Want to make your smartphone videos look like they were shot by a professional? VideoTov video editor Leo Mahoney has four suggestions for improving your technique.

1) Shoot horizontally

Think about the aspect ratio of your computer or HDTV screen—it’s probably 1280 pixels wide by 720 pixels high. Your phone records hi-def video using that same ratio, so if you want to get the most out of your video, flip your phone on its side.

2) Shoot steady

A shaky smartphone video can make your beautiful wedding or your awesome ollie hard to watch, even after professional video editing. The problem? Holding your phone with just one hand. Plant one hand on either end of your phone, being careful not to put any fingers in front of the lens, and your video will turn out much steadier.

3) Shoot level

Does your video look a little tilted? Your phone probably wasn’t level while you were shooting. Next time, find a horizontal line—where the wall meets the floor or where the earth meets the sky, for example—and adjust your camera until the line is square in your viewfinder. Then hold your camera steady (see tip two above) and move your focus to whatever you want to shoot. This will save unnecessary time and effort with a video editing application later.

4) Shoot long

One of the biggest problems with cellphone videos, says Leo, is that they’re too short. He recommends making all clips at least fifteen to twenty seconds. Your editor will have more to work with, and he or she can always trim the video down with video editing software.

Follow these four simple tips, and you’ll get smartphone footage you’ll want to watch over and over again.

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About the VideoTov Editor: Leo Mahoney

Leo has worked in the television industry for 40 years. For the past 15 years, he has specialized in editing, completing hundreds of events using Avid. Leo has received numerous awards, including the 2010 “Best Informative Feature” award from the National Alliance for Community Media.