One of the most effective tools you can incorporate in your digital marketing is the use of videos. Not only will video content be shared more, it will be better understood and remembered.
LinkedIn, for example, state that video generates 1200% more shares than text and image content combined and viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to only 10% when reading it in text!
One increasingly popular method of creating video content is to develop ‘talking head’ style videos. These videos are typically easy to produce and can offer a wide range of benefits.
Why are ‘talking heads’ different to other videos?
Talking heads allow you to establish a personal connection with your audience. When people can see and hear you speaking directly to them, they are more likely to feel a sense of connection and trust. This can help to build a strong relationship with your audience, which in turn leads to increased engagement.
Here are some of the different types of talking heads videos and how they can benefit your organization;
1. Becoming a ‘thought leader’ through short educational videos for social media
Talking heads are a powerful way to establish yourself as a ‘thought leader’ in your industry. Sharing your knowledge and expertise through short educational videos on social media, will build a loyal following of people who are interested in what you have to say. This can help to establish your authority and credibility, which can be beneficial for attracting new clients or collaborators, as well as building your reputation in your industry.
2. Get the team involved – the power of employee testimonials
Employee testimonial videos are a powerful tool for any organisation, but they are particularly valuable for those who are facing recruitment and retention challenges, like the NHS. Current employees sharing their working experiences, highlighting the positive aspects of their jobs and offering insights into what it's like to work there provides an authentic view of the work environment.
This is a great asset in helping you attract and retain staff; job seekers are increasingly looking for:
- employers that offer a positive work environment
- opportunities for growth
- and a sense of purpose
By sharing the stories of current employees, you can demonstrate that you offer all of these things and more.
3. Let your customers, stakeholders or patients do the talking
In today's digital age, where consumers have a plethora of options and information at their fingertips, it can be challenging for you to stand out and build trust with your audience. As with employee videos, customer testimonial videos allow customers to share their experiences in a more personal and engaging way than traditional text-based reviews. By featuring real people on camera, potential customers can see and hear first-hand about the positive impact of your services. Have a look at Volute’s own customer testimonial video as an example.
Getting started – our top 5 tips for making a great ‘talking head’ video
Hopefully we have convinced you of the importance of using a great talking head video in your digital marketing, so here are our top 5 tips for making yours great:
- Use a good quality camera or a phone with a good camera built-in (use the rear-facing camera on the phone, not the one where you can see yourself in the screen).
- Use a tripod with an adaptor for your camera or phone to keep the image stable. This will also help keep the image consistent between takes.
- Do a few takes to allow you to remove the inevitable ‘errs’, stumbles and hesitations by allowing you to use the best bits from each take.
- Lighting is critical: Make sure you have good lighting so that your face is well lit and easy to see.
- Good sound really matters. Choose a quiet place free of distractions; use a clip-on microphone if possible and speak more slowly than you would normally.
Interested in creating a great talking head video?
If any of these ideas have got you thinking and you’re potentially interested in developing videos for your organisation, then please get in touch by emailing