Video with your phone: how to make a strong first second
On Instagram, someone decides in a fraction of a second whether to keep watching. Here is how to win that second, without a camera or a studio.
The AdSweet teamFor every businessYour phone is enough
Most ads that do well are simply filmed on a phone. They feel real, and that fits what people are used to on Instagram and Facebook. What makes the difference is what happens in the first frame.
Start with movement or a face
A hand picking up a product, a door opening, someone looking into the camera. Movement and faces draw attention. A static logo doesn’t.
Say straight away what it is about
Put the most important sentence on screen, big and short. Many people watch without sound. So add subtitles to everything you say.
- Film vertically, in daylight.
- Hold your phone still or prop it against something.
- 6 to 15 seconds is often enough.
- End with what people should do.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be on camera myself?
You don’t have to, but it often helps. People like buying from people. A short ‘hello, I’m Tom from Peeters Roofing’ makes your business personal straight away.
Which format do I use?
Vertical, 9 by 16, for Stories and Reels. That image fills the whole screen of a phone.