What the heck is a B-Roll?
And do I need it?
Making Content Creation Easier: The Power of B-Roll
For many of us, school holidays mean juggling work, keeping kids entertained, and trying to maintain some sense of balance. When life gets busy, certain tasks inevitably get pushed aside—and for many business owners, content creation is the first to go (unless you’re lucky enough to outsource it!).
While the idea of having a month’s worth of content planned, created, and scheduled sounds great, it’s not always realistic. Social media algorithms continue to favor video content, yet getting in front of the camera can feel like an overwhelming task. Knowing what to say and delivering it in a professional, engaging way isn’t always easy.
That’s where B-roll comes in.
What is B-Roll, and Why Should You Use It?
B-roll is essentially background footage of you ‘doing your thing’ - capturing your daily activities in a natural, authentic way. It’s an easy and convenient way to create engaging content without the pressure of speaking directly to the camera.
You can record B-roll simply by propping up your phone or using a tripod and filming a time-lapse or hyper-lapse video. Your footage can showcase you:
Working at your desk
Meeting a client over coffee
Walking in nature
Prepping products for your business
Tidying up a workspace or home office
Packing orders or organising supplies
While the video itself is important, the message you pair with it is what makes it truly effective.
How to Use B-Roll to Tell a Story
Your B-roll footage can support a variety of content themes, helping you stay visible even during your busiest times. Here are some examples:
1. Working at Your Desk → Business Growth & Client Engagement
Pair this footage with messages about:
🟨 Maintaining client relationships through a regular newsletter
🟦 Updating your website content for better engagement
🟩 Creating valuable blogs and resources for your audience
2. Coffee Catch-Ups → Networking & Community Support
A simple coffee clip can highlight:
🟨 The importance of networking and building connections
🟦 Supporting sustainable coffee roasters like 23 Degrees Coffee Roasters, who source from women coffee growers
🟩 Meeting with like-minded business owners to exchange ideas
3. Cleaning Up Your Space → Work-Life Balance & Storytelling
Even a clip of you tidying up can tell a powerful story:
🟨 Taking time to slow down and enjoy the little moments
🟦 The parallels between organizing a space and structuring a business
🟩 Using storytelling to connect with your audience on a personal level
Quick Tip: Get Started Today
I encourage you to grab your phone, set it up, and start recording some B-roll footage. Add simple captions or text overlays, then schedule your posts ahead of time - especially if you know a busy period is coming up.
To show you how easy it can be, I’ve included a sped-up version of my own content creation process - and if you haven’t tried Canva, now is the perfect time!
