How Businesses Create Engaging Videos for Social Media

                                                                     Photo courtesy of Harry Cunningham

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It is widely known that videos shared on social media increase sales for businesses. This is why so many social media marketers incorporate videos into their digital marketing strategy. Every year, videos become increasingly popular and the apps have responded by skewing the algorithm of feeds for video-based content.

At this point, creating videos for social media is both an art and a science, ensuring conversions with relative ease over static content. Having recently launched our own social media management tool, we know this and have a few tips on how to create engaging videos for social media.

                                                                           Photo courtesy of Kaleidico

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Tip #1: You’re going to want to set a up a video marketing strategy

Even some of the most haphazard looking social media videos are the result of research and planning. It doesn’t mean you couldn’t start next week, but we recommend that you get a plan in mind identifying what product(s), services, etc. you’re looking to highlight, what resources you will need, creative or artistic tone and who you intend to be your audience.

                                                                      Photo courtesy of Eaters Collective

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Tip #2: Identify who will be executing your social media videos

Think about the creative resources needed to shoot and edit a video and create a budget. You may have a limited budget and cannot afford to outsource the work of shooting and editing. If that’s the case, consider budgeting in time for tutorials and practice-editing for whomever on your team will be shooting and editing videos.

                                                                 Photo courtesy of Priscilla Du Perez

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Tip #3: Your videos should tell a compelling story within the first 3 seconds

Social media is designed to keep viewers scrolling. To catch someone’s eye, it is recommended that you nail the first 3 seconds with imagery to draw them in. 

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Here’s an example for you:

• Tasty is probably the most recognizable social media account, with viral videos all over Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and TikTok. They famously utilize a top down point of view with quick videos of 60 seconds or less detailing easy-to-make recipes. Recipes like the one featured below begin with the final product display, mouth-watering Chicken Tinola, being basted in broth before launching into the how-to. Creating how-to videos for your audience immediately shows value – either for the product itself or for the expertise being shared.

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                                                                  Photo courtesy of @felipepelaquim

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TIp #4: Make sure your video length is appropriate for the platform

This can change as social media platforms alter their posting guidelines, but it is generally acceptable to keep videos short and sweet. We’ve got some pointers on timing per social media app:

• Instagram Videos: 1 minute
• Instagram Reels: 30 seconds
• Facebook Videos: >1 minute
• Facebook Stories: 15 seconds
• Tiktok: 15 seconds
• Twitter: 30 seconds
• Youtube: 1 minute 30 seconds
• Pinterest: 10 seconds

                                                                    Photo courtesy of Matthew Kwong

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Tip #5: If you are doing video editing in house, pick tools worth your time (and money)

Some of the best video editing tools are easy to access with a free version available to newcomers to video editing.

• Canva
• Animoto
• Adobe Premiere Rush
• InShot
• Filmora

Whatever you do decide, make sure that the staff member editing these videos has been trained on the product to ensure they can optimize editing.

                                                                       Photo courtesy of Nathan Dumlao

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Tip #5: Pick which video formats and styles work best for you

• A screencast is a voice-over digital recording of a computer screen. Tech organizations frequently employ this low-cost training technique to present software products.

• The video should be easier to understand the harder the content is to understand (numbers, intricate schemes). Therefore, a lot of businesses use video explainers with animation to break everything down into simple steps. The animation may be shown in 2D, 3D, whiteboard, or in combination with real-time video of a spokesperson. 

• The same is true for business courses; try to keep your explanations brief and straightforward. Or simply demonstrate how to use, prepare, and comprehend your product or service.

• Live action videos involve using actual locations and real individuals to record or move. This video can be about anything at all, including challenges, tutorials, ads, and presentations. Additionally, brands can customize the audience using new video capabilities on social media networks.

Pro tip: Be sure to add captions on all of your video formats.

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Ready to start making videos for social media? Synup is offering a free trial today to help your company reach more customers by uniting your social profiles on one platform. Start a conversation with us to find out how we’re making this process stress-free with maximized results.

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