Showing up online can feel overwhelming. Between the equipment, the time, and the self-criticism that creeps in, video often becomes the task we put off until tomorrow. But in my recent conversation on Business Origin Stories with Ed Troxell, a personal brand coach and video strategist, I was reminded that building your brand on video doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. It can take as little as 15 minutes a day — and the results can be transformational.

The Power of Choosing Video

Ed had a defining moment when he realized he had two choices: go back to a corporate nine-to-five or lean into video as a way to market his business. He chose video. That decision, as he put it, became the “next best thing to being in person” and, in many ways, even better. Video allows people to get a sense of your personality, energy, and expertise before they ever meet you. It builds trust and connection quickly, something that’s nearly impossible to replicate through text alone.

Today, over 80% of internet traffic is video-based. If you’re not showing up on video, you’re missing out on visibility, reach, and the chance to connect with your ideal clients in a deeper way. But knowing this doesn’t automatically make it easier to hit record. That’s where Ed’s strategies come in.

Moving Past the “Head Trash”

We all know the excuses: I hate my voice. I don’t look good on camera. I don’t have the right setup. Ed calls this the “head trash,” and he coaches clients to actively rewrite those thoughts.

Here’s a simple exercise he recommends:

1. Grab a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle.

2. On the left side, write down every negative thought you have about being on video.

3. On the right side, write one positive alternative for each.

This exercise helps retrain your brain to see possibilities instead of limitations. And paired with practical tactics like using natural lighting, standing to boost energy, or holding a glass of water to ease awkwardness, you can shift from resistance to readiness.

The “Just 15” Method

One of Ed’s most powerful tools is what he calls the Just 15 method. The idea is simple: carve out just 15 minutes a day to focus on video or brand-building tasks. The structure looks like this:

• Show Up: Decide when and where you’re going to appear.

• Deliver: Share your expertise in one clear topic with up to three talking points.

• Engage: After posting, connect with the people who respond.

Breaking it down this way removes the overwhelm and builds consistency. As Ed says, “You don’t need more time. You just need more focus.”

He also encourages clients to theme their days. For example:

• Monday: Plan your topics and talking points.
• Tuesday: Record your videos.
• Wednesday: Post or schedule your content.

This rhythm makes it easier to sustain content creation without burning out.

Real Results from Real People

The proof is in the results. One of Ed’s clients doubled her business in six months by committing to consistent video. Another, a realtor, landed more listings and closed more deals in three months than she had in the entire previous year simply by shifting from sending templated brokerage emails to creating personalized content.

These aren’t isolated stories. Over and over again, Ed sees clients gain confidence, attract recognition, and build thriving businesses by showing up on video — even when the first attempts felt messy or awkward. In fact, he insists that the less polished, more authentic videos often outperform the carefully edited ones.

Start Small, Build Momentum

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to start creating video content, consider this your permission to begin messy. Practice by holding your phone and talking without recording. Then move up to recording short clips for yourself. Build those reps, and before long, you’ll find your confidence growing along with your audience.

As Ed reminded me, “You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.” Consistency, not perfection, is what pays off in the long run.

If you’re ready to experiment with video as part of your brand strategy, Ed has a free Just 15 plan on his website at edtroxell.com/Just15Plan. 

🎧 Listen to the full conversation now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.