Reels for businesses: how to make short videos that bring in customers
Reels are a way to present a business through short video and can help you reach people who don't follow the account yet. The same content, once adapted, can be used on TikTok, YouTube Shorts or LinkedIn. You don't need complex production. You need a clear idea, presented quickly.
The first seconds matter
People scrolling decide quickly whether to keep watching.
Start with the result, the question or the most interesting moment.
The finished kitchen before you show the build. The dish leaving the kitchen before the recipe. The customer's problem before the solution.
Ideas that work for many businesses
- Before and after a job.
- A day at the company in twenty seconds.
- The answer to a common question.
- A common mistake in your sector.
- The process behind a product or service.
- The team introducing themselves.
Shoot well without overcomplicating
- Shoot vertically.
- Use natural light or a light aimed at whoever is speaking.
- Use a lapel mic when there's speech.
- Shoot short, varied clips.
- Stabilise the phone or use a tripod.
Captions and on-screen text
Many people watch videos without sound.
Add captions to what's said and use on-screen text to make the topic of the video clear.
Avoid placing important information too close to the edges, where the platform's interface can hide it.
How often to post?
Two to three reels a week can be a sustainable pace for many businesses.
One filming session a month can let you produce several videos at once and spread them over the following weeks.
How to tell if it's working
Look at:
- Average watch time.
- The percentage of people who watch to the end.
- Views from people who don't follow the account yet.
- Profile visits.
- Messages or enquiries after the post.
Repeat the formats that hold attention and adjust the ones that lose viewers quickly.