In a world flooded with content, short-form content have become a lifeline for creators looking to capture attention fast. Whether you're trying to go viral on TikTok or make an impact on Instagram Reels, knowing what works can be the difference between success and obscurity. This guide is here to help you craft those "can't-look-away" videos by breaking down what makes the best short video and why it stands out. You'll gain insights into what makes people stop scrolling and how to use these tips to achieve your goals.
And if you’re looking for a tool to make this process easier, Crayo AI’s clip creator tool is your best friend. It helps you craft engaging short videos quickly so you can focus on creating rather than editing.
Table Of Contents
What Is A Short Video?
A short-form video is a compact piece of visual content, typically under three minutes, designed to deliver a message, entertain, or share information. This format matches the short attention spans of today’s audiences, offering quick content that can be easily consumed on different digital platforms.
Brevity is the Soul of Wit
Short-form videos are defined by their brief duration, with every second counting. This makes them perfect for grabbing attention in a time-sensitive digital world. Standard lengths range from a few seconds to a couple of minutes.
Get Them Hooked
These videos are crafted to boost engagement using compelling hooks, eye-catching visuals, and storytelling techniques. They also encourage interaction through likes, comments, shares, or participation in challenges.
Everywhere You Want to Be
Short-form videos work on several platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook. This adaptability allows for broader reach and audience engagement.
Keep It Simple, Quick, and Shareable
The accessibility of video creation tools and the ease of sharing make short-form videos a hit with content creators. Many platforms have built-in features that make creating and sharing videos easy.
Types of Short Videos
Get Straight to the Point: Educational Content
Short-form videos are perfect for quick learning. When you need to know how to do something, you want the information fast, without sitting through lengthy intros. That's why educational clips excel here. They’re concise, focused, and often become the go-to resource for quick tasks, thanks to their shareability.
Take Action: Inspirational Content
Powerful short videos can spark motivation. Whether you're in health and fitness or another field, short clips like Q&As, meal plans, and before-and-after stories can inspire audiences to act. Focus on one clear message that demonstrates why something is important. Show, don’t just tell.
Keep Them Hooked: Entertaining Content
Everyone loves to laugh, and entertaining videos are a significant part of short-form content. People spend a lot of time on social media scrolling for a chuckle. If something makes them laugh or captures their attention, they'll likely share it, boosting your chances of going viral. Think about what you find entertaining and aim to create that.
Be Real: Personal Content
Connect with your audience through personal short videos. These clips are often spontaneous, which gives them a genuine feel. Use this to your advantage by creating opinion pieces, behind-the-scenes footage, or interview-style videos. These formats help humanize your brand and build a stronger connection with viewers.
Release your creativity with Crayo. The clip creator tool makes it easy to produce viral short videos in minutes. Try Crayo’s free clip creator tool today — just click the ‘Try Now’ button on our homepage to get started. No account is required!
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Use Cases of Short Videos
Tease Your Upcoming Products
Short video content is perfect for generating excitement with product teasers. In just 6 to 30 seconds, you can offer tantalizing glimpses of upcoming products or features. These snippets create your audience's curiosity and anticipation, making them eager for what's next. You can generate buzz and drive interest even before the official launch by teasing new releases or enhancements.
Show Off Behind-the-Scenes Moments
Behind-the-scenes (BTS) videos give your audience a peek into the inner workings of your brand. Typically lasting 15-60 seconds, these videos showcase the people, processes, and personalities behind your products or services. This authentic look helps foster a deeper connection with your audience by humanizing your brand and building trust through genuine storytelling.
Leverage User-Generated Content
User-generated content capitalizes on your community’s enthusiasm and loyalty by allowing satisfied customers to share their experiences. Short-form videos featuring real-world usage of your products create a sense of belonging and camaraderie among your audience. Lasting less than a minute, these clips strengthen brand advocacy and loyalty through authenticity.
Offer How-To Guides
How-to videos provide valuable information and practical solutions in a concise format. They offer a complete guide on tasks or challenges relevant to your audience, positioning your brand as a trusted resource in your niche. These videos establish credibility and foster a positive relationship with viewers seeking actionable advice.
