How to Make a Short Video for Facebook

Creating a short video for Facebook doesn’t have to be a complicated production. With just a smartphone and a solid plan, you can make content that stops the scroll and gets people interested in what you do. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from coming up with an idea to hitting publish.

The Four-Stage Process for Unforgettable Facebook Videos

Making a great video isn't about having the fanciest camera, it’s about following a proven process. We’ll break it down into four simple stages: planning, filming, editing, and publishing. Think of it as your roadmap from a basic idea to a finished video that actually connects with your audience.

Stage 1: The Plan (Don't Skip This!)

Jumping straight into filming without a plan is the fastest way to waste time and end up with footage you can't use. A few minutes of planning upfront makes everything else go smoother. This is where you set yourself up for success.

Define Your Video's Goal

First, ask yourself: what is this video supposed to do? Every piece of content should have a purpose. Without a clear goal, your video will feel directionless. Are you trying to...

• Educate? (e.g., A quick "how-to" tutorial or a tip related to your industry)
• Entertain? (e.g., A funny skit or a trending audio clip that fits your brand)
• Build Trust? (e.g., A behind-the-scenes look at your process or a client success story)
• Drive Action? (e.g., Announce a sale, new product, or encourage sign-ups)

Your goal determines the tone, the content, and the call to action. Keep it simple and focus on one main purpose per video.

Outline Your Idea (A Simple Script)

You don't need a professional screenplay, but you do need an outline. This can be as simple as a few bullet points in your notes app. Having a basic structure prevents you from rambling or missing key points.

A great formula for short videos is:

1. The Hook (Seconds 1-3): Start with your most PUNCHY statement, a question, or captivating visual. You absolutely MUST grab their attention immediately. Example: "Stop making this common mistake with your houseplants."
2. The Points (Seconds 4-25): Deliver the value. Give the tips, tell the story, or show the process. Stick to 2-3 main points and keep them brief. Example: Show the mistake, explain why it's bad, and show the correct way.
3. The Call to Action (CTA - Final Seconds): Tell the viewer exactly what to do next. Be direct. Example: "Comment 'PLANT HELP' below for my free guide."

Having this simple three-part structure makes your videos feel tight, professional, and effective.

Gather Your Gear (Keep it Simple)

Today’s smartphones are more than powerful enough to shoot high-quality video for Facebook. You don't need to break the bank on gear, but two small investments can drastically improve your quality:

• A Basic Tripod: Shaky footage looks unprofessional and can be distracting. A small tripod for your phone is inexpensive and makes a huge difference.
• An External Microphone: Muffled or inaudible audio will cause people to scroll away instantly. A simple clip-on (lavalier) microphone that plugs into your phone will give you crystal-clear sound, which is just as important as the video itself.

Stage 2: The Filming (Bringing Your Idea to Life)

With your plan in place, it’s time to hit record. Keep these practical tips in mind to get the best possible footage.

Focus on Lighting and Sound

These two elements separate a bad video from a good one. You don't need a Hollywood studio to get them right.

• Lighting: The best and cheapest light source is a window. Face the window so the natural light is on your face. Avoid having a bright window behind you, as this will turn you into a dark silhouette. If natural light isn’t an option, a simple ring light works wonders and casts even, flattering light.
• Audio: Record in a quiet room. Turn off fans, TVs, and anything else that makes background noise. If you're using an external microphone, clip it to your shirt near your collarbone for consistent, clear audio. Do a quick test recording to make sure you sound good before filming the whole thing.

Frame Your Shot for Mobile

Most people will be watching your video on their phone, so film accordingly. Always film vertically (portrait mode).

A 9:16 aspect ratio (the default for vertical video) is perfect for Facebook Reels and Stories, and it still performs a lot better in the main feed than traditional horizontal video. Using vertical video fills the entire phone screen, making your content more immersive and harder to ignore.

