How to Post a Video on Facebook

Posting a video to Facebook seems straightforward, but moving beyond a simple upload to actually drive views, engagement, and results requires a smarter strategy. This guide breaks down not just the simple steps for getting your video live but also the essential optimization techniques and promotion tactics that turn an average post into a real performance driver. We'll cover everything from in-feed videos and Reels to crafting the perfect title and thumbnail.

Why Facebook Video is Still a Powerhouse for Engagement

In a world of TikToks and 15-second Reels, it’s easy to think that longer in-feed videos on Facebook are a thing of the past. That couldn’t be further from the truth. While short-form video captures quick attention, traditional Facebook videos serve a different, equally valuable purpose. They are your brand’s workhorse for building deeper connections, educating your audience, and showcasing your products or services in detail.

Think about it:

• Tutorials and How-Tos: A two-minute video explaining how to use your product is far more effective than a short Reel.
• Behind-the-Scenes Looks: Give your audience a glimpse into your company culture or creation process to build trust and authenticity.
• Customer Testimonials: Letting happy customers share their stories in their own words is incredibly powerful social proof.
• Interviews and Q&,As: Longer conversations establish authority and offer immense value to your community.

Reels are for hooking new audiences, in-feed videos are for nurturing the ones you already have. A healthy Facebook strategy uses both.

How to Post a Video on Facebook: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Let's get down to the basics. The process is slightly different depending on whether you're using a computer or your phone, so we’ll cover both.

From a Desktop Browser (Meta Business Suite)

For business pages, posting through Meta Business Suite gives you the most control and access to advanced features. It’s the professional way to manage your content.

1. Navigate to Meta Business Suite: Go to business.facebook.com and select your page.
2. Click “Create Post”: You'll see this prominent blue button. A post composer window will pop up.
3. Add Your Video: In the composer, click the “Add Video” button. You’ll get an option to “Upload from Desktop.” Find your video file and select it.
4. Optimize Your Video Details: This is where the magic happens. As your video uploads, you'll be prompted to fill out several fields in the “Create post” window:
   • Post details: This is where your caption or description goes. Write engaging copy here that complements your video.
   • Video title: Give your video a clear, searchable title. Think of it like a YouTube title.
   • Thumbnail: Facebook will auto-generate a thumbnail, but you should ALWAYS upload a custom one. Click “Change Thumbnail” > “Upload Image” to add a compelling image that makes people want to click.
   • Tags: Add relevant keywords (tags) to help Facebook understand your video's topic and show it to the right people.
5. Add Captions: In the “Editing” tab on the right side of the video preview, you can click on “Captions.” You can either allow Facebook to auto-generate them (review for accuracy!) or upload your own .SRT file. Given that most users watch videos without sound, this is not optional anymore - it’s necessary.
6. Schedule or Publish: Once you're happy with everything, you can click the “Publish” button at the bottom right to post it immediately. Or, for a better strategy, click the dropdown arrow next to it and select “Schedule.” This lets you choose the perfect day and time for your video to go live when your audience is most active.

From the Facebook Mobile App

Posting from your phone is faster and more convenient, especially for content you've just recorded.

1. Open the App: Go to your Facebook Page or your personal profile.
2. Start a Post: Tap on the “What’s on your mind?” or “Create post” box at the top of your feed or page.
3. Select “Photo/Video”: This will open your phone’s camera roll. Tap the video you want to upload.
4. Add a Description: Write your caption in the text box. Unlike the desktop version, your optimization options are more limited here, but a great description and relevant hashtags are still important.
5. Edit and Tag (Optional): You can tap the “Edit” button on the video thumbnail to perform simple edits like trimming the clip, adding effects, or tagging people or products before posting.
6. Choose Your Audience and Post: Confirm your privacy/audience settings and hit the “Post” button. For business pages, some basic scheduling options might be available here too.

Optimizing Your Video Beyond the Upload

Just putting a video on Facebook isn't enough. You need to package it in a way that captures attention in a crowded feed. Here are the elements that make the biggest difference.

1. Create a Killer Custom Thumbnail

The thumbnail is the movie poster for your video. A blurry, awkward still frame that Facebook chooses for you won't cut it. Your thumbnail should be:

• Bright and High-Contrast: It needs to pop on a small mobile screen.
• Show a Face (If Possible): Human faces naturally draw the eye. A shot of you smiling or looking intriguing works wonders.
• Include Text Overlay: Add a short, bold headline on the thumbnail that summarizes the video's value. Use of a tool like Canva makes this incredibly easy.

2. Write a Caption That Pulls People In

Your caption (or description) has two jobs: create curiosity and provide context. Don't just summarize the video. Instead, try one of these approaches:

• Ask a Question: "What's the biggest mistake people make when watering plants? We're breaking it down in this video."
• Call Out Your Target Audience: "Attention content creators! Here are three editing tricks you need to know."
• Use a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA): Tell viewers what to do next. "Watch the full tutorial to learn how, then drop your questions in a comment!"

3. Don't Forget Closed Captions (SRT)

According to Facebook's own data, a huge percentage of users watch videos with the sound off. If your video relies on audio dialogue or narration, captions are non-negotiable. While Facebook's auto-generation feature has improved, it's often inaccurate. For important videos, create a dedicated .SRT file (a simple text file with timestamps) and upload it for perfect accuracy. This improves both user experience and accessibility.

4. Format for Mobile Success

The days of uploading widescreen (16:9) videos to your feed are mostly over. They just don't take up enough screen real estate to catch attention. Your best bets for standard in-feed videos are:

• Square (1:1 aspect ratio): This format performs consistently well on mobile feeds.
• Vertical (4:5 aspect ratio): This takes up even more vertical space on a phone, stopping scrollers in their tracks.

Keep your file in a common format like MP4 or MOV with H.264 encoding for the best quality and compatibility.

Facebook Reels: The Short-Form Video Game

While everything above focuses on standard videos, Facebook Reels are an entirely different beast. Modeled after TikTok, these are short, vertical, entertainment-focused videos that are pushed heavily by the algorithm to new audiences.

Posting a Reel is a different workflow:

1. Open the Facebook app and tap the “+ Create” button from your feed or profile. Select “Reel.”
2. You can either record a clip directly in the app or upload a pre-edited video from your camera roll.
3. Here, you’ll have a suite of editing tools specific to Reels, including:
   • Audio: Add trending songs or original audio. This is one of the biggest drivers of a Reel’s success.
   • Effects: Use AR filters and other visual effects.
   • Text and Stickers: Add on-screen text overlays, captions, and GIFs.
   • Timer and Green Screen: Tools to help you create your content right in the app.
4. Write a short, punchy caption, add relevant hashtags (think broad, discoverable tags), and post it. You can often choose to share your Reel to your Instagram as well if your accounts are linked.

Reels are designed to be discovered. The goal is to hook a viewer in the first three seconds with something funny, valuable, or surprising, often paired with popular music.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, successfully posting a video on Facebook involves more than just hitting "upload." By mastering the technical process for both in-feed videos and Reels and then applying optimization strategies like custom thumbnails, engaging captions, and proper formatting, you give your content the best possible chance to capture attention and deliver meaningful results for your brand.

We know that juggling different video specs, scheduling for peak times, and managing all your community engagement can get overwhelming. That's why we designed Postbase to be a game-changer for businesses and creators focused on video. Our visual planner and reliable scheduling tool helps you seamlessly manage and publish your Reels, Shorts, and other videos across all your accounts - all from one clean, intuitive interface built for how social media works today, not ten years ago.