Vertical Video for Social Media: Best Practices for Reels in 2025

Want views? 

You better turn that camera upright, buddy. This ain’t 2014. 

You only got 3 seconds to hook someone, and no, your cat blinking doesn’t count! 

Let’s see how to turn your “meh” content into “how did you do that?!” content.

Let’s face it-

If your content isn’t vertical, it’s practically invisible. In 2025, vertical video for social media isn’t just a trend, it’s the VIP pass to reality. 

Whether you are creating: 

• Catchy reels
• Snappy Shorts
• TikToks that stop the scroll

The vertical format reigns supreme.

However, here’s the catch! Not all vertical videos are created equal. So before you hit “post” and hope for the best, let’s break down the best practices to help you rise above the noise (and the algorithm).

The Rise of Vertical Video in Social Media

Vertical videos have become very popular in recent years. This trend has changed how we watch videos on social media.

Social media platforms now focus more on vertical videos than the traditional horizontal format. This shift shapes how people create and share content today.

They are influencing: 

• User interaction
• Content production
• Even platform architecture

A study says that short-form video delivers the highest ROI compared to other marketing trends.

Analyzing the Paradigm Shift: From Horizontal to Vertical

Vertical video’s dominance is the result of multiple overlapping factors rather than a random occurrence:

Mobile-First Usage

Most people who use social media do so through their smartphones. 

The most comfortable and natural way to hold a phone for one-handed scrolling and interaction is vertically. There is no need to rotate the device because vertical video fits this behavior smoothly.

Platform Optimization

Vertical video formats have been extensively adopted and given priority by social media sites. 

To make it simpler for both makers and watchers, they have created: 

• User interfaces
• Algorithms
• Creation tools 

Relatable Read: 25 Best Marketing YouTube Channels To Follow In 2025

Full-Screen Immersion

Horizontal films often have black bars at the top and bottom. In contrast, vertical videos use the whole smartphone screen. This makes the viewing experience more engaging and immersive.

Native Integration

Its popularity has been further boosted by features like swiping up for the next video, integrated editing tools that are tailored for vertical formats. It also feeds specifically for short-form vertical material (like TikTok’s “For You” page).

Content Creator Adaptation

Creators have been changing their tactics more and more as a result of the platform’s demand for vertical content and the high engagement rates. Now, they are:

• Video recording in a vertical position.
• Cropping and altering the current horizontal information to make it more suited for vertical screens.
• Creating material especially suited to the brief, fast-paced format that is frequently connected to vertical video.

The Rise of Short-Form Video

Short, eye-catching video material has become more popular thanks to platforms like TikTok, and the vertical format is a great fit for it. 

The popularity of vertical video has been further cemented as a result of this trend. It has encouraged other platforms to implement comparable capabilities.

Crafting Engaging Vertical Content

Making short-form videos needs a different plan than making regular horizontal videos. These platforms move fast. So, you must catch attention quickly and share value right away.

Capturing Attention in the First Few Seconds

On sites like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok, viewers scroll quickly. You have only a few seconds to grab their attention and keep them from leaving.

• Make use of striking images: Start with striking pictures, vivid hues, or captivating designs.
• Start with hooks: Strong hooks include asking a question, stating something unexpected, or hinting at the information that will be presented.
• Make use of fast pacing: Quick cuts, dynamic transitions, and captivating motion graphics are all examples of fast pacing.
• Strong audio: Make use of popular sounds, enticing tunes, or lucid and engrossing storytelling.

Relatable Read: A Guide To Managing YouTube Shorts Time Limit

The Power of Storytelling in Short Formats

Even if short-form video is brief, storytelling may still be quite powerful. Brief stories have the power to arouse feelings, transmit knowledge, and make an impression that lasts.

Relatable Read: Storytelling Techniques For Video Production: 10 Methods For Maintaining Audience Attention 

Technical Best Practices for High-Quality Videos

Technical best practices must be thoroughly understood to produce captivating videos that draw in and hold the interest of viewers. 

You can greatly improve the quality of your video material by paying attention to the basics of: 

• Lighting
• Sound
• Framing 
• Composition
• Editing

Optimal Lighting and Sound

Your video’s audio and visual components are essential to creating a polished and captivating viewing experience. Ignoring either can seriously undermine your message.

