Why Video Content Builds Trust Faster Than Any Other Format

🧠 The Psychology Behind Why People Trust You Online

In her book Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication, Vanessa Van Edwards talks about a Princeton study that found that 82% of our first impressions come down to two things—warmth and competence.

Subconsciously, we’re thinking…

👉 Can I trust you?
👉 Can I rely on you?

And within seconds, we are making that decision.

And the fastest way to pass the test? Being visible in your content.

Because humans don’t just trust information. They trust people.

🤩 The power of visibility

The moment someone lands on your content, they’re thinking: “Is this person genuine? Do they get me? Is this someone I feel safe choosing?”

Your face, your voice, your presence help answer those questions faster than any Canva graphic ever could.

But I understand that visibility is vulnerable.

You’re not just showing up to talk about what you do.

You’re there to speak to your ideal clients about their hopes, fears, goals, and answer their questions, and how you can support them.

And when your work requires that kind of trust? How you show up matters just as much as what you say.

🫣 If Being on Video Still Feels Scary… Start Here

Start small! You don’t have to jump right into speaking directly to the camera. Build your video muscles first!

I coach my clients through three levels of video content:

1:1 → 1:More → 1:Many

Let’s break them down.

🎥 Level 1: 1:1 Video (the safest place to start)

This level happens off social media, which is why it’s perfect for beginners or anyone rebuilding confidence.

Try sending quick, unscripted videos to actual humans you already know:

A thank-you video to a client
A happy birthday message
A short update using BombBomb or Loom
A quick check-in instead of a long email

I love starting with 1:1 videos because there’s zero pressure to perform.

Just you… talking to one person.

The goal? Build the habit of speaking on camera without overthinking it.

🎥 Level 2: 1:More Video

Once daily talking to the camera feels more natural, it’s time for the next step of reaching your “safe people.”

This is your “warm” audience — the people who already know, like, and trust you.

- Your Close Friends list on Instagram
- Your Instagram Stories

Record casual check-ins and moments from your day.

Practice speaking on camera without the fear of the entire internet watching.

The point isn’t perfection — it’s repetition.

You’re training your nervous system to feel safe being seen.

🎥 Level 3: 1:Many Videos (when your confidence grows)

Now we’re ready for the masses!! But you still don’t have to jump into talking to the camera if it makes you feel queasy.

Start with B-Roll Videos:

You’re physically in the video — walking, working, traveling, pouring coffee — but you’re not talking directly to the camera.

People get to see you without the pressure of speaking directly to the camera. Add narration or voiceover

Your voice is one of the strongest trust-building tools you have.

Voiceovers allow your humanity to come through without needing your face on camera yet.

People hear your tone, your warmth, your personality.

And suddenly, you’re no longer a faceless account — you’re a real person.

📣 Why does video content matter going into 2026?

People want the context and the content.

They want to feel the person behind the advice, the offer, the perspective.

When you’re invisible — even if your work is brilliant — your brand can feel:

distant
unclear
disconnected
hard to trust

And when your content leans heavily toward:

❌ generic messaging
❌ faceless templates
❌ purely informational posts
❌ over-automation
❌ copy-paste tactics

…the one thing your audience is craving — YOU — goes missing.

Visibility isn’t vanity.

Visibility is clarity.
Visibility is safety.
Visibility is connection.

People want to feel your presence in your content — not just your expertise.