Shoot More Than You Need

Get a few different takes of each part of your video. It’s always better to have extra footage to choose from in the editing stage. It also helps to shoot "B-roll" - that’s supplementary footage that you can cut to while your main audio plays. For example, if you're talking about making coffee, B-roll could be a close-up shot of the beans, the hot water pouring, or the steam rising. This makes your video far more dynamic and visually interesting.

Stage 3: The Editing (Piecing it All Together)

Editing is where you shape your raw footage into an engaging final product. There are plenty of user-friendly apps that make this process straightforward, even for beginners.

Choose a User-Friendly Editing App

You don't need complicated desktop software. Mobile editing apps have become incredibly powerful and are all you need for creating great social media content. Some popular choices include:

• CapCut: Free and packed with features like auto-captions, background removal, and a huge library of trending sounds and effects.
• InShot: Another fantastic, intuitive option for trimming clips, adding music, applying filters, and adding text overlays.
• Canva: If you're already using Canva for graphics, its video editor is a great choice. It has tons of templates and seamlessly integrates with its asset library.

Edit for a Short Attention Span

The key to a successful short video is fast-paced, snappy editing. Here's a checklist for your edit:

• Cuts for Pace: Trim out every single awkward pause or "um." Cut right to the action. Quick cuts between different clips or angles keep the viewer's brain engaged. A general rule of thumb is to avoid letting a single shot last for more than 3-4 seconds unless there's a good reason for it.
• Add Captions/Text on Screen: A huge percentage of people watch videos on Facebook with the sound off. Adding on-screen text or captions is non-negotiable. Most modern video apps (like CapCut) have an auto-captioning feature that does the work for you. Reading what you’re hearing makes the video more accessible and keeps people watching.
• Use Music and Sound Effects: Audio has a major impact on the mood of your video. Find a soundtrack that matches the vibe you're going for - upbeat and energetic, calm and informative, etc. Websites like Epidemic Sound or Artlist are great for royalty-free music, but Instagram and TikTok's native audio libraries are often the best source for trending sounds. Small sound effects (like a "pop" or a "swoosh") can also add a layer of polish.
• End with a Clear Call to Action (CTA): Reinforce your CTA at the end. You can add a text overlay that says "Follow for More!" or "Shop the link in our bio" to make sure people know what action to take.

Stage 4: The Publishing (Sharing it with the World)

Your video is ready! The final step is to put it out there, but a little bit of strategy at this stage can help it reach more people.

Craft a Compelling Caption

Your video should do the heavy lifting, but the caption is an opportunity to add context or start a conversation. Your caption doesn't need to be an essay.

• Hook them with your first sentence.
• Offer a bit more detail or ask a question to encourage comments.
• Use 3-5 relevant hashtags to improve discoverability. Research what hashtags people in your niche are actually using.

Create an Eye-Catching Thumbnail

The thumbnail is the static image people see before your video starts playing. Facebook will choose a random frame for you, but it’s almost never the best one. Instead, upload a custom thumbnail or choose an interesting frame from your video. A good thumbnail features a clear, intriguing image (often with a person's face) and maybe a short text overlay that sparks curiosity (e.g., "My Top 3 Secrets").

Post at the Right Time

When is your audience most active on Facebook? You can find this data in your Page's Insights or Creator Studio. Posting when your followers are most likely to be online gives your video an initial boost of engagement, which can signal to the Facebook algorithm that your content is worth showing to a wider audience. Experiment with different days and times and check your analytics to see what works best.

Final Thoughts

Breaking down video creation into these stages - planning, filming, editing, and publishing - transforms it from an overwhelming task into a manageable process. Focus on delivering value, being authentic, and making small improvements with each video you create, and you'll find it gets easier every time.

Once you get the hang of creating videos, the next step is planning and scheduling them consistently. At Postbase, we designed our platform specifically for the reality of modern social media, where short-form video reigns. Our visual calendar lets you plan out your video content weeks in advance, and you can reliably schedule your videos to go live across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts without worrying if they’ll actually publish on time.