Lighting

Natural Lighting is Your Friend

Use natural light whenever possible. For soft and nice lighting, put yourself or your subject in front of a window. Don’t place the light behind your subject, or you’ll create a silhouette.

Artificial Lighting Considerations

Use artificial light if you don’t have natural light. Ring lights or softboxes can give even, soft light. Keep the lighting steady to avoid distracting brightness changes during your recording.

Minimize Shadows

Look at the shadows on your subject’s face or other important parts of the shot. You can reduce harsh shadows by moving the subject or changing the light position.

Sound

Clear Audio is Non-Negotiable

Poor audio quality often turns viewers away. Try to use a good external microphone, like a shotgun or lavalier mic. If you’re in a quiet place, even a smartphone’s built-in mic can work well.

Minimize Background Noise

Select a peaceful setting for the recording. Switch off appliances, turn off alerts, and pay attention to any reverberation or echoes in the room. If needed, think about utilizing acoustic treatments like foam panels or blankets.

Monitor Your Audio

Before recording your primary content, always check your audio levels. Make sure your voice is clear and loud enough by listening back.

Relatable Read: The 10 Most Effective Types Of Video Advertising To Grow Your Audience

Framing and Composition

Your video’s visual appeal and narrative are greatly influenced by the way you frame your shot and arrange its components.

Understanding Framing

The amount of your subject and the surrounding area that is visible in the picture is known as framing. To communicate various feelings and information, think about using close-up, mid, and wide shots.

The Rule Of Thirds

One essential compositional guideline is the rule of thirds. 

Use two horizontal and two vertical lines to divide your vertical frame into nine equal parts. Place your subject or main objects along these lines or where they cross. This often creates a more balanced and better-looking composition.

Leading Lines and Visual Flow

To direct the viewer’s attention to your subject or a particular point of focus, use either natural or manufactured lines in your scene. This can add visual intrigue and depth.
Headroom and Noseroom

A person should have enough headroom (space over their head) and noseroom (space in the direction they are looking) when being framed. Don’t take off the top of their head or make them look confined in the picture.

Editing Tools and Techniques

In post-production editing, you polish your unprocessed video, improve its quality, and provide a smooth result.

User-Friendly Editing Apps for Vertical Video

Many desktop and smartphone apps are made especially for editing vertical video formats, which are common on websites like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok. Here are some suggestions:

• InShot
• CapCut
• VN Video Editor
• Adobe Premiere Rush
• FilmoraGO

Essential Editing Techiques

Cutting and trimming

Remove irrelevant materials. Improve pacing and provide smooth transitions between segments.

Including Text and Graphics

To draw attention to important details, provide context, or produce captivating images, use text overlays. To increase visual attention, use animations and graphics.

Music and Sound Effects

Choose sound effects and music that are royalty-free, fit the mood of your video, and improve the viewing experience. Make sure the audio levels are the same.

Color correction and grading

Modify your video’s color, contrast, and brightness to create a unified and eye-catching appearance.

Aspect Ratio Optimization

Make sure your finished video is exported with the appropriate vertical aspect ratio for the platform you intend to use, which is usually 9:16.

Relatable Read: Film Clapperboard: Your Essential Tool For Professional Video Production

Leveraging Trends and Challenges

Staying ahead in the ever-changing social media ecosystem frequently needs 

• Proactively interacting with popular trends 
• Ingeniously overcoming platform-specific obstacles

Brands and people can greatly expand their reach and develop closer relationships with their audience by comprehending and utilizing these factors.

Participating in Viral Trends

Viral trends are short-lived bursts of increased visibility on social media. These can include popular meme formats and recurrent hashtag campaigns on Twitter and Instagram, as well as particular audio samples and dance moves on sites like TikTok.

Tip: Keep an eye on popular content formats, hashtags, and hot subjects on the platforms that are relevant to your target audience. 

Creating Platform Challenges

Brands and individuals can create their own platform-specific challenges instead of just following trends. These challenges often encourage users to create content. This builds a sense of community and increases engagement.

