Are you guilty of getting lost in the endless scroll of short-form videos on social media? You are not alone. We are all on the hook of sinking hours into those addictive short-form videos on various platforms, whether it is the latest dance craze, cooking hacks, or pet antics. But have you ever thought about why these short-form videos are so addictive and what is the psychology behind this? Well, you are in the right place – in this comprehensive blog, we will try to let you know the ins and outs of short-form videos. Let us dive in.
What Is Short-Form Video Content?
Short-form videos are those videos that typically last less than 60 seconds, though some marketers argue they can extend up to 3 minutes. However, most of the content makers follow the 60-second rule.
Why? Because attention spans are dwindling, we will dive deeper into that shortly. Short-form videos offer information in bite-sized, easily digestible segments. This format allows viewers to quickly consume content on the move or revisit it multiple times.
Why Short-Form Videos Are So Popular
In recent times, short-form video content has been a must-have for brands, given its immense popularity on social media. To understand why these bite-sized content are so popular, you need to consider the following key stats:
👉 TikTok, which introduces short-form video content first has got a staggering 1.53 billion users in just seven years.
👉 To learn about any product or service, 96% of consumers prefer short-form video
👉 Short-form videos offer the highest ROI and excel in lead generation and engagement.
👉 Nearly a third (30%) of viewers watch short-form videos almost to completion.
👉 47% of marketers believe short-form videos have a higher chance of going viral.
👉 On average, U.S. adults spend 46 minutes daily on TikTok, with projections indicating a rise to 48 minutes by 2024.
The data is clear: short-form video is captivating, engaging, and conversion-friendly. So if you want to establish your brand & make it viral, do not wait any longer to create short-form video content.
Top 3 Platforms for Short-Form Video Content
Three popular short-form video platforms are available. Vine introduced the trend in 2020 with its six-second videos but did not sustain its popularity. Musical.ly, initially for lip-syncing videos, was acquired by TikTok and transformed into the beloved short-form pioneer it is today.
To catch up with TikTok’s success, Instagram and YouTube introduced their own short-form video features called Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
TikTok
TikTok, debuting in 2016, pioneered major short-form video platforms. Its dedicated platform offers exclusively short-form content. Users can navigate between the “For You” page, driven by personalized algorithmic suggestions, and the “Following” option, focusing solely on content from followed accounts.
Moreover, TikTok boasts a robust Discover section, akin to a search engine, accessible via the magnifying glass icon. This area is widely utilized for content discovery and learning how to accomplish various tasks.
Instagram Reels
Back in 2010, Instagram emerged as a photo-sharing platform and has since undergone continuous growth and development. Under the ownership of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram introduced its own rendition of short-form videos known as Instagram Reels in 2019.
Accessing Reels is straightforward; users can simply tap the center icon on the home screen. However, Reels have garnered significant attention from Instagram’s algorithm, often appearing prominently in users’ feeds. To view Reels, tap on the desired video and scroll down for more, mimicking the navigation style of TikTok.
YouTube Shorts
Since its launch in 2005, YouTube has maintained its position as the premier video platform. It is no surprise they are now venturing into short-form videos.
You can discover ‘Recommended Shorts’ directly on the YouTube home screen or tap the Shorts icon in the bottom menu to enjoy a seamless viewing experience. To explore fresh content, you need to scroll up after each video.
Best Practices for Short-Form Video Content in 2024
If you are ready to make your short-form video, need to keep the following best practices in your mind. If you do so, your short-form videos will go viral which can generate revenue for you on a greater scale.
1. Keep Your Video Less Than 60 Seconds
Some videos on TikTok can be long, but the best ones are short, usually less than a minute, or even just a few seconds. Keep your videos short and sweet for the best impact. You do not need fancy setups—mix it up with really short clips and slightly longer ones.
2. Start with a Catchy Hook
On short-form video platforms, users swiftly scroll through videos, making it easy for yours to get overlooked if it does not captivate them instantly. To counter this, begin with a catchy and fancy hook. You need to capture attention with visually striking content or grab viewers’ ears with compelling sound.
3. Research And Follow Popular Trends
To create content suitable for short-form video platforms, start by merging yourself with the content available on these platforms. While this can be enjoyable, it is important to use your time wisely.
Have you noticed recurring sound bytes or songs? Those are probably trends. Jumping on these trends can boost your video’s visibility as more people engage with them. Moreover, if viewers recognize a trend in your video, they are more inclined to watch it till the end.
4. Re-work on Your Long-Form Videos
If you have already put effort into making long-form videos, make the most of them. You can easily adjust the footage to fit a vertical screen and select snippets from your longer content using a video editing tool. It is a smart way to dive into short-form content creation while you fine-tune your strategy and explore new ideas.
5. Publish Video on Multiple Platforms
As highlighted previously, it is crucial to note that there is no necessity to develop distinct strategies for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Although you may opt to share specific videos exclusively on one platform, it is simple to distribute your short-form content across all three platforms, as well as on Instagram Stories, Facebook Stories, or even Twitter.
Master the Art of Creating Bite-Sized Video Content
No doubt that short videos have taken over social media, offering quick, engaging content that fits our shrinking attention spans. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have exploded in popularity, boasting billions of users.
However, these bite-sized videos are so addictive because they are easy to digest and entertaining. Plus, they offer brands a high ROI and a chance to go viral. To make your own, keep them under 60 seconds, start with a catchy hook, follow trends, and repurpose long-form content.
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