Formats · Length 45-90s · 9:16 · beginner
Listicle talking head video: how to shoot, edit, and prompt it
A listicle talking head is you giving a numbered list to camera, with a counter and a title card for each item.
By Sulan Zhang, co-founder of Vyra · Updated 2026-09-24 · Example: @sulansart
- Platforms
- TikTok, Reels, Shorts, YouTube
- Length
- 45-90s
- Aspect
- 9:16
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Gear
- phone, window light
The number in the hook tells people how long they're committing to. That's why it works.
At a glance
| Best for | "5 tools I use", "3 mistakes", tips, recommendations |
| Hook style | The number and the promise, "5 apps that replaced my editor" |
| Pacing | 8-15 seconds per item, hard cut between |
| Caption style | Phrase captions plus a title per item |
| Music | Light upbeat bed |
| Shot list | The talking head. One screenshot or b-roll clip per item. A punch-in framing. |
| Common mistakes | Saving the best item for last. Uneven item lengths. Nothing marking the switch between items. |
Structure
- 0-2s: number plus promise
- 2-5s: why you'd know, one sentence
- 5-65s: items, best one first, title card each
- 65-75s: what they all have in common
- 75-80s: ask which one they'd try
How to shoot it
- Write the list first. Record each item as its own take.
- Say the item's name at the start of each take. It becomes the title.
- Keep the energy the same on item 4 as on item 1.
- Get a screenshot or 5 seconds of b-roll per item.
- Record the hook three different ways.
How to edit it
- Strongest item first.
- Hard cut and a title card between every item.
- Small counter in the corner, "2/5".
- Trim each item under 15 seconds.
- Drop the screenshot in during the second half of each item.
- Keep the music steady so the cuts feel like a rhythm.
Prompt it in Vyra
This is a "5 tools I use" video. Cut it to 70 seconds and put a bold title card with the tool name at the start of each item, plus a small 1/5, 2/5 counter in the top corner. Reorder the items so the one about Notion goes first.
Add phrase captions throughout and put the screenshot of each app on screen for 3 seconds when I say its name.
Use a simple motion graphic for the title cards, white text on a black rounded box, like the attached reference.
Variations
- Countdown, reverse order, only if the hook promises a reveal.
- Rapid list, 10 items, 4 seconds each, no explanation.
- Tier list, S/A/B instead of numbers.
FAQ
How many items? 3-5. Seven or more only if each is under 5 seconds.
Should the number be in the hook? Yes. It sets the length in the viewer's head and more people finish.
Can Vyra make the title cards? Yes. Describe the card style once and ask for the same style and a counter on every item.