What's B-Roll and Why Do My YouTube Videos Need It?

Ready to get your next 10,000 subscribers?

Join thousands of creators who use Subscribr to create faster, better YouTube videos.

Free trial No credit card required

What's B-Roll and Why Do My YouTube Videos Need It?

Ever watch a YouTube video where the creator is just talking to the camera, and after a minute or two, you start to lose focus? Maybe you even click away? You're not alone. It's a common challenge for new YouTubers – keeping viewers engaged when it's just a talking head.

This is where B-roll comes in. It's one of the simplest yet most effective ways to instantly make your videos more dynamic, professional, and engaging. If you've heard the term but aren't sure what it is or why you need it, you're in the right place. This guide is designed for aspiring and new YouTubers who want to boost their video quality and keep viewers hooked.

Let's break down B-roll and how you can start using it, even if you're just starting out and feel intimidated by the technical side of video production.

What Exactly is B-Roll on YouTube?

Think of your main footage – the shots where you're typically talking directly to the camera – as your "A-roll." This is the primary narrative or presentation part of your video.

B-roll is everything else. It's the supplementary, alternative, or cutaway footage that you lay over your A-roll during editing. Instead of just seeing you talk, B-roll gives viewers something else to look at that relates to what you're saying.

• Examples of B-roll:
  • Shots of you performing the action you're describing (e.g., chopping vegetables if you're talking about cooking).
  • Close-ups of objects or details you're mentioning (e.g., showing a product you're reviewing).
  • Footage of a location you're discussing.
  • Screen recordings showing a process (like navigating a website or using software).
  • Stock footage that illustrates a concept (e.g., a time-lapse of a city if you're talking about urban life).
  • Shots of you doing something related to the topic, but not talking to the camera (e.g., walking, thinking, demonstrating).

The key is that B-roll is intentionally shot or selected to add visual interest and context to your A-roll.

Why Your YouTube Videos DESPERATELY Need B-Roll

This is the big one. If your videos aren't keeping people watching, B-roll is likely a major missing piece. Here's why it's crucial for new creators:

1. It Prevents Boredom: The human brain craves visual change. Staring at a single shot of someone talking for too long, no matter how interesting the person is, can become monotonous. B-roll breaks this up, giving the viewer's eyes something new and relevant to focus on. This is a simple but powerful way to improve viewer retention – how long people watch your video.
2. It Adds Context and Clarity: Talking about a specific place? Show it. Explaining how to use a tool? Show the tool in action. B-roll visually reinforces your points, making complex information easier to understand and abstract concepts more concrete.
3. It Makes You Look More Professional: Even simple B-roll elevates the perceived production value of your video. It shows you put extra effort into making the viewing experience enjoyable. This professionalism can build trust and encourage viewers to subscribe.
4. It Covers Up Edits: Let's be real, you're going to make mistakes, stumble over words, or need to cut out pauses. Instead of jump cuts (where the video visibly skips), you can place a piece of B-roll over the edit point. The viewer is focused on the B-roll and won't notice the cut in the A-roll underneath.
5. It Enhances Storytelling: B-roll can add emotional depth, build atmosphere, or show the impact of what you're discussing. It allows you to show, not just tell.

As expert YouTube strategists point out, using B-roll is often underrated but incredibly effective for enhancing audience attention. It's a standard practice that immediately boosts the viewing experience.

How Much B-Roll Should You Use?

There's no strict rule for the exact percentage of B-roll, but the general idea is to use it whenever it adds value, context, or visual interest.

Think of it like seasoning food – you add enough to enhance the flavor, but not so much that it overpowers the main dish.

• Too Little B-roll: Leads to boring, static videos where viewers tune out.
• Too Much B-roll: Can be distracting or make it hard for viewers to follow your main message if the B-roll doesn't clearly support what you're saying.

A good starting point is to aim for a piece of B-roll (or a cutaway) every 5-15 seconds, or whenever you introduce a new idea, object, or concept that can be visually represented. Pay attention to your favorite YouTubers – notice how frequently they cut away from the main shot. They are masters of using B-roll effectively.

The goal is seamless integration. The B-roll should feel like a natural part of the video, supporting your narrative, not just random clips thrown in.

