How to Create Engaging Social Media Videos

Video is the most powerful content on social media. Compared to a blog post, a quick video is much more likely to stop your viewers in their tracks, get their attention, and get shared with others who might watch it.

More brands are ramping up social media video production efforts, so it’s crucial to maximize every second of footage you put out there. Luckily, there are some effective principles that apply to every worthwhile social video.

Here’s how you can create social media videos that get traction and go further:

1. Have a Compelling Purpose

Every video should have a clear purpose that focuses on your customers’ needs. Are you going to entertain, inform, or inspire? There’s room for social media videos to do several of these things, but each should have a main goal you drive toward in every frame.

2. Start Fast and Finish Sharp

Don’t be tempted to start with long musical intros or other “branded” interludes. These will only frustrate users and can cause them to click away immediately. Start strong by getting straight to the content users actually want. End with a clear call to action so they know what to do next.

3. Say What’s In It For Them

Even three minutes of attention is a big ask for today’s consumer. Reinforce your purpose with a social message and YouTube description that both tell them exactly what they’re getting. Then, be sure you spell out exactly what value they’ll walk away within the first few seconds.

4. Make Visuals That Matter

Let’s face it: People hate auto-playing video. In fact, many don’t even want to be interrupted by audio until they’re invested in a video’s message. With that in mind, design your videos to be visually compelling and pull watchers into the story – even without the soundtrack.

5. Experiment with Formats

Novelty is a huge driver of video marketing. Not every video has to be the same! Explore new and different formats to see what really works for your audience. Interviews, “behind the scenes” looks and humorous videos are all underused and potent ways to communicate your brand.

How to Create Engaging Social Media Videos

Once you’ve laid out a strategy and mastered a few key techniques, video marketing can be as exciting for you as it is for customers.

Amplify makes it easier to cut through the clutter and get to the good part: Discover 5 Video Marketing Strategies for Increasing Your Facebook Reach.