Paste, Trim, Done: A Simple B-Roll Workflow for Busy Creators
Quick answer
A good B-roll workflow has three parts: plan a shot for every line of your script, collect short clips you own in the right aspect ratio, and place them over your main footage in your editor. Keeping a ready library of your own cutaways makes every new video faster.
Free · Instagram, Facebook & TikTok · Only use clips you own or have permission to use.
Key takeaways
- Plan B-roll from the script, not from leftover footage.
- Collect short segments, not whole videos.
- Crop to the ratio of the edit you're making.
- Layer cutaways over A-roll in any editor.
- Only use clips you own or have permission to use.
On this page
Step 1: Plan B-roll from your script
Write your script in two columns: the line, and the shot that shows it. A line with nothing to show either stays on camera or gets rewritten. Planning first stops "random B-roll", footage that's there only to fill time.
Step 2: Check what you already have
Before filming anything new, look through your own published posts. Process shots, places and close-ups from past videos often fit new scripts. (More on this in our B-roll library guide.)
Step 3: Pull the segment you need
You rarely need a full post. Choose the 3–7 seconds that show the action clearly, without burned-in text or stickers.
Step 4: Crop to match your edit
A vertical Reel needs vertical B-roll. Pick 9:16 for Reels and TikToks, 1:1 for square feed posts, 16:9 for landscape projects, or keep the original. See the aspect ratio guide.
Step 5: Edit it in
Put your A-roll on the main track and your cutaways on an overlay track above it. Keep most cutaways around 3–5 seconds, and use them to cover jump cuts. Editors like CapCut support overlay tracks for this.
Step 6: Add voice and captions
If a section is all B-roll, a voiceover carries the story. You can record your own, or use an AI voice tool such as ElevenLabs if you have the rights to the script and follow that tool's terms. Add captions for people watching without sound.
Common mistakes
- Choosing footage after editing instead of before.
- Mixing aspect ratios in one timeline.
- Leaving old captions or stickers in reused clips.
- Using clips where people appear without their okay.
How VDOHBoost fits
VDOHBoost handles Steps 3 and 4 for clips you own on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok. The site header sums it up: Paste, Trim, Done.
In VDOHBoost the flow is Paste → Trim → Done:
- Paste a link to your own clip
- Tick the rights checkbox
- Press "Get clip" and wait for loading
- Trim the clip on the "READY TO TRIM" screen
- Choose a crop: Original, 9:16, 1:1 or 16:9
- Export, then "Download MP4"
VDOHBoost exports up to 720p.
Free · 8 clips a day, 40 a month · exports up to 720p
Try the workflow with your own clip →
FAQ
What is a B-roll workflow?
A B-roll workflow is the repeatable process you use to plan, gather, prepare and edit supporting footage into your videos. A simple one is: plan a shot for each script line, collect short clips you own, crop them to your edit's ratio, and layer them over your main footage.
How do I add B-roll to a talking-head video?
Place your talking-head footage on the main track and your B-roll on an overlay track. Cut to B-roll when you explain or describe something, and come back to camera for the hook, opinions and call to action. Use cutaways to hide jump cuts.
How much B-roll should a short video have?
There's no fixed rule. Many short videos cut away whenever a line describes something visible, with shots of about 3–5 seconds. Keep the hook and key opinions on camera so viewers stay connected to you.
Can I reuse B-roll across different videos?
Yes, if you own it or your license allows it. Reusing your own cutaways is efficient. Vary the order, crop and captions so new videos don't feel recycled.
Is VDOHBoost free?
Yes. VDOHBoost is free with a quota of 8 clips a day and 40 a month, and exports up to 720p.
Summary
Plan the shot for each line, gather short clips you own, crop them to match the edit, and layer them over your A-roll. A ready library of your own B-roll makes every new video faster.
Ready to crop your own clip?
Paste a link to an Instagram, Facebook or TikTok clip you own or have permission to use.
Paste a link to your clip