Inside this Article
Requirements for a Facebook Video
To upload a video to Facebook smoothly, you need to follow some parameters, whether you record it in the app or upload a separate file:Length
- Videos can be up to 240 minutes long (four hours)
- Minimum length is one second
Format
- MP4 or MOV formats are recommended for both mobile and desktop videos; however, Facebook supports many other video formats
Audio
- Stereo AAC Audio
- 12kbps or more
Size
- Max file size is 4GB
Resolution
- 1280 x 720 pixels is the general recommended resolution to make sure your video will look great on all screen sizes; anything higher will be automatically downsized by Facebook
- Minimum width is 600 pixels, with the length depending on the aspect ratio
Supported Aspect Ratios
- 16:9 landscape; 9:16 portrait
- 2:3 or 4:5 vertical
- 1:1 square
Frame Rate
- Max frame rate is 30 FPS (frames per second)
Facebook’s Recommendations
Thankfully for us all, Facebook provides users with a comprehensive table featuring suggestions for uploading every type of video they support. As Facebook owns Instagram, there is helpful information regarding those videos as well:
Create an Effective Facebook Video
The first step toward making an effective Facebook video is to know what works. Here are seven of the most important tips to remember:Tip #1: Create for “On the Go”
Facebook users are 1.5 times more likely to watch video daily on a mobile device. Utilize the screen space as effectively as possible by creating videos with a 1:1 (square) or 9:16 (vertical) aspect ratio.Tip #2: Silent Video Options
Recent studies also tell us that 85% of Facebook users watch videos with the sound off. For this reason, you’ll want to include subtitles or otherwise ensure that the narrative and CTA can be understood without sound.Tip #3: Short Is Sweet
In 2015, our average attention span was down to about eight seconds (yikes). Technology surely hasn’t helped that number go up, so you need to keep your videos short, no matter how long Facebook allows them to be.- Six-second ads had “higher brand metrics across the board” according to Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg in 2017
- No matter the length, capture attention early—within the first 3 seconds if possible
- Don’t forget to show your branding early
Tip #4: SEO Is Your Friend
People need to find your video. Choose your keywords carefully, both in the video title and description. Here are some tips for creating a headline that will rank well with search engines:- Research your keywords so you are including terms people are searching for
- Use power words like “never” and include an opinion to entice people (e.g., Six foods you should never eat if you want glowing skin)
- Learn what’s working for your competitors
- Ask the viewer a unique question (e.g., Do you know what food is best for your skin?)
- Create urgency with phrases like: “Hurry,” “Right now,” “Limited Offer,” “Exclusive,” or “Ends Tonight”
Tip #5: Place Your CTA Carefully
If you are calling your viewers to action (and you probably should be), place your CTA carefully and deliberately. Best practices suggest that the middle of your video is best. This is because the beginning of your video is for capturing attention and, realistically, fewer people will be watching at the end. So, right after you’ve captured attention, call people to act.Tip #6: Follow Paid Ad Regulations
Facebook has a whole separate set of requirements if you are using your video as a paid ad, including language and the use of adult content. If you plan to use the platform for video ads, make sure that you review these policies carefully to make sure your ads will be approved.Tip #7: Be Clear About Your Goals
We saved this tip for last because it is probably the least technical piece of advice we have. But, in order to create a successful video, you need to know your goals first. Are you telling a story? Are you only hoping for views or is click-through the objective? Are you introducing your brand, or trying to start a conversation? The answers to these questions are important because they’ll help to shape your entire video ad campaign. But no matter what your objective, don’t forget to be creative. Remember that Facebook videos receive the most engagement when they’re created for the platform and uploaded directly to the platform. A YouTube video shared to Facebook simply won’t perform as well.Watch What Works
All the characteristics listed above contribute to the success of the most popular videos. When you begin your journey, set aside some time to observe videos created by fellow marketers. Analyze their effective strategies as well as areas that may need enhancement. Identify valuable concepts that you can incorporate into your video production, and assess which elements have potential for refinement. After that, it will be time to start creating a video for your brand. Outlining your objectives and the points of differentiation can help you find your creative spark. At that point, you’ll just need to worry about following the guidelines outlined above, and your video will be well on its way to success.Sources:
https://www.facebook.com
https ://www.falcon.io/insights-hub/topics/social-media-strategy/facebook-video-ads-best-practices-for-2018/
https ://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/11/07/facebook-statistics
https ://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-video-specs-guide/#facebook
https ://blog.hootsuite.com/social-media-video-specs/
https ://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/05/17/how-to-write-great-headlines
