Vertical or landscape? In 2024, anyone starting to create videos, whether for personal use or business, faces a critical decision: should you film vertically or stick with the traditional 16:9 landscape format?
From my experience, the choice is clear. For short social media content, vertical is the way to go. For content that holds long-term value, such as educational videos or for a wide screen other than mobile, consider the 16x9 landscape format.
Today, we're exploring a phenomenon reshaping our media landscape: the unstoppable rise of vertical video. Once dismissed as 'stupid mode,' it's now the norm, thanks to our smartphone habits."
Vertical video has become the standard for media consumption, dominating our screens for the past few years. With nearly 70% of video content now viewed on mobile phones, this trend is significantly impacting consumer-focused businesses and is here to stay.
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have led the push towards vertical formats. YouTube was known for its long form 16x9 traditional video content, they have pushed YouTube Shorts (60sec vertical videos) fairly hard trying to capture more market share on the mainstream trend. Even LinkedIn content has adapted, moving from traditional 16:9 videos to square and vertical formats recently. This shift suits the natural user behaviour, as flipping phones sideways for a casual view has become cumbersome.
Vertical videos maximise screen real estate in the natural scroll direction, making them more engaging and likely to catch the viewer's eye when displayed fullscreen. In our video workshops for business, we provide detailed examples demonstrating why vertical should be your format of choice for maximising viewer retention and engagement.
The shift to vertical video isn't just about following a trend; it's about strategically leveraging this format to captivate and engage your audience effectively. We'll share essential tips for shooting impactful vertical videos, whether for regular social exposure, a product launch, or a brand campaign. Of course, vertical format is not for everything you film, if you understand its purpose and its limitations, you will be in a much better place to plan your communications.
Stay ahead of the curve by understanding the strategic importance of vertical video in your content strategy. Thank you for tuning in! Embrace the vertical format, optimise your content, and watch your engagement soar. See you next time.