Address FAQs Directly
FAQ videos tackle common questions and misconceptions about your products, offering clarity and reassurance to potential customers. By addressing doubts preemptively, these 15-60-second clips help remove barriers to purchase and demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction and support.
Create Captivating Montages and Reels
Montages and reels combine snippets of content to tell a compelling story or showcase your offerings. These 30-to 60-second clips capture attention and leave a lasting impression by leveraging fast-paced editing, eye-catching visuals, and sound bytes. They're ideal for increasing brand visibility and engagement on social media platforms.
Showcase Customer Reviews & Testimonials
Customer reviews or testimonials demonstrate social proof by showcasing positive experiences from actual consumers. With authentic feedback and endorsements, these 15-to 60-second clips build credibility and trust in your brand. They can quickly influence purchasing decisions by highlighting real customers’ satisfaction with your products.
Which Content Is Best For Short Video?
How to Hook Viewers Instantly: The Art of Engaging Storytelling
Short videos need to grab attention fast. Think about your favorite movie trailer—it hooks you immediately and leaves you wanting more. Even in a brief clip, try to have a strong opening that intrigues viewers, a middle that keeps them engaged, and an ending that leaves a lasting impression. A great story will keep your audience glued to the screen, even just for a few seconds.
Nailing the Look and Sound: High-Quality Visuals and Audio
You want your video to look and sound good. Crisp visuals and clear audio make a big difference. You don’t need fancy gear, but use what you have wisely. Good lighting, steady shots, and clear sound can boost your video and make it more enjoyable for viewers. People are likelier to stick around and watch if it looks and sounds good.
Keeping It Real: Relatability and Authenticity
People connect with what feels natural. Be genuine in your content. Share things that matter to you and resonate with your audience. Authenticity isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing—it’s about being true to yourself and your message. Viewers who see something relatable and real are likelier to engage and remember your content.
Getting Viewers to Do Something: Clear Call-to-Action
A call-to-action (CTA) is your chance to guide viewers toward a specific action. Be clear and direct whether you want them to like, share, comment, or buy something. A strong CTA can boost engagement and help you achieve your goals. Make it easy for viewers to know what to do next.
Tailoring Your Content: Optimization for Platform and Audience
Each platform has its quirks, and what works on one might not work on another. Know where you’re posting and what that audience expects. Use tools and techniques that align with the platform’s algorithm to increase your chances of success. Tailor your content so it resonates with the people who will see it.
11 Effective Tips On How To Make The Best Short Video
1. Kickstart with Crayo AI
Crayo AI is your secret weapon for creating short videos fast. It allows you to produce unlimited shorts with captions, effects, backgrounds, and music—all generated automatically. By leveraging Crayo, you can ideally transition from ideas to viral shorts in seconds.
Just outline your concept, pick your style with free background videos and music, and hit export. The TikTok creator fund program is a great way to make easy money, and Crayo gives you the tools to take advantage of it. Try Crayo’s free clip creator tool now to see how easily you can go from prompt to viral shorts.
2. Understand the Motivation Behind Your Video
Consider why you're making a video in the first place. Sharing a message with emotional impact can inspire action, which is critical for engagement. Whether it's user-generated content due to a unique event or a charity video that aligns with your mission, understanding these motives guides strategic conversations and gives your content a coherent theme over time. Think about what emotions you want to evoke and how you can use that to your advantage.
3. Repurpose Longer Content
Platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok are great for taking advantage of content creators and businesses. You can repurpose long-form content from podcasts, vlogs, or daily Instagram Stories into short-form videos. Highlight a specific question from an interview or a memorable moment from a vlog and transition to your answer. This can be the hook of your IG Reel and attract a specific target audience that might be interested.
4. Optimize for All Channels
Ensure your videos look good on multiple platforms by using the same format. This will help you create an omnipresence so your prospects see you everywhere. If you already make YouTube Shorts, adjust the editing algorithm with minor tweaks to ensure they look good on other platforms. For example, place your subtitles higher so they aren’t covered by other elements when published on TikTok. Use an automated scheduling tool to publish your clips everywhere. You’ll post the same content but be shown to different people.
