Christopher Nolan, who?

Ditch the film crew and forget the fancy script, social videos aren’t about looking like a Hollywood blockbuster. In fact, the shinier and more “commercial” your video feels, the faster people scroll past it. Big budgets don’t guarantee big engagement.

Videos that feel quick, real, and just a little messy. Shot on an iPhone, no filters, and zero “buy this now” vibes.

Authentic is where it’s at. Great examples:

TikTok Hema
Instagram Action
TikTok Bol

One and done?

A video might go viral. But let’s be real, it usually doesn’t. And if you dump all your budget into that one shot, you might as well be buying lottery tickets. Social media’s about showing up consistently. One viral hit is nice, but regular content that keeps popping up is what actually builds your brand.

Think of your videos like pizza: one slice is great, but the whole thing? Even better.

Pro tip: Spread your budget across multiple videos. Try different ideas, see what clicks.

Strategy is the main character

Posting one viral video won’t build your empire. The real secret? Showing up consistently, and with purpose.

If you want people to notice you (and keep noticing you), you need strategy: formats they recognize, a look that sticks, and familiar faces your followers can get attached to.

On mute

Lots of social videos get watched on mute (guilty as charged 👋). If your video depends on audio to get your message across, you’re basically missing out on a huge chunk of your audience.

That’s why subtitles are your secret weapon. They make sure your video is understood even when it's muted, and they help with accessibility too. Win-win.

Pro tip: Tons of AI tools like Descript and Veed can automatically generate captions for your videos. Some platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YT,...) even have it built-in.

The wrong fit

Isn’t it the worst when a video’s all stretched out or cut off, like it’s been forced into a box it doesn’t belong in? It’s a quick way to lose views.

Square or vertical videos are your best friend on social media, especially for mobile viewers. Make sure you film in the correct format for each platform to avoid any awkward cropping.

Here’s your handy guide:

• Instagram & TikTok: Vertical (9:16)
  
  

• Facebook & LinkedIn: Square (1:1)
  
  

• YouTube: Landscape (16:9)

Pro tip: Posting on multiple platforms? Create different versions with the right dimensions for each one. It’s a small step that makes a huge difference in how your video’s received.

That’s a wrap

Avoiding these video fails is like giving your content a little glow-up. Keep it fun, keep it real, and make sure your video actually fits the screen (and the vibe ✨).

With a few tweaks, you’ll have your audience hooked.