Vertical videos are the new trend

The vertical video format is nothing new, of course, but it has gained popularity in recent years, and especially last year with the introduction of YouTube Shorts. And existing networks like Instagram and TikTok. In this blog post, we'll take a look at the pros and cons of these options and how you can use them to promote your website.

Social media is used by almost everyone. The percentage of users who don't have a social media account is so small that it's often not your target audience. Vertical videos are popular on three different platforms: on Instagram, where it tends to be a shorter format or just images. YouTube shorts, which are now up to 60 seconds long. And TikTok, which is especially popular with younger viewers.

Geared toward mobile users

Vertical videos are almost exclusively aimed at mobile users, and the long, thin screens are perfect for this display. With a sharp image and a full display, it's easy to watch and record anything that interests the user. From comedy to the latest cooking trends to history, hobbies and everything else that videos on social media are usually made for. It's just often compressed to the bottom line or short conclusion to keep the required suspense as short as possible. Like a lot of social media, the platform is meant to take in a lot of content in a short amount of time in order to stay on the website hosting longer and thus see more ads.

Often, a video is also fully subtitled so that users can watch it without sound. For example, on the train, quickly in an elevator or so on. So you have to be versatile here and shoot the video both with and without sound. Of course, this is not always easy.

Short format with exciting videos

The short format of these videos is mainly aimed at devouring content quickly and in bites. The dopamine that is released as people scroll through and absorb information is a strong driver for these formats of content. For example, it's different than reading a book that might take you a day or two. These are videos that are often no more than a minute long and deal with viewers' favorite topics. And the longer a user engages with a video, the more he or she watches and interacts with it. The more similar videos he or she will see.

So if you want to venture into this video format, whether it's an advertisement for your product or service, or simply a demo or activation video, you can do so by shooting a vertical video. And then edit that together in the most catchy way possible. The best example of this is to take a moment to familiarize yourself with the types of content you'll be seeing.

Prompt to view a full video or resource.

Your goal as a website owner, of course, is to convert viewers of your video into website visitors and, ultimately, new customers. However you set this up for yourself as a conversion. A YouTube channel can also be a valuable asset for any digital marketer, in addition to short films. That's because it allows you to engage people in an often more dynamic way than you can with text or a regular social media post. Finally, a video can contain more information and personal impressions than any other form of media. This is often because there still needs to be a presenter behind or in front of it to present the information.

Some people also simply prefer to watch a video rather than read it. This is also seen in the use of YouTube and TikTok as search engines. To find the information users need. From how best to wind a piece of string to how to install a WordPress website.

In your short film, you can always include a link to your website to invite users to watch the film, and you can also include this in the description. Or add it right back in the post below the video.

A compelling format that keeps attention

There's no denying that the format is addictive; I personally found that when it came to YouTube. After all, this was already a platform I used almost daily. The ease and brevity of watching YouTube shorts and the other platforms ensures that before you know it, you've already watched your tenth video/short. So where is the benefit for the digital marketer?

Are you already using YouTube shorts and other vertical video content for your projects and marketing? Let us know!