The Storykit blog

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In a new integration, Storykit, the leading video creation tool, is joining forces with Getty Images, a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace, to equip content creators with an extraordinary library of over 14 million creative assets. 

Getty Images is renowned for its diverse, fully model-released selection of unique and compelling videos.

By integrating Getty Images’ content into Storykit's easy-to-use platform, users can now access this vast library without leaving their workspace, significantly saving time and boosting productivity. 

Finding the right assets for your text-driven video is an important ingredient in creating thumb-stopping stories for your audience. This collaboration will help streamline and elevate this process. 

– We’re happy to implement Getty Images’ innovative search functionality, that helps both the user and the AI to find the perfect visual assets to accompany every video, ensuring content that resonates with viewers, says Fredrik Strömberg, CPO at Storykit. 

– By marrying Storykit's innovative text-to-video technology with Getty Images' impressive catalog, we are setting a new standard for creativity and storytelling. This integration not only streamlines the video creation process but also elevates the quality of content that organizations of any size can produce, proving that with the right tools, everyone has a story worth telling, says Peder Bonnier. 

Here are some expert tips for selecting the best stock assets for your videos and searching for them effectively.

4 best practices for choosing stock assets for videos

When creating videos, it can be tempting to simply search for assets that match the words you're saying and use the first result, like “marketing person” or “social media feed”. 

While this approach might occasionally yield acceptable results, there are several strategies you can employ to enhance the quality of your stock images and significantly improve the storytelling in your videos. 

Here are some best practices for using stock assets effectively.

1. Limit the number of assets

If your video is in the one minute range, aim to use no more than three to four different stock assets. You don't need a new asset for every single topic or point. This helps maintain a cohesive and professional look throughout your video and avoids overwhelming your audience with constant visual changes.

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INSTEAD of doing this: Piecing together a lot of different background assets to tell your story...

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DO this: Use one or two and drag them across storyboards to create a smooth flow of information.

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2. Choose calm and uncluttered assets

Select backgrounds and images that are not overly busy. Your visual content should complement your message, not compete with it.

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INSTEAD of doing this: Instead of choosing backgrounds with too much action or detail that could distract from the text or main subject of your video...

DO this: Choose calm and serene visuals to help maintain focus and make your content more engaging.

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3. Match the tone, not necessarily the exact content

Your assets don’t have to be literal representations of your content. For example, if your video is about the stress of marketing, opt for soothing backgrounds that counterbalance the stressful topic. This contrast can create a more balanced and appealing visual narrative.

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INSTEAD of doing this: Using "literal" assets that match what you're saying in your script...

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DO this: Choose visuals that support and enhance the story you’re telling. They don’t need to be a literal translation of what you’re saying. They should be consistent with the tone and message of your script.

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4. Opt for high-resolution and quality

Always use high-resolution assets to ensure your video looks professional. Poor quality or pixelated images can detract from your credibility and viewer experience.

INSTEAD of doing this: Downloading and inserting low-quality stock assets to your videos...

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DO this: Use Storykit's high-resolution stock image library to insert assets directly into your videos, enhancing their visual quality and storytelling impact.

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Further reading: Craft engaging videos: The key dos/don'ts for impactful results

Effective stock asset search terms

To find the best stock assets, use a variety of search terms that align with the themes and aesthetics of your video. Here are some useful keywords to consider:

• Society: Images depicting community, culture, and social interactions.
• AI: Graphics related to artificial intelligence, technology, and innovation.
• Technology: Futuristic or modern technology-related visuals.
• Digital: Content that represents the digital world, including internet and social media.
• Environment: Nature-focused visuals that emphasize sustainability and ecological themes.
• Nature: Serene landscapes, forests, and natural elements.
• Forest: Specific natural environments showcasing trees and greenery.
• Sustainability: Images promoting eco-friendly practices and green energy.
• Landscape: Wide shots of natural or urban landscapes.
• Skyline: Cityscapes and urban horizons.
• Office: Professional settings, workspaces, and office environments.
• Team/Teamwork: Groups of people working together, collaboration scenes.
• People/Face: Human elements, expressions, and diverse faces.
• Drone: Aerial views and perspectives.
• Slow Motion: Dynamic visuals that emphasize motion and detail.
• Buildings: Architectural structures, both modern and historical.
• City: Urban life and bustling cityscapes.
• Business: Corporate settings and business-related imagery.
• Economy: Financial and economic visuals.
• Happy Face: Positive emotions and smiling faces.
• Colors: Vibrant and varied color schemes.
• Color in Water: Artistic and abstract visuals involving water and color.
• Gradient: Smooth color transitions and modern design elements.
• Abstract: Non-literal, artistic visuals.
• Ink: Creative and artistic visuals involving ink in various forms.
• Transitions: Visuals that can be used as transitions between scenes.
• Particles: Dynamic and visually interesting particle effects.

