How to Make Vertical Videos for Social Media

Summary: This ultimate guide on vertical video production covers everything you need to make stunning vertical videos - from video shooting tips to finding the right video editor.

Due to the growing use of mobile devices, vertical video is nothing new, and many social media platforms have embraced the use of vertical video.

Early in 2013, Snapchat first pioneered the format of vertical videos.

Then we saw a huge surge in the vertical video in 2018.

In 2018, Instagram launched a vertical video application, IGTV. The same year, YouTube introduced the capability for watching vertical video without black bars on its desktop website and in social media embeds.

Vertical video is on the rise - and it’s time to focus on vertical videos now!

Also Read: How to Convert MP3 to MP4 Online for Free >

Contents

Why Should You Focus on Vertical Videos?

Here we show you 3 main reasons why we should focus on vertical videos:

✓ It’s Better for Mobile Viewers

57% of videos on the internet are watched on mobile. And mobile devices are designed for vertical videos.

Your mobile screen is vertical, and it determines the experiences you have. Holding your phone vertically allows you to type and access menus easily, and you can use different features more intuitively and naturally.

Studies suggest that we hold our phones vertically 94% of the time, whether calling, chatting, banking, or viewing videos.

Image board: Vertical vs. Landscape

✓ Social Networks are Mobile-Friendly and Going for Vertical Videos

There is no denying that people access social media on mobile the most, and it’s only natural that they do it vertically. Social networks know that!

Image board: Social Networks are Mobile-Friendly

The big social platforms have been embracing vertical video already.

Snapchat first pioneered vertical video ads in 2013. Then Facebook and Twitter rolled out vertical ads in September 2016 and March 2017, respectively. And in 2018, YouTube decided to remove black bars on vertical videos, to give users a more pleasant experience.

✓ Vertical Videos can do Wonders for Your Business

More and more advertisers started using vertical videos to promote their products. Mobile advertising platform MediaBrix found that compared to horizontal videos, vertical videos see a 90% higher completion rate.

How to Shoot Vertical Videos for Social Media

Before we jump into how to shoot a vertical video, let’s have a look at the aspect ratio of a vertical video.

Vertical videos, also known as "portrait mode" videos, come in different shapes and sizes, but generally, they mean the video with an aspect ratio of 9:16. But, the ratio can change slightly based on different video platforms.

Pro Tips

• The home of vertical videos, Snapchat, and TikTok both accept the 9:16 aspect ratio of a vertical video.
• Facebook hosts a variety of aspect ratios of a vertical video, including 4:5, 2:3, and 9:16 (full portrait/vertical).
• Instagram stories and IGTV standard vertical video at an aspect ratio of 9:16.
• YouTube will dynamically adapt to whatever size viewers choose to watch it in.

Three Options for Getting a Vertical Video

Shoot a Vertical Video on Your Phone

If you’re filming with your phone, shooting vertical video is easy. Most phones automatically record at 9:16 - and the same is true for some online video platforms like Snapchat and TikTok.

Shoot a Vertical Video on Your Camera

You can also use your camera to shoot a vertical video by rotating it 90 degrees so that it shoots vertical video instead of horizontal. However, you need to notice that most DSLRs always use an aspect ratio of 3:2, while most compact digital cameras (point-and-shoots) use 4:3.

Shoot a Horizontal Video and Edit It into Vertical

Besides, you can even shoot a horizontal video using your phone or camera, and then edit the final video into vertical.

Turning a horizontal video into a vertical one needs cropping the left and right side of the video, so you have to make sure that the subject of your video centered the entire time when you recording!

Or you can use a video editor that helps you scale video production quickly and easily with a click of the button that allows you to switch between horizontal, vertical, and square videos, like FlexClip.

How to Edit Vertical Videos

Editing makes a video perfect! Here we show you how to turn your vertical video into a masterpiece with FlexClip.

# 1The first step is to go to the FlexClip video editor homepage and get started for free.

# 2 Next, create a new project by starting from scratch, and then upload your vertical video. (FlexClip also offers stunning video templates that can enable you with endless inspirations.)

Image board: Add Video Footage

# 3 You then have to change the aspect ratio 16:9 (set by default) to a vertical one with the ratio of 9:16.

Depict video: Set Aspect Ratio

# 4 Add transition to your video clips to make the transition between your video scenes more smooth.

Depict video: Add Transition

# 5 Highlight your video content with text and overlay. Pick one effect you like and enter your own message, then make some adjustments for the font, color, and position.

Depict video: Highlight Your Video Content with Text and Overlays

# 5 Set background music for your vertical video, you can upload your own song by browsing your files or pick one from FlexClip’s media library.

Depict video: Add Audio

# 6 FlexClip also provides you with some funny widgets for you to decorate your vertical video and achieve a far more appealing one.

Depict video: Decorate Your Vertical Video

Final Words

Now that you know how to create awesome vertical videos for social media, it’s time to put these tips into practice now!

Sandy /

Has 4-year of professional photographing experience. Very much into recording every detail of life. She is passionate about all things related to video production, and loves to exploring tips and tricks about it.