In today’s fast-paced digital world, short-form video has become a powerful tool for capturing attention and engaging audiences. Whether it’s for social media, video marketing, or storytelling, the ability to create compelling short-form video is essential for businesses and content creators alike.
In this article, we’ll share our Top 10 tips and best practices for creating engaging short-form video that will help you stand out in the crowded digital landscape.
#1 Use Captions Effectively
Enhance your viewer’s experience by including captions in your short-form videos. Not only do captions provide clarity for what is being said but, they also offer a visual element for all viewers to follow along. It’s also inclusive for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, allowing them to fully understand the content of your video.
Captions allow for more creativity and will give your brand its distinguished look. I want to show two different videos that have different captions but remain effective.
This first example is a sales voice on LinkedIn, Morgan Ingram. In this video he is reviewing graphics and teaching about sales. His captions highlight the specific word he is saying at that point and matches his color scheme.
Introducing SabriSuby, a creator whose captions are a refreshing departure from the norm. His unique style perfectly complements the content he produces. The takeaway? Captions are a versatile tool that can be tailored to suit any brand or creator’s needs, and can still be incredibly effective in engaging and informing your audience.
Both examples are different but still help the viewer stay engaged in the video. I would highly advise you to use captions, make sure they’re correct and engaging.
#2 Keep it short and sweet
In today’s fast-paced world, every second counts. That’s why short-form videos are all the rage. They’re quick, impactful and get straight to the point. Neil Patel, a digital marketing leader on LinkedIn, knows this all too well. Check out his 22-second video, which packs a punch with its engaging content and clear message.
In a sea of media outlets vying for your attention, Neil’s video stands out and delivers its message effectively.
In this video, Neil discusses long tail keywords for Google. He makes the point he needs to make with engaging captions and explains it in more detail in the caption of the post. The video only lasts 22 seconds but it drives the point he is making in an engaging way. Between the visuals and quick cuts in the video, the audience can stay engaged for 22 seconds while understanding the point Neil is making.
#3 Use Visuals
Effective visuals are what will keep engagement for your videos. Alex Hormozi is a business personality on YouTube. From emojis to bold and bright text, Alex knows how to make his visuals both entertaining and effective. Learn from the best and take your video content to the next level with Alex’s proven visual techniques that keeps the audience engaged.
The captions are pleasing to the eye and this screengrab shows how Alex uses icons to help go along with what he is saying to give more to the eye than just the captions.
#4 Use Storytelling
From ancient myths to modern blockbusters, storytelling has always been a powerful tool for capturing people’s attention and imagination. It’s no different when it comes to building a stronger, more relatable brand.
That’s why companies like Delta use their creative teams to craft compelling stories that showcase their employees, making the airline more personable and relatable to their audience. By using storytelling as a tactic, not only will you captivate your audience but also give your brand a human touch that will resonate with them.
#5 Use Audio Effectively
When it comes to creating an engaging video, visuals alone aren’t enough. Audio plays a crucial role in making your video stand out. Take the example of athletic apparel brand Gymshark, who knows how to use audio to their advantage.
They leverage trending TikTok audio in their advertising, which not only helps them stay current but also drives engagement and views. The power of effective audio should not be underestimated, it can make or break your video. By following the lead of brands like Gymshark, you too can create videos that connect with your audience and stand out from the crowd.
This video advertises one of their brick and mortar locations while utilizing a trending sound for engagement.
#6 Use Analytics
Creating a successful video strategy is all about understanding your audience and what resonates with them. One way to do this is by experimenting with different types of videos, and then using analytics tools to measure their performance. This allows you to see which types of videos are driving the most engagement from your audience, whether it’s likes, comments, or shares. With this information in hand, you can focus your efforts on the types of videos that are most effective for your brand, and hone your message to better appeal to your target audience. So, don’t be afraid to experiment, and always use data to guide your decision-making when it comes to your video content.
#7 Format it Correctly
Different platforms have different formats for what is most effective in their video. LinkedIn and Facebook need a 1080×1080 pixels or a square format to be effective with minimal white space. YouTube shorts, Instagram Reels and TikTok are all vertical or 1080×1920 pixels. Here is an example in square format from LinkedIn and vertical format from YouTube Shorts.
#8 Use a Hook
When it comes to video, first impressions are everything. The first 5 seconds of your video can make or break whether a viewer stays to watch or moves on to the next one. That’s why it’s crucial to have a hook at the start of your video, something that will captivate your audience’s attention and make them want to keep watching.
Take the example of VSauce, a YouTube channel that delves into a wide range of fascinating topics. In this short video, they discuss the earliest-born person with a photograph, which serves as an intriguing hook that draws viewers in and keeps them engaged. By following their lead, you too can create videos that grab your audience’s attention from the very start and keep them hooked till the end.
He begins the video saying, “The first person to be photographed didn’t know they were.” This is a great hook to get the audience to listen to the topic of the video expanded upon. Have a great hook and you will see engagement towards your video.
#9 Repurpose Short-Form Video
When it comes to creating content, you don’t always have to start from scratch. Repurposing existing content can be an effective way to create new and engaging short-form videos. Take the example of Amazon, who repurposed an interview with their CEO to create a series of short-form videos for LinkedIn. By cutting up the key points from a longer podcast, interview, or webinar, you can easily create bite-size pieces of content that are perfect for social media platforms and other digital channels. This way, you can maximize the value of your existing content and reach a wider audience with fresh and engaging material.
#10 Share Consistently
When it comes to sharing your content, one platform isn’t enough. By making sure your content is visible across all platforms, you can reach different communities and ensure that your message is seen by as many people as possible. This is especially useful if you want to reach your Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube followers when you upload content to Facebook, or vice versa.
The fact is, your audience is not always the same on every platform, and there will be some followers who are only active on one platform that might miss your content otherwise. So, don’t limit yourself to just one platform, share your content and make sure that it reaches all of your communities.
Engage Your Audience with Short Form Video
Creating engaging short-form video is essential in today’s fast-paced digital world. By understanding your audience, keeping the video visually interesting, and incorporating a clear call-to-action, you can increase the chances of your video going viral and boost engagement.
Remember to keep it short, sweet, and to the point. By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to creating short-form videos that will leave your audience wanting more.
