Should You Be Creating Short-Form Video Content?

Everywhere around us, there are examples of highly engaging videos quickly capturing attention. For growing brands, short-form video content has the added benefit of delivering a specific message to a target audience they’re trying to reach. However, that doesn’t mean every company should drop what they’re doing to record themselves at work. Short videos should be crafted with strategic goals in mind – like driving brand awareness or showcasing a new product line.
If you’re on the fence about whether you could benefit from this type of content, a few key points should clarify who can benefit from them and who probably won’t.
Purpose of Short-Form Videos in Marketing
The purpose of short videos in marketing is to capture attention quickly. They let you engage audiences as long as the content is visually appealing and key messages are delivered in a digestible format. Videos lasting between a few seconds and a couple of minutes help brands expand their customer base by increasing their visibility on popular social media platforms, where viewers will share them.
They’re another way to promote calls-to-action to people who aren’t seeing your ads. By resonating with viewers and leveraging trends, they can be designed to boost brand awareness and lead to greater customer acquisition.
Should You Be Making Short Videos as Part of Your Marketing?
To determine if you should give it a shot, start by assessing a few things:
- Your target audience’s engagement level on social media
- Whether people online align with the products or services you offer
- If your content would be an appropriate fit for the platforms that house them
- If your customers frequently consumes video shorts anywhere online
Essentially, if your brand can convey a compelling message in a short format, short-form videos can be an effective tool. If so, businesses should consider partnering with a digital solutions firm that has the resources to produce high-quality, attention-grabbing videos that align with their marketing goals.
Where are Short Business Videos Posted?
These often educational or catchy videos tend to be optimized for social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts. Unlike ones that may be more spontaneous or personal, branded short-form content is professionally produced with a clear marketing or promotional intent, using techniques like storytelling, brand consistency, and elements you hope will have a measurable impact on your business objectives.
Industries That Benefit from Using Them
The visual nature of certain industries makes them an obvious fit for platforms like Instagram Reels or TikTok – anywhere in which quick, eye-catching content can drive sales and engagement. In addition, companies trying to leverage the sensory appeal of something (think: smells, sounds and textures) should consider giving it a shot.
- Fashion and Beauty Brands: Showcase the more visual or aesthetically attractive aspects of your business through demos, tips or tutorials.
- Food and Beverage Companies: Everyone likes a view of restaurants and cafes – any place that lends itself to behind-the-scenes processes. It’s a quick way to entice customers and generate buzz online.
- Anything Personality Driven: Whether you have a charismatic CEO or can highlight a fun aspect of your workforce, a two-minute video will project a more lighthearted, authentic element to your campaign.
Who Might Not Benefit from These Short Vids?
You may already have a sense that these brief vids are not for you – and your gut could be onto something. Short-form videos are not the best way to convey the sophisticated nature of services or communicate the depth of offerings in a meaningful way.
- Complex, Serious Matters: For instance, while some legal topics could be simplified for short-form video, law firms typically deal with complex, serious matters that require in-depth explanation and nuanced discussion.
- High-Level Consulting: Certain B2B companies that provide esoteric business consulting – such as enterprise software solutions – will likely require a more formal, thoughtful approach to marketing.
- Highly Technical or Niche Companies: Industrial or manufacturing companies focused on complex engineering in industrial spaces may not easily translate their products or services into engaging short-form video content.
Note: longer videos on YouTube remain an excellent way to showcase your headquarters and offer up helpful information to your customer base.
Evaluate Audience’s Behavior to Get Started
Undecided businesses can often determine whether short videos would be effective by evaluating their audience’s behavior on social media. If you can identify platforms where your target market engages with visual, snackable content, there may be a way to showcase your products or services there in a quick, engaging format as part of your digital marketing strategy.
Consult with Branding Experts at HYPTE About Our Interactive Marketing Solutions
HYPTE’s team of digital experts can help you design and create a digital marketing campaign that effectively conveys your professionalism and detailed expertise. As consultants, we will let you know if quick, attention-grabbing videos are a good solution for you, or if there are better ways to broaden your audience.
Check out HYPTE Branded Solutions online for more on our expansive branded solutions, and call us at 708-343-9730 with any questions.