B-roll this, B-roll that... What is B-roll anyway?

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about B-roll content, showing you how it can elevate your UGC hustle and help you create engaging professional-quality videos. Let's get rolling! 🪩

What is B-Roll in UGC?

In the context of UGC, B-roll is the secret sauce that makes your content pop. It’s any supplementary video added to your main footage to make products more enticing or to keep viewers engaged. Here’s a real-world example:

Imagine you’re recording a vlog about your morning skincare routine. Your A-roll is you talking to the camera, explaining each product. The B-roll could include close-ups of the products, shots of you applying them, and even before-and-after clips to showcase the results. These additional shots make your video more dynamic and visually appealing.

When selling UGC packages to brands, B-roll is a great upsell to offer in addition to the main video content. Brands are able to use the unedited raw footage for their socials and other endeavors PLUS they get way more content (a.k.a longer unedited clips that they can edit into multiple videos).

Why's it Called B-Roll?

Ever wonder where the term "B-roll" comes from? It dates back to the golden era of Hollywood. Filmmakers used two rolls of film—A-roll for the main story and B-roll for supplemental footage, such as scene transitions or cutaways. This practice helped create seamless storytelling by covering visible cuts in the main footage.

The concept remains the same, except for creators it's footage in our camera rolls. Today, B-roll includes any additional footage that enhances the main narrative, like close-ups, cutaways, and establishing shots. As well as, raw unedited footage that includes mistakes, bloopers, behind-the-scenes, etc.

Benefits of B-Roll ✨

B-roll footage offers numerous advantages for both creators and brands:

• Enhanced Storytelling: Adds layers to your narrative, making your content more relatable to the viewer.
• Increased Engagement: Keeps viewers interested with varied visuals and faster clips.
• Professional Polish: Elevates the production quality of your videos.
• Versatility: Can be repurposed for different content pieces, such as ads, social media posts, and more.

How is B-roll content used?

Usually, you’ll use B-roll to enrich your videos and add depth. For example, let’s say I’ve been trying a new skincare routine in the past few weeks, so I’m shooting a video showing my new regime’s results.

However, I have some short shots I took when I first started seeing results–the lighting was perfect, and my skin was glowing. 

Instead of filming my glowing skin AGAIN (because this skincare routine works!), I can just use the shots I already have. The b-rolls are coming in clutch! I might’ve just filmed them out of nowhere because I liked how my skin looked, but now I can actually use them in this video.

Brands are already buying banks of B-roll content on sites like Shutterstock to use with other pieces of content to create new ads or social posts. Why wouldn’t they want B-roll from a UGC creator they love working with? They do! 

How to Create Top Tier B-Roll 🎬

Step 1: Plan Ahead

Think about what B-roll footage you'll need before you start filming. Having a shot list can make the filming process much smoother. Most of the VITAMINC Creators just use their smartphone, a tripod, and a ring light to film B-roll.

Lighting: Always plan to film in natural light before noon or after 4pm for the best lighting! If indoors make sure to use a ring light!

Step 2: Choose the Right Location + Set up

Set up your tripod in the best lighting to execute your shot list. Make sure you take into account your environment. Choose a quieter location that complements the main focus of the content, and stay away from really distracting noises, colors, backgrounds, etc.

 Step 3: Capture a Variety of Shots

Include wide shots, close-ups, and medium shots to add visual interest. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to find the most compelling visuals. 

B-Roll Shot List (20 Angles/Shots)

1. Close-up of hands typing on a keyboard.
2. Pouring coffee into a mug.
3. Smiling reaction shot.
4. Applying makeup in a mirror.
5. Opening a laptop.
6. Walking through a park.
7. Close-up of a product label.
8. Stirring a pot on the stove.
9. Flipping through a book.
10. Petting a dog or cat.
11. Writing in a notebook.
12. Close-up of eyes looking focused.
13. Cutting vegetables.
14. High-five between friends.
15. Close-up of a smartphone screen.
16. Sipping a drink.
17. Texting on a phone.
18. Picking up a shopping bag.
19. Unboxing a package.
20. Snapping a selfie.

These are great shots to add to videos you create for clients when it’s relevant to their brands. 

Latest Trends in B-Roll Usage:

Slow Motion

Slow-motion shots can add a dramatic flair to your content, making mundane actions look epic.

Time-Lapse

Time-lapse footage is excellent for showing processes that take a long time, like painting a mural, cooking, or setting up an event.

Drone Shots

For those with access to drones, aerial shots can provide stunning B-roll that offers a unique perspective PLUS you can charge more because it's harder to capture.

Real-World Examples of B-Roll:

Skincare Tutorials

Creators often use B-roll to show the texture of products and application methods, making the content more engaging and informative.

Cooking Videos

B-roll shots of ingredients being chopped, mixed, and cooked add excitement and variety to the main cooking demonstration.

Travel Vlogs

Scenic shots, local interactions, and cultural highlights serve as B-roll to enrich the main travel narrative.

My suggestion is to create a content bank to keep your Broll footage, either in your camera roll or on Google Drive that you can refer back to. B-roll saves you a ton of time on filming for brands AND it's great for posting your own social media. Set up your tripod for an hour or two, capture content around the house + doing activities you love each week, and add it to the content bank!

Selling Your B-Roll Content 💸

Creators can monetize their B-roll footage through several avenues:

• UGC Platforms: Sign up for platforms like Twirl where brands can request B-roll content.
• Stock Footage Marketplaces: Platforms like BlackBox allow you to sell B-roll footage to major stock footage providers like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock.
• Direct Offers: Pitch your B-roll as an add-on service when negotiating with brands. Many brands are willing to pay extra for raw footage B-roll content.

Conclusion 📲

Understanding and utilizing B-roll can take your UGC content to the next level, whether you're a creator looking to uplevel your content + engagement rates or a brand aiming to boost connection with your audience and conversions.

Ready to uplevel your UGC game? Join the 7-Day UGC MASTERCLASS, which includes a B-roll shot list with over 150+ Angles/Shots, 800+ Converting UGC Hooks, and EVERYTHING you need to build your profitable UGC business in just 7 days!!!

 xo, VITAMINC Team