Creating a conversational tone in your videos

One of the things I always strive for in my videos is a relaxed, conversational tone. My goal is to make viewers feel like we're just hanging out, talking through a concept together. It creates a sense of connection and makes the learning experience more engaging.

Speaking on behalf of the viewer

When you're the only one speaking in a video, it can feel one-sided. But a powerful technique to bridge that gap is to speak on behalf of the viewer. Phrases like:

You might be thinking...

I bet you're wondering...

This approach serves multiple purposes:

• Establishes your expertise: It shows you understand the topic well enough to predict common questions and objections.
• Builds trust: When viewers hear you voice their thoughts, it reassures them that you understand their perspective.
• Strengthens engagement: Anticipating their concerns makes the content feel more dynamic and responsive.

An example in action

During one of my technical courses, I taught a method that relied on global state. Anticipating the likely objection, I said:

I know it's super weird to rely on global state like that because I know you're thinking, 'What if two processes start competing for this global state?'

Then, I explained why this concern didn't apply in the particular context. This moment not only answered a key question but also demonstrated my awareness of the viewer's thought process.

Using objections to transition

Another benefit of addressing viewer objections is that it can serve as a natural segue into the next topic. For example, in a video on database indexes, I said:

You may be thinking, 'If indexes are so good, why not create an index on every column?'

This rhetorical question opened the door for me to explain why that approach has drawbacks. It turned a potential viewer question into a smooth transition that introduced the next lesson.

Enhance viewer trust and understanding

Using viewer objections as a teaching tool not only enriches your content but also reinforces your role as an expert. It shows that you've thought through the challenges your audience might face and that you're prepared to guide them through those challenges.

Next time you're recording a video, try pausing and thinking, "What might my viewer be wondering right now?" Then, say it out loud. You'll find it makes your videos feel more connected and conversational — like a real dialogue between you and your audience.