Short-form videos are ruling the internet. If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts, you already know this. But what makes a brand’s short-form video strategy stand out?
Let’s dive into the top 10 short-form video strategies real brands are using. And yes – there are examples to spark your own content ideas!
Contents
1. Start Strong in the First 3 Seconds
You don’t have time to waste. Ice cream brand Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams grabs attention fast with bold music and close-up scoops in the first second. That first moment should hook your audience!
Tip: Use action, emotion, or a crazy headline.
2. Make It Loopy
Videos that loop feel satisfying – and get watched again. Sephora creates beauty demos that continuously loop, like blending makeup from start to finish and back to start again.
Why it works: The loop keeps people watching longer, sending positive signals to algorithms.
3. Hop on Trends (but Make Them Your Own)
Trends are everywhere. Duolingo is brilliant at this. They blend viral sounds with their hilarious owl mascot to build brand love while staying timely.
Don’t just copy — remix!
[ai-img]duolingo, mascot, viral video, trend[/ai-img]
4. Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) Magic
People love knowing how stuff is made. Lush Cosmetics shows how their bath bombs are made. It’s colorful, calming, and oh-so-satisfying.
Hot tip: Use ASMR or soothing sounds for extra appeal.
5. Use Text On-Screen for Silent Viewers
Most of us watch videos without sound. Smart brands like Gymshark overlay clear text and captions. That way, their fitness tips are always understood.
Bonus: Use emoji to keep it fun!
6. Show the Product FAST
No one wants to wait a minute to see your product. Starbucks introduces its new drinks in the first few seconds – with a splash!
[ai-img]starbucks, iced latte, product video</ai-img]
Speed counts! Catch their eye before they scroll away.
7. Use UGC (User-Generated Content)
Turn fans into stars. GoPro does this best – they repost mind-blowing clips from their users every day.
It’s free, exciting, and authentic.
Try this: Ask your audience to tag you in videos using your product.
8. Educate in a Flash
Teach something fast! Canva posts 15–30 second tips on design hacks. These videos are helpful AND make you love the brand.
Everyone loves a quick win!
9. Add Humor (Be Relatable!)
Some of the most shared videos are funny. Ryanair makes hilarious, pain-point-driven videos. Like poking fun at their small plane seats — and people love it!
Warning: You don’t have to try too hard. Keep it natural!
10. Create a Series
Hook followers with an ongoing series. Chipotle did a “What Your Order Says About You” series. People came back for more every week.
[ai-img]chipotle, burrito, series video, humor[/ai-img]
Series build community. And they give you a creative format to reuse easily.
Ready to Go Viral?
You don’t need a studio or a big team. Just your phone and a little creativity. Watch other brands, look for trends, and experiment!
Short-form video is all about fast, fun, and memorable content. Start testing these strategies and watch what works for your audience.
Remember, even if your first few flops — it’s part of the fun!
Start small. Post often. Stay weird!
