Introduction
Storytelling has consistently been a way to bring people together. Narratives have influenced cultures, motivated communities, and sparked revolutions for centuries. With the meteoric rise of short-form content and the birth of new platforms, narratives now exist not just in books, movies, and TV; they live in the palms of our hands on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat.
These content distributors have transformed the way we consume content, and the vertical video format is at the forefront of this evolution.
Vertical video differs from the traditional horizontal video format; it is created to fit the natural position of mobile screen viewing. People don’t have to rotate their device or zoom. The vertical video format feels effortless, which is why it has overtaken our digital spaces.
However, it’s not simply that shooting vertical video is easier; it’s creating something that is attention grabbing, something that maintains watch time and something that leaves an impact in seconds that is far more difficult.
Throughout this article we’ll discuss the art of storytelling with vertical video. We’ll dig deeper into why it’s effective, how to tell a story, and what methods get your video to stand out amongst the sea of video content online.
Why Vertical Video Works in Today’s World
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Vertical video isn’t a temporary trend. It’s the dominant format for sharing content, and the majority of how we consume content is through mobile. Over 80 percent of all social media browsing takes place on mobile phones, and people naturally hold their phones vertically.
This behavior forces the content we make and share to change. Angles, techniques, and even editing software has changed because the vertical video phenomenon changed the way we consume content.
Vertical video, unlike TV or movies, fills the whole screen without distraction. It creates intimacy by bringing the viewer closer to the subject. This intimacy is one of the key reasons why influencers and brands use vertical video to build authentic relationships with their audience. Vertical video has the ability to not just share information, but create a personal experience. Many brands pair this with WhatsApp Marketing Tools to continue the engagement beyond the video itself.
One more reason why vertical video is effective is that it works well with people’s short attention spans. People scroll through their feeds very quickly. If the story doesn’t truly hook viewers in those first few seconds, they just keep going. Vertical video forces creators to reduce storytelling to its simplest form and impact. This doesn’t mean stories need to be shallow, they just need to be sharp, clear and engaging from the start.
The Essence of Storytelling in Vertical Video
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At its essence, storytelling is about emotion. If you are making someone laugh, inspiring someone, or provoking curiosity, stories are less memorable than the emotional journey of the story. In vertical video, there is a heightened call for creators to condense those emotions into small form experiences. Today’s creative tools, from editing apps to an image generator for designers, can help translate those emotions into visuals that immediately connect with viewers.
The format informs how you tell your story. In a film, you may have ample time to provide the audience with background information, offer context and gradually build an approach to climax. In vertical video, you typically have mere seconds to establish: 1) where you are, 2) what is going on, and 3) what is at stake. Because of this, pacing becomes crucial.
Generally speaking, successful storytelling in vertical video will need three things: the hook as a opener, explain the hook and develop the idea, and then leave the audience with something as a resolution.
The hook will gain attention, the middle will develop the idea, and the resolution will leave the audience with something to remember. The plan is simple, but bringing it all together requires creativity and precision.
Crafting a Strong Hook
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The first few seconds of a vertical video are what make the viewer stay or scroll away. A strong hook is not just wanted; it is needed. In Vertical storytelling, the hook is typically the first thing to introduce some conflict, raise a question, or share something unexpected.
The creator teaching us a cooking hack may open with a final dish, and then say, “You’ve been making pasta wrong your whole life. Let me show you why.” In this example, the creator created intrigue from the start. A travel filmmaker may open with the scenic analysis of a view, and say, “This is the hidden spot in Paris no one ever talks about.” Both of these examples illustrate how a hook not only gets attention but also sets the expectation for the story.
In longer formats like movies, the hook may take minutes. In a vertical video, it needs to happen almost instantly! The smaller the format, the quicker the story establishes relevance.
Building a Narrative Flow
When a hook is delivered, the story must unfold at a pace that is logical and entertaining. The trouble with vertical video is that you have little time, and “each second is precious”. Rather than interrupting the story for a long-winded narrative, the story should be straightforward and visually driven.
The creator should be thinking with a visual-first mindset. Vertical video, as mentioned, doesn’t rest as heavily on what is said as much as it does on what is seen. The pacing could be shortened even further with quick cuts, clear visuals, and actions that most can relate to and want to see. In the case of a fitness trainer, the narrative could showcase a workout in real-time instead of explaining its benefits and choosing to talk instead.
The narrative benefits from emotional pacing, as well. Transitional shifts from tension to release, surprise to clarity, or problem to solution allow the viewer to feel the emotion and give the viewer something to think about. Even in a short video, the pacing of these elements can create enough variety in a story to feel complete.
