Leveraging Video Marketing in the Era of Short-Form Content 

Short videos are the show’s stars in today’s quick-scrolling digital scene. Think of them as snack-sized stories — quick, engaging, and here today, gone in a moment. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels have made these short videos cool to watch. But why should we care? Well, because for brands, these short videos aren’t just a trend — they’re a big deal.

This article strolls through the landscape of short-form video content, exploring why it’s a big deal and how brands can casually slide into the conversation without a hard sell. 

The Short-Form Video Explosion

Short-form videos have become the go-to source for quick entertainment and expression. Two major players, TikTok and Instagram Reels, have propelled this trend.

The Rise of TikTok and Instagram Reels

These platforms revolutionized how we consume content, introducing a format that fits our on-the-go lifestyle. TikTok landed on the scene, and everyone started making and sharing short videos. It grew super fast — over 3.5 billion downloads worldwide. Why? Because it’s easy. Videos are short, often less than a minute. Simple, watchable, and shareable. 

Instagram saw TikTok’s success and thought, “We want in too.” So, they brought out Instagram Reels. This feature aimed to provide a similar experience within the familiar Instagram environment. Reels carved its niche by offering users 15 to 60 seconds of creative freedom — allowing them to showcase their talents, share snippets of life, or simply have fun.

Now, let’s look at the statistics on the popularity of short-form content.

User Demographics and Behavior

Image Credit: Oberlo

Who’s into short videos? Almost everyone. Especially the younger crowd — around 41% of TikTok users are between 16 and 24. Why? Short videos match short attention spans. It’s a fast, fun way to connect, like being part of a big creative chat.

Time Spent on Short-Form Video Platforms

How much time are we spending on these short videos? Quite a bit. It’s like carrying a tiny TV in your pocket, ready to entertain whenever you’ve got a few minutes, says founder of First Aid at Work Course. On average, people spend about 95 minutes a day on TikTok. And that’s not counting other short video places.

Why Short-Form Video Works

Short-form videos have become a powerhouse in the vast realm of digital content. Let’s have a look at why they work.

Psychology behind Short-Form Content Consumption

Image Credit: TechSmith

Short videos align seamlessly with our modern attention spans, which are more fleeting than ever. The brain craves quick, easily digestible information — making short-form videos an ideal fit. A 15-second video highlighting a heartwarming moment can evoke powerful feelings without demanding much time.

William Westerlund, SEO Expert at TRADEIT.GG, shares his thoughts, “Shorter content often leads to better retention. Viewers remember more when information is presented in shorter bursts. This aligns with the “less is more” concept, where brief, impactful content tends to leave a lasting impression.“

Virality and Shareability of Short-Form Videos 

Short-form videos are like digital wildfire; they spread fast and wide. The ease of sharing on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels contributes to their viral nature. A quirky dance move, a clever joke, or a relatable moment can quickly become a trend, reaching millions within hours.

For example, TikTok has seen challenges like the “Renegade” dance go viral, accumulating billions of views. The simplicity and replicability of short-form content make it accessible for users to participate and share their versions, contributing to the widespread adoption of these trends.

Digital Video Marketing Expert at Basic Life Support Training, said, “The shareability of short videos extends beyond the platforms themselves. Users frequently share these videos on other social media channels, amplifying their reach.” 

How Can Brands Effectively Capitalize on the Short-Form Video Trend?

As the short-form video trend continues to dominate digital spaces, brands have a unique opportunity to connect with their audience more authentically and engagingly. To effectively capitalize on this trend, brands should understand the nuances of short-form content and tailor their strategies accordingly.

Establish a Content Strategy

Creating a meaningful presence starts with a well-defined content strategy. Brands should identify their unique voice, tone, and the type of content that aligns with their audience. Understanding the platform’s dynamics, such as trending hashtags and popular challenges, helps craft content that resonates.

For example, Dunkin’, the coffee and doughnut chain, established a vibrant presence on TikTok by aligning with popular challenges like the “Dance for Dunkin'” trend. Their content not only showcased their products but also tapped into the playful spirit of the platform.