The easiest way to add stock assets to your videos

Adding stock assets to your videos and testing out different ones in normal editing software can be a pain. First, you have to find, download, and save the assets, then you need to upload them and hope they work. If they don’t, you need to start the process all over again. However, Storykit simplifies this process by providing access to a number of high-quality stock libraries, such as:

• Getty Images
• Videoblocks
• Pixabay
• Pexels
• Unsplash

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In Storykit, you can search directly within the tool across all these libraries to find what you are looking for. If an asset is too short in length, it appears in red, so you don’t waste time adding the wrong ones. 

Additionally, with Storykit’s AI capabilities, when you generate a video, it will automatically suggest assets that work with your script, saving you from having to start looking from scratch.

Martin Svensson, Communication Manager at Länsförsäkringar, struggled significantly with creating videos due to the lack of readily available assets. They had just started a magazine for their customers, which contained a wealth of material that could be used in educational videos, such as interesting facts about their county and articles to promote Västerbotten. However, the lack of a proper photo library made the process time-consuming and frustrating.

"One of the videos we wanted to make was about snow scooters, but we didn't have any photos of snow scooters in Storuman Municipality. I played with the idea of building a photo library with our photographers, but the IT department warned that it would be difficult to control the security of such a library. At that point, I was almost ready to give up on my video efforts."

That’s when Martin came across Storykit. He explains:

"I received a demo and quickly realized that Storykit had all the features we needed, plus a really good photo library."

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Read full case study: How Sweden's largest insurance company increased its video production by 300%

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By leveraging tools like Storykit, you can streamline your workflow, ensure high-quality results, and focus more on crafting compelling video content rather than getting bogged down in the technicalities of asset management.

In a time where relationships and authenticity play a significant role in the success of your communication, “talking head” clips, where one or more people are talking, have become increasingly popular.

However, due to the importance of subtitles in videos, using the filmed footage has been time-consuming and challenging.

“Transcribing, editing, and subtitling videos have always been one of the most dreaded tasks in video production, especially if you can’t rely on the playful tools provided by some social platforms. For our customers, a simple, trusted, and on-brand solution for talking head video has been on the wish list for quite some time,” says Peder Bonnier.

And now they’ve been heard. With the new AI-powered feature Transcribe & Edit, adding talking heads to your video is simple and quick. Instead of struggling with timecodes, you edit your subtitles and your clip at the same time, simply by editing the transcribed text.

This opens up possibilities for creating even more brand-building, ROI-making videos.

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“For Storykit, the story is always the core and center of video creation. When making a video, your talking head should often be a part of that overarching story rather than the sole ingredient. With Transcribe & Edit, it’s effortless to enhance your story with talking head clips, add B-rolls, and move seamlessly between the person speaking and your other storytelling,” says Fredrik Strömberg, CPO at Storykit.

Seamlessly adding talking heads allows the Storykit user to leverage their content further.

“Using your filmed thought leadership content, like podcasts, webinars, or interviews, is an unbeatable way to build your brand. And it’s never been easier than now,” says Peder Bonnier.

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Further reading: Talking head videos: Your guide to effortless creation for social media

Welcome to the world of talking head videos. You've seen them all over social media. Now it's your turn to create them, and we’re going to show you how.

What are talking head videos?

Talking head videos are videos that feature a person speaking directly to the camera, typically with little to no visual aids. Talking heads are a common format on professional social media platforms like LinkedIn, where individuals leverage them to showcase expertise, establish thought leadership, share testimonials and connect with their professional networks.

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Why share talking head videos on social?

Talking head videos are a great addition to your social media feed for a few reasons: 

• ‍Humanize the brand: People love seeing real faces on social media. Talking head videos provide an opportunity for companies to humanize their brand by putting a face and personality behind the corporate entity.This helps to build trust and rapport with customers and stakeholders.

• Engagement: Talking head videos offer a more personal and engaging way to connect with an audience compared to written content or static images.

• Education: Talking head videos are an effective tool for delivering educational content, tutorials, and explanations, as they allow the presenter to communicate directly with the viewer.

• Thought leadership: By sharing insights, opinions, and experiences, talking head videos can position individuals as thought leaders in their respective fields.