Using Emotion to Drive Connection
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Emotions serve as the spice to all stories, and vertical videos are no different. Emotions are what people remember much more than the act itself. Whether it was funny, surprising, inspiring, or you had empathy for something, emotional engagement is what preserves a story.
For brands, this could be through showcasing real customer stories, and not creative brand content. For creators, this could be displaying vulnerability, or a level of authenticity, or excitement in making something. Audiences will respond more to emotional engagement than facts or sales pitches.
A good vertical video does more than inform or entertain, it connects with the viewer in a way that makes them feel like they are right there in that moment. This immersion and shared experience is why people like, comment, and share.
Real-World Examples of Vertical Storytelling
To best illustrate an effective vertical story, it is important to look at where it is used, real-life examples of it in action. Think about TikTok, for example. A lot of the content is vertical in nature – there is even a type of viral video that has emerged on the platform that adheres to a structure that is the same as traditional storytelling; starting with a hook of some sort, building intrigue in the middle, and then delivering satisfaction in the conclusion.
Take, for example, a popular “prank” video format: there’s a build up (setup of the video), there’s a twist (then maybe something unexpected happens, and finally, there’s the reaction (say, for example, the intended victims).
Brands, too, are utilizing vertical video in a variety of ways. Fashion companies frequently do an entire transformational video: simple clothing, a styled look in 15 seconds.Tech companies also use short motion graphic videos in the vertical format to simplify and explain their complex offering. Many food companies utilize short recipe videos featuring the finished dish as the beginning, rapidly going through the steps.
Not only are these examples very short videos, but they are engaging because they tell a complete story in a short time frame, not because they are produced to high standards.
Getting views is just the beginning. What matters is what comes after. Tools like BotSpace help businesses turn video attention into leads by automatically replying to comments and Story interactions on Instagram and WhatsApp.
Even the personal story influencers use vertical video style to great effect. The subjects are quite literally speaking directly into the camera lens, like it’s a friend and it feels intimate and real. In a horizontal video, this style of storytelling simply does not translate as effectively.
Challenges in Vertical Storytelling
Thinking about all the possibilities vertical video unlocks is fun, but there are challenges as well. The most significant challenge is the tension between creative expression and constraints. Writing a complete story in less than a minute is not simple and requires focus and clarity. But this is where Predis.ai’s best AI video generator can help you gain a significant advantage. With just a simple text, idea, or URL, it can write a compelling script and generate a scroll-stopping video in seconds. Plus, you don’t need to worry about the captions and hashtags. Everything is taken care of within this amazing AI content generator and publisher from a single dashboard.
Another issue is standing out. Millions of vertical videos are uploaded every day. In a sea of content, it is easy to get lost unless you have a voice or a unique point of view! This is why it is essential to be both consistent and original!
Then there is the issue of the platform. What works on TikTok usually will not work on Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. Each platform has its own culture and expectations for the audience. This means the creator needs to be flexible in their storytelling style.
The Future of Storytelling in Vertical Formats
Vertical video is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. Just like everything evolves, platforms are continuing to evolve, and with them come new tools and features that stretch the limits of how a story can be told. Already, there are features such as interactive polls, clickable links, or fun augmented reality filters that define the experience.
Going forward, vertical storytelling could likely be something that is even more immersive!
What will set apart creators and brands going forward is whether they choose to lean into this change or resist it. They will be able to contemplate how they can blend the core principles of traditional storytelling while also embracing these new formats. If you’re looking for a tool to help you create stunning vertical videos, you might want to explore platforms like InVideo AI, and an InVideo AI promo code could help you get started at a better price.
It is important to remember that the core of storytelling is still the same – a clear narrative, emotional connection, and authentic voice. The formats may change, but our innate humanity and love for stories will endure.
As platforms evolve, creators who blend engaging storytelling with smart optimization — like video SEO and YouTube SEO services — will have a significant edge in reaching the right audience with complete SEO services.
Conclusion
Crafting an engaging story in vertical video is a combination of art and discipline. The limitations of the format make you think about what is important – finding clear hooks, narrowing in on tight arcs, adding an emotional pull, and leaving the viewer with strong endings. Although it seems limiting, recognizing the limitations often leads to greater creativity.
In a world of shortened attention spans and heightened competition to view, the opportunity to tell stories quickly and clearly has value. Whether you are a brand, a creator, or just sharing moments, understanding vertical storytelling has great potential to help you engage with your audience by creating meaning behind your messages. Connect with a video streaming development company to develop engaging stories in various video formats, such as vertical.
Stories are the means by which we understand the world. And now in vertical video, stories are connecting us, sharing, and expressing the meanings of ourselves in the digital chapter of our lives. Assuming this media format might be small in surface area, there is a great big old world attaching meaning when a well-told story sparks attention.
