With the growing popularity of platforms such as TikTok and Instagram Reels, it's clear that this format of content is quickly becoming a staple for reaching and retaining audience engagement. Here at my blog, we believe in the power of shared knowledge and that's why we're excited to offer a curated collection of ideas for creating short form video content, as well as providing a deeper understanding of each platform's unique features and best practices. So, whether you're a seasoned content creator or just starting out, this blog post is a must-read for staying ahead of the game in the ever-evolving world of short form video content.
What's a Short Form Video?
Short Form Videos have become increasingly popular on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram (Facebook/Meta), and YouTube as they fight for Short Form Video Platform dominance! They are quick and easy to consume videos, making them perfect for mobile media scrollers. They are also a great way to increase engagement on your channel or page, and to keep your audience interested in your content.
NOTE: Keep TikTok stuff on TikTok -- Instagram stuff on Instagram.
As a content creator, it's important to understand the unique features and audience of each social media platform in order to effectively engage and grow your audience. One key strategy is to tailor your content for each specific platform and avoid the temptation to simply repost the same content across all channels. Instead, put in the effort to create unique, platform-specific content that will capture the attention of your target audience and encourage them to follow and engage with your content on multiple channels.
Instagram & Facebook
15s to 15m or more...
Instagram has made several updates to its Reels feature, including extending the video length from 15 seconds to 60s, then up to 90s, and in some cases, even 15 minutes. This allows businesses to create more engaging and dynamic content, keeping users on the platform for longer periods of time. Basically any video you upload to Instagram that passes muster becomes an Instagram Reel.
YouTube Shorts
Up to 60s... on iOS
YouTube Shorts are a new feature on the platform that allows users to create short-form videos up to 60 seconds in length. These videos can be created using the multi-segment camera feature and can include licensed music from YouTube. Recently, YouTube revised their licensing deals which allows majority of music on YouTube Shorts to be available in durations of up to 60 seconds. Creators can also “remix” or sample up to 60 seconds of sounds from other videos, instead of the previous limit of 15 seconds. However, the length of YouTube Shorts may vary depending on the device being used, as iOS users can select 60-second clips from imported videos while Android users are currently limited to 15-seconds clips.
TikTok
Up to 3 minutes!
TikTok has made a significant change to its video format by increasing the length of videos from 60 seconds to 3 minutes. This change came about after creators requested more time to shoot videos that are more polished and creative. Previously, creators had to make their videos in multiple parts, which cluttered the TikTok app with several parts of a video, and often resulted in a decline in quality. With longer videos, TikTok is better able to compete directly with other social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, and even more people are likely to download the app.
What to Talk About
If you are looking for ideas for short form video content, here are several suggestions to get you started:
Behind the Scenes – Give your audience a sneak peek of what goes on behind the scenes of your business or organization. This could be footage of a photoshoot, a tour of your office, or a day in the life of your team members.
Tutorials – Whether it’s a makeup tutorial, a cooking demonstration, or a DIY project, people love learning new skills. Short form videos are the perfect format for step-by-step tutorials that are easy to follow.
Q&A – Host a Q&A session with your audience and answer their most pressing questions. This is a great way to build a relationship with your audience and to show them that you care about their concerns.
Product demos & reviews– Showcase products in action by filming short form videos that demonstrate their features and benefits. This is a great way to give your audience a better understanding of your products and to increase the chances of a sale.
Live videos – Live videos are a great way to create a sense of urgency and to build a connection with your audience. They are also a great way to increase engagement and to build a loyal following.
Time-lapse videos – Short time-lapse videos are a great way to show your audience the progress of a project, such as a renovation or construction. They are also a great way to showcase the process of creating a product or a piece of art.
Humorous skits – short skits that are funny and relatable can be a great way to increase engagement and to build a connection with your audience. They can be used to showcase a product or service in a lighthearted way.
“Day in the life” vlog – document a typical day in the life of your business or organization. It's a great way to show what you do, who you are and give your audience a better sense of your culture and values.
Reaction videos - some of my favorite reaction videos are bordering along humorous skits but they take videos and react to them with other people or a character they act as. Here's a new favorite reaction short I love:
These are just a few ideas for short form video content that can help increase engagement on your channel or page. If you find that you need help developing video content for engaging your audience, then reach out to Benji Does.
And we'll close with a good song! The YouTube algorithm told me I'd enjoy this band and dammit, it was right. Enjoy!
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