Textwall videos

What is a textwall video?

A short video that's mostly text: a paragraph, a list or a confession over a simple or aesthetic background, often with a trending sound. People pause to read it.

Also called: text-on-screen video, text post video, wall of text.

Why it works

Reading takes time, so people stay on the video (and often rewatch), which boosts watch time. It's the fastest format to make, and relatable words spread through shares and comments.

Best for

Relatable struggles, confessions, advice, mental health and wellness, niche humor.

How to make a textwall video

1. Write it like a text to a friend: honest, specific, a little raw.
2. Lead with the line people will recognize themselves in.
3. Use a plain or softly moving background so the text is easy to read.
4. Time it so there's just enough time to read (people will rewatch).

Hooks to try

Fill in the blanks for your product:

• “Nobody warned me that ___”
• “If you ___, this is your sign”
• “Things I’d tell myself before ___”
• “The ___ nobody talks about”

Do's and don'ts

Keep your textwall videos on an inspo board

An inspo board is a swipe file for short-form video: the TikToks, Reels and Shorts worth copying, sorted by format, each with its hook and a note on why it works. Save the textwall videos you like to your board in inspo instead of losing them in your TikTok saves.

Because each video on the board carries its format, hook and notes, the board doubles as a brief: share it with creators in one link, or paste it into ChatGPT or Claude to draft new scripts and hooks in the same style.

More formats

Talking headOne person talking straight to the camera, like a FaceTime with a friend.Face to demoStarts on a face with a hook, then cuts to the product in action.Faceless videoNo one on camera: hands, point-of-view shots or b-roll, with text or a voiceover.SlideshowsA swipeable set of photos with text on each slide.ListiclesA countdown or list of picks, with your product as one of them.VoiceoverA voice telling a story over footage, without talking to camera.Green screenThe creator talks in front of a screenshot, article, post or website.SkitsA short acted scene, often one creator playing several characters.