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Let’s investigate these issues as we delve into the realm of short-form video:

What is short-form video?

Content that lasts 5 to 90 seconds is referred to as short-form video, and it is ideal for websites like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok where users anticipate interesting, brief content. Your message must be received quickly since audiences have shorter attention spans and demand instant gratification.

Short-form content is all about making an impression quickly, whereas long-form films are excellent for in-depth tutorials, thorough explanations, or insightful analysis. 71% of viewers assess a video’s worth in the first few seconds, and 96% of customers favour short-form content, according to Influencer Marketing Hub.

Short-form videos should have a clear storyline and a gripping plot despite their briefness. Like how Airbnb benefited from the Barbie Dream House fad, many popular videos relate to current events.

Every platform needs a different strategy. For instance, Facebook permits longer, horizontal videos, whereas TikTok prefers vertical films with attention-grabbing captions. Conversely, Instagram provides a variety of still photos, short videos, and reels.

Let’s now examine the main platforms for short-form video in more detail.

What platforms use short-form video content?

Although there are several video platforms, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are the three main competitors when it comes to short-form content.

With its 2018 premiere, TikTok transformed short-form video and became the catalyst for innumerable viral phenomena. TikTok is a potent tool for organic reach since, in contrast to other platforms, its algorithm gives priority to material based on user interests rather than just who they follow.

In reaction to TikTok, Instagram created Instagram Reels, which transformed the service from a largely image-based one to a multimedia behemoth. Although Instagram has been pushing more and more suggested material into users’ feeds, Reels mostly display content from followed accounts, in contrast to TikTok.

YouTube’s response to TikTok is YouTube Shorts, which was first introduced in 2019 and made available to the public in 2021. Shorts is a place to find trending material, dancing challenges, comedy, and visually appealing clips. It is designed for short, interesting videos that are 60 seconds or less.

Which platform is best for you, then?

TikTok’s unexpected algorithm and strong appeal to younger viewers make it the perfect platform for optimising reach.

Because Instagram’s ecosystem facilitates influencer collaborations and shopping features, Instagram Reels are an excellent tool for increasing revenue.

With the help of YouTube’s enormous user base—the second-largest social media platform behind Facebook—YouTube Shorts thrives at increasing brand exposure and engagement.

Although it is advantageous to be active on several platforms, it is important to take into account the time and resources needed. Concentrate on at least two platforms that support your marketing objectives for optimal outcomes.

Short-form video formats

Instead of using landscape mode, short-form videos are usually shot or produced in vertical format (portrait mode).

The following resolutions and aspect ratios are suggested for the primary short-form video platforms:

Aspect ratios of 1:1 (square), 16:9 (landscape), and 9:16 (vertical) are supported by TikTok. Minimum resolutions of 540 x 960, 640 x 640, or 960 x 540 pixels are advised.

Videos and reels on Instagram should be posted with a 9:16 aspect ratio and 1080 x 1920 pixels. The Instagram feed’s videos, however, are reduced to a 4:5 aspect ratio.

YouTube shorts that are optimised for vertical viewing should be uploaded at 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio.

Pro tip: Would you like to learn more about Instagram’s different video formats? Make sure you read a thorough guide on the subject.

Why use short-form video?

Short-form video can be an effective strategy for building your brand for the following reasons:

Increase reach and engagement: Every video is a chance to establish a relationship with your audience, see what works, and draw in new viewers.

Easy to make: Short-form material may be created quickly and easily using just a smartphone.

Create a vibrant community: Using video to respond to audience enquiries, like Home Depot does, encourages participation. You can produce material that anticipates future issues and provide helpful responses by monitoring frequently asked questions on social media or through chatbots.

Boost credibility and brand awareness: A well-made video can lead to a lot of shares and engagement, establishing your company as a reliable authority in your field.

A short hook to long content

With data capture, short-form video is a great way to draw viewers in and direct them to your longer-form content, which will ultimately result in conversions.

When done correctly, you may provide countless hooks (short-form content) to direct visitors to important websites such:

• Videos on your website

• Blog posts

• Custom landing pages

• Your YouTube channel

• Podcasts or webinars

Think of short-form video as a fishing hook because it attracts users to sites like TikTok, which are excellent at raising brand recognition. Long-form content, however, is what encourages more conversions and greater engagement. You have a better chance of attracting individuals into your brand environment, where they can discover everything else you have to offer, if you post more short-form content.

How do you get started with short-form video?

The 5 C’s of Video Strategy: How to Get Started
Take into account these five crucial components when creating a successful short-form video strategy:

1. Dedication
Regarding the amount of time and money you can commit to making and promoting videos, be truthful. Maintaining consistency can be achieved by setting reasonable expectations.

2. Originality
Where are you going to get your ideas? You could need to work with a creative agency, or you might be able to make interesting movies yourself. To generate new ideas, utilise a creativity checklist.

3. Content: Are you creating content that is appropriate for the platform? Examine performance data and trends unique to each platform to improve your video strategy for optimum effect.

4. Regularity
How often are you able to post? To stay organised and keep your audience interested, set up a regular posting plan and make use of a content calendar.

5. Society
Does the platform you’re using have active members of your target audience? It’s important to post where your audience is most interested. Once you get going, keep an eye on interactions and actively participate in your community rather than just posting.

How should you schedule your video content?

The secret to a successful video strategy is sticking to a regular publication schedule. Your audience is more likely to remain interested when they are aware of when fresh content will be released.

