The 5-Step Talking Head Video Workflow for Small Businesses

If you're a small business owner, you've probably heard it a thousand times: "You need to be making videos." But between running your business, managing customers, and handling operations, who has time to become a videographer?

Here's the good news: you don't need to be. With just your smartphone and the right workflow, you can create professional talking head videos that actually convert viewers into customers. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from planning your first video to publishing content that grows your business.

Why Talking Head Videos Work for Small Businesses

Before we dive into the how, let's talk about the why. Talking head videos – where you speak directly to the camera – are incredibly effective for small businesses because:

They build trust fast. People buy from people they know and trust. Seeing your face and hearing your voice creates an instant personal connection that text and images simply can't match.
They showcase your expertise. When you explain your product, share tips, or answer common questions on camera, you position yourself as the go-to expert in your field.
They're incredibly versatile. One raw video can become a YouTube video, Instagram Reels, TikTok content, LinkedIn posts, email newsletter content, and website testimonials.
They level the playing field. You don't need a big marketing budget to compete. Authenticity and useful content beat polished corporate videos every time.

The barrier isn't knowing whether videos work – it's knowing how to make them without spending hours learning complex editing software.

The Small Business Video Workflow 5 x 3 minutes formula

Step 1: Script Your Video (3 minutes)

You don't need a word-for-word script, but you do need structure. Here's a proven framework that converts:

The Hook (First 5 seconds)

Start with a problem or question your ideal customer has. Examples:

"Spending too much on Facebook ads with nothing to show for it?"
"Want to know the #1 mistake people make when choosing a contractor?"
"Here's how we helped a customer save $3,000 last month"

The Value (Middle section)

This is where you deliver on your hook. Share:

3-5 actionable tips
A common mistake and how to avoid it
A case study or customer success story
Behind-the-scenes of your process

The Call-to-Action (Last 15 seconds)

Tell viewers exactly what to do next:

"Visit our website to book a free consultation"
"Comment below with your biggest challenge"
"Follow for more tips like this every Tuesday"

Pro tip: Keep videos between 30-90 seconds for maximum engagement. If you have more to say, make it a series.

Step 2: Set Up Your Recording Space (3 minutes)

You don't need a studio, or even need to think about any of this if you're aiming for really authentic feel. However, if you want higher quality look for your videos, just be intentional about a few things:

Lighting

Face a window for natural light (best option)
If recording at night, use two lamps positioned at 45-degree angles in front of you
Avoid overhead lighting – it creates unflattering shadows

Background

Keep it simple and uncluttered
Make sure it's relevant to your business (your office, shop, or a clean wall)
Avoid busy patterns or anything distracting

Audio

Record in a quiet room (close windows, turn off fans)
Your phone's built-in microphone is fine for most content
Stand 2-3 feet away from your phone for optimal audio

Camera Setup

Position your phone at eye level (use a tripod or a cardboardbox etc.)
Frame yourself from mid-chest up
Leave a little space above your head (don't cut off the top)
Use portrait mode for social media, landscape for YouTube

Step 3: Record Your Video (3 minutes)

Here's the secret that will save you hours: Don't aim for perfection.

Record your video in one take. If you stumble or pause, don't worry! SpeechCut will instantly remove these pauses and bad takes, saving you from starting over.

Recording tips:

Speak slightly louder and slower than normal conversation
Look directly at the camera lens (not the screen)
Smile and show energy – enthusiasm is contagious
Use hand gestures naturally – they make you more engaging
Record 3-5 seconds of silence at the beginning and end (makes editing easier)

Step 4: Edit in SpeechCut (3 minutes)

This is where SpeechCut transforms your raw recording into a polished video. Here's the exact workflow:

Import and Transcribe

Open SpeechCut and import your video
Grab a glass of water while SpeechCut is thinking
Review the transcript for any errors (SpeechCut is usually 95%+ accurate, but double-check names and industry terms)

Cut Out Mistakes

This is the magic moment. Instead of scrubbing through video timeline looking for mistakes, you just read through your transcript like editing a document:

Delete filler words (um, uh, like, you know)
Remove false starts and repeated sentences
Tighten up rambling sections

When you tap on text, SpeechCut automatically removes that section from your video. What used to take an hour in traditional editing software now takes just few minutes.

Captions, Music, and Color

Captions: With 85% of social media videos watched without sound, captions are not optional—they're essential. SpeechCut will automatically generate captions for your video. Make sure to customize them to align with your style.
Music: Add background music at a low volume. SpeechCut provides a royalty-free music library to enhance your video without overwhelming your message.
Color Correction: If your lighting wasn't perfect, apply basic color correction to ensure your video looks its best.

Step 5: Publish Strategically (3 minutes)

Don't just upload your video once and hope for the best. Get maximum value from your effort:

Optimize for Each Platform

Write platform-specific captions (don't just copy-paste)
Use relevant hashtags (3-5 for Instagram, more for TikTok)
Tag your location for local business visibility
Post at optimal times (usually 9-11am or 7-9pm)

Engage with Comments

The first hour after posting is crucial. Respond to every comment quickly to boost engagement and signal to the algorithm that your content is valuable.

Your First Video Challenge

Theory is worthless without action. Here's your challenge:

This week, create and publish your first talking head video:

Choose a topic (answer a common customer question)
Write a script using the Hook-Value-CTA framework
Set up your space and record it (one take, don't overthink it)
Import to SpeechCut, cut mistakes, add captions
Export and post
Track your results and iterate

You'll learn more from making one imperfect video than from reading 100 perfect guides (this included).