Reels for small businesses: 5 thirty-second scripts to film on your phone

A Reel that brings in customers doesn’t need a camera or fancy editing. It needs an opening that stops people scrolling, one useful piece of information and a clear invitation at the end. All of that fits in 30 seconds. Below are five scripts that work for any service business.

How a 30-second script works

Instagram accepts Reels of up to 3 minutes, but short videos are easier to film every week and to watch to the end. Split it like this:

• 0 to 3 seconds: the hook. One line, on screen and spoken, that says why it’s worth watching.
• 3 to 25 seconds: the content. Three to five short shots, one idea per shot.
• 25 to 30 seconds: the invitation. What the viewer does next: book, order, message you on WhatsApp.

1. Before and after

Hook: “Look how it came in and how it left.” Shots: the problem, two or three steps of the job, the result. On-screen text: the name of the service and how long it took.

Works for car washes, salons, carpentry, renovations and pet groomers. Clinics and practices should first check their professional board’s rules on patient images.

2. The 3 questions every customer asks

Hook: “The 3 questions I hear most around here.” Shots: you talking to the camera, one question per shot, a one-sentence answer. On-screen text: each question, written out.

It’s the easiest script to repeat: there’s a new question on WhatsApp every week. And it answers doubts before customers have to ask.

3. A day here in 5 cuts

Hook: “What a day behind the counter looks like.” Shots: the door opening, the setup, serving a customer, a detail of the work, the door closing. On-screen text: the time of each shot.

Behind the scenes shows care without having to say you care. Film throughout the day and put it together at the end.

4. Myth or fact

Hook: “Myth or fact: [a common belief in your industry].” Shots: the belief on screen, a pause, the answer with one reason. On-screen text: “Myth” or “Fact”, in big letters.

Gyms, accountants, real estate agencies and law firms have dozens of beliefs like these. Each one becomes a video.

5. Who will look after you

Hook: “Hi, I’m [name] and I take care of [service].” Shots: the person at work, saying why they like what they do, a detail only they know. On-screen text: name and role.

People hiring a service want to know who will serve them. A familiar face shortens the distance to the first message.

How to film on your phone

• Vertical, always. A Reel fills the whole phone screen.
• Light in front. Face the window, not away from it.
• Sound up close. Film somewhere quiet, with the phone at arm’s length.
• Text on screen. Many people watch without sound. The hook and the main ideas need to be written out.

One video, three places

The same Reel works for Stories, for your WhatsApp status and for your Google Business Profile, which accepts videos of up to 30 seconds. Video on Google helps people searching nearby get to know the place before they visit. Add replies to your reviews and the profile stays alive.

Rather not think about scripts every week? With the Digital Presence plans, UNACORD writes the scripts, puts together the short videos from the footage you send and delivers everything for your approval on WhatsApp.

Redação UNACORD. Fact-checked. Informational content; results vary by business.