Planning Your B-Roll: It Starts BEFORE Filming

Adding B-roll isn't just something you do randomly in editing. The best B-roll is planned.

1. During Scripting or Outlining: As you write your script or outline your video, think about what you'll be talking about. What objects will you mention? What actions will you perform? What concepts could be shown visually? Make notes in your script or outline about potential B-roll shots you'll need.
2. Create a Simple Shot List: After you've finished your script or outline, go back through your notes and create a simple list of the B-roll shots you need to capture. This doesn't have to be fancy – just a bulleted list of visuals that will support your A-roll. For example, if you're making a cooking video, your list might include: "Shot of ingredients on counter," "Close-up of chopping onion," "Hands stirring in bowl," "Oven door opening."
3. Integrate Planning into Your Workflow: Tools built for creators, like Subscribr, can help streamline this. As you use the AI Script Writer or outline your video, you can often add notes directly into the script sections indicating where B-roll is needed or what type of shot would work best. This keeps your planning all in one place.

Planning your B-roll before you shoot your A-roll (or immediately after) ensures you capture the specific visuals you need to make your video shine. Don't leave it to chance!

Shooting Your B-Roll: Practical Tips for Beginners

Feeling intimidated by shooting extra footage? Don't be. You don't need fancy equipment to shoot great B-roll. Here's how to approach it:

1. Use Your Existing Gear: Your smartphone camera is perfectly capable of shooting excellent B-roll. The key is stable shots and good lighting.
2. Focus on Stability: Shaky B-roll is distracting. Try to stabilize your camera as much as possible. Lean against a wall, rest your phone on a stack of books, use a small tripod, or even just hold your camera with both hands and tuck your elbows in.
3. Think About Angles: Don't just shoot everything from eye level. Get close-ups, shoot from a low angle looking up, or a high angle looking down. Varying your angles makes the B-roll more visually dynamic.
4. Get Different Shot Lengths: Shoot some short clips (a few seconds) and some longer clips (10-15 seconds). You can always trim them down in editing, but it's better to have too much footage than too little.
5. Shoot Plenty: When in doubt, shoot more B-roll than you think you'll need. It's easier to discard footage later than to realize you don't have the right shot.
6. Lighting Matters: Just like your A-roll, good lighting makes B-roll look better. Use natural light from a window or simple desk lamp. Avoid harsh overhead lights that create strong shadows.
7. Capture the "Details": B-roll is often about showing the small things related to your topic that add authenticity. If you're talking about your favorite coffee mug, get a close-up shot of the design or your hands holding it.

Remember the expert advice: While stock footage is available, using your own personalized B-roll makes your videos unique and authentic. It could be simple shots around your workspace, demonstrations of your process, or visuals from your daily life that relate to your topic. This personal touch resonates more with viewers.

Integrating B-Roll in Editing: Making it Look Good

Once you have your A-roll and your B-roll footage, it's time to bring it all together in your editing software. This is where the magic happens, and it's simpler than you might think.

1. Place Your A-Roll: Start by editing your main A-roll footage. Cut out mistakes, pauses, and unnecessary parts.
2. Import Your B-Roll: Bring all your B-roll clips into your editing software.
3. Layer the B-Roll: Most editing software works with layers or tracks. Your A-roll will typically be on a lower video track, and you'll place your B-roll clips on a video track above it. When the playhead is over a B-roll clip, you'll see the B-roll instead of the A-roll underneath.
4. Match B-Roll to Your A-Roll: Watch your A-roll and listen to what you're saying. When you mention an object, concept, or action, drop the relevant B-roll clip onto the timeline over that section of your A-roll.
5. Adjust Timing: Trim the B-roll clips to fit the length of the section you want to cover. Make sure the B-roll appears on screen as you're talking about it, or slightly after you introduce the idea.
6. Add Transitions (Sparingly): Simple cuts between A-roll and B-roll are often best. However, you can add subtle transitions (like a quick dissolve or fade) if it fits your style and doesn't distract. Avoid overly flashy or complex transitions, especially when you're starting out.
7. Sync Audio (If Necessary): Sometimes your B-roll might have its own audio (like the sound of you typing or the environment). Decide if you want to keep this audio, lower its volume, or remove it completely so only your A-roll audio is heard. Often, you'll just use the visual from the B-roll and keep your main voiceover playing.

