With 68% of consumers prefer videos under one minute, crafting concise, compelling content has never been more crucial and has become a powerhouse in advertising.
But what’s the secret to creating short videos that pack a punch?
At Vidico, we specialize in distilling complex messages into engaging short-form videos that capture attention and deliver results. In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore essential short-form video advertising tips to make your videos seen, remembered, and acted upon.
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Top 15 Tips & Strategies for Short-Form Video Ads
1. Start With a Hook
Capture attention within the first few seconds so they don’t scroll past your content [1]. Start your short-form video content with an exciting or intriguing element to immediately grab the viewer’s attention.
The opening scene should compel viewers to keep watching, whether it’s a bold statement, a surprising fact, or a visually stunning shot.
For instance, an opening with a dramatic close-up, a quick montage of action shots, or a bold statement can intrigue viewers and make them want to see what happens next.
2. Keep it Less Than 60 Seconds
Aim for brevity in your short-form video.
Short-form videos are most effective when they are concise. The optimal video length sits around 60 seconds to ensure viewers stay engaged until the end. This average length requires clear and focused storytelling without unnecessary details.
Use clear and direct language to achieve the average video length and avoid fluff or unnecessary details. Structure your short-form video with a strong opening, a brief but compelling middle section, and a clear, impactful conclusion.
3. Pay Attention to Popular Short Form Video Trends
Stay current by incorporating popular trends for a chance for viral content. Trends can help your content feel fresh and relevant.
Keep an eye on what’s trending on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and consider how you can creatively integrate these trends into your videos to increase their appeal and shareability.
For example, if there is immense popularity in a meme or dance craze, find a creative way to incorporate it into your brand message or product demonstration.
4. Showcase Products in Use
Demonstrate your products in action. Showcasing your product being used in real-life situations helps potential customers understand its benefits and functionalities. This can include demonstrations, user testimonials, or creative scenarios where your product solves a problem.
Highlight short-form video features and how they solve common problems. For example, if you’re advertising a kitchen gadget, show how it makes meal prep easier and faster.
5. Create Relevant Content
Tailor your short-form content ideas to your target audience. Understanding your audience’s interests and pain points allows you to create short-form videos directly relevant to them.
Use language, scenarios, and solutions that resonate with your target demographic to drive engagement and conversions.
For instance, if your target audience is the younger generation, craft videos that show how your product can save them time or enhance their lifestyle.
6. Repurpose Long-Form Videos
Break down longer videos into bite-sized pieces and use optimal length.
If you have existing long-form content, repurpose it in shorter segments in the same format. This maximizes the value of your content and makes it more digestible and easier to share on social media platforms.
Extract key points, interesting quotes, or important tips to create multiple short videos from a single piece of short-form content. This saves time as a digital marketer and helps you reach audiences who prefer quick, digestible information.
7. Post Short Form Videos Regularly
Maintain a consistent posting schedule. Regular posting helps keep your brand top-of-mind for your audience. Develop a content calendar to ensure you are consistently delivering fresh and engaging content to your followers.
Consistency also signals to the platform’s algorithm that you are an active creator, which can help increase your reach. Aim for at least one or two weekly posts, adjusting based on your audience’s response and engagement levels.
8. Partner With Relevant Influencers
Collaborate with influencers who resonate with your brand. Partnering with influencers can significantly extend your reach. Choose influencers whose audience aligns with your market and who genuinely like and use your product.
Collaborate on content that feels authentic and allows the influencer to present your product in a way that resonates with their followers. For example, a fitness influencer could showcase your health product in their daily workout routine.
9. Avoid Cross-Posting Videos With Watermarks
Create original content for each platform and do not cross-post. Each social media platform has its unique audience and style, with a vertical format for vertical feeds and a horizontal format for horizontal feeds.
Only post videos with watermarks from other platforms. This can appear unprofessional and reduce engagement between platforms.
Instead, create platform-specific content. For instance, create videos in vertical formats for TikTok and Instagram Reels while using a horizontal short-form video format for YouTube.
10. Highlight Behind-the-Scenes Content
Share a glimpse of your process. BTS content can humanize your brand and create a deeper connection with a wider audience [2]. Show how your products are made, introduce your team, or share the story behind your brand.
This transparency builds trust and makes your audience feel more connected to your brand. For example, a fashion brand could show its clothing line’s design and production process.
11. Use Captions & Subtitles on Short Form Video Content
Include captions and subtitles to make your videos accessible. Many users watch short-form videos without sound, especially on social media. Adding captions ensures your message is understood even if the sound is off.
It also makes your content accessible to those with hearing impairments. Use clear, easy-to-read fonts and ensure that captions are synchronized with the spoken content.
12. Engage with User-Generated Content
Encourage and feature user-generated content for your video marketing.
User-generated content, such as reviews, unboxing videos, or customer stories, is highly persuasive in digital marketing [3]. Encourage your customers to share their experiences and feature this content on your channels.
This is a great example of social proof, which builds a community around your brand, helps users discover its potential, and boosts brand awareness.
For example, you could organize a contest asking customers to share videos of themselves using your product. The best entries will be featured on your page.
13. Optimize for Mobile Viewing
Ensure your videos look great on mobile devices. Most viewers will watch your videos on their phones, so ensure they are optimized for mobile viewing.
This includes using vertical or square formats, ensuring on-screen text is readable on a vertical screen, and ensuring the visuals are clear and engaging on mobile phones. Test your videos on different devices to ensure they look good on all screens.
