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TikToks and Instagram Reels are IN! And TikTok is still THE trendsetter of all of this.
TikTok and Instagram have revolutionized the way we consume and create content, and you've got less than 3 seconds to hook your audience with bite-sized, visually engaging videos.
This article dives into the growing influence of short-form video platforms and discusses how businesses can harness this trend to create successful marketing campaigns. ⬇️
The Power of Short-Form Video Content
Short-form video platforms have taken the digital world by storm, with TikTok leading the way. What sets them apart from other social media platforms is their focus on short, highly entertaining videos.
🚨 The average attention span of today's internet user is shrinking. Short-form videos offer a perfect solution, delivering engaging content in just a few seconds.
TikTok - The Trendsetter
TikTok, the Chinese social media app owned by ByteDance, launched in 2016 and has rapidly become a global sensation. ByteDance had a smart marketing campaign for TikTok so as a result, it has over 1 billion active monthly users and has gained immense popularity especially among the younger generation.
Fun Facts:
1. TikTok was originally called Musical.ly, but in November of 2017 ByteDance bought Musicl.ly & renamed it TikTok.
2. In September of 2018, it became the most downloaded app in the US.
TikTok's unmatched algorithm-driven content discovery allows users to easily explore videos tailored to their interests. THIS is what makes it such a powerful platform for content creators and marketers.
Instagram Reels
While TikTok takes the lead in the short-form video space, other platforms have also capitalized on this trend. Instagram Reels were first introduced on August 5th, 2020.
Today, 2.35 billion people interact with Instagram Reels every month, which actually equals the total number of their monthly active users 😉
3 ways to discover Reels on Instagram:
on the Reels tab of the users’ Instagram feed
on the Explore page
on each accounts profile
Just like their competitor, Instagram offers a wide range of editing tools, an extensive audio library & filters and effects for users to experiment with directly inside the app, with new features being release by the minute...
Hold up!!! ✋
🚨 IG just released a bunch of new Reels features, making it easier to edit your videos!
Let's check them out.
Jump on the latest trends with the new Reel Trends feature shown below 👇🏻 and see the rest of the new Reels features explained here!
Now let's be honest, your camera roll is probably FULL of original content you can easily use to your brand's advantage. So let's learn how to...
5 Tips to Leverage Short-form Video Content as a Business on Socials:
1. Short-form videos focus on creativity and authenticity.
To effectively engage with your audience, focus on creating content that resonates with them emotionally.
Whether it's showcasing your products, sharing behind-the-scenes moments, or participating in viral challenges, let your brand's personality shine through.
2. Deliver snackable content. 🍿
As attention spans continue to dwindle, crafting concise and impactful content becomes crucial.
🚨 Keep your videos short, captivating, and to the point.
Hook viewers within the first 0-2 seconds to ensure they stay engaged and watch the entire video *at least once ;)
3. Trend Tok: Socials thrive on trends.
Keep an eye on the latest viral challenges, hashtags, or dances and incorporate them into your content creatively.
By participating in trending challenges, you can increase your brand's visibility and reach a wider audience. This is actually a great way to boost views & interactions!
🚨 But be aware of copyright infringement.
As a business, you can run into major issues when utilizing trending audio that's not licensing free.
Use royalty-free audio only!
4. Collaborate with influencers and UGC creators.
Influencer and UGC Partnerships are a highly effective strategy to tap into the short-form video trend. Find influencers whose values align with your brand and audience, and work together to create engaging and authentic content.
Influencers can help amplify your message and introduce your brand to their loyal audience.
🚨 ATTENTION: It's not about the follower count.
When collaborating you want to avoid doing it for the sake of it. Trying to grow your account with random followers & up your reach isn't going to benefit you in any way.
5. Utilize targeted advertising.
Short-form video platforms provide powerful targeting capabilities, allowing businesses to reach specific demographics and interests.
Utilize the platforms' advertising features to tailor your content to the right audience. Experiment with different targeting options and analyze the results to optimize your campaigns.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of User Generated Content (UGC).
So many brands' feeds are filled with what looks like everyday videos with real, authentic people like you and me. Because they are!
Let's take a look at Crocs, for example. *switches to Sport Mode*
This screenshot shows @crocs TikTok feed where you can see mostly UGC from real customers and fans but they also sprinkle in creative product ads and videos with influencers, like Chloe & Halle @chloexhalleofficial.
The brand encourages its fans to tag @crocs in videos they create and use branded hashtags like #crocnation or #croctok. This builds a relatable and fun authentic presence which makes others want to be part of it. It gets the people going!
Jump on the Reels Trend!
We can show you how with The Reel Deal Guide & eBook - Your Ultimate Guide to Master Instagram Reels.
This 75-page, step-by-step guide teaches you everything you need to know to get started with Reels, master the newest features, find trending audio and when to use it plus more.
Let's make the most out of your social media presence!
🚨 But that's not all.
You need UGC content created for you? No problem. We've got you covered. Partner with Daniela for a traditional brand partnership or have us create authentic video footage for you to use on your pages.
Recent brand partnerships include:
Meta
FlexiSpot
Biopelle
LinenReform
Shisheido
...and more. Send us an email to get started at hello@elasmarketingservices.com
written by Jordan Scherkenbach, Terra Werner and Daniela Schrittenlocher @ELAS Marketing Services LLC
Follow @elasmarketingservices for daily tips, facts and honest social media & marketing talk on Instagram.
Email us at hello@elasmarketingservices.com with questions or topic requests.