5 Ways to Boost Your Business & Revenue with Vertical Video

How Vertical Video Can Boost Your Income and Take Your Creative Business to the Next Level

If you’re a photographer or content creator, you’ve likely noticed the increasing demand for vertical video. With platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts dominating social media, vertical video has become a key format for engaging audiences and meeting client demands.

But beyond the creative potential, mastering vertical video can also be a major revenue driver for your business. It's certainly been a big factor for me and my biz over the last several years. Despite not really wanting to get into videography at first, I'm really glad I did and am very much enjoying the process.

While I understand getting into video work isn't for everyone, I wanted to at least provide some practical knowledge and inspiration on how it can be a big value add to your business, and increase your earnings:

1. Show the Behind-the-Scenes Process

Whether you're setting up a studio shoot, or doing photography inside a bar or restaurant, people love seeing how the sausage is made. You can keep the focus on your still imagery, while showing off how you set-up your lighting, or how you run your shoots. This can also be a fun way for potential clients to get a sample of what it's like to work with you as well.

Example: On your next shoot, set up your smartphone on Timelapse and capture yourself in action. This makes for a low-effort Reel or TikTok video, but doesn't give too much away about your process either. 

2. Consider offering Vertical Video Add-Ons to Your Photography Packages

If you’re already providing photography services to clients, offering vertical video as an add-on is a simple way to boost your revenue. Many clients are looking for social media content that includes both still images and video. By adding a vertical video option, you not only meet this demand but also increase your project fees.

Example: You charge $2,500 for a photoshoot. By offering a vertical video package (e.g., a 30-second highlight video for social media), you could considerably increase the total fee, depending on the scope of the video.

The key here is to position video as a value-added service that complements your photography. This not only differentiates you from competitors but also helps your clients achieve a more cohesive visual strategy for their brand.

3. Create Consistent Revenue with Social Media Content Packages

Many businesses and brands struggle to produce consistent, high-quality content for their social media channels. Vertical video is an ideal format for this, as it’s designed for mobile viewing and naturally fits into the platforms where audiences spend most of their time.

By offering monthly content packages that include vertical videos, you can secure consistent, recurring revenue while providing ongoing value to your clients.

Example: You offer a monthly retainer where you deliver four vertical videos (one per week) for a flat fee. These videos could include product features, behind-the-scenes looks, or event highlights tailored for Instagram or TikTok. This gives your clients a steady stream of content while providing you with a reliable income stream.

4. Upsell to Existing Clients

If you’ve already built relationships with clients, it’s easier to upsell them on video services. They already trust your work and are more likely to invest in additional services that enhance their marketing efforts.

Example: You’ve done branding photography for a client, and now you pitch a follow-up project that includes vertical videos to be used in their next social media campaign. This could easily add additional earnings, and it keeps the client coming back for more.

The key is to focus on how video content complements their current branding and marketing efforts, offering them a solution that elevates their online presence.

5. Use Vertical Video to Grow Your Own Brand

Vertical video isn’t just a tool for client work—it’s also a powerful way to grow your own personal brand. By sharing engaging vertical videos on your own social media platforms, you can showcase your expertise, attract new followers, and ultimately land more clients.

Example: You consistently post vertical videos on Instagram or TikTok, showing behind-the-scenes of your shoots, tutorials, or client success stories. This content helps establish you as an authority in the field, attracting new clients and even collaboration opportunities that lead to additional revenue.

As your social media presence grows, so does your reach and potential to secure partnerships with brands and businesses looking for creative talent.

Getting Started with Vertical Video

So how do you start integrating vertical video into your offerings? Here are some quick steps to begin:

1. Start with What You Know: You already have the foundation—composition, lighting, and storytelling skills from photography. Use your smartphone to practice creating short vertical videos and experiment with editing techniques.
2. Create Sample Videos: Build a small portfolio of vertical videos that showcase your ability to work in this format. These could be personal projects or test shoots that show how you can translate your photography skills into engaging video content.
3. Pitch to Existing Clients: Reach out to clients you’ve worked with before and offer vertical video as a new service. Highlight the value this adds to their marketing efforts and how it can boost engagement on social media.
4. Offer Package Deals: Create packages that combine photography and vertical video. Offering this comprehensive solution can make you a more attractive hire for new clients looking for a one-stop content creator.

The Bottom Line

Mastering vertical video isn’t just about keeping up with trends—it’s a practical way to grow your business, increase your revenue, and offer more value to your clients. Whether you’re looking to expand your services or attract higher-paying clients, vertical video can be the key to unlocking new opportunities in the fast-paced world of content creation.

By embracing this format, you’ll not only stay relevant in the ever-evolving digital landscape but also position yourself for long-term success.

Want to learn more?

Check out my Vertical Video Mastery e-course and join photographers and content creators from all over the world as we dive into learning and mastering this powerful format.