly, then let everything else build from there. And you know what, there's always space later on to re-visit this and have it done professionally, or update it to reflect your increased video skills. But just having it at all is important.

Scrolling on phone - Videographer in michigan

If you’ve already been filming content and need help in editing your videos for social media this year, you can book your editing spot with us now.

Start your first video here
Category: Business, Marketing, Social Media Tips, Video ideas, Video Marketing 101, Video Marketing TipsTag: content ideas, small business, Social media marketing, social media video, video ideas, video marketing, videography

About Katie Peterson

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