Overall, incorporating talking head videos into a company's marketing and branding strategy can contribute significantly to brand building efforts, fostering trust, loyalty, and engagement with customers and stakeholders.

How to add talking head clips to your videos with Storykit

Now you are ready to get started. Here’s how you can add talking heads to your videos seamlessly with Storykit. 

Forget about transcribing issues, volume inconsistencies, text alignment headaches, and the hassle of adding B-roll. Here’s the secrets. 

1. Capture your footage

You can do this in two ways:

1. Repurpose online interviews (webinars, podcasts, etc.): With this method, your footage is obviously already all recorded and ready to go. For example, you could use a podcast recording, webinar footage, etc.

2. Record yourself or another person talking: Other guides might tell you about finding a nice backdrop or using expensive equipment. If you’re into that, feel free to explore those options. But for this guide, just find some nice lighting, grab your phone, and capture a good quote or say something interesting. Forget the complications for now—you can dive into those (not necessarily essential) elements later. 

2. Upload your chosen footage to Storykit for instant transcription

Once you upload your footage to Storykit, the AI will automatically transcribe and edit everything for you. This is a huge relief compared to the pains of traditional editing software. Even though the AI is often impressively accurate, you still have the option to read through your script and correct any misspelled words.

3. Choose which pieces of the clip you want to use

Here comes the real magic: you choose which parts of the text (or the words) you want to include and seamlessly stitch them together, allowing you to craft your narrative effortlessly. Just drag and drop.

4. Add B-roll (If you want)

Ever heard of B-roll? That's the extra footage in videos that fills out the story, showing scenes and details that aren't the main footage of the person talking but help paint a fuller picture. If you want to add B-roll to your video, you can drop in clips at the places you want them to appear. For instance, while our Community Manager talks about about transcription feature, we can add a video of what she is talking about, adding depth and context to the discussion.

6. Add your talking head clip to your video

With your talking head clip prepared, you're ready to seamlessly integrate it into your video. Whether you're starting with your logo and a catchy tagline, weaving a dynamic long-form narrative, or concluding with a compelling call to action, Storykit offers dynamic ways to craft your complete story.

6. Add some background music

If you want to, you can also add a touch of background music to enhance the mood of your video. Don't worry about the volume—Storykit automatically adjusts it for you, ensuring that the music complements the spoken content without overpowering it.

7. Export your video in the right dimensions and share away

Export your video in the correct dimensions for whichever platform you're using. Whether it's YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or any other, Storykit makes it easy. There’s no need for additional editing or reformatting. Simply choose your platform, and we handle the rest, ensuring your video looks perfect no matter where it’s viewed.

Start adding talking heads to your videos

Do you have talking head clips ready to share on social media? Don't wait any longer. We're here to help you get started and make the process smooth and simple. Let's bring your content to life.

What most marketers don’t realize is that all the ideas they need are already at their fingertips.

Your company has a goldmine of written content—just waiting to be transformed into impactful videos for social media.

Jonna Ekman, Marketing Director at Storykit, explains: 

‍"Starting with a blank slate can be daunting, leaving you wondering, 'What do I do now?'. Having something to build upon not only makes initiating projects easier but also helps maintain momentum."

So, where should you start?

Here are some of the easiest and most overlooked content pieces you can turn into winning social media videos:

• Webpages
• ‍Customer case studies
• ‍Blog posts
• ‍Social media posts
• ‍Newsletters
• ‍Webinars
  

Your written content is already brimming with potential—you just need to view it through a new lens.

By turning these overlooked assets into compelling videos, you can amplify your reach, boost engagement, and create a consistent, impactful social presence.

How to turn your content into videos in a click

Repurposing your content into videos has never been easier—especially with tools like Storykit. With just a click (or nearly so), you can transform your existing content into engaging video formats.

At the heart of Storykit’s magic are Creators, our AI-powered video templates.

Here’s how they work:

1. Input your content
   Simply paste a link into the tool or copy and paste your text directly.
2. Choose your video style
   Decide what kind of story you want to tell. For instance, if you’re repurposing a blog article, you might select options like "Simple Trailer" or "Three Takeaways".
3. Let AI do the heavy lifting
   The AI will transform your content into a polished, ready-to-go video. You can always tweak assets or edit the script if needed, but most of the hard work is already done for you.

Why it’s a game-changer‍

Your pre-existing text content is not only on-brand, but also pre-approved, streamlining the process by eliminating bottlenecks and the need for additional approvals.

