If TikTok's success has proven anything, videos remain one of social media's most popular forms of content. In a world of ever-changing trends, knowing what types of videos audiences will engage with is just as important as having the technical know-how to make them. Here are six tried and trusted video formats that will get you trending quickly.
Livestreaming
Nearly every major social media platform has implemented a live-streaming feature, and it's easy to see why. Going live allows you to engage one-on-one with your audience in real-time.
It's no wonder most people would rather get information through a live video than read it in a blog. But before you pick up your phone and start broadcasting, you should know which types of content best lend themselves to the live format:
Product announcements
Webinars
Live training
Interviews
Behind-the-scenes tours
Livestreaming is about giving your audience the information they want and making them feel heard. To do this effectively, eight principles can be applied across all live-streaming platforms:
Setting a schedule so audiences know when to tune in.
Having access to a stable internet connection.
Writing an informative description of the broadcast's topic.
Giving viewers ample time to join the stream before it starts.
Avoid dead air by keeping the conversation lively.
Stream for longer periods.
Stream often.
End streams with a definitive conclusion.
Tutorials
Whether baking a cake or changing a tire, videos are an effective medium for delivering step-by-step tutorials. Video tutorials are a great way to create value for your viewers by capitalizing on your industry expertise.
There are three essential ingredients for making a quality video tutorial:
Write a script and rehearse.
Know your topic and stay on point.
Don't be boring! Know when to mix things up and have fun.
Tutorials also make for great evergreen content -- especially if they aim to solve a common issue.
Behind The Scenes
People are curious about how things work, and creating a behind-the-scenes video is an excellent way to tap into that curiosity. Most importantly, it showcases the people behind your content, giving your brand a human touch and fostering trust with the audience.
Behind-the-scenes videos also work well as companion pieces to larger productions. Just have someone on set film the crew while they're working, edit those clips together, and you've got two videos for the price of one.
Explainer Videos
Explainer videos explain to the audience the purpose of your product or service. It seems pretty straightforward, but the key to success with this type of video is to be persuasive and succinct. Ideally, you want a 60 to 90-second-long video that identifies the problem that your product or service can solve.
Q&As
Another straightforward video category, Q&As, allows your audience to ask their most burning questions. Q&As can also give you deeper insight into your audience's perspective, which will help you market to them more effectively.
Event Videos
Sometimes, the hardest part of making video content is finding the right subject. That's why events can be a gold mine for new video ideas. With so much happening in one space, you'll have tons of opportunities to highlight your brand with videos covering topics such as:
Promotional videos for generating hype.
Videos outlining reasons your audience should attend.
Highlight videos for key takeaways from the event.
In Summary
The best part about making videos for social media is that you don't have to be Steven Spielberg to make a masterpiece. All you need to get started is a smartphone and a positive attitude, so get out there and get filming!
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