If you’re stuck on what to post, this guide breaks down how to brainstorm short-form vertical video content that grabs attention, builds new fans, and helps your music spread faster.
Table of Contents
Why Vertical Video Is Harder—But More Powerful
Traditional music videos let you hide behind plot, editing, and concepts. Short-form vertical videos don’t. They force you to look into the camera and connect directly with strangers. That’s why they’re harder—but also more effective. People want to feel something real.
Constraints help. Short-form video is tight by nature: a small screen, a vertical crop, a few seconds of attention. But that structure helps you focus and makes your content easier for people to digest and remember.
And always shoot in landscape and vertical at the same time for maximum content. More on that here.
Video Ideas That Work
Lip-Sync to Your Track
- Pick the strongest 20 seconds of your song (hook or standout line)
- Film yourself lip-syncing or performing it
- Try it in multiple locations with different outfits and lighting
- Keep it clean, vertical (9:16), and well-lit
Rap Freestyles & Acoustic Covers
- Rappers: freestyle over a popular beat
- Singers: perform a stripped-back acoustic version of a well-known track (or your own)
- Use the original artist and song title in your caption to help with discoverability
Hometown Walkthroughs
- Film yourself performing while walking through your city or neighborhood
- Highlight landmarks, streets, and real spots
- Geo-tag the post and mention your location in the caption
Live Performances & Alternate Takes
- Schedule one shoot day to film multiple songs live or acoustic
- Capture both pro video and phone clips from different angles
- Use these clips for Reels, Shorts, and TikToks across weeks
Approach: How to Make Content That Connects
Make Videos for Strangers, Not Just Fans
Your fans care about you. Strangers don’t—yet. Tailor your content accordingly:
- Strangers: deliver proof—great song clips, covers, confident performances
- Fans: behind-the-scenes, interviews, personality-driven content
Let Your Talent Talk
- Turn on the camera and perform with no frills
- Talk to your audience directly—say who you are and what you’re about
- Raw, simple clips often perform best
Look Visually Interesting
- Wear something memorable—colorful, bold, or stylistic
- Keep the background clean and the lighting sharp
- Don’t overdo it—just make sure you catch the eye quickly
Find Your Format and Repeat It
- Pick a repeatable structure: walking freestyles, car clips, bedroom hooks
- Consistency builds recognition and makes brainstorming easier
- Keep your format tight so every new video fits a plan
When you build around proven video ideas and smart formatting, you never have to guess again. Focus on showing up, showing your talent, and making content for people who don’t know you—yet.
360 Promo is a full-service music marketing, promotion, distribution and admin company. Learn more about us and what we do at 360 Promo, follow us on Instagram and contact us to tailor a plan that works for you.