Voiceover, talking head, or text? Choosing the right style for business video
Compare voiceover, talking head, and text-based formats to choose the right style for your next business video.
In the past, a business video represented a formally dressed presenter, sitting uncomfortably in front of a library, and reading lines from a card. Such corporate communications are now completely gone.
However, brands still explore narrative-driven formats, humor, and even interventions, and make the most daring visual choices, among others. But one choice still creates reluctance: the manner of communication.Should someone speak directly to camera? Use voiceover instead? Or keep it fast and silent with on-screen text?
- At We Stream, we’ve produced everything from animated explainers and scripted voiceovers to unscripted founder diaries and fast-cut social content. Each style serves a different purpose - and the right choice depends on what the video needs to do, not just how it looks.
Talking dead: human, direct, relatable
Talking head videos are ideal when the goal is trust and connection. They feel personal. Someone speaks straight to the lens - not just delivering a message, but owning it.
This format works particularly well for internal communication, thought leadership, and culture-driven recruitment pieces. The camera becomes a bridge between people - not a wall.
Best for:
- Internal comms (CEO messages, team updates)
- Thought leadership (advisors, founders, experts)
- Recruitment (team testimonials, culture stories)
- Case studies and client stories
What to consider: A nervous speaker can come across flat - but that’s where we step in. We guide delivery gently, avoid over-scripting, and set the frame to flatter. Bullet points often beat a full script, and natural tone always wins over memorised lines.
- Real example: For Cytec’s corporate shoot, we filmed seven talking heads in a single day - including senior voices from Rolls Royce plc, Currys plc, and Aviva plc. With the right prep, light, and coaching, the tone stayed polished but natural. The videos were used across internal comms, investor decks, and external brand content.
Voiceover: structured, clean, focused
If you need a clear, confident way to guide your audience through complex information, voiceover is often the smartest option. It gives you full control over the message - every word is intentional, every beat is timed, and there’s no pressure on anyone to appear on camera. Instead, the visuals do the work: think clean product b-roll, branded motion graphics, or smooth animations timed perfectly to the script. It’s particularly effective for explaining abstract services, breaking down multi-step platforms, or walking users through a journey. We’ve used this approach for fintech, SaaS, and IT clients who needed clarity - and couldn’t afford confusion. But here’s the key: the script can’t just sound good on paper. It has to sound good in someone’s mouth. That’s where we come in. We help shape the voiceover to feel spoken, not written - then pair it with the right tone of voice, pacing, and visual flow to match your brand. The result is something polished, professional, and easy to follow - even for first-time viewers.
If you need a clear, confident way to guide your audience through complex information, voiceover is often the smartest option. It gives you full control over the message - every word is intentional, every beat is timed, and there’s no pressure on anyone to appear on camera. Instead, the visuals do the work: think clean product b-roll, branded motion graphics, or smooth animations timed perfectly to the script. It’s particularly effective for explaining abstract services, breaking down multi-step platforms, or walking users through a journey. We’ve used this approach for fintech, SaaS, and IT clients who needed clarity - and couldn’t afford confusion. But here’s the key: the script can’t just sound good on paper. It has to sound good in someone’s mouth. That’s where we come in. We help shape the voiceover to feel spoken, not written - then pair it with the right tone of voice, pacing, and visual flow to match your brand. The result is something polished, professional, and easy to follow - even for first-time viewers.
On-screen text: fast, platform-friendly, effective
Text-led videos are made for scroll-stopping moments - especially on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. They grab attention, hold it through punchy editing, and deliver a clear message even without sound.
This is where tone of voice meets design. When done well, it’s clean, clear, and surprisingly impactful.
Best for:
Real example: We created quick-turnaround reels for Bitpace and Databet using bold on-screen text and punchy transitions. These were cut specifically for vertical platforms like Instagram Reels and LinkedIn - and performed far better than their past video content.
This is where tone of voice meets design. When done well, it’s clean, clear, and surprisingly impactful.
Best for:
- Social snippets
- Announcements
- Event highlights
- Brand voice content
Real example: We created quick-turnaround reels for Bitpace and Databet using bold on-screen text and punchy transitions. These were cut specifically for vertical platforms like Instagram Reels and LinkedIn - and performed far better than their past video content.
So… Which format should you use?
No answer can be considered to be applicable to all cases. It all relies on the audience, media and intent. But here comes the good news: it is not necessary to select one option all the time.
- Several of our cuts with voiceover for flow, interviews for personality and text for emphasizing, stand out as the most powerful. The clarity is the purpose - not the attachment to one style.
Plan the format early
We never film without a strategy call first. We ask:
- Who’s watching this?
- What do they need to understand or feel?
- Where will it live - LinkedIn, internal comms, YouTube?
- What tone are we aiming for - warm, confident, sharp, fun?
Repurpose with Intention
A well-planned shoot can do more than you expect. One interview day might become:
- A long-form flagship video
- Multiple social clips
- LinkedIn soundbites
- Subtitled internal updates
- Vertical reels with text overlays
Final Word
Video style isn’t just a creative choice - it’s a strategic one. Done right, it becomes part of your communication stack. Something that supports what you’re already doing, not a one-off piece you forget to post.
At We Stream, we help you find the right delivery format based on your goals, not guesswork. We direct on set, plan edits in advance, and deliver corporate video production that’s built to be used - across decks, pitches, feeds, and newsletters.
At We Stream, we help you find the right delivery format based on your goals, not guesswork. We direct on set, plan edits in advance, and deliver corporate video production that’s built to be used - across decks, pitches, feeds, and newsletters.
FAQ
What’s the best format for a business video - voiceover, talking head, or on-screen text?
It depends on your goal. Talking heads build trust and relatability. Voiceovers are great for structure and clarity. On-screen text grabs attention and works well for social media. The right format is the one that fits your message, tone, and platform.
Can I combine voiceover, interviews, and text in one video?
Yes - some of the strongest videos blend all three. We often use voiceover for structure, interviews for tone, and text overlays for emphasis. It helps hold attention and makes the content more adaptable across platforms.
What happens if someone on camera is nervous?
We guide people gently - avoiding rigid scripts, using prompts instead of lines, and setting the frame to flatter. Bullet points and natural delivery usually work better than memorised speeches.
How long should a business video be?
Short-form videos (30–90 seconds) work well on social platforms. For websites, YouTube, or internal comms, longer formats (2–5 minutes) are common. We guide duration based on the goal and where the video will live.
Can I shoot once and create several video styles from the same footage?
Yes - this is something we plan for. A single day of interviews or filming can give you everything from a main hero video to vertical text clips, LinkedIn snippets, and internal updates. It’s all about shooting with repurposing in mind.
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team@westream.uk
team@westream.uk