Shorts for tradespeople: what to film in 2 minutes

The idea: film what you already do

A Short is a short vertical video (YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, TikTok). No need for a script: film for 2 minutes during your normal work, then keep the best few seconds. Three formats work for almost every trade:

• Before and after: the same shot, filmed before and after the job.
• The technique: one precise step, close up (a cut, a weld, a plaster coat, a finish).
• The tip: one common customer mistake and how to avoid it, in one sentence.

Short video ideas by trade

Carpenter, joiner, furniture maker

• Sanding a rough piece all the way to the finish.
• A close-up joint (mortise and tenon, dovetail).
• Tip: how to look after solid wood furniture.

Plumber, heating engineer

• Before and after of a tidy install under a sink.
• Servicing a boiler step by step (without showing the address).
• Tip: what to do first when there is a leak.

Electrician

• A fuse box before and after an upgrade.
• Neat cable runs in trunking.
• Tip: when to get your wiring checked.

Painter, drywaller, tiler

• Tiling a wall in time-lapse.
• A damaged wall, then filled, sanded and painted.
• Tip: why preparation matters more than the paint.

Landscaper, bricklayer, roofer

• A garden or patio before and after.
• Building a low wall, course by course.
• Tip: what to check on your roof after winter.

Laser and CNC shops, food trades, florists, hairdressers, makers

• Making one piece from start to finish.
• The morning prep, behind the scenes.
• Tip: how to choose or look after a product.

Filming with a phone: simple rules

1. Vertical, always: that is the Shorts format.
2. Light: face a window or work outdoors, never with the light behind you.
3. Keep the phone steady: set it down, prop it up or use a small tripod. A slow move beats a shaky one.
4. Clean lens: wipe it before filming, especially on a job site.
5. Short shots: 3 to 10 seconds each, several angles of the same move.
6. Sound: if you talk, get close to the phone and switch machines off. Otherwise, on-screen text is enough.
7. Privacy: get the customer’s permission; no address, number plate or face without consent.

How long?

YouTube accepts Shorts up to 3 minutes, but to show a skill 15 to 45 seconds is often enough. Show the result or the action in the first seconds, then stick to one idea per video.

How often to post?

There is no magic number. What matters most is keeping it up: one or two videos a week over several months beats an intense burst abandoned after two weeks. Tip: film several sequences on the same job, then post them over the following weeks.

No time to edit? We do it for you

You film on your phone while you work, send us your photos and clips, and we edit vertical Shorts ready to post. No filming day, no account access.

See the full Short video offer

Frequently asked questions

How long should a Short be?

YouTube accepts Shorts up to 3 minutes, but for showing a skill 15 to 45 seconds is usually enough: one technique, one before/after, one tip. The shorter it is, the easier it is to keep people watching to the end.

Do I need special equipment?

No. A recent phone held vertically, with good light (a window or outdoors) and set down or propped up, already gives a clean result.

How often should I post?

Pick a pace you can keep up for months, for example one or two videos a week. Consistency matters more than volume.

Do I have to show my face or talk?

No. Your hands, your tools and the finished result are enough. On-screen text can replace a voice-over.

Can I film at a customer’s place?

Yes, with their permission. Avoid showing the address, number plates, faces and personal items that would identify the place.