When it comes to creating video content that connects, it’s often the small details that make a difference, and that’s where B-roll can come in. B-roll (also known as background or filler footage) can make your video more engaging to watch. In this article, we share b-roll ideas for businesses to help transform the way you connect with your audience and showcase your story.
What is B-roll?
B-roll refers to the supplemental footage that supports your main video content (called A-roll). While your A-roll might feature someone speaking directly to the camera or presenting your product, B-roll consists of cutaway shots, establishing shots, close-ups, and atmospheric footage that enhance the storytelling experience. B-roll provides context and visual interest.
For example, if you’re creating a testimonial video for your Gold Coast business, your A-roll would be the customer speaking about their experience. The B-roll, on the other hand, might include shots of your storefront, team members at work, customers using your product, or even scenic shots of the Gold Coast itself to establish location and create visual interest.
Why Use B-roll for Creating Videos for Your Business
Breaks Up Content
Nobody wants to watch a three-minute video of someone talking directly into the camera without any visual variety. B-roll breaks up these talking head segments, keeping viewers engaged throughout the entire video.
Paid ads, in particular, need to grab attention within seconds. B-roll provides dynamic visuals that prevent the ad from feeling static or boring. These background shots keep viewers interested and encourage them to stay until the end of the ad.
For example:
- Instead of just showing a person talking about your business, you can overlay footage of your product in action, happy customers, or your team at work.
- Prepare a library of high-quality B-roll footage, allowing you to easily create different versions of your paid ads for various audiences.
Builds Emotional Connection
People connect with visuals. B-roll allows you to show behind-the-scenes moments, humanise your brand, and make your story relatable. Instead of relying solely on still photos or discussing your offerings, B-roll enables you to showcase your products or services in real-life settings. It helps promote products and services by allowing potential customers to visualise what they’ll experience, thereby building excitement around your business.
Provides A Backdrop To Share Content
Even though it’s ‘background’ and ‘filler’ content, you can use b-roll with text and audio overlays to share tips, tricks and inspire your audience.
People always connect with behind-the-scenes moments that help humanise your brand and make your story relatable. Instead of relying solely on still photos or discussing your offerings, B-roll enables you to showcase your products or services in real-life settings.
Helps Repurpose Content
Once you’ve captured great B-roll, you can reuse clips across multiple platforms – in ads, Stories, website banners, and more.
B-roll Ideas For Businesses: Types of Footage For Every Marketing Video Content
Here are some popular types of businesses on the Gold Coast, along with examples of video concepts and B-roll ideas that you can film today.
| SERVICE BASED BUSINESSES |
| Types of Businesses | Video Concept | 3 Types of B-Roll Footage |
| Hospitality & Tourism Services | Showcase experience: A day in the life of your guests | Guests enjoying amenities; scenic shots of property; staff in action |
| Health & Wellness Services | Highlight benefits: Wellness journey of a client | Clients in sessions; relaxing ambience shots; practitioner at work |
| Trades & Home Services | Before-and-after transformations of completed jobs | Team working on-site; tools in action; happy client reviewing work |
| Professional Services | Client testimonials | Office environment; team collaborating; client interacting with staff |
| Childcare & Education Services | Tour of the facility & staff introductions | Children learning & playing; educators engaging; colourful classrooms |
| Pet Services | Pet care journey: From check-in to pick-up | Pets being groomed; staff cuddling animals; happy owners at pick-up |
| Event & Entertainment Services | Pet care journey: From check-in to pick-up | Decor setup; staff coordinating; event guests enjoying |
| Automotive Services | Vehicle transformation: Service process highlights | Car being detailed; mechanic working; happy client driving away |
| Fitness & Personal Training | Success stories: Client fitness journey | Clients training; close-up of equipment; trainer giving guidance |
| Hair & Beauty Services | Show a transformation: From consultation to end result | Stylist cutting hair; close-up of beauty treatments; client reaction |
Business owners can utilise ChatGPT and other AI writing tools to quickly generate creative B-roll ideas that align with their brand and messaging. Here are some prompts to try:
Examples:
- “Act as a content producer and, based on social media videos that are going viral and getting traction, give me 10 creative B-roll ideas for a promotional video about my [type of business] that will appeal to [target audience].”
- “Act as a content strategist and, based on other social media videos that are going viral, list B-roll shots I can film to show the process of [specific service you provide] in a way that feels engaging and builds trust.”
- “Act as a story-telling strategist and suggest B-roll ideas for a behind-the-scenes video at my [type of service business] to highlight [specific product or service].”
B-Roll for Marketing Businesses: Transform Ordinary Moments Into Storytelling Tools
B-roll provides an opportunity to transform everyday moments into potential content that serves as a backdrop for other pieces. We wrote a blog 8 years ago on creating marketing videos for businesses with some great tips, so check it out.
By incorporating thoughtfully planned B-roll footage into your digital marketing strategy, you’ll create more engaging video content, build stronger brand credibility, and ultimately drive better business outcomes.
Start building your B-roll library today, and watch as your marketing videos transform from simple presentations into compelling stories that your audience can’t help but notice.
If you need assistance with shooting B-roll footage, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to help.
