What are Vertical Videos?

Vertical videos are simply videos in portrait orientation rather than landscape. As the name suggests, it is a specific video style where the video is taller than it is wide. In short, a perfect fit for your mobile phone screen. For instance, most YouTube videos are shot and edited in landscape mode. Whereas, Instagram and TikTok use portrait mode video.

Besides, the trend of using such videos developed quickly with the famous 2012 YouTube video: vertical video syndrome. Since then, it has been growing fast and looks like it will continue to do so.

However, remember that simply investing in vertical media is not the ideal move. Instead, think of vertical video from the start of the video production process. So here are 7 helpful tips to start using vertical video on social media.

Tip#1 Vertical Video Does Not Need High-Quality Production to Produce Results

The best piece of advice: You do not need high-quality video production to bring the top results.

The importance of a good-quality video is evident. But, investing all your resources in one video is not the ideal move. Many experimental studies also back this up. There are no prominent differences between the results produced by different quality videos. So, don't be afraid of experimenting with vertical ads for your social media platforms. If you need to know the nitty-gritty of the video production process, see here.

Tip#2 Use the Proper Video Dimensions

When talking about vertical videos, you can't forget about the dimensions. For example, if your target audience is mobile phone users, start the process with mobile phones in mind. In simple words, use the correct vertical video dimensions. Square or vertical formatting improves a video's visibility on mobile phone devices. They take more space on the screen in comparison to horizontal formatting.

So, when creating vertical video ads or videos, keep the below aspect ratios in mind.

• Instagram and Facebook Feed: Use 4:5 (vertical) or 1:1 (square) aspect ratio.
• Instagram and Facebook Stories: For video, use a 9:16 (full portrait/vertical) or 4:5 aspect ratio to cover the full screen.
• Video Carousel Format: Use a 1:1 aspect ratio for videos in a carousel format.

All in all, the perfect vertical video aspect ratio is 9:16. Moreover, the ideal resolution is 720p (best with 1080p) for exporting quality videos.

Tip#3 Include Small Details to Make a Big Impact

Little details go a long way. Keep in mind that minor changes can make huge differences in your video marketing strategy. Since mobile phones are used vertically, videos are also shot vertically. Addressing this, the YouTube vertical video full-screen feature is also beneficial. Here are a few other key takeaways to up your video marketing game.

• Use interactive tools, for example, question stickers or polls, to captivate your audience on Instagram stories.
• Include call-to-actions to guide viewers to the next step you want them to take. For example, making a purchase.
• Keep in mind the diversity of your target audience and add captions to your YouTube videos.

Tip#4 Use Live Videos to Connect in Real-Time

In this time of social distancing, people prefer virtual events over others. Thus, the importance of live broadcasting is hidden to none. Besides, live streaming is great for executing a vertical video marketing strategy on a budget. Some widespread benefits of live videos are as follows.

• An opportunity to create vertical video content.
• A way to engage with your audience on a one-on-one basis.
• A chance to showcase your brand's individuality.
• Organic reach is higher than typical news feed updates.

Tip#5 Optimize Vertical Video for Soundless Viewing

Do your videos make sense if you view them without sound? No, right? That is why you need to optimize it for soundless viewing. Most people watch videos without audio. After all, many social platforms also auto-play videos without sound by default.

Thus, adding captions to your video can make a huge difference. For instance, it can be more engaging and accessible. It may also lead to a better user experience. Moreover, optimizing videos helps with higher search engine rankings. Also, look at the additional tips to rank your video in search results.

Tip#6 Grab Attention Right Away with your Vertical Video

Your video must hook your audience in the first few seconds of playtime. As a viewer, even you watch something only until it's interesting. The moment it bores you, you scroll away. Similarly, your audience needs to know the value of your video right away (within a few seconds). You can have a quite long vertical video full screen on social media and make it effective. But first, you must sell it in the first five seconds to grab the user's attention.

Tip#7 Don't Overlook the Value of Storytelling

Storytelling is a critical component of a successful content marketing strategy. It is an effective method to capture people's attention across all platforms. Take a look at the 4 Es of a video below that shows the importance of storytelling.

• Engaging: to encourage viewers to like, comment, and share the video.
• Emotional: to drive an emotional response such as happy, sad, etc.
• Empathetic: to gain the audience's trust.
• Educational: to help viewers in remembering the content.

Wrapping Up

Vertical video on social media is just one more example of mobile-first marketing. It all comes down to meeting your audience where they are and delivering content that makes sense to them.

The best part? You don't need professional tools to create a vertical video. Also, you don't need to invest in plenty of resources. It would be best if you had a basic understanding of the vertical video tips we discussed above. So, start experimenting with vertical videos on your social media platforms!