Unleash the Power of Short-form Video: Boost Your Business

1. Know Your Audience

Understanding who you’re creating content for is crucial. Are your viewers young and trendy, or are they professionals looking for quick tips? Tailor your content to meet their preferences and interests.

2. Keep It Concise

Short-form videos typically last between 15 and 60 seconds (check the social media platform you are using for their minimum and maximum length). Get straight to the point and ensure your message is clear and concise. Don’t try to cover more than one topic, and avoid unnecessary details that can distract from your main message.

3. Focus on Quality

While the videos are short, the quality still matters. Use a good camera or smartphone, ensure proper lighting, and clear audio. A well-produced video can make a big difference in how your brand is perceived.

4. Start with a Hook

Attention spans these days are short (shorter than a goldfish, according to some sources!) so you need to grab your viewers’ attention within the first few seconds. Start with a compelling question, an interesting fact, or a visually striking scene. This will encourage viewers to watch the entire video.

5. Tell a Story

Even in a short video, storytelling is powerful. Have a beginning, middle, and end. Whether you’re demonstrating a product, sharing a customer testimonial, or giving a quick tip, make sure there’s a flow to your content. 

6. Use Captions and Text

Many viewers watch videos without sound. Adding captions or text overlays ensures your message gets across regardless. 

It also makes your content more accessible to a wider audience –TextHelp have a great article on how you can make your social media content accessible. It’s well worth a read.

7. Include a Call to Action

End your video with a clear call to action (CTA). Whether it’s visiting your website, following your profile, or checking out a new product, guide your viewers on what to do next.

8. Be Authentic

I know, I know. This phrase has been done to death and has started to lose its meaning a little. But it is true. Authenticity resonates with audiences. Show the human side of your business. Share behind-the-scenes content, introduce your team, or show the process of creating your products. Most importantly, when on camera, just be yourself.

9. Experiment and Adapt

Don’t be afraid to try new things. Experiment with different types of content, formats, and styles. Pay attention to what works and adapt your strategy accordingly. 

10. Practice Makes Perfect

You only get better at something by doing it over and over again. Sean Cannell is a best-selling author and successful YouTuber. Through his company, Think Media, he runs online courses for people who want to start and grow their YouTube channel. I was on one of his courses when he showed the first video he published on YouTube, 13 years ago. After it finished, his first words were, “That was rubbish, wasn’t it!”. The point he made was that wanting your videos to be perfect will stop you from starting to publish them. Just start and you’ll get better and better. He now gets thousands and thousands of views on his personal channel and millions of views on his ThinkMedia channel. 

So just start!

11. Optimise for Mobile

Most short-form videos are viewed on mobile devices. Ensure your videos are optimised for mobile viewing with vertical or square formats, large, easy-to-read text and captions.

By following these tips, your business can create engaging short-form videos that resonate with your audience and drive engagement.