5 Tips to Create a Great talking Head Video

Using video to engage used to be preserve of those who had extremely deep pockets and the benefit of a technical team to produce the lights, camera, action experience. No more of course. We all have that power cradled in the palm of our hands.

But just because we can all make videos, that doesn’t mean to say that we all make good videos. I have written extensively about how to improve video appearances in the past, looking at themes such as using a green screen and how to position your chair. Here, I’m going to look specifically at the ‘Talking Heads’ genre.

The benefits of a Talking Head are obvious. The set up is relatively simple, there is no faffing around with production, limited editing is needed and this format allows you to engage effectively with an audience across multi platforms. You are literally gazing into the eyes of the viewer and therefore hitting all the right cues for making a connection.

So why do so many people get it wrong? Let’s take a look at the factors that you should be working on to get it right!

Timing

Accordint to Time, the average human attention span is now less than that of a goldfish (8 seconds vs 9 seconds). This claim has since been debunked, but – take note – it got your attention!

It also illustrates the point that, however important, or valuable you think your video contribution is, it’s competing against a world of many thousands of video competitors some of whom may, dare I say it, be more compelling than you.

Therefore, don’t take 5 minutes to say what you can say in 90 seconds and so on.

 Content
This one goes out to those who give a confident wink while pronouncing that they’re ‘good at talking’ and therefore can wing it on a given topic for a couple of minutes – no problem…. Houston, there is a problem, and that is your audience (still) has a very short attention span.

If you’re not captivating them, they will simply switch you off and reach for a trusty cute pet, lip synch, sport or fun cookery reel. Make your content count. Plan it, script it (loosely) and fit it to a desirable time frame. Have an introduction that engages, get to the point quickly, make that point effectively, conclude, say goodbye.

Delivery

This is related to the above point because, during the course of your planning, you should practice. Rehearse it out loud. There are always words, or more likely combinations of words (in the vein of Peter Piper’s pickled peppers) that we trip over, so it’s good to trial what you’re going to say so that it comes out smoothly as well as sounding like it’s come from a normal human being.

Practice will also knock the annoying ‘ums’ and ‘ers’ which come with uncertainty, lack of confidence and the by-product of trying to process your thoughts in motion. Those news correspondents who can rattle off a report without them have trained long and hard to be able to do that.

Audio

This is the downfall of many a Talking Head video. If you don’t notice the sound, then that is the ‘goldilocks’ ideal – not too loud, not too quiet, just clear and natural. Any clipping, buzzing or sound levels jumping around serves as a distraction and makes your video cheap and unengaging. If you’re planning on doing a few videos, invest in a good mic from an established brand (Rode/Blue Yeti tick all the boxes). It is without doubt worth the extra money.

Setting

Yes it’s a talking head video, but drawing on previous points about attention spans and the competition for your attention, be aware that the viewer’s eyes will inevitably begin to wander. Avoid a plain white wall, which is a common mistake, and make sure the lighting is good – shadows scream homemade.

Ideally, your background should have a bit of depth, with something going on but not enough to distract. A bookcase is perfect (do check what’s on it…) Definitely avoid a sloppy background such as a starring role for the bin, fire extinguisher or the pile you removed from your desk to clear in order to make the video…

Finally, look like you want to be here. If I’m sharing a moment with your talking head, I want to feel like I could actually enjoy the experience of being in the same room.