When to Use Video vs. Visuals: A Simple Content Rule for Creators

Should this be a Reel?
A carousel?
A quick graphic?
A longer video?

With so many formats available, it’s easy to overthink it.

Here’s a simple rule to follow:

Use visuals to stop the scroll. Use video to build trust.

Let’s break that down for agents specifically.

Use Visuals to Stop the Scroll

Graphics are your first impression.

They’re fast. Clear. Easy to consume while someone is half-scrolling between listings and dog videos.

Think:

A carousel: “3 Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make in [Your City]”
A stat graphic: “Inventory Down 18% This Month”
A quick checklist: “Before You List, Do This”
A simple framework: “Offer Strategy in a Competitive Market”

Use visuals when your goal is attention.

You want someone to pause and think:

“Wait… that applies to me.”

Visuals work best for:

Quick tips
Market stats
Before-and-after staging examples
Step lists and checklists
Simple frameworks

If someone doesn’t know you yet, they decide in seconds whether to keep reading. A clear, relevant visual gets you that first micro-yes.

Use Video to Build Trust

Once they stop scrolling, video deepens the relationship.

There’s something powerful about:

Seeing your face
Hearing your tone
Watching you explain something clearly

For real estate agents especially, trust is everything.

Use video when your goal is:

Connection
Clarity
Credibility

Great use cases for agents:

Explaining why a house didn’t sell
Breaking down how to win a bidding war
Walking through inspection red flags
Talking through market shifts calmly
Answering buyer or seller objections

Video is especially powerful when you're selling your expertise, not just homes.

You’re not just saying “I know this.”
You’re showing how you think.

And that’s what builds authority.

So What Should You Post Today?

Ask yourself:

Do I want attention? → Create a visual.
Do I want trust? → Record a video.

If you’re teaching agents how to build authority and digital products, this rule applies to you too.

Use visuals to share frameworks, checklists, and systems.
Use video to explain how and why those systems work.

You don’t need every format.
You need the right format for the goal.

Simple. Strategic. Sustainable.