Today, content marketing, digital marketing, and influencer marketing are all closely intertwined with social media marketing. These strategies revolve around creating unique, original content tailored to a specific audience with the goal of driving conversions. This content can come in various forms, such as videos, photos, podcasts, blog posts, or even ebooks.
This approach, known as “inbound marketing,” works because it offers valuable content to niche consumers, which in turn attracts more qualified leads who are genuinely interested in your products or services.
Among the different types of content, social media videos stand out as one of the most versatile and effective tools for your brand’s marketing campaigns. They offer a significant opportunity to grow your business.
There’s been a massive demand for social media platforms to evolve and introduce new features for video creation and consumption, benefiting both businesses and individuals. Just take a look at these eye-opening stats on social video:
93% of brands say they’ve gained a new customer thanks to a video on social media.
25% of marketers planned to start using TikTok as an advertising channel in 2021.
500 million people use Instagram Stories daily. 90% of them follow at least one business account, and 50% of users say they’re more interested in a brand after seeing its ads on Instagram.
The possibilities for brands are endless! However, not just any video will do the trick. Following industry best practices in your social media strategy is the key to success.
If you’re thinking about creating your social media videos on your own instead of hiring an agency, we’re here to help! In this post, we’ll share twelve tips to help you create amazing social media videos that will outshine the competition and keep your audience watching—and sharing!
Types of Social Media Videos You Can Create
There are several different types of videos you can produce and share on social media. The type you choose will influence which social platforms you should focus on.
When planning your content strategy, choosing the right social media channel is crucial because it determines the audiences and potential customers you’ll reach.
Stories: Stories are short-form videos that disappear after 24 hours. Originally introduced by Snapchat in 2013, this feature has been adopted by Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Stories are great for driving engagement with interactive features like polls and questions.
Short-Form Videos: On TikTok and Instagram Reels, the most popular videos are typically 15-60 seconds long. Short-form videos generally run under 10 minutes and are ideal for creative storytelling, explainer videos, and tutorials.
Long-Form Videos: These videos can run up to 30 minutes or more and are perfect for in-depth storytelling or content like short films, webinars, and online courses. Long-form videos are less common on social media but can be shared on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Live Streams: Live streams are unedited videos broadcasted in real-time. Since the content is published immediately, there’s little room for error, making thorough preparation essential. Platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn all offer live video streaming.
12 Tips for Creating Standout Social Media Videos
Write a Script, Even for Short Videos: Always start with a script. It lays the groundwork for your video and saves time during the shoot by clearly outlining each scene.
Make the First Few Seconds Count: In the crowded world of social media, you need to grab your audience’s attention instantly. Make your intro engaging and give viewers a glimpse of what’s to come.
Don’t Create Videos Just for Sales: Your videos should offer value, whether that’s educating, informing, or entertaining. Consumers increasingly want to connect with brands on a deeper level, so ensure your content aligns with your brand values.
Focus on Storytelling: Great storytelling is key to a memorable video. Develop a storyboard with characters or scenarios your audience can relate to, ensuring your message is not just heard but remembered.
Enhance Your Video’s Aesthetics: Stick to your brand’s design guidelines to maintain consistency and make your videos easily recognizable. Add variety with transitions, motion design, and text overlays to highlight key messages.
Use Proper Equipment: A great script and storyboard are essential, but so is the quality of your footage. Ensure your equipment—mics, lights, and cameras—are set up correctly before shooting.
Keep It Short (Under 2 Minutes): Engagement drops sharply after the 2-minute mark, so keep your videos short and to the point. This helps maintain viewer attention and ensures your key messages are retained.
Optimize for Different Platforms: Every platform has its own video specs, so make sure your content is optimized for each one to ensure it performs well across all channels.
Add Music: Music sets the tone of your video, so choose tracks that complement and enhance your content. Be mindful of lyrics, as they can sometimes distract from your message.
Include Subtitles: With so many viewers watching videos without sound, adding subtitles is crucial. It makes your content accessible to a wider audience and increases the chances of viewers watching to the end.
Always Include a Call-to-Action: End your video with a clear and compelling call-to-action that aligns with your video’s objective. Whether it’s subscribing, sharing, or visiting a website, make it easy for viewers to take the next step.
Repurpose Existing Content: Maximize your marketing ROI by repurposing existing content into videos. This strategy extends the lifespan of your content and increases your brand’s visibility across multiple channels.
Over to You
With these 12 tips in your toolkit, you’re ready to start creating standout social media videos. Or, if you’d rather leave it to the pros, reach out to KIN—we’re here to help!