5. Craft a Captivating Story
Storytelling is a powerful way to engage your audience and generate interest. You can use stories to convey your brand identity and values, which can help you grow your audience and establish a stronger connection. This can lead to larger, more targeted followings, brand awareness, higher viewer retention rates, and improved conversion rates. Use stories to connect with your audience and compellingly convey your message.
6. Keep It Real
Authenticity is critical to building trust and a genuine connection with viewers. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses quick tutorials, or showcase your brand’s personality. This can help you engage with your audience and boost visibility. Be consistent with your posting schedule and interact with comments and feedback. Focus on storytelling and addressing customer pain points to increase engagement and brand awareness.
7. Solve a Problem
Short-form videos can be a powerful marketing tool for small businesses. Create high-quality videos that capture the attention of your target audience in just a few seconds. Identify your audience’s needs and create videos that solve their problems or provide valuable information. Use SEO tactics to ensure your videos are easily discoverable online. Track engagement metrics regularly and adjust strategies over time to ensure your videos are successful.
8. Keep It Short and Sweet
Short-form videos are great for engaging your audience and boosting visibility. Keep your videos snappy and entertaining to grab attention quickly. Start with a strong hook or attention-grabbing element within the first few seconds. Use concise and clear messaging to get to the point quickly and avoid unnecessary filler. This will help you engage your audience and keep them interested.
9. Leverage User-Generated Content
User-generated content is a goldmine of authentic and relatable content your customers or fans create. It saves you time and effort while fostering community and trust around your brand. When you feature content from your customers, it shows real people enjoying your offerings, which is incredibly persuasive to potential customers. Incorporating UGC into your short-form videos adds a human touch to your marketing efforts and encourages your audience to engage with your brand creatively.
10. Educate Your Clients
Short videos can educate your clients about your products or services. Share client testimonials or educational content to market and help your customers. Send videos with your past work and process before demo calls to help clients learn more about you. After the demo call, send educational videos to keep them engaged and informed.
11. Stay True to Your Brand
Keep your videos compelling and entertaining but also relevant to your brand. Avoid following trends that don’t connect with your business. Large brands can get away with creative but irrelevant ads, but small businesses need to keep viewers engaged and convey a specific message about their product or service. Create videos that showcase your essential product or benefit in an engaging way to keep your audience interested and informed.
Complete 3-Step Guide On How To Create Viral Clips and Shorts In Seconds With Crayo
Crayo AI is your shortcut to crafting short-form videos in no time. This tool lets you churn out unlimited video content at once, auto-generating captions, effects, backgrounds, and music. With Crayo, you can jump from concept to viral footage in seconds. Just jot down an outline or prompt, pick a style, and export. It’s that simple. The Tiktok Creator Fund program can turn those viral clips into cash.
Try Crayo’s free clip creator tool today—right from the homepage, no account needed—and watch your content go viral in minutes.
Who Is The No.1 Shorts Channel On YouTube?
1. Alan Chikin Chow: The Comedy Maestro of YouTube Shorts
Alan Chikin Chow is the king of YouTube Shorts, drawing in over 30 million subscribers with his slapstick comedy clips. His videos didn’t start as polished productions. Early on, he used his phone to create goofy clips to make his mom laugh. Over time, his videos have evolved into high-quality productions with costumes and sets. His most-watched short has over 12 million views.
2. ASMR Weekly: Enter a World of Relaxation
Hendil, known as ASMR Weekly, brings viewers to an extent of relaxation with his enchanting ASMR videos. He immerses his audience in fantasy worlds with sounds and visuals, from stormy nights in Gryffindor’s Common Room to peaceful flights with Grogu.
3. Dan Rhodes: The Young Magician Making Magic Online
Dan Rhodes, a young magician from Manchester, has achieved his dreams with his phone camera. Starting with long-form videos in 2015, he didn’t find success until he switched to short-form clips on TikTok and YouTube. Now, he has 25 million subscribers on YouTube, where he shares his magical tricks.
4. Fritz Proