Who do you work with?

At DPOM, we primarily work with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across a wide range of industries. Our clients include businesses from sectors such as e-commerce, restaurants, tyre fitters, solicitors, locksmiths, electricians, plumbers, hot tub suppliers and many more!We specialise in offering tailored digital marketing strategies in Google Ads, SEO, and Social Media that are specifically designed to meet the unique needs and goals of SMEs. Our focus is on providing accessible, high-quality marketing solutions that help small businesses thrive in the competitive digital landscape

I'm a small business with a small budget, how can DPOM help?

At DPOM, we understand the unique challenges faced by small businesses, especially when operating with limited budgets. We believe that every business, regardless of size, deserves access to high-quality digital marketing services. That's why we offer a range of affordable and flexible Google Ads, SEO, and Social Media marketing solutions tailored to fit smaller budgets. Our team works closely with you to identify the most cost-effective strategies that can deliver meaningful results, ensuring your investment is maximised. We focus on driving growth and visibility for your business in a way that aligns with your financial capabilities, making professional digital marketing accessible and impactful for your small business

Does Google Ads work for every business and do you offer guarantees it will work for me?

Google Ads can be highly effective for a wide range of businesses, but its success depends on various factors including industry, target audience, and the specific goals of your campaign.At DPOM, we leverage our extensive experience and insights to craft Google Ads strategies that are tailored to the unique needs of each business. While we cannot offer guarantees due to the ever-changing nature of digital advertising and market variables, we are committed to applying best practices, continuous monitoring, and optimisation to maximise the potential of your campaigns. Our team works diligently to ensure that your Google Ads campaigns are set up for success, and we provide regular updates and adjustments based on performance data to help achieve your business objectives

How long does it take to get results from Google Ads or SEO?

The timeline for seeing results from Google Ads or SEO varies, as it depends on several factors such as the competitive landscape, the current state of your online presence, and the specific objectives of your campaign.With Google Ads, you may begin to see results relatively quickly, often within days of launching your campaign. This is because Google Ads are designed to start driving traffic to your site as soon as your ads go live. However, optimising these campaigns for maximum effectiveness can take some time, often a few weeks to a few months. As a general rule of thumb, you should give Google Ads at LEAST 3 months before making a determination as to whether or not it will work for you.SEO, on the other hand, typically requires a longer timeframe before significant results are observed. This is because SEO involves building your website's authority and improving rankings organically, which takes time. Usually, you can expect to start seeing noticeable improvements in 3 to 6 months, but for more competitive keywords, it may take longer.At DPOM, we focus on creating a solid foundation with ongoing optimisation to ensure sustainable long-term results. While immediate wins are possible, especially with Google Ads, our goal is to achieve consistent and growing success over time.

Why is DPOM different from other digital marketing agencies?

DPOM stands apart from other Google Ads and SEO agencies primarily due to our specialised focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and our deep understanding of their unique needs and challenges. Here's what makes us different:Expertise in SME Markets: We have honed our skills specifically to serve the SME sector. This has equipped us with a nuanced understanding of how to navigate and succeed in these markets, especially under budget constraints and other specific challenges faced by smaller businesses.Tailored Strategies: Recognising that no two businesses are alike, we offer bespoke Google Ads and SEO strategies. Our plans are not only customised to your specific business needs but are also flexible enough to evolve as your business grows.Cost-Effective Solutions: We're aware of the budget sensitivities of SMEs. Hence, our services are priced to be accessible while still delivering high-quality and effective digital marketing solutions.Proven Track Record: Over the years, we've built a strong portfolio of successful campaigns across various industries. Our experience spans across e-commerce, restaurants, tyre fitters, solicitors, and many more, showcasing our ability to adapt and deliver in diverse sectors.Transparent Communication: We believe in maintaining open and honest communication with our clients. This includes clear reporting, realistic goal setting, and always being upfront about what can be realistically achieved with your budget and timeline.Comprehensive Service Offering: Our services extend beyond just Google Ads and SEO. We provide a full range of digital marketing services, including social media marketing, to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive online marketing strategy.At DPOM, it's not just about delivering services; it's about building partnerships with our clients to help them grow and succeed in the digital space.

Will you tie me into a long term contract?

No, we do not tie our clients into long-term contracts. At DPOM, we understand the need for flexibility, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Therefore, the majority of our contracts are structured on a month-to-month basis, providing you with the freedom and adaptability you need.If you ever decide to cancel, all we require is just 31 days' notice. This approach reflects our confidence in the quality of our services and our commitment to building trust and satisfaction with our clients.

Are your digital marketing services affordable for start-ups?

Yes, our digital marketing services are designed to be affordable for start-ups. We understand the budget constraints and financial challenges faced by emerging businesses. That's why we offer competitively priced packages to suit the needs of start-ups. Our Google Ads management services start from just £145, and our SEO services begin at £145. These options provide an accessible entry point for start-ups looking to establish a strong online presence without overstretching their budgets. At DPOM, we are committed to offering high-quality, cost-effective solutions that help start-ups grow and succeed in the digital arena

How do we get started with DPOM?

Getting started with DPOM is a straightforward and transparent process. First, we'll have a discussion to understand your specific needs and objectives. Based on this, we'll send you a detailed quote, clearly laying out everything we plan to do for your business. This includes the strategies we'll employ, what results you can expect, and the costs involved.We believe in full transparency from the very beginning. There will be no hidden fees or surprises. We also provide clear instructions on how you can cancel our services if you change your mind, ensuring you have complete control over your marketing decisions.Our aim is to make your journey with us as clear and comfortable as possible, so you can focus on what matters most, growing your business.

Do I have full access to my Google Ads account?

Yes, absolutely. At DPOM, we believe in complete transparency and trust. Unlike some agencies, we provide you with unfettered full admin access to your Google Ads account. This means you have full visibility and control over your account at all times. We ensure you can view and monitor all aspects of your campaigns, including the strategies we implement, the performance data, and the budget spend. Our policy of open access aligns with our commitment to honesty and integrity in our services, giving you peace of mind and a clear understanding of how your investment is being managed.

How long have you been a digital marketing agency?

We were originally formed in 2011 offering website design and Google Ads before expanding our offering into SEO and Social Media.

Reels, Shorts and TikTok: A Vertical Video Strategy That Actually Works

Post published:8 July 2026
Post category:Social Media

If you want organic reach on social media in 2026, you make vertical short video. Reels (Instagram and Facebook), Shorts (YouTube) and TikTok all reward the same format: 9:16 vertical, 15 to 60 seconds, native audio, native captions.

The good news for small businesses is that one piece of content can run on all three platforms with minor tweaks. The trick is producing the right kind of content, not the high production version your nephew the film student would recommend.

What All Three Platforms Are Looking For

Reels, Shorts and TikTok have converged on the same content style:

9:16 vertical aspect ratio. Anything else gets letterboxed or cropped badly.
Hook in 1 to 2 seconds. No logo, no intro, no slow build.
15 to 60 seconds total. Sweet spot is 22 to 35 seconds.
Trending audio or original speech. Silent video performs poorly.
Captions burned into the video. 80 percent of viewers watch with sound off.
Direct, talking to camera or visual demonstration. Avoid voiceover with stock footage.

The Four Content Types That Work for Small Business

1. Quick Tips

"3 things every homeowner should know before getting a new boiler." 30 seconds, three tips, one per 8 seconds.

2. Behind The Scenes

Real footage of your work. A timelapse, a difficult job, the moment before and after. Humanises the brand.

3. Myth Busting

"Most people think X. Actually Y. Here is why." Contrarian content gets shared.

4. Mini Case Study

Customer problem, what you did, the result. 45 seconds. Real names, real numbers where possible.

The 30 Minute a Week Production Plan

You do not need a studio. You need a phone and a routine. The minimum viable production plan:

Monday: brainstorm 3 video ideas during a tea break. Write the hook line for each.
Tuesday: film all three back to back. 30 minutes including outtakes. Use your phone.
Wednesday: edit using CapCut or InShot (free). Add captions, trending audio.
Thursday to Sunday: post one per day across all three platforms.

30 to 45 minutes of work for three videos a week, posted across three platforms. That is nine pieces of content out, all from one production session.

Platform Specific Tweaks

Platform	Tweak From Master Version
Instagram Reels	Add 4 to 6 hashtags in caption. Use trending audio.
TikTok	Use a TikTok native audio for max reach. Tighter editing, faster cuts.
YouTube Shorts	Slightly more polished, can be slightly longer. Title and description matter.
Facebook Reels	Same as Instagram. Cross post via Meta Business Suite.

What Kills a Vertical Video

Three habits that consistently destroy reach on short video:

A long intro. 4 seconds explaining who you are before the content. Viewers swipe away.
Watermark from another platform. TikTok will suppress videos with Instagram or YouTube watermarks. Always download a clean export.
Static talking head. If the camera does not move and there are no cuts, viewers tune out. Add b roll, text overlays, cuts.

The 90 day rule: Most accounts see no traction in the first 30 days of vertical video. Some kind of breakthrough usually happens between day 30 and day 90. Plan for 3 months before judging.

How to Find Trending Audio

Trending audio is one of the biggest reach amplifiers. To find it:

Open TikTok, scroll the For You feed, look for the little upward arrow next to song titles. That indicates a rising sound.
On Instagram, when scrolling Reels, songs that appear repeatedly are trending. The audio page itself shows when it is "trending".
Save audio you might use. Stop browsing. Use it within the next 7 days. Trending audio has a short shelf life.

Captions Matter More Than You Think

80 to 85 percent of social video views happen with the sound off. If your video relies on audio with no captions, four out of five viewers get nothing. CapCut, InShot, and the native Reels editor all have auto captioning. Use it. Then quickly proofread for accuracy.

Measuring What Works

Stop tracking likes. Track:

Reach. How many unique accounts saw the video.
Average watch time. Above 60 percent of the video length is good.
Saves and shares. Both stronger algorithm signals than likes.
Profile visits and follows. Conversion of viewers into followers.

Common Small Business Excuses (And the Counter)

Three excuses we hear constantly:

"I am not good on camera." Most successful business creators on social are not naturally talented. They got better in 8 weeks of practice.
"My business is not visual." Accountants, lawyers, consultants are all doing well on TikTok. Educational and entertainment content works for any industry.
"My customers are not on TikTok." Maybe. They are almost certainly on Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts, which uses the same content.

Start This Week

Pick one content type from the four above. Film three short videos on your phone this week. Post them on whichever platform you already use. Get used to the format. The accounts that consistently produce short video are growing organically while everyone else is stuck. We help service businesses produce and distribute short video as part of our social media management service.

Brett Dixon

Founder & Managing Director of DPOM. Brett founded DPOM nearly 15 years ago after a career in marketing working with Harvey Nichols, BBC Top Gear, Formula One circuits, and UK Trade and Investment. His passion became helping smaller businesses grow, with honest advice, no jargon, and realistic expectations.

Need Help With Social Media?

Speak to our team about how we can help your business grow.

Social Media Management Facebook Ads Get a Quote