Micro-Videos: How Less Can Mean More

Who says that size matters? Not all those people making micro-videos, that’s for sure.

What is a micro-video? Well, it’s exactly as it sounds … a very short video meant to grab a person’s attention. They typically only last a few seconds. One of the most popular outlets for this type of video is Vine, which limits videos to a whopping six seconds.

As with many things that are spawned on the internet, the popularity of micro-videos started with kids and adults messing around, attempting to squeeze humor into a very short period of time. Now businesses have taken notice and are beginning to produce micro-videos of their own as a way to advertise and market themselves.

Here are some quick tips to help your company’s own micro-videos stand out:

Choose Your Platform

In addition to the aforementioned Vine, two other popular micro-video sites are Instagram and Tout. Instagram has the most users and allows 15-second video clips, while Vine concentrates solely on six-second clips. If you prefer the layout and functionality of one site over the others, by all means use that one exclusively. The great thing about social media, however, is that you can employ multiple sites to get your message out.

Create Content That Stands Out

Even in a YouTube video, you can’t haphazardly throw something together and expect it to go viral or even get noticed by anyone besides your employees and maybe your mom. Since micro-video affords you only a short time to basically tell a full story about your brand, product, or service, you may want to go with the masses and create a humorous video. Another popular choice for businesses is to provide viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at a specific facet of the company.

Capture Your Video Carefully

Each of the micro-video sites that we’ve mentioned come equipped with editing capabilities that allow users to record video in short chunks rather than one large block. The clips you record can then be rearranged and edited. Also be aware of background noise when recording; a simple technique is to use headphones with a built-in microphone to minimize problems. And for the best-looking clips around, invest in a tripod, unless you’re going for the hand-held look.

Distribute the Video Effectively

The best content in the world won’t do you much good if you don’t know how to get it seen by a lot of people. This starts with learning the basic techniques to make that happen. You’ll first want to create a compelling cover photo to garner attention immediately. The use of hashtags when posting content is also a normal technique these days. Other strategies include connecting with other social media outlets that you use and to frame your content around trending topics to increase the possibility of being shared.

Plan Ahead

If you really want to make an impact with micro-videos — or any other social media applications — you need to plan ahead. Know your audience and become proactive in scheduling your video content and whatnot. If you decide that micro-videos are a good fit for your company, make them a part of your regular calendar. This will improve your presence and your reputation as a source of such content. Always stay informed of what others are doing and alter your strategy as you see fit.