Create Authentic Brand Narratives

Short-form videos thrive on authenticity. Brands should focus on showcasing the human side of their identity, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse, or sharing real stories. This approach builds a genuine connection with the audience — making the brand more relatable, explains Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Ingredient Brothers. 

For example, Starbucks utilized Instagram Reels to provide a quick tour of a day in the life of a barista. It humanises the brand and highlights its dedication to quality and craftsmanship.

Leverage Trends and Challenges

In the dynamic world of short-form videos, leveraging trends and challenges becomes an essential strategy for brand visibility. Staying attuned to what’s currently capturing audience attention allows brands to align their content with popular culture — ensuring relevance and engagement. Sumeer Kaur, Founder of Lehenga, said, “By actively participating in popular challenges or creating content that aligns with current trends, brands can tap into the existing user engagement and widen their reach.”

For example, Chipotle’s participation in the #GuacDance challenge on TikTok showcased their product and encouraged user-generated content, turning customers into brand ambassadors.

Build a Consistent Brand Presence

Creating a reliable brand presence is like establishing a familiar face in the digital crowd. Brands must stick to a consistent content strategy, ensuring their voice, tone, and messaging remain constant. Whether through regular short-form videos, social media posts, or other video marketing efforts, maintaining a steady and recognizable presence fosters audience retention and loyalty. 

For example, Gymshark, a fitness apparel brand, maintains a consistent posting schedule on TikTok — featuring short workout routines, motivational clips, and user testimonials. It ensures their audience receives steady content that resonates with their fitness-focused brand.

Encourage User Participation and Collaboration

Short-form videos provide an excellent platform for user engagement. Brands can encourage their audience to participate in challenges, share experiences, or collaborate on content creation. It strengthens the brand-user relationship and generates user-generated content, a powerful video marketing tool.

For example, LEGO initiated the #BuildItBetter challenge on Instagram Reels, urging users to showcase their unique LEGO creations. It boosts user engagement but also creates a community around the brand.

Collaborate with Influencers and Creators

Partnering with influencers and creators amplifies the reach of short-form videos. These individuals, already with a substantial following, bring authenticity and credibility to the brand’s message. By collaborating with influencers, brands tap into existing communities, expanding their audience and enhancing engagement. This collaboration allows for a more genuine connection with the target demographic, leveraging the influencer’s influence to create a meaningful impact, says Josef Eines, SEO Specialist at FORNYE.

Metrics for Success

Measuring success in short-form videos involves looking at key metrics to understand how well the content performs. Metrics like views, likes, shares, and conversion rates provide valuable insights. These numbers help brands see what’s working and what might need adjusting in their strategy. By analyzing these metrics, brands can adapt and refine their approach, ensuring that their short-form videos are seen and making a meaningful impact, explains digital marketing manager at CamSurf.

Challenges and Solutions

In the dynamic world of short-form video marketing, where opportunities abound, there are also challenges that brands need to navigate strategically. So, let’s have a look at the challenges you might face. 

Navigate Potential Controversies

In the world of short videos, sometimes things can get a bit tricky. Controversies might pop up by mistake, causing trouble for brands. It happens when people misunderstand the videos or find them not respectful. It can lead to adverse reactions and harm a brand’s reputation. So, it’s essential for brands to be careful, think twice about their videos, and make sure they don’t accidentally upset anyone. Benjamin Purewal, Director at E-Consulting LTD, said, “Being mindful helps steer clear of unexpected problems and keep things smooth in the short-form video world.”

Balance Short-Form Content with Other Video Marketing Efforts

In quick videos, brands need to find the right mix. Relying only on short videos might complicate things or limit what people know about a brand. So, it’s like making a good recipe — brands must add other ingredients. It could be longer videos, social media posts, emails, or traditional ads. By mixing it up, brands can offer different things to different people, ensuring everyone gets a taste of what they offer. 

Integration into a Comprehensive Strategy

Putting short videos into the bigger plan can be like solving a puzzle. Sometimes, brands struggle to make short videos fit well with other Video marketing pieces like social media or ads. It’s not easy to make everything work seamlessly. Brands must figure out how to weave short videos into the larger story — ensuring it connects smoothly. 

