In recent years, short-form video has become increasingly popular on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and even with YouTube Shorts. These platforms have given rise to a new generation of content creators who are mastering the art of creating engaging short-form videos.
In this article, we’ll explore what short-form video is, why it’s popular, and provide some tips on creating short and sweet videos for your social media platforms.
What is Short-Form Video?
Short-form video refers to video content that is typically under 60 seconds in length. This type of video is designed to be consumed quickly and easily. They often use catchy music, bold visuals, and clever editing to keep viewers engaged all the way through.
Why is Short-Form Video Popular?
Short-form video is popular for a variety of reasons. For one, it’s highly shareable. The short length of these videos makes them easy to consume and share with friends and family. That’s what helps them to go viral, sometimes as quickly as overnight. And don’t we all want our videos to reach a wider audience?
Additionally, short-form video is highly engaging. These videos are typically designed to grab a viewer’s attention and keep them entertained from start to finish. It doesn’t matter if you’re sharing educational videos, entertaining videos, or something in between, holding a viewer’s attention is crucial.
Social Media Video: # Tips for Great Short-Form Video Content
Creating an engaging short-form video requires careful planning and attention to detail on the creator’s part. Here are some social media video tips that will work across TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Put these suggestions to use and you’re sure to increase your following and engagement rate.
1. Keep it Short and Sweet
This should be a given, but the key to a successful short-form video is to actually keep it short and sweet. Although platforms like TikTok are now allowing users to create longer videos, you only want to use as much time as is necessary to get your point across. Otherwise, you risk losing viewers.
Try to keep your social media video content within 60 seconds. You can do this by getting straight to the point and cutting out any unnecessary footage. Just focus on the most important details!
2. Grab Attention Quickly
With so many creators competing for attention, it’s important that you’re catching your viewer’s eye quickly. Try starting your videos with a visually stunning image or an attention-grabbing hook. This will make them stop scrolling and want to keep watching. That’s key if you want to grow your audience.
3. Use Music to Set the Tone
Music is a powerful tool for setting the tone of your short-form video content. Choose a track that matches the mood and feel of your video, whether it’s upbeat and energetic or slow and contemplative. Even better? See if there’s trending audio that fits the video. This will increase the odds of your video being seen by a wider audience, which is perfect for boosting views.
4. Be Creative with Visuals
Short-form videos rely heavily on visuals to tell a story or convey a message. While you can create a very simple video, it helps increase retention if you get a little creative. You can do this by using different camera angles, interesting lighting, and clever editing. This will make the end result visually stunning and engaging, making people take more of an interest in your content.
5. Use Text and Graphics to Enhance Your Message
You can also use text and graphics to enhance the message being shared in your social media video content. Not only does this make your video more engaging, but it draws attention to specific points you’d like the viewer to focus on. Be sure to use them sparingly, however, as too much text or too many graphics can sometimes be overwhelming and detract from the visual appeal of your video.
6. Tell a Story
One of the great things about short-form video is that you can tell a story in a concise, yet compelling, way. Whether you’re showcasing a product or service, sharing a personal experience, or delivering a message, make sure your video has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
If you want to take your video production to the next level, plan everything beforehand. This way, you’ll know what message you’re trying to communicate, which shots you need to film, and more. It’ll make your job much easier since you’ll be able to dive straight into filming once everything is set up.
7. Experiment with Different Formats
TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts may have the same general premise, but they each have their unique formats and features. What works well on one platform might not work well on another. That’s why it’s smart to experiment with different formats to see what works best for your content and audience.
For example, TikTok is known for its use of trending hashtags and challenges. Take advantage of this! Your brand can participate in relevant trends as a way to generate awareness while growing your community and engagement.
8. Engage with Your Audience
Engaging with your audience is key to building a following on social media. Whenever your videos receive comments, take the time to reply. It establishes rapport and can potentially draw people back to your account. It’s also wise to ask your audience for feedback. Find out what they’d like to see from you so you can create the content they’ll be most interested in. After all, it’s about giving your audience what they want.
9. Practice, Practice, Practice
Creating great short-form video content takes practice. You can’t expect your first video to go viral overnight, so don’t get frustrated if you don’t immediately receive the results you want. The best thing you can do is to be consistent. Keep posting social media video content, improving your skills with every post. In time, you’ll become a pro that effortlessly attracts views and engagement.
NG Productions Can Help with Your Social Media Video Content
Are you ready to get serious about creating short-form video content for social media, but you’re not sure where to begin? NG Production Films can help! Our Orlando video production team can help you create engaging content that your target audience is sure to fall in love with.
Our Orlando video production company, NG Production Films, can communicate effectively and efficiently to produce high-quality video production. We have over a decade of experience in producing the next video production project for your organization. Call NG Production Films today for a free no-obligation consultation at 407-233-3236 or fill out our contact form for a prompt reply.