Short-form videos have seen a significant increase in popularity in recent years, driven by platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube that prominently promote them. Creators and brands also find them effective because they do not require the effort of creating long-form videos. They also help them communicate their message quickly, something that isn't possible with carousel or static image posts. What is even better is that the content format helps creators to showcase their authenticity.

However, statistics indicate that between 23 and 34 million short videos are uploaded to TikTok every day. That means the competition for visibility can be stiff. If you want to succeed with Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, you need a good short-form video domination strategy. Such a strategy should involve creating outstanding content that stops scrolling and is addictive. In this article, we guide you on how to create such types of videos.

Why are Short-form Videos so Addictive?

According to a Clutch survey, 95% of consumers watch short-form videos, with 91% doing so every day. There are several reasons why short-form videos are so popular.

Instant Access 

66% of respondents suggest that they love short-form videos because of their instant access and ease of use. Within a short time, viewers can learn a trick, have a good laugh, and emotionally connect with the story. Because of the never-ending scroll on instant videos, users find it easy to binge-watch content.

Shrinking Attention Span

Studies indicate that the attention span of social media users is decreasing, with the average human attention span dropping from 12 seconds to 8.25 seconds. With so many content options to choose from, audiences are searching for information that is fast, engaging, and easily digestible. This is exactly what you get from the short-form content.

Social Media Algorithms

The social media algorithm is now favoring short-form videos, and this is backed by research. Instagram Reels get 67% more engagement than static image posts. TikTok isn't just doing well; it is shaping our content consumption. When you find social media platforms promoting a certain piece of content, you know it's time to jump in.

High Level of Shareability

Short-form videos are snackable as they are quick, fun, and easily shareable. According to one study, videos under 60 seconds have an engagement rate 2.5 times higher than that of long-form videos. Whether it's in the form of breaking news, a funny trend, or a brand showing behind-the-scenes content, the content is irresistible, leading to high shareability. Remember that the higher the shareability, the more eyes that will be on your brand.

High Return on Investment

Short-form videos aren't only about fun, humor, and viral dance trends. They can be a powerhouse for driving sales, customer engagement, and brand awareness. According to one study:

• A third of the online activities in 2024 were dedicated to video consumption. That explains why people are spending 18 hours a week watching these videos.
• The use of short-form video content can increase sales by 80%, meaning videos can drive action, while passive browsing can bring customers. According to one study, when they added a video to their marketing, marketers saw a 34% increase in their conversion.
• When Pinterest users watch a brand's videos, their interest in purchasing the product increases by 2.6 times. That means video content is essential for turning views into sales, not just empty clicks. Compared to the text and images, social media videos usually get 1200% more shares.

That means if your brand isn't leveraging short-form video content, you might be missing out on an important opportunity to connect, engage, and convert.

Tips for Creating Additive and Scroll-Stopping Short Videos

So, what are the features of videos that stop the scroll? The first characteristic of such videos is that they connect with their target audience. Whether it's by informing them, teaching, laughing, or persuading them, these videos add value to them. They also have several elements:

•  Storytelling
• Non-promotional
• Ability to connect
• Relevant
• Humorous

Once you understand these elements, you can create short-form videos that will generate views through the following steps:

Understand Your Target Audience

You need to begin by understanding your audience, their wants, and what they don't want. This is critical when creating captivating short videos suitable for your social media marketing strategy. When you understand your target audience, it becomes easier to know the kind of content that resonates with them, and you can motivate them to share your videos, thereby increasing your video views.

You can begin by creating a customer persona that represents your target audience. The goal is to determine who your target audience is, which platform they use, and what they do for fun. 

Here are a few tips to help you understand your target audience:

• Make a great social media persona
• Check your social media analytics
• Leverage Google Analytics
• Collect feedback from your audience to understand the content that resonates with them.
• Conduct competitor analysis to see the videos your competitors create
• Analyze previous customers’ data to understand their interests and preferences.

When you collect all this information, you can understand the kind of content that is effective for grabbing the viewers' attention and the kind of video content they are searching for on social media platforms. 

Determining the Goal of the Short-Form Videos

You also need to determine what you are trying to achieve with the short-form video content.  You can have a wide range of goals, such as:

• Increasing brand awareness
• Boosting sales and revenue
• Sharing about your latest products
• Sharing knowledge and member education
• Increasing loyalty and customer service
• Growing your online presence.

The kind of short video content will also depend on your goal, so make sure the goal of your short video creation aligns with your overall business goals.

Create a Brief for Your Short Video

Create a thorough content brief to help you pin your message and pass it to your audience. Define the length and tone of the video, as well as the preferred distribution channels. This will ensure that you remain aligned with your content brief. 

Some of the important elements to include in your content brief are:

• Video title: The title of your video.
• Description. What will you be covering in the video?
• Viral items. Add the specific content you want to add to the video.
• Competitors. Note the types of videos your competitors are making as part of your strategy to outrank them.
• Related content. If there is any content you want to add as a reference for your videos, you can add it.
• Social media platforms. Consider the channel you plan to use for boosting the video and the best version for the channel.
• Keywords. You need to identify the keywords you will be using to rank the video.
• Video format. Which video format do you plan to use?
• Hashtags. These can help in the discoverability of the video to your target audience.
• Call to action. Highlight the action you want your target audience to take after watching the video.

Add a Compelling Format

To make your social media content go viral, you need to create an outstanding video script that will grab your audience’s attention and help you to achieve your goal. Brainstorm the content ideas you need to include in the script so your video has a logical flow, and remember that the core message of your video should be conveyed as quickly as possible. 

Some of the key points to include in the short videos are:

• A hook. Use an eye-catching hook that easily grabs the viewer’s attention. This could be in the form of a joke, an interesting fact, or a mind-boggling statement.
• Leverage top editing tools. Make sure your content editing is top-notch so the video grabs your audience’s attention.
• Add key video elements. Include the key elements of a video, such as emojis and images, with the goal of attracting viewers.
• Keep it brief. As noted earlier, videos less than 60 seconds tend to drive the highest engagement.

Leverage Storytelling

Storytelling is an effective strategy for making people take action. There are also many benefits of telling a story in your video, such as:

• Humanizing your brand.
• Enabling your audience to remember the content.
• Ensuring you have a community that resonates with you.

Share the story in the shortest time possible, as you don't have a lot of time with short-form videos.

Leverage Popular Trends

When creating viral short videos, you need to leverage trending content on your preferred platform. This is important as platforms like TikTok have trends changing quickly. To create an addictive video, jump on a trend to position yourself as a trendsetter. Add trending hashtags, sounds, songs, and other elements that will help you stand out on the social media platform.

Final Thoughts

While short-form video content can help you gain visibility fast, it also requires proper planning so it can stop the scroll. Remember that once the social media algorithm determines that your video is good, it will recommend it even further, resulting in a viral effect. Therefore, use the above guide to create addictive short-form videos.