The Ultimate B-Roll Guide
In the realm of social media, having captivating visuals is vital to grab your audience’s attention. You can do more than you think with the everyday events of your life. Enter B-roll! As social media platforms continue to evolve, so does the importance of incorporating B-roll footage into your videos. We’ve been saying this forever and it’s only becoming more important in 2024 — creating content that is candid and give people an insight into your REAL life is the key to creating relationships and driving engagement on your social media accounts. Curated, professional looking video is being left in 2023.
Whether you're a seasoned content creator or just starting your social media journey, getting in the habit of creating content with B-roll will be a game changer for your social media account. In this guide, we'll delve into the essence of B-roll, the benefits of using it, and give you all the tips on how to incorporate it into your content plan. Let's embark on the journey to unlock the full potential of B-roll for social media success.
It’s a lot easier than you probably think! By the end of reading this, you’ll be on your way to creating amazing content using B-roll ↓
What is b-roll?
B-roll footage is the secret ingredient that can take your marketing content to the next level. It's the behind the scenes raw footage you get while performing everyday tasks, from brewing your morning coffee to handling orders or working at your desk. It can really be just about anything you want to grab a clip of (sunsets, vacations, playing with your kids, etc.) You can use these clips, add text to them and a trending audio, and there you have a reel or TikTok!
What's the benefit of b-roll?
Besides being able to create a reel in just about minutes, there's SO many benefits to grabbing b-roll footage.
Authenticity: Showcase the genuine day-to-day aspects of your business and personal life to build trust and connection with your audience.
Education: B-roll is perfect to use with educational text over top. Build trust with your audience and let them know that you're the expert in your industry.
Versatility: You can use these clips across various platforms, from social media to newsletters, to create more content with less.
What are the best practices for getting b-roll?
Keep it Natural: Capture authentic moments that reflect your brand's personality. You don't have to worry about your desk setup looking perfect or changing your outfit for the clips. You want your b-roll footage to be authentic and relatable.
Make it a Habit: Get in the routine of taking 2-3 b-roll clips a week. This will allow you to have a stockpile in your photo album when it comes time to create content.
High Quality: We're not saying you need the latest and most expensive Canon videography equipment. The head of IG, Adam Mosseri, even confirmed reels were made to be created with just your cell phone. We recommend grabbing these clips with an iPhone, making sure your lighting is good and wiping off your lense before pressing record to increase clarity.
Keep it Still: It's best to direct your audience's attention to one thing - the text on the screen. That's your message and the value behind your reel. The b-roll is just a background clip. We recommend keeping the camera placed in one still position for b-roll clips UNLESS your reel is related to the clip and you need to show more of the setting like a mountain view for example.
What to do after you get the b-roll clips?
Use your clips to create content! Whether it's for IG or Tiktok or both, you can use this content to create engaging posts.
Create Inspirational Reels:
Quote Highlights: Overlay motivational quotes onto your B-roll to inspire and connect with your audience on a deeper levels.
Share What You've Learned: Overlay text over your b-roll and share lessons you've learned as a business owner.
Educational Reels:
Facts and Insights: Share interesting facts about your products or services using B-roll. Educate your audience while keeping them visually engaged.
Share Quick Tips: Teach your audience something about your industry with a quick tip over b-roll.
Promotional Reels:
Sales and Promotions: Highlight your latest sales, promotions, or product launches over b-roll. Create excitement and drive action among your audience.
Remember, the key is to experiment and find the content that resonates best with your audience. Social media is all trial and error. Find what works best for you and have fun doing it!