Reels, B-Roll, and BTS: How to Use Every Frame Like a Pro
So you shot a bunch of content—maybe even worked with a pro team—and now you’ve got a camera roll full of behind-the-scenes footage, b-roll, and Reels you meant to post… six weeks ago.
Sound familiar?
If you’re sitting on a goldmine of video content and not using it, you’re not alone. We see this with clients all the time. They’ve got amazing footage—but no clue how to organize it, repurpose it, or turn it into real results.
That ends today.
Let’s break down how to actually use every frame of your content like a pro. No fluff, no wasted footage—just strategy, efficiency, and content that slaps.
First, What’s the Difference?
Reels = Short-form video content that entertains, educates, or inspires
Great for visibility + engagement
Should hook the viewer immediately
Often trend-based, but can be evergreen too
B-Roll = Supplemental footage that adds visual interest
Think: typing on your laptop, walking into your office, pouring a coffee
Used in videos with voiceover or talking head content
Gives your videos a polished, editorial feel
BTS (Behind-the-Scenes) = Raw, candid moments from your day-to-day
Think: prepping for a launch, setting up a shoot, unboxing a product
Powerful for building trust and relatability
Shows the real story behind the polished brand
All three have different uses—but together? They create scroll-stopping, story-driven content that builds trust and drives sales.
Step 1: Create a Content Bank
Don’t wing it. Create a system.
We build client content banks in organized folders like:
Reels-ready clips
B-Roll by activity (working, meeting, behind-the-scenes, etc.)
Testimonials
Outtakes + funny moments
Evergreen brand footage
Seasonal or promo-specific clips
This makes it so much easier to grab a clip when you're batching content or responding to a trending sound or idea.
We use tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Frame.io to make this ridiculously easy and searchable.
Step 2: Plan Your Reels Content by Category
Not every video has to go viral to be effective.
We plan Reels around these core types:
Visibility: Hook-heavy content, trending audio, hot takes
Authority: Tips, opinions, behind-the-brand insights
Connection: Personal stories, founder moments, daily life
Sales: Promo content, service highlights, launches, testimonials
When we take over Reels for our clients, we script and shoot for balance. That way, you’re not just being seen—you’re being remembered and getting inquiries.
Step 3: Use B-Roll to Elevate Basic Content
Got a blog post, podcast, or talking head video? Cool. Now layer in B-roll to make it feel premium.
Instead of just staring at your face for 3 minutes, your viewer sees:
You walking
You writing
You laughing with your team
Cutaways of your product, office, or clients in action
Even if it’s just 3-second clips—those cuts make a huge difference in how polished and binge-worthy your content feels.
We even teach clients how to film b-roll intentionally during their day so we can reuse it in future promos and launches.
Step 4: Share the BTS—and Don’t Overthink It
People want to see how the magic happens. So show them.
Use your BTS to create:
Launch montages
“Day in the life” videos
“Watch me build this thing” content
Real moments that make people feel like they’re on the inside
And no—it doesn’t have to be polished. In fact, it shouldn’t be.
Your behind-the-scenes content should feel raw, human, and unfiltered. That’s what makes it powerful.
Step 5: Repurpose Like a Pro
This is where most people drop the ball.
One video = multiple pieces of content. We repurpose client videos into:
Reels
Stories
YouTube Shorts
Instagram carousels with video stills
Blog headers
Email gifs
TikTok remixes
LinkedIn posts
Webinar or course content
Don’t let your footage rot on your camera roll. Use it. Stretch it. Make it work overtime.
Every Frame Is a Brand Asset
When you’ve got visuals that actually reflect your brand’s energy, vibe, and value—you don’t need to post more. You just need to post smart.
At Ivy House, we help clients plan content that’s meant to last. Then we cut, clip, repackage, and distribute it like the marketing nerds we are.
Book a discovery call and let’s turn your raw footage into content that actually gets seen, loved, shared, and remembered.
