5 Common B-Roll Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in Your Business Videos.

If you’re diving (or dipping a little toe) into the world of video marketing, you’ve probably heard about the magic of B-roll footage.

It’s those lovely little videos people use in Instagram reels, extra footage that can elevate your video from okay to oh-wow!

But beware, it’s not just about shooting random clips. There are a few things you need to think about.

Here are my tips for better business videos

Ignoring Aspect Ratios: Not using the correct aspect ratio (4:5 for feed videos, 9:16 for stories and reels) can result in poorly framed videos or essential parts of the video being cut off.

Poor Lighting: Videos that are too dark or have inconsistent lighting can be hard to watch and look unprofessional. Try shooting in natural light where you can.

Bad Audio Quality: Background noise, echo, or low-quality audio can distract viewers and reduce engagement. Investing in a good microphone can make a significant difference. But for B-roll – just remember to remove any audio from your video.

Lack of a Clear Message: Not having a clear, concise message can confuse viewers. Make sure your video has a defined purpose and communicates it effectively.

Overly Long Videos: Attention spans on social media are short. Videos that are too long can lose viewer interest quickly. Aim to keep videos brief and engaging. It changes all the time, but when you’re recording clips aim for about 10 seconds.

Ignoring Captions: Many viewers watch videos without sound (I do that!!), so adding captions or text overlays ensures your message is understood even on mute.

Inconsistent Branding: Failing to maintain consistent branding (colours, fonts, style) can make your videos look disjointed and unprofessional. Consistency helps build brand recognition.

Poor Editing: Choppy cuts, abrupt transitions, and lack of flow can make your video difficult to watch. Spend time on editing to create a smooth and engaging video. Also try to avoid using too many filters…

Not Optimising for Mobile: Instagram is primarily a mobile platform, so make sure your videos are optimised for mobile viewing. This includes ensuring text is legible on smaller screens.

Ignoring Trends and Audience Preferences: Not keeping up with current trends or understanding what your audience likes can make your content less relevant. Pay attention to what’s popular and tailor your videos accordingly.

Not Including a Call to Action (CTA): Failing to include a CTA can result in missed opportunities for engagement. Whether it’s asking viewers to like, comment, share, or visit your website, a CTA helps drive interaction.

Posting Infrequently: Inconsistent posting can lead to lower engagement and visibility. Regularly posting high-quality content helps keep your audience engaged and grow your following.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can create more engaging and professional videos that resonate with your Instagram audience.

Mastering B-roll takes your business videos from good to great and can really captivate your audience. Avoid these common mistakes, and you’ll be well on your way to creating impactful content that resonates with viewers.

If you’re looking to up your content game further, why not join our Content Club? It’s a fantastic community where we share tips, tricks, and resources to boost your content creation skills. Plus, you’ll connect with other business owners just like you! Join The Content Club today and start making your business videos stand out! What are you waiting for? Dive in and start making the most of every shot in your business videos!

And when you’re ready, here are three other ways that I can help you:

1) Visit my blog for tips on VISIBILITY.

Every week I discuss strategies to improve your visibility, get over your fear of visibility and my latest shoots.  Read more on the blog

2) Plan a bespoke photoshoot.

We can plan a shoot based on what you actually need (read all about it) or you could join me at a Branding Day Photoshoot.

3) Join ‘Visibility School’.

Visibility school is a membership group where you get 12 months of photoshoots, a fab little Facebook group and lots of bonus content too (new for 2024 members) . Read about Visibility School