The Importance of B Roll: Enhancing Visual Storytelling in your Product Videos
B-roll sounds like a term that only experts in studio production would use. But, the truth is, B roll footage is an extremely useful tool for amping up your social media marketing presence and making your product listings shine – if only you know how to use it. And if you don’t, well, you’re certainly not alone.
Today, we’re going to give you a crash course to answer common questions such as “What is B roll?” and “Do I need it in my business?” Once you understand its definition and uses, you’ll have a much better shot (no pun intended) at making your products shine!
What Is B Roll?
So the first and most important question to answer here is, what is B-roll?
Most of us, if we know what the term is at all, have a pretty limited idea of what B roll footage entails. Is it just shots of giant crowds milling across New York intersections? Seagulls in flight with waves crashing in the background? Skateboarders doing their thing on stairway railings?
Yes and no.
B roll refers to those clean shots that aren't the main attraction, but play a crucial role as background or context. They're like the supporting actors in a movie, helping to give us the bigger picture without messing up the flow of the story. These shots add that extra oomph by seamlessly providing context and background info, making the whole storytelling experience even more enjoyable.
While you’ve doubtless seen plenty of B-roll examples in movies and interviews, a lot of business owners are unaware that it’s a great way to show off your product as well.
What Role Should B Roll Play in Your Listings?
Now you know what it is, what role should product B-roll play in your listings and on your social media page? Good question.
The best way to think about B roll footage is as a complement to your main advertising videos. Whereas those might show off the features of your product, share its exact dimensions, or explain why a customer needs it, B roll just kind of … lets your product do its thing.
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Let’s look at this example from Batch. Their product is truly the star of the show. We see the packaging from a medium distance, then pans in. The hand model interacts with it, opening the container and pulling out the product (in this case, a gummy). The container gets some time in the limelight, then the camera focuses on the addition of an ingredient to the mix.
Together, these shots require no explanation, so they work perfectly with voiceover or music that complement the B-roll video. They’re very valuable for marketing, both because they further familiarize the prospect with the product and because they make it look beautiful.
And anyone who thinks marketing and beauty don’t go hand in hand hasn’t been in business long enough!
Types of Product B Roll Footage
Knowing that B-roll is useful and knowing how it can prove useful to you, even if you know the answer to “What is B-roll?” you’re likely still curious “How can I use it for my products?”
To which we say, that depends on what your offerings comprise and in what way your prospects normally engage with them. There are three basic ways you can use B roll, including:
- Product standalones: In this approach, your product stands on its own. You might show it from multiple angles, zoom in, or pan around it. Areas of focus could include product packaging, the container, the ingredient listing, or ancillary items. It could also include the product itself – such as the gummy discussed above.
- Hand model: With a hand model, you can show a further degree of action with your product. Pour a soda or put on a bracelet. Open a container, write something down, or unwrap a product. And so on and so forth, with each shot giving your customer a new way to think about your offering.
- Full-body model: If your items require the full participation of a person to be most effective, you want to go the full-body model route. This is the best way to give your customer a real view into how to use your products and how they can fit into your customers’ everyday lives.
No matter what level you choose, B-roll is the perfect way to dress up your product videos, provide background for voiceover, and complement those main explanatory shots in your marketing.
soona + B-Roll: A Perfect Pairing for Your Business
Bottom line? B-roll isn’t just for background shots anymore. It’s becoming its own star, the perfect way to market your product with beautiful videography that doesn’t even feel like advertising. The right B roll footage can class up your social media feed, give prospective customers way more engagement with your product, and make your listings feel truly professional.
At soona, we take B roll footage to the next level. Work with our professional creatives to bring your product to life. Pair our beautiful short clips with other videos, tag them with ad copy and calls to action, and dress up your website. We ensure that you get exactly what you need, including a suite of clips that marry perfectly with your branding.
If you’re ready to put B-roll to work for you, we’re ready to help. Our average client walks away from our quick, easy, and fun experience with 8 clips ranging from 5 to 60 seconds. Use them however you like, mix and match, and give your presence the personality it needs to sell your product today.
Want to learn more? Get in touch!
