Let me start by asking you a question:
Have you ever felt frustrated when watching a video on your phone, only to realize that it was shot in landscape mode and you have to awkwardly turn your device to watch it?
Or have you ever been annoyed by the black bars on the sides of vertical videos that were clearly shot in landscape mode but were not properly formatted for mobile viewing?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, then this article is for you.
Because in this article, I am going to show you how vertical video can benefit your marketing efforts, and why you should start incorporating it into your content strategy.
But first, let’s define what vertical video is.
Vertical video is video content that is filmed and displayed in a portrait orientation, with a height that is greater than its width.
In other words, it’s the opposite of traditional landscape video.
While vertical video has been around for a while, it has recently gained more attention due to the rise of mobile viewing and social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.
So why should you care about vertical video as a marketer? Here are five key benefits that make it a valuable addition to your content strategy:
1. It’s mobile-friendly
As mentioned earlier, the rise of mobile viewing has made vertical video more relevant than ever before.
People are consuming content on their phones more than ever, and vertical video is the perfect format for this type of consumption.
In fact, 94% of smartphone users hold their phones vertically, which means that vertical video is the natural way for them to watch video content.
By creating vertical videos, you are optimizing your content for mobile viewing and providing a better user experience for your audience.
2. It’s more engaging
Research has shown that people are more likely to engage with vertical video content than with traditional landscape videos.
One study found that vertical videos had a 90% higher completion rate than horizontal videos on Snapchat.
Another study found that vertical videos on Instagram received three times more engagement than square videos.
The reason for this is simple: vertical video takes up more screen real estate and provides a more immersive experience for the viewer.
By creating vertical videos, you can capture your audience’s attention and keep them engaged for longer.
3. It’s more authentic
Vertical video is often associated with user-generated content and social media platforms.
As a result, it has a more casual and authentic feel than traditional landscape videos.
By creating vertical videos, you can tap into this authenticity and create content that feels more relatable to your audience.
This can help you build stronger connections with your audience and increase their trust in your brand.
4. It’s more versatile
Vertical video can be used in a variety of different formats, from Instagram Stories to YouTube ads.
This versatility makes it a valuable addition to any content strategy, as it allows you to create content for a variety of different platforms and audiences.
By creating vertical videos, you can reach your audience wherever they are and provide them with the content they want to see.
5. It’s more innovative
Finally, vertical video is a relatively new format that is still evolving.
This means that there is a lot of room for innovation and creativity when it comes to creating vertical video content.
By embracing vertical video, you can differentiate yourself from your competitors and showcase your brand’s creativity and innovation.
Now that you know the benefits of vertical video, how can you start incorporating it into your content strategy? Here are a few tips to get you started:
Consider your platform
Different platforms have different requirements when it comes to vertical video.
For example, Instagram Stories have a different aspect ratio than TikTok videos.
Make sure you understand the requirements of each platform before you start creating your content.
Consider your content
Not all content is suited for vertical video. Make sure you choose content that will work well in a portrait orientation.
For example, interviews, product demos, and behind-the-scenes footage can all work well in vertical format.
Optimize your content
When creating vertical video, make sure you optimize it for mobile viewing.
This means choosing a font size that is easy to read on a small screen, using captions or subtitles for videos with audio, and making sure your video is properly formatted for each platform.
Get creative
As mentioned earlier, vertical video is a format that is still evolving.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your content and try new things.
For example, you could experiment with interactive elements like polls or quizzes, or use animation to bring your content to life.
In conclusion, vertical video is a valuable addition to any content strategy.
It’s mobile-friendly, more engaging, more authentic, more versatile, and more innovative than traditional landscape video.
By incorporating vertical video into your content strategy, you can reach your audience wherever they are and provide them with the content they want to see.
So why not give it a try?
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