Say less and show more with vox pops
Vox pops aren’t just a content trend
The days of slow, overly polished, and forgettable content are behind us. Audiences want immediacy, personality, and authenticity, and that’s exactly where vox pops come in.
Vox pops are short candid videos, typically with an interviewer and interviewee, discussing a variety of topics, unfiltered. Rather than expert analysis, you can expect everyday perspectives from ordinary people. They are an authentic, relatable style of content that’s popular on social media.
Whether you’re at an event, in a city centre, or recording your fellow colleagues at the office, here are our top tips for creating dynamic content:
1. Start with a clear plan
What questions will you ask? Where do you plan to film? Is your interviewer prepared? These are all questions you should know the answer to before you hit the record button. A lack of prep will mean your video won’t turn out how you want it to. Briefing your interviewee on their role so they understand what you need, and finding a great filming spot makes all the difference.
2. Ask questions that spark real answers
Interesting questions are key to keeping your audience engaged. You’ll want to think about the order of the questions to ensure your video starts with an interesting hook.
Good vox pops are built on specific, opinion-led questions that spark curiosity, energy and personality.
3. Keep it short, sharp and engaging
You’re not filming a feature-length film, just content for social media. You’ll want your video to focus on one strong idea per person. Keep it pacey, as each video should be under sixty seconds for the best results.
4. Create a relaxed atmosphere
If your interviewee seems stiff, this will show in the video. You’ll want to make them feel as comfortable as possible. Chatting to them before filming, keeping actions as simple as possible, and reassuring them that multiple takes are fine can help to keep things more relaxed. Making filming seem more conversational can lead to authenticity.
5. Don’t overlook clean audio and visual quality
If you’re capturing exceptional answers, you need the footage and audio to match it. Filming away from loudspeakers or crowds or using a microphone that’s noise-cancelling can make all the difference. You’ll want to find a background that’s not too overwhelming to avoid distractions.
Vox pops aren’t just a content trend. They’re a smarter, more effective way to capture the energy of a point in time and to turn it into something lasting. By focusing on authenticity, strong questioning, and thoughtful execution, organisations can create content that feels immediate, relatable, and genuinely engaging.
If you’re looking for high-impact video content, we’re here to help. Get in touch today to see how Purplefish can support your vision.