The Importance of B Roll: Enhancing Visual Storytelling in your Product Videos
B-roll sounds like a term that only experts in studio production would use. But, the truth is, B roll footage is an extremely useful tool for amping up your social media marketing presence and making your product listings shine – if only you know how to use it. And if you don’t, well, you’re certainly not alone.
Today, we’re going to give you a crash course to answer common questions such as “What is B roll?” and “Do I need it in my business?” Once you understand its definition and uses, you’ll have a much better shot (no pun intended) at making your products shine!
What Is B Roll?
So the first and most important question to answer here is, what is B-roll?
Most of us, if we know what the term is at all, have a pretty limited idea of what B roll footage entails. Is it just shots of giant crowds milling across New York intersections? Seagulls in flight with waves crashing in the background? Skateboarders doing their thing on stairway railings?
Yes and no.
B roll refers to those clean shots that aren't the main attraction, but play a crucial role as background or context. They're like the supporting actors in a movie, helping to give us the bigger picture without messing up the flow of the story. These shots add that extra oomph by seamlessly providing context and background info, making the whole storytelling experience even more enjoyable.
While you’ve doubtless seen plenty of B-roll examples in movies and interviews, a lot of business owners are unaware that it’s a great way to show off your product as well.
What Role Should B Roll Play in Your Listings?
Now you know what it is, what role should product B-roll play in your listings and on your social media page? Good question.
The best way to think about B roll footage is as a complement to your main advertising videos. Whereas those might show off the features of your product, share its exact dimensions, or explain why a customer needs it, B roll just kind of … lets your product do its thing.
{{studio-ad="/external-components"}}
Let’s look at this example from Batch. Their product is truly the star of the show. We see the packaging from a medium distance, then pans in. The hand model interacts with it, opening the container and pulling out the product (in this case, a gummy). The container gets some time in the limelight, then the camera focuses on the addition of an ingredient to the mix.
Together, these shots require no explanation, so they work perfectly with voiceover or music that complement the B-roll video. They’re very valuable for marketing, both because they further familiarize the prospect with the product and because they make it look beautiful.
And anyone who thinks marketing and beauty don’t go hand in hand hasn’t been in business long enough!
Types of Product B Roll Footage
Knowing that B-roll is useful and knowing how it can prove useful to you, even if you know the answer to “What is B-roll?” you’re likely still curious “How can I use it for my products?”
To which we say, that depends on what your offerings comprise and in what way your prospects normally engage with them. There are three basic ways you can use B roll, including:
- Product standalones: In this approach, your product stands on its own. You might show it from multiple angles, zoom in, or pan around it. Areas of focus could include product packaging, the container, the ingredient listing, or ancillary items. It could also include the product itself – such as the gummy discussed above.
- Hand model: With a hand model, you can show a further degree of action with your product. Pour a soda or put on a bracelet. Open a container, write something down, or unwrap a product. And so on and so forth, with each shot giving your customer a new way to think about your offering.
- Full-body model: If your items require the full participation of a person to be most effective, you want to go the full-body model route. This is the best way to give your customer a real view into how to use your products and how they can fit into your customers’ everyday lives.
No matter what level you choose, B-roll is the perfect way to dress up your product videos, provide background for voiceover, and complement those main explanatory shots in your marketing.
soona + B-Roll: A Perfect Pairing for Your Business
Bottom line? B-roll isn’t just for background shots anymore. It’s becoming its own star, the perfect way to market your product with beautiful videography that doesn’t even feel like advertising. The right B roll footage can class up your social media feed, give prospective customers way more engagement with your product, and make your listings feel truly professional.
At soona, we take B roll footage to the next level. Work with our professional creatives to bring your product to life. Pair our beautiful short clips with other videos, tag them with ad copy and calls to action, and dress up your website. We ensure that you get exactly what you need, including a suite of clips that marry perfectly with your branding.
If you’re ready to put B-roll to work for you, we’re ready to help. Our average client walks away from our quick, easy, and fun experience with 8 clips ranging from 5 to 60 seconds. Use them however you like, mix and match, and give your presence the personality it needs to sell your product today.
Want to learn more? Get in touch!
