# Voiceover Listicle — Format

> "5 reasons / 3 things / 7 ways" format. Voiceover-driven. Visual variety. 30-90s.

## Format basics

- Length: 30-90 seconds
- Aspect: 9:16 vertical
- Numbered list structure
- Voiceover narration
- B-roll visuals
- Educational or entertaining

## Structure

```
0-3s    HOOK
        "5 reasons why..."
        "Here are 3 things..."

3-15s   ITEM 1
        Numbered + short explanation

15-30s  ITEM 2
        Same pattern

30-45s  ITEM 3
        Same pattern

45-55s  ITEM 4-5 (if applicable)
        Same pattern

55-60s  CTA
        Subscribe / save / share
```

## Sample 60s voiceover listicle

```
"5 things you should know before opening a coffee shop"

0-3s: HOOK
Visual: opening sign on a coffee shop
Voice: "Five things you should know before opening a coffee shop."

3-15s: ITEM 5
On screen: "5. Location matters more than you think."
Visual: B-roll of various street locations.
Voice: "A great coffee shop in a bad location will fail. A mediocre
shop in a great location will survive."

15-25s: ITEM 4
On screen: "4. Margins are tight."
Visual: Money / receipts / spreadsheet.
Voice: "Coffee margin sounds great. Then you account for rent,
labor, equipment, waste. The margin shrinks."

25-37s: ITEM 3
On screen: "3. Equipment costs more than you'll budget for."
Visual: Espresso machines, grinders.
Voice: "Quality equipment is expensive. Cheap equipment will
cost you more in repairs and customer dissatisfaction."

37-47s: ITEM 2
On screen: "2. Your staff matters most."
Visual: Baristas making drinks, smiling.
Voice: "Bad coffee with great service survives. Great coffee with
bad service doesn't. People come back for people."

47-57s: ITEM 1
On screen: "1. You'll work harder than ever."
Visual: Owner working alone at 4 AM, doing inventory.
Voice: "If you're not ready for 12-hour days for the first year,
this isn't for you."

57-60s: CTA
Voice: "I run Karavan Coffee. Follow for more shop owner truths."
On screen: "Karavan Coffee | Follow"
```

## Key principles

### Number specificity
- "5 reasons" beats "Some reasons"
- Specific number = clear promise
- Audience knows length commitment

### Order matters
- Most surprising or important last (countdown)
- Or most basic first (count up)
- Save the punch for end

### Visual B-roll variety
- Different visual per item
- Don't talking-head only
- Show, not just tell

### Quick pacing per item
- 8-12 seconds per item ideal
- Don't dwell
- Voice carries narrative

### Authority position
- Speak as expert
- Specific examples
- Trust-building

## Sub-types

### Educational
"5 things to know about ___"

### Recommendation
"3 books you should read"

### Warning
"5 mistakes to avoid"

### Inspirational
"7 habits of successful ___"

### Curiosity
"3 things you didn't know about ___"

## When to use

- Educational content
- Authority building
- High-engagement (lists save well)
- Long-form supplement
- Newsletter/blog companion

## Common mistakes

- Inconsistent visual style across items
- Too many items (5+ is ideal max)
- Voice monotone
- No clear CTA
- Generic items (specifics matter)

## Voice work tips

- Conversational tone
- Slight pauses between items
- Emphasis on key words
- Energy maintained throughout
- Clear pronunciation (captions back you up but voice matters)