Using screen recordings as B-roll is especially helpful for tutorials. If you're explaining how to do something on a computer or phone, show your screen! Stock media (like the free options available on sites like Pexels or within some editing software) can be useful when you can't shoot the B-roll yourself or need to illustrate a more abstract idea. Just be mindful of choosing clips that don't feel generic or overused.

Even simple editing software makes it easy to layer B-roll. As you build your script in a tool like Subscribr, you can add production notes within the script itself, reminding you where to insert specific B-roll clips during the editing phase. Then, when you export your script, these notes are right there to guide your editing process.

Personalized vs. Stock B-Roll: What Should You Use?

We touched on this earlier, but it's worth repeating. While stock footage is a convenient resource, especially for beginners who might not have all the specific shots they need, personalized B-roll is almost always better for your YouTube channel.

• Personalized B-roll: Footage you shoot yourself that is directly relevant to your video, your experiences, or your demonstrations.

  • Pros: Authentic, unique, builds connection with viewers, directly supports your specific points.
  • Cons: Requires time and effort to plan and shoot.

• Stock Footage: Generic video clips available for free or purchase from online libraries.

  • Pros: Convenient, can illustrate abstract concepts, fills gaps when you don't have personalized footage.
  • Cons: Can look generic, may not perfectly match your specific point, overused clips are easily recognizable and can feel unauthentic.

The best approach for most creators is a mix: Prioritize shooting personalized B-roll whenever possible. Use stock footage strategically to fill in gaps, illustrate concepts you can't easily film, or add a specific visual flair.

For free stock footage, check out sites like Pexels.com or Pixabay.com. Many editing software programs also have built-in stock media libraries you can access.

Monetizing Your B-Roll Skills (or Using it Smartly)

While B-roll itself isn't a direct monetization method, your knowledge and use of it can connect to income streams.

1. Affiliate Marketing: Since you'll likely be using stock footage sites, you can become an affiliate for them. Mention the sites you use in your videos or descriptions and include your affiliate link. If someone signs up or buys footage through your link, you earn a commission. The same applies to editing software you use.
2. Creating Content About B-Roll: As you get more comfortable using B-roll, you can create your own tutorials or guides teaching other beginners how to plan, shoot, and edit it.
3. Offering B-Roll Services: If you develop strong B-roll shooting skills, you could potentially offer freelance B-roll services to other creators or small businesses in your area.
4. Courses and Digital Products: As your expertise grows, you could create a paid course or digital guide specifically on mastering B-roll for YouTube.

Using B-roll effectively also helps you grow your channel faster by improving engagement and professionalism, which indirectly leads to monetization through AdSense, sponsorships, and other methods.

Putting It All Together: B-Roll and Your Channel Growth

Mastering B-roll is a key step in technical skill development for YouTubers, encompassing aspects of shooting, lighting (for those B-roll shots!), audio (deciding which audio to use), and editing. It directly addresses the pain points of videos not being engaging enough and the perceived difficulty of production.

By consistently using relevant, well-integrated B-roll, you'll make your videos more enjoyable, keep viewers watching longer, and build a stronger connection with your audience. This leads to better watch time, increased engagement metrics (likes, comments), and ultimately, faster channel growth.

Don't feel like you need to be a professional cinematographer overnight. Start simple. Identify a few places in your next video where B-roll would help. Plan those shots, shoot them simply, and practice adding them in your editor. Each video is an opportunity to learn and improve.

Conclusion

B-roll is far from just an extra fancy element; it's a fundamental tool for creating compelling YouTube content that holds viewer attention. It transforms a simple talking-head video into a dynamic, professional, and engaging experience.

By understanding what B-roll is, why it's important for keeping viewers hooked, planning your shots effectively, and practicing adding it during editing, you can significantly improve the quality and performance of your videos. Start incorporating B-roll today, and watch how your audience engagement grows. It's a skill worth developing, and it's more accessible than you think!