14. Leverage Sound & Music
Use sound and music to enhance your message. Music and sound effects can significantly boost the emotional impact of your video. Choose tracks that match the mood you want to convey, and make sure any voiceovers are clear and professionally recorded.
Consider the overall sound design, including background music, sound effects, and voice narration, to create a cohesive audio experience that complements your visuals.
15. Tell a Story
Craft a compelling narrative. Storytelling is powerful, even in short-form videos. Whether it’s a mini-drama, a customer journey, or a day in the life, a well-told story can captivate viewers and make your message more memorable.
Structure your short-form video content with a clear beginning, middle, and end. For example, start with a problem, show the solution (your product), and end with a positive outcome or call to action.
What are Short Form Video Ads?
Short-form video ads are concise, engaging advertisements designed to capture and hold viewers’ attention within a brief time frame, typically ranging from a few seconds to a minute. Understanding the various types of short-form video content can help marketers create ads that quickly deliver clear and compelling messages, making them ideal for today’s fast-paced digital landscape.
Generally under 60 seconds, with many effective ads being 15 to 30 seconds long, they are focused and to the point, eliminating unnecessary details to maintain viewer interest. The first few seconds are the sweet spot for capturing attention, often featuring eye-catching visuals or intriguing statements.
Optimized for viewing on mobile phones, short-form video content is tailored for different short-form video platforms, such as vertical videos for Instagram Reels, Facebook Stories, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, or horizontal formats for YouTube Channels.
They use compelling visuals, sound effects, and music to enhance the message and create an emotional connection.
What are the Benefits of Using These Videos?
High Engagement
Short-form videos are more likely to be watched until the end, ensuring that your message is fully delivered and absorbed by the audience.
Increased Shareability
Concise and engaging video content is more likely to be shared by viewers, extending the reach of your ad through social networks.
Better Retention
Viewers tend to remember the core message of a short, impactful video better than a longer one to boost brand awareness.
Adaptability
Short-form videos can be easily adapted for short-form video platforms and integrated into different marketing campaigns, making them versatile tools in your marketing strategy.
Cost-Effective
Generally, shorter videos require less production time and cost, making them an economical choice for many businesses while still delivering high impact.
Quick Message Delivery
Every short-form video strategy can quickly convey your message, making them perfect for today’s fast-paced digital consumption habits.
Platform Optimization
They can be tailored for specific social media formats, such as vertical content for Instagram Stories, Instagram Reels, and TikTok, or horizontally aligned videos for YouTube, ensuring they are best suited for each platform’s audience.
Enhanced Emotional Connection
Using compelling visuals, sound effects, and music in short-form videos can create a strong emotional connection with the audience, enhancing the impact of your message.
Better ROI
Due to its high engagement rates and cost-effectiveness, short-form video content often provides a better return on investment [4] than longer video formats.
Frequent Updates
Their shorter production time allows for more frequent updates and the ability to respond quickly to trends and audience feedback.
Greater Accessibility
Including captions and subtitles makes these explainer videos accessible to a broader audience, including those who watch without sound and individuals with hearing impairments.
Boosted Conversion Rates
Short-form videos’ concise and compelling nature can effectively drive viewers to take desired actions, such as visiting a website or purchasing.
Also read: Does LinkedIn Have Short Form Videos?
FAQs
How effective is a short-form video?
Short-form videos are highly effective in today’s digital marketing landscape because they can quickly capture and hold viewers’ attention, resulting in higher engagement rates and better retention.
Their concise nature makes them ideal for sharing on social media, amplifying their reach and increasing shareability. They are cost-effective to produce, easily adaptable across short-form video platforms, and well-suited for mobile viewing, making them versatile tools for modern marketing.
Additionally, short-form videos drive higher conversion rates through clear and immediate calls to action, enhance emotional connections with viewers, and offer search engine optimization benefits by increasing website engagement metrics.
How do you make short-form videos interesting?
To make short-form videos interesting, start with a strong hook to grab attention within the first few seconds. Create content that is concise and focused on delivering a clear message. Use high-quality visuals and dynamic shots to ensure the video is visually appealing.
Incorporate popular trends into short-form video content to stay relevant and engage viewers. Add compelling music or sound effects to enhance the emotional impact. Lastly, tell a brief but compelling story or highlight a unique aspect when creating content.
What are the disadvantages of short-form videos?
While effective, short-form videos have several disadvantages. Their brevity limits the depth of information, making it hard to cover complex topics. Creating engaging content in a short time frame requires high creativity and precision.
Short-form video content may be quickly forgotten, so frequent fresh content is needed to keep the audience engaged. There’s intense competition on social media, making it hard to stand out.
Additionally, the need for constant short-form content creation can strain resources and may prevent thorough brand storytelling.
Key Takeaways
Short-form video content is a powerful asset in modern marketing. It offers a unique ability to capture attention quickly and engage viewers effectively.
These ads can deliver impactful messages in under a minute by harnessing techniques such as starting with a strong hook, keeping the content concise, and leveraging high-quality visuals.
Short-form video content helps brands connect with audiences in meaningful and memorable ways. Ready to elevate your marketing game with short-form video content? Take our VidiFit Quiz in less than 90 seconds for free, upfront, and clear pricing.
References:
- https://medium.com/technology-hits/how-to-get-people-to-stop-scrolling-past-your-content-6a576b65207
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/humanizing-your-brand-behind-the-scenes-content-mitchel-dumlao-wn7nc
- https://business.adobe.com/blog/basics/user-generated-content-ugc-a-guide-to-getting-started
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/returnoninvestment.asp