Plan your posts using a content calendar, making sure to strike a balance between your content pillars (important subject areas) and the frequency of posts you have selected. Every content ought to support your pillar and benefit your readers.

Social media overcommitment is common and may easily become overwhelming. Setting a reasonable posting plan that you can stick to, even if it only entails two posts per week, is crucial. Volume is not as important as consistency.

Improving your video strategy requires monitoring and evaluating your social media performance.

By monitoring your activity, you can:

• Understand how your videos are performing.

• Gain insights into what content resonates with your audience.

• Adjust your posting schedule and platform focus based on success.

Consider devoting more time, money, and effort to TikTok if, for example, a video does noticeably better there than on Instagram or YouTube. But keep in mind that social media trends change frequently, so don’t put all your eggs in one basket. To identify new trends or unforeseen spikes in activity, keep a watch on other platforms.

A video that receives more engagement than others offers important information about what works. Since data doesn’t lie, monitoring your metrics on a monthly basis enables you to spot areas for improvement as well as development prospects.

How can you use AI in your short-form videos?

Using AI in digital marketing is crucial to making the most of your short-form video strategy. Marketing teams are frequently under pressure to create content fast for a variety of platforms, and AI can help them do so without sacrificing quality.

It takes time and effort to produce interesting content, and many marketers struggle with a lack of resources. Time and money can be saved by using AI tools to help with concept generation, video design, and writing effective advertising content.

The following AI resources will help you produce better short-form videos:

Create video scripts and content ideas with ChatGPT.

Create aesthetically pleasing video components with Canva MagicAI.

Opus: Make producing short-form videos easier.

Hour 1: Produce talking head videos using AI.

Fliki: Create social media-optimized films.

Opus Clip: Transform lengthy films into brief segments.

Runway: Improve video production with generative AI.

Synthesia: Create virtual personas to replace real actors.

Create engaging ad material with AdCreative.ai to market your brand and videos.

Even though AI can greatly accelerate the generation of content, you should always check and edit your work to make sure it stays human and fits with your brand voice.

Pro Tip: Watch our video tutorial to learn how to use ChatGPT!

What are the best practices for short-form video?

How to Make Your Short Videos More Vibrant on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok
Use these crucial tactics to increase interaction and influence on social platforms:

Keep It Dynamic

• Switch up angles or settings to maintain visual interest.

• Avoid static shots—movement keeps viewers engaged.

Tell a Story

• Even in a short format, your video needs a clear narrative.

• Structure it with:

  • A hook to grab attention.

  • A middle section to develop the idea.

  • A strong ending with a call to action (CTA) to drive engagement.

Deliver Value

• Every short-form video should offer something useful—whether it’s inspiration, education, or motivation.

• Ensure viewers leave with a key takeaway.

Pro Tip: To highlight the individuality of your brand, include your crew in videos. Real stories and behind-the-scenes (BTS) content contribute to authenticity and trust.

What are the challenges for short-form video?

Short-form video requires time, effort, and creativity, all of which can occasionally be scarce, just like any other digital marketing campaign. Creative exhaustion, irregular publishing, and underperforming films are frequently the main obstacles.

Creative fatigue

It can be difficult to come up with new ideas, and creative exhaustion can hinder your progress. Try these tactics to maintain the momentum:

• Leverage creative resources: Websites like Answerthepublic.com and TikTok Creative Center can spark inspiration when you’re stuck.

• Explore social feeds: Stay updated on trending content and see how you can contribute to the conversation.

• Analyze performance data: Use insights from past content to identify what resonates with your audience and replicate that success.

• Engage your audience: Pay attention to questions and comments from your followers—or directly ask them what they’d like to see next.

Lack of consistency

Never undervalue the importance of a regular blogging schedule! Maintaining a consistent schedule is more important than updating daily. Whether it’s twice a week or more, choose a posting frequency that suits you and maintain it. Over time, regularity fosters audience engagement and expectations.

​​​​​​Under-performing videos

Social media growth takes time and work. Success is a long-term game, despite the short-form content you’re producing. Avoid the temptation to totally change your approach if your outcomes don’t live up to your expectations. Instead, concentrate on making tiny, gradual changes.

Aim for four viewers the following time if your videos are currently only reaching three. After you’ve done that, evaluate what went well and improve. Real growth comes from continuous, consistent progress, but social media frequently showcases sudden success stories. Continue to concentrate on your personal path and strive for those 1% gains.

Short-Form Video: Final tips

How to Prepare Yourself for the Success of Short-Form Videos Before Posting
Following the five C’s—Commitment, Creativity, Content, Consistency, and Community—will help you select the best platform for your company’s objectives.

Produce Content That Adds Value
To improve your content creation, expedite production, and come up with new ideas, use AI tools.

Maintain a Content Schedule
A well-planned content calendar can help you keep your posting speed reasonable. To keep ahead, batch-create material as much as you can beforehand.

Examine What Works
Determine the components that make your film successful, such as the camera setup, lighting, video quality, or a popular sound. You may improve your strategy and quicken your social media growth by being aware of these elements.

Supercharge your marketing with video

Video is an effective medium for drawing viewers in, holding their interest, and influencing purchasing decisions. With the help of our industry-recognized Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing, you can acquire the fundamentals of digital marketing and learn how to use AI to improve your marketing tactics while honing important soft skills. Additionally, you’ll delve into important marketing channels like social media, email marketing, SEO, content marketing, and video and display advertising, which will provide you with the know-how to lead successful campaigns in any sector.