Relatable Read: Wistia Vs. Vimeo: Pros, Cons, And Which Platform Wins For Businesses

Accessibility and Inclusivity Considerations

In addition to being morally right, producing inclusive and accessible content is strategically necessary to increase reach and engagement. 

Content producers can reach a larger audience and create a more uplifting and inviting online community by considering the demands of various consumers.

Adding Captions and Subtitles

Social media platforms are now dominated by video content. However, without textual help, it may be difficult for people with hearing impairments or those who prefer to consume content without audio (such as in public places) to understand the message.

Tip: Make sure all video content has appropriate captions and subtitles to make it accessible to a larger audience. As a result, it includes people who are hard of hearing. 

Visual Clarity and Text Size

On social media, visuals help grab attention and share information. But poorly designed images can leave out people with visual impairments or those using small screens.

• Consider a split screen
• Provide instances of larger, highly contrasted font overlays (white text on a black backdrop, for example) that are nevertheless readable on smaller mobile devices

Relatable Read: The Ultimate Guide To E-Commerce Video Marketing In 2025

Analyzing Performance and Iterating

To get the most out of vertical videos, you need to use a data-driven approach. Track performance regularly and adjust your strategy based on new data. This helps you improve and reach more people.

Key Metrics to Monitor

You need to track specific metrics on different platforms to see how well your vertical video content connects with your audience.

Metric	Description	Importance
Watch Time	The average time viewers spend watching your video.	Important for the video platform algorithmsIndicates content engagement and ability to maintain attention
Engagement Rate	The percentage of viewers who interact with your video	Reflects how active your audience is with your content and can signal content quality and relevance.
Shares	The number of times viewers share your video with others.	Highlights content virality and its ability to connect beyond your immediate audience.
Reach	The total number of users who saw your video.	Reflects the breadth of your content’s distribution.
Impressions	The number of times your video was shown to users.	Represents the potential audience exposure.
Click-Through Rate (CTR)	The percentage of viewers who click on a link or call-to-action within your video.	Measures the effectiveness of your video.

A/B Testing Content Variations

You should use A/B testing to test different parts of your vertical video content. This helps you improve its performance over time.

Experiment with different hooks

The first few seconds of a video are very important for grabbing attention. Test different opening lines, images, or sound effects to see which ones get the most views and engagement.

For example, start one video with a question and another with a surprising statement.

Explore diverse formats

No one style applies to vertical video. Try a variety of content to see what works best for your audience, such as 

• Product demos
• Behind-the-scenes looks
• Storytelling narratives and tutorials

Optimize posting times

Check when your audience is most active to find the best times to post. Look at their age, location, and online habits to get better visibility and engagement.

[Source: Zebracat]

Peak activity hours can vary among platforms and audience segments. Use platform analytics to find out when your followers are most active.

Vary the video length

Test different types of content to see what your audience likes. Try short, quick videos and also longer, more detailed ones. A full explanation might take a few minutes, but short tips can work well in just fifteen seconds.

Test different calls-to-action 

Change the wording and placement of your call to action to see what gets the most clicks. Try phrases like ‘Learn More,’ ‘Shop Now,’ and ‘Swipe Up for Details’ to find out which one works best.

Future Trends in Vertical Video Content 

Due to the shifting consumer expectations and technology breakthroughs, the vertical video sector is always changing.

Augmented Reality (AR) Filters

Vertical video platforms are increasingly using AR filters. These superimpose digital components on the actual world. By enabling 

• Gamification
• Creative self-expression
• Interactive experiences

These filters can improve user engagement. Consider interacting with a brand’s mascot in a vertical video or putting on makeup virtually.

Interactive Videos

Viewers can now interact with content in more dynamic ways due to the increasing interactivity of vertical videos. Some examples of this are:

• Polls
• Tests
• Branching stories that let viewers pick their path

AI-Powered Editing and Personalization

The future of vertical video production and viewing is probably going to be heavily influenced by artificial intelligence. 

AI systems may tailor video feeds to user preferences, automate editing procedures, and recommend the best content formats based on user data.

Relatable Read: How AI Is Transforming The Video Production Industry

Wrap Up! 

Get ready to take your vertical game to the next level. Let LocalEyes help you create high-impact, scroll-stopping content that speaks to your audience and offers results! Let’s go vertical-together!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)