Welcome! Ready to make your marketing more engaging and boost your sales? Videos are one of the most powerful tools in Kartra — and it’s easier to create them than you might think. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, no tech skills required.

Let’s get started and create your first video together!

Quick-start checklist

Follow these five quick steps to get your video up and running in Kartra:

  • Plan your video (1-2 minutes).
  • Record using your phone or webcam.
  • Edit with a free app like CapCut.
  • Optimize with an app like HandBrake (optional).
  • Upload to Kartra and share it with your audience.

Now, let’s dive into each step in more detail.

1. Planning your video

Before hitting record, take a moment to plan your video. This helps you stay focused and confident.

Ask yourself:

  • What’s the purpose of this video?
    Are you introducing a product, explaining a concept, or sharing a testimonial?
  • Who’s your audience?
    What do they need to know, and how can you make it simple for them?
  • What key points do you want to cover?
    Write down 2-4 main points to keep your video clear and to the point.

Keep it short and engaging:

  • Marketing videos: 2-5 minutes
  • Course content: Break into 5-10 minute sections for easier learning.

2. Recording your video

You can record using a smartphone, webcam, or any camera you have. Here’s how to get great results with minimal effort.

Basic recording tips

  • Lighting:
    • Use natural light if possible (e.g., sit near a window).
    • If indoors, make sure the light is in front of you, not behind.
  • Sound:
    • Record in a quiet space to avoid background noise.
    • Use headphones with a mic or a basic external mic for clearer sound.
    • Test the audio quality by filming a short clip and playing it back to ensure you like how it sounds. This way you can change microphones if needed before filming an entire video segment.
  • Stability:
    • Keep the camera steady with a tripod or place it on a stable surface.
    • Record in landscape mode (horizontal) if using a smartphone to match the Kartra video player orientation.
  • Background:
    • Choose a clean, uncluttered background.
    • Avoid anything distracting.

Tip for mistakes

  • If you make a mistake, pause and restart from the last point — no need to start over. You can use basic video editing apps to trim parts of a video or to join two separate recordings.

3. Video settings for Kartra

Make sure your video settings are compatible with Kartra for a smooth upload.

Recommended settings

  • Format: MP4 (Kartra converts other supported file types automatically)
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9
  • Resolution: 720p (high definition) — best balance of quality and file size
  • Frame rate: 30 fps (standard setting for smooth video)
  • File size: Under 999 MB

Tip: Avoid recording in 4K unless necessary, as the file size can be too large for smooth uploads.

4. Editing your video (beginner-friendly tools)

No need for advanced software. Here are simple, free tools for quick edits.

For computers

  • Mac: iMovie — easy for basic edits
  • Windows: Photos app — built-in for trimming and simple edits

For smartphones

  • InShot (iOS/Android): Trimming, adding text, and background music
  • CapCut (iOS/Android): Quick edits and simple effects

Basic edits to make

  • Trim: Remove long pauses or mistakes.
  • Add text (optional): Titles, captions, or callouts to highlight key points.
  • Background music (optional): Ensure it’s quieter than your voice.

5. Optimizing your video for Kartra

Large files can cause upload issues. Optimize your video to reduce file size while keeping quality.

Use HandBrake (or a similar tool) to optimize

  1. Download HandBrake: Get HandBrake here
  2. Open HandBrake and load your video:
    • Click Open Source and select your video file.
  3. Choose the settings (see image below for example):
    • Format: MP4
    • Preset: General > Fast 720p30
      Example of video settings in HandBrakeAbove: "Tracks" shows the video and audio codecs prepared for your video. They are auto based on the chosen MP4 format.
  4. Start compression:
    • Click Start to start encoding. The process may take a few minutes.
  5. Save your optimized file:
    • Your optimized video is ready for upload.

Learn more about optimizing your videos with HandBrake

6. Uploading your video to Kartra

You’re just one step away from sharing your video with the world! Let’s get it uploaded to Kartra.

Steps to upload

  1. Log in to Kartra:
    • Go to Media center > Video in your account.
  2. Click + Video(s):
    • Then click Upload one video.
    • Add a name, select a category, and click Create.
    • Click Upload video.
  3. Wait for the upload:
    • Larger files may take a few minutes. Don’t close the window.
  4. Check processing:
    • You’ll get a confirmation when the video is ready.
  5. Click Publish to save the video.

Tip: After uploading your video, customize the rest of the video settings now or come back to them later. Click Publish at the bottom of the page to save the uploaded file.

Troubleshooting tips

If the upload freezes:

  • Use a wired internet connection.
  • Close unnecessary apps to free up computer resources.
  • Clear your browser cache and try again.

If you get an error message:

  • Ensure the file format is MP4 and the size is under 999MB.
  • Re-encode with recommended codecs using HandBrake or simple apps like CapCut.

If the video won’t play after upload:

  • Check the original file on your device. If it doesn’t play, it may be corrupted. Re-export or recreate the video.

Final checklist before releasing

  • Video is clear and easy to understand.
  • Sound quality is good (your voice is clear).
  • File format is MP4 and under 999 MB.
  • Uploaded video plays back smoothly in Kartra.

You did it!

You’ve successfully created and uploaded your video to Kartra. Great job! If you need more help, check the troubleshooting tips or reach out to Kartra support.

Happy video making!