Why Your Business Needs to Stop Filming Sideways
If you’re still filming videos for your business by holding your phone sideways, you are literally leaving money on the table.
I’ve spent years looking at the numbers for small businesses across Brisbane—from landscapers in Carindale to boutique shops in Paddington—and the data is crystal clear: people don't turn their phones anymore. Over 90% of your potential customers are looking at their screens vertically. If your video doesn't fill that space, they’ll scroll past you in less than a second.
Vertical video (the tall kind you see on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) isn't just a trend for teenagers. It is currently the most cost-effective way to get your face and your services in front of local people who want to buy what you’re selling.
In this guide, I’m going to break down why this works, what it will cost you (hint: bugger all), and how to start seeing more enquiries within weeks.
The Data: Why Tall Videos Win More Sales
Let’s look at the cold, hard facts. When we run ads or post content for our clients, vertical videos consistently get 3 to 4 times more engagement than the old-school wide videos.
Why? Because they take up the whole screen. When a potential customer sees your video, there are no distractions. No other posts peeking up from the bottom, no notifications catching their eye. It’s just you and your message.
Most Brisbane business owners I talk to are worried about looking "unprofessional." They think they need a camera crew and a $5,000 budget. They couldn't be more wrong. In fact, highly polished, expensive-looking videos often perform worse on social media because they look like ads. People have developed a "skip" reflex for anything that looks too corporate.
What actually works is simple phone videos that look like they were made by a real person. This builds trust faster than any high-end production ever could.
Three Predictions for Local Business Video in 2024 and Beyond
Based on what we’re seeing in the local market, here is where the smart money is going:
1. The Death of the "Corporate" Intro
Nobody cares about your logo spinning around for five seconds with elevator music. If you don't tell the viewer how you can help them in the first three seconds, they are gone. The trend is moving toward "The Hook." You need to start your video by stating a problem or showing a result immediately.2. Seeing is Believing (The "Proof" Trend)
People are tired of being lied to by shiny marketing. They want to see the dirty boots, the finished renovation, or the happy customer. We’ve found that showing real business wins through quick vertical clips generates significantly more phone calls than a stock-standard testimonial.3. Direct Communication Beats High Production
The businesses winning the most customers right now are the ones where the owner isn't afraid to get in front of the camera and talk directly to the viewer. It’s about being the local expert. If you’re a plumber in Morningside, talk about why the pipes in that specific suburb always burst in winter. That local relevance is your superpower.How to Film Vertical Videos That Actually Make Money
You don't need a degree in film. You just need to follow these four rules:
Rule 1: Lighting is Your Best Friend
You don't need to buy fancy lights. Just stand facing a window during the day. If you’re outside on a job site, try to keep the sun in front of you, not behind you. If the customer can't see your face, they won't trust you. It’s that simple.Rule 2: Audio is More Important Than Video
People will watch a slightly blurry video, but they will turn off instantly if they can't hear you. If it’s windy or noisy, buy a cheap $30 clip-on microphone that plugs into your phone. It’s the best thirty bucks you’ll ever spend on marketing.Rule 3: Keep it Short and Punchy
For a vertical video to work, aim for 30 to 60 seconds. - 0-3 Seconds: The Hook (e.g., "Is your roof leaking every time it rains in Brisbane?") - 3-15 Seconds: The Value (e.g., "Here are three things you can check right now.") - 15-45 Seconds: The Proof (e.g., "We just fixed this for a lady in Chermside, and here’s what it looked like.") - 45-60 Seconds: The Call to Action (e.g., "Call me on 04XX XXX XXX and I'll come take a look.")Rule 4: Use Simple Captions
A lot of people watch videos with the sound off (think of someone sitting on the bus or in a waiting room). Use an app to add big, clear captions. If they can read what you’re saying, they’re more likely to tap the volume and listen.What is a Waste of Your Money?
I’m going to be blunt: spending $2,000 on a single "brand video" for your website is usually a waste of money for a small business. Why? Because it gets stale.
Instead, you could spend $0 and 15 minutes a day making videos that actually sell your services. Frequency beats quality every single time in the world of vertical video. One video a week for six months will do more for your bank account than one expensive video sitting on your homepage gathering dust.
Also, don't waste money on "engagement" or "likes." Likes don't pay the mortgage. You want phone calls and emails. Always steer your video toward a specific action you want the viewer to take.
How Long Until You See Results?
This isn't an overnight miracle. If you post your first video today, don't expect 50 calls by tomorrow morning.
However, if you post two vertical videos a week, here is what usually happens: - Week 1-4: You’ll feel awkward, and your friends might make a joke. Ignore them. You’ll start getting a few more people visiting your profile. - Month 2: You’ll get your first "I saw your video" customer. This is the best feeling in the world because they already feel like they know you. - Month 6: You’ll have a library of content that works for you 24/7. Your cost to get a new customer will drop because you're no longer just paying for clicks—you're building a reputation.
Your First Step Today
Don't go out and buy a new phone or a tripod. Today, I want you to go to your current job site or stand in your shop. Hold your phone vertically, look into the lens (not at yourself on the screen), and record a 30-second tip that helps your customers.
Tell them who you are, what you do, and how they can reach you. Post it to your business Facebook or Instagram page. That’s it. You’ve started.
If you’re too busy running your business to worry about editing, captions, or where to post these videos to get the most bang for your buck, that’s where we come in. At Local Marketing Group, we help Brisbane businesses turn simple videos into a steady stream of customers.
Ready to grow your business without the jargon? Contact Local Marketing Group today and let’s get your phone ringing.