How to make short form video work for your business

Short-form video has become the fastest and most effective way to build a brand and business online. Think about it, it allows you to reach millions of potential customers, you’ve got “Viral” potential with every video, and it’s relatively easy to create and distribute across most major platforms.

The challenge? Most businesses haven’t figured out how to make it work for their business.

They either go too entertaining and meaningless. Or they go ultra business-y and boring and it flops. Today, you learn how to make effective short form video content that drives business results! Let’s get into it.

First of all, to create compelling short-form video content, you don't need fancy equipment. A smartphone with a good camera is sufficient, although a tripod and a quality microphone are recommended (Comica and MOVO are two of my favs). The length of the video should generally be between 20 seconds to 60 seconds, but longer videos can also perform well if they are engaging. It’s easier to START here though.

When it comes to the type of content, you can create educational, inspirational, entertaining, or edutainment videos. It's important to grab the viewers' attention within the first few seconds and provide value or entertainment throughout the video. Remember, these videos are going in feed based platforms like LinkedIn, TikTok, and Youtube Shorts so you can’t waste a single second.

Original content is recommended when starting on a new platform, but repurposing clips from long-form videos or podcasts can also be effective. By original content, I mean you create a short form video from scratch using the G.E.M.S. framework below. Why? Because creating from scratch allows you to be much more intentional, you can add in creative hooks, and you’ve the ability to adjust your message and creativity as needed. I do love repurposing though, because short-form videos can help bring viewers to your long-form content, creating a relationship between the two. :)

In terms of editing, the message and delivery are more important than fancy editing techniques. However, changing something in the scene every few seconds can help keep the viewers engaged. Adding graphics, animations, or text that enhance the message or story can also be effective. Ever notice what the elite short form video creators do? They change something up every 2 to 3 to 4 seconds or so. Could be a zoom in, zoom out, animation, text popping up, scene change, b roll, etc. This is done on purpose and keeps the audience engaged!

I mentioned the G.E.M.S framework earlier as a guide to helping you create high performing short form video content. In reality, this applies to long form too! Here is it!

The GEMS framework:
* Get clear on your message and audience: Understand who you are trying to impact and how you can make the most impact.
* Engage your audience with a strong hook: Use bold opinions or statements, compelling stories, or value teases to hook the viewers in the first few seconds.
* Map out your key points: Scrap the script, and simply jot down your key points that you don’t want to miss while recording the video. This keeps it authentic but also focused.
* Sum up your message: This could be the last sentence or two to drive home a key point, it could be a CTA, or it could be an ending to a compelling message

Hope you enjoy, and don't forget to follow me on the other platforms for daily micro content!

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[theconfidenceadvantage]

Very informative video that provides great ideas many can execute

[Buyitforwife]

Thank you - this was a great video. I intend to target LinkedIn and humming and hawing on how to make great short videos on “fun” topics such as regulatory affairs (it’s bland, technical and many of the stories are confidential). Hoping your content can help!

[commonsense]

Alex Lovett big fan. So just starting your podcast are you videos they just publish your new book😊 on how to change the business-to-business sales model to a customer-centric. Actually the whole company to a perspective and existing customer-centric culture. Which platform to post short videos? I'm already on LinkedIn but not on YouTube at least my book. Thoughts my friend?

[commonsense]

He said for beginners what equipment to buy click up here left-hand corner won't click???