How to Make Your "Talking Head" Videos More Interesting
After you start creating content, your experience on social media will never be the same.
You will pay attention to every opening line, the music used, the camera angles, what catches people's interest and what doesn't.
A big part of personal branding is showing your face online. People love to see the person behind the name, the writing, and the videos. We want to know who we’re following.
The best way to show people who you are, is to tell them.
So let’s review one of the best methods for doing so.
The Talking Head Video — What is it?
A Talking Head Video is when a person speaks directly into the camera. The term ‘talking head’ is derived from the fact that in these videos, only the speaker’s head and shoulders are visible, giving the impression of a ‘talking head’.
Here’s an example of what I’m talking about.
How to Create Your Talking Head Video
1) Write Out What You’re Going to Say Beforehand — Even if you think you can remember everything off the cuff, write something out as a first step. This will help the words flow more naturally.
2) Record for a Long Time — Long enough for you to get the right footage you need. Sometimes, I record myself speaking for over five minutes, knowing that the final video will only last up to 60 seconds. Rather than starting and stopping repeatedly, I let the camera roll continuously, even if I make a mistake.
3) Have a Punchy Opening Line — The opening line should be standalone, creating intrigue or humor without the need for context. Save any introductions for after this point.
4) Display a Compelling Title — Your title text should overlay your clips and be visible for at least the first 5 seconds of the video. This helps to pull the viewer in.
5) Utilize Captions — Always use captions on your videos to cater to people who watch videos without sound. It also helps to reinforce your message and increase viewer retention.
6) Incorporate Music Mindfully — Take the time to search for music pieces that mirror the exact emotion you are attempting to convey in your content. The right music can significantly enhance the overall impact and mood of your video.
Personal Branding Tip
While it may be tempting to quickly create a “talking head” video just to get it done, this can make the filming process feel tedious and boring over time. (Not a great mindset to have while creating content.)
Instead, make it your goal to convey the information as clearly as possible, as if you’re sharing it with your closest friends. Consider it crucial knowledge that you feel they should be aware of because you genuinely care about them.
Treat your audience as your friends and communicate with them as such.
After analyzing hundreds of talking head videos, a common element among the most popular ones is confidence. We can see that the creator wants to be there. They exhibit genuine care about their message.
For them, it’s not checking off an item on a to-do list. Instead, it feels urgent, significant, and vital for their audience to hear.
Their conviction earns our trust.
As a result, we continue watching. Their compelling manner holds our attention. It’s not just about what they’re saying, but how they’re conveying it.
Personal Question
When did you last record a talking head video? Were you passionate about the topic, or was it just another task to complete? What topic could you choose for your next talking head video that you feel excited to talk about?
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