Short video is now a large part of what people see on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, and many local businesses avoid it because they assume it needs equipment, editing skills or someone comfortable in front of a camera. It does not. Most of the short videos that work for a local business are filmed on a phone, in one take, by someone who works there.
The holidays make it easier, because there is more to show. Here are five ideas that suit almost any local business, each of which can be filmed in a few minutes.
1. The space getting ready
Film the decorations going up, the seasonal stock arriving, or the holiday menu being set out. A slow pan across the finished space works too. It tells people you are open and ready for the season, and it is the easiest video on this list to make, because nobody has to speak.
2. A quick answer to a seasonal question
Pick one question customers ask every year around this time, such as when to book, how long an order takes, or whether you can deliver before a certain date, and answer it in under 30 seconds. Look at the camera, say the question, give the answer. These are useful, easy to share, and they save your team answering the same question on the phone.
3. Meet the people who will be helping
Introduce one member of the team per video: their name, what they do, and one thing they like about the season. Customers like knowing who they will deal with, and a familiar face makes a busy December visit feel more personal. Ask before filming anyone, and do not pressure people who would rather not appear.
4. Behind the scenes on a busy day
A few seconds of the team at work during a rush, packing orders, prepping food or loading the van, shows demand without saying "we're busy, book now." Keep customers' faces and personal details out of the frame unless they have agreed.
5. The offer, shown rather than described
If you have a holiday offer, show it: the gift card being handed over, the package being put together, the finished job. Say what it is and how to get it in one sentence at the end, and put the same details in the caption for people watching without sound.
The best local video usually looks like it was filmed by someone who works there, because it was.
Keep them short and easy to follow
- Aim for 15 to 30 seconds. If it needs to be longer, it is probably two videos.
- Film vertically, since that is how most people watch short video on a phone.
- Put the point in the first two seconds. People decide very quickly whether to keep watching.
- Add captions or on-screen text. Many people watch with the sound off.
- Use natural light where you can, and wipe the phone lens before filming.
You do not need to post a video every day. One or two a week across the season, alongside your other posts, is plenty. If you have not planned the rest of your holiday posts yet, plan your holiday social media posts in October covers how to map out the season, and what to post when nothing exciting is happening helps with the quieter weeks after.
Social media management with Vizible plans, schedules and publishes your posts across platforms, so the videos you film go out on time. A free growth proposal shows what that would look like for your business.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need special equipment to make short videos for my business?
- No. A recent phone, natural light and a steady hand are enough for most short social videos. Wipe the lens before filming and film vertically.
- How long should a short holiday video be?
- Usually 15 to 30 seconds. Put the main point in the first two seconds, and split anything longer into separate videos.
- What kind of holiday videos work for a local business?
- Simple ones: the space being decorated, a quick answer to a seasonal question, an introduction to a team member, a behind-the-scenes look at a busy day, and your holiday offer shown in use.
- How often should I post videos over the holidays?
- One or two a week is plenty for most local businesses, alongside your regular posts.