Why Vertical Video Is Important

Our phones have become extensions of ourselves & with that vertical video has skyrocketed in popularity. Just take a look around and you’ll see everyone holding their phones upright. It’s become second nature. And for brands, this shift presents a golden opportunity to capture attention and drive engagement.

Capturing Attention

You’re scrolling through your favourite social media app & the content that grabs your attention? It’s the video that fills the screen. It’s designed to fit naturally into how we already use our devices & there’s no need to flip your phone sideways. It’s seamless, it’s intuitive & it’s highly engaging.

It’s known that that videos shown in a ‘native’ vertical format on the relevant social media channels boast a higher completion rate. It’s the preferred format for mobile first platforms because it fits our browsing habits. For brands, this means more eyes on your message and, ultimately, better results from your campaigns.

Integrating Vertical Video

Integrating vertical videos into your social campaigns can significantly boost brand recall and engagement rates. Your audience is already in the mindset of consuming content in this format, and by delivering your ads in a vertical format, you’re meeting them where they are (quite literally!).

For instance, with Instagram Stories the vertical format allows brands to tell their stories in a way that feels personal and immediate.

TikTok takes this a step further with the entire platform being designed around vertical video. It’s not hard to see why it’s so addictive. With over a billion active users, TikTok has shown us that vertical video is not just a trend, it’s a key element of the future of social media marketing.

Vertical videos feel more intimate and engaging and allow brands to communicate on a more personal level, which is exactly what today’s consumers crave. It’s about creating a moment that feels less like an ad and more like a conversation.

The Benefits of Vertical Video for Socials

What makes vertical content so effective on platforms like Instagram, TikTok & Facebook?

Optimised for Mobile: Mobile-first is the name of the game. Vertical videos are designed for the mobile experience, ensuring your content looks great and performs well on the devices your audience uses most.

Maximised Screen Real Estate: Vertical videos occupy the full screen, eliminating distractions. Your audience’s focus is solely on your content, enhancing message retention and engagement.

Increased Engagement: Vertical video in this context is inherently more engaging. It’s personal & immersive. Whether it’s a look behind-the-scenes, a product demo or a customer testimonial, vertical videos can bring your brand story to life in a relatable way.

Vertical Video Dimensions

One of the key reasons vertical video has grown in popularity is its alignment with the way people naturally hold their mobile devices. To make the most of this trend, it’s important to use the correct video dimensions so your content displays properly on different platforms.

The standard aspect ratio for vertical content is 9:16, which is basically the reverse of ‘traditional’ widescreen. This ratio ensures your content fills the entire screen of a mobile device, providing an immersive, distraction-free experience for the viewer. Here are some specific dimensions to keep in mind:

• 1080 x 1920 pixels: This is the standard resolution for vertical video. It’s commonly used across major social media platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and Facebook Stories. It offers full HD quality that appears crisp and professional on most modern smartphones.
• 720 x 1280 pixels: While not as high quality as 1080p, this resolution is still widely accepted and can be a good option if you need to save on file size. It’s particularly useful for platforms with limited upload speeds or for times where data load is a consideration.

When planning content it’s essential to keep in mind platform-specific requirements. Some social networks, like TikTok and Instagram, prefer videos in 9:16, whereas others might support multiple aspect ratios but display vertical videos most prominently. Always check the latest guidelines for each platform to make sure your video looks its best.

Using these dimensions correctly helps maintain quality & eliminates the chances of black bars or awkward cropping that can distract from your brand message. Ensuring your video fills the screen as intended helps maximise engagement & keeps viewers focused on your content.

Vertical Video Development

The shift towards vertical video has proven itself to be far more then a trend. As mobile usage continues to dominate brands must adapt to stay relevant. It’s part of the strategy now. It’s about meeting your audience where they are and delivering content in the way they prefer to consume it.

Vertical video offers a unique opportunity to connect with your audience in a way that’s natural and engaging.

Fettle Digital – Your Vertical Video Experts

At Fettle Digital, we’re here to help. With our proven track record and commitment to quality, we’ll ensure your vertical content communicates with your audience & exceeds your expectations. Are you ready to take your marketing to the next level? Let’s create something amazing together.