Adapting to Changes in Algorithms and User Behavior

The digital world is constantly shifting, which means the game’s rules change, too. Algorithms, those behind-the-scenes decision-makers on how content gets shown, are updated continuously. Brands must stay on their toes, be ready to adjust strategies and keep the content game strong to match the evolving landscape of algorithms and how people use the digital space, shares Jeremy Ferguson, Owner of PixelPoynt SEO Agency. It means brands need to keep an eagle eye on these changes. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. 

Risks of Misinterpretation and Backlash

Sometimes, when brands make short videos, people might not understand how they’re meant to. It can lead to problems, like backlash — when people get upset and start criticizing the brand. 

Khashayar Shahnazari, Chief Executive Officer at FinlyWealth, observed, “Brands need to be super careful about what they show in their short videos. They want to make sure everyone gets the right idea and doesn’t feel unhappy or angry after watching. Being clear and thoughtful helps brands steer away from these tricky situations.”

Avoid Overreliance on Trends

While trends can be cool, relying too much on them can be like building a house on sand. Trends come and go, and if a brand only follows what’s popular right now, it might lose its unique flavour. It’s good to join the fun, but brands shouldn’t forget who they are. So, striking a balance between joining trends and staying true to their style ensures that brands remain fresh, current, and authentic.

Build a Genuine Connection

Creating a real connection is like making a new friend in the digital world. Brands need to be friendly and honest in their videos, sharing things that feel true and relatable. By being genuine, brands show they’re here to sell and connect with people. When brands act like friends, people feel more comfortable and are more likely to trust and like them. Michelle Wells, Director of Video Marketing at Boiler Cover UK, said, “Building a genuine connection in short videos means being real, friendly, and creating content that feels like a sincere conversation with a friend.”

Avoid Message Overload

In the world of short-form videos, less can often be more. Avoiding message overload is like keeping things simple and easy to understand. Brands should focus on one main idea or message in each short video so viewers don’t feel overwhelmed. By keeping it concise and to the point, brands ensure that their message is easily digestible, making a lasting impact in the brief attention span of short-form video viewers, says Cole Vineyard, CEO and Founder of Teach Simple. 

The Future of Short-Form Video Marketing

Short videos are becoming a big thing in video marketing in the coming years. Many marketers are considering putting their money into short videos, and about 21% are trying it out for the first time in 2023.

Let’s have a look at what we can see in 2024. 

Short-Form Videos

Short videos, the quick and fun ones you see on places like Instagram Reels or TikTok, are getting popular. According to a report by HubSpot, around one-third of social media marketers are into them for 2023. And almost 90% of marketers plan to keep using or use even more of these short videos in 2024, shares Micajah McGregor, Chief Editor at FanFest.  

These videos are short & engaging, lasting just 15 to 60 seconds, and work well on your phone. Brands are finding smart ways to use them — like showing off cool software features in 15 seconds or giving you a sneak peek at what happens behind the scenes. 

AI-Generated Video Content

AI, or artificial intelligence, is like a computer brain doing smart stuff. In 2024, more videos are going to be made by these smart computers. They can do things like putting together images, text, sound, and data to make videos without needing too much human help, said founder of ProAI.  

Rise of Virtual and Augmented Reality

Virtual reality is going to become more popular in 2024. It is like going inside a computer world, and augmented reality is like putting computer stuff into the real world. These things are moving from games to videos, ads, and more. You could wear special glasses and feel like you’re at a concert or a sports game — even if you’re just sitting at home, says operations director at Leeds First Aid Courses.  

Brands also use it to let you try things on, like make-up. These new techs might change how we watch and make videos — making it cooler for everyone.

To Sum it Up

Short-form videos have taken a front-row seat in our digital world, growing faster than we ever imagined. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels have become our go-to places for quick, fun content. These short videos can quickly gain the interest of people, which is why marketers love to use them to increase their brand leads, reach more people, and explain their brands in a whole new and short way. Brands can capitalize on this trend by establishing a proper content strategy, following trends, and collaborating with influencers.