Most people meet a brand today through a short vertical video watched on a phone, often with the sound off, while scrolling past dozens of others. A reel does not compete with your competitors’ ads. It competes with everything else on the feed.
Win the first three seconds
The opening decides whether the rest gets watched. Start with the result, the problem, or a surprising moment, not a logo animation or a slow introduction. Movement, a face looking at the camera, or a clear question on screen all help people stop.
Shoot vertical from the start
Cropping a horizontal video into 9:16 loses half the frame and usually the important part. Plan shots for vertical: keep the subject in the center, leave room at the top and bottom for the platform’s buttons and captions, and get close. Details read better than wide shots on a small screen.
Assume the sound is off
Add on-screen text and captions that carry the message without audio. In Saudi Arabia that often means Arabic captions, or both languages for mixed audiences. Keep each line short and on screen long enough to read.
Keep the pace, then give one next step
- Cut every second that does not add information or emotion.
- Change the shot every few seconds to hold attention.
- End with one clear action: message us on WhatsApp, book a table, or visit the branch.
Make it repeatable
The brands that win on short-form video publish consistently, not occasionally. Plan formats you can repeat each week, such as a product in use, a customer question answered, or behind the scenes, then let the numbers tell you which format to produce more of. Watch time and shares are the signals to follow.