Even better, the look of the video is automatically aligned with your brand identity. It’s baked in, so you can trust it will always look professional and on-point.

22 video examples repurposed from our existing content

To demonstrate the ease of crafting videos from existing content, we've done the legwork for you.

We used our own content to create LOTS of video ideas, enough to enrich your content calendar for the next month, two months, or three months (depending on how often you post).

Check them out and replicate them with your own content!

Website → videos

Many websites have the potential to be transformed into great videos. To illustrate the possibilities, we repurposed text from five of our web pages and created unique videos for each. And that’s just scratching the surface—each page holds countless opportunities to create even more engaging videos.

1. Homepage

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2. About us

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3. Why Storykit

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4. Product overview

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5. Price plans

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Blog → videos

We truly believe your blog is a goldmine of video content ideas, yet blog posts are often under-distributed and don’t get the attention they deserve. Blogs are crafted to be read, but getting people to actually engage with them can be a challenge. Turning key points from your blog into videos not only amplifies your reach but also ensures your valuable insights are seen and shared.

To demonstrate, we took one blog post and created five unique videos—helping us spread our knowledge and spark greater interest in our content.

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→Blog example: Steal this hack to turn your articles into videos that get 5x the reach

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1. Craft a teaser using your article’s headline

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2. Develop a video highlighting key takeaways

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3. Create a brief summary video from the article

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4. Convert an article into a video format

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5. Extract ”How-to” angles from your blog to craft stories

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Case studies → videos

Case studies and social proof are some of the strongest tools any brand can leverage! Whether you’re sharing a full summary, a powerful quote, key takeaways, or even just the name of the company, you simply can’t go wrong. To showcase this, we created four unique videos from a single case study—each highlighting different aspects of the story.

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→Case study example: How Listgrove gained 20,000 followers in a year on LinkedIn with video.

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1. Challenge, solution, results video 

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2. Quote video 

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3. Strong hook video

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4. Full case study summary video

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Newsletter → videos

Don’t limit your newsletter to just your current subscribers. Transform it into engaging videos that can be shared widely across social media and other platforms, not only to expand its reach but also to attract new subscribers. To show how effective this can be, we took one of our newsletters and created three distinct videos to amplify its impact and grow our audience.

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→Newsletter example: How to grow your newsletter subscribers

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1. Newsletter teaser

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2. Newsletter summary

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3. Newsletter trailer

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Want to learn how to make videos just like these yourself? Explore our webinar, 'Give your content a second life using video', featured below.

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Never feel stuck for content ideas again

Nearly all of these videos were created simply by copying and pasting text from existing sources directly into Storykit text to video AI. With countless approaches to video creation, leveraging AI to transform your existing content is a game-changer.

It’s an effortless way to unlock a steady stream of fresh, engaging ideas.

Curious to see how you can do it too? Reach out, and we’ll show you how to make it happen with Storykit.

1. Among the content you’re already publishing

Do you have a blog?

Do you write press releases?

Do you create informative texts?

Manuals?

All of these can be made into videos. That’s why you should look at your own website, blog, or press releases, and imagine that you are looking at a gold mine. Then you’re ready to go!

Need proof? Here are 22 examples of how you can repurpose your existing content for social media.

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→ Try it out now with our free text-to-video generator

2. Among your colleagues and stuff happening at the company 

You might begin to wonder: is anyone even interested in us? Let’s remember that everyone loves to get behind the scenes.

You want to hear about the people.

The problems.

The solutions.

The benefits.

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Here are some employer branding video examples to help show the types of stories that you could be telling.

3. Among your customers

Making a customer case is naturally a given for most people. Showing off your customers is one of the best advertising tricks you can use for your products and services, so whenever there is the slightest reason to show off customers and tell their stories – do it. 

We create multiple videos for every one of our customer cases. You can check them out on our LinkedIn feed or in the right-hand corner of all of our case studies.

4. Behind your “why” and the feeling you want your audience to have

When it comes to the company's vision and mission, you often talk about the feeling you want your audience to have. What subjects could you discuss that reinforce this?

5. Among what the competition is talking about

Copying the message of the competition straight off is, of course, never a good idea. But letting yourself become inspired by the stories the competition is telling can give you great ideas.

What do they see that you have missed?

Which subjects does their audience love?

How do they formulate their problems and solutions? 

6. Among what your audiences are talking about

If you only want to follow one piece of advice, follow this one.

What are the audience's biggest challenges right now?

What keeps them awake at night?

What are they dreaming of?

That’s where you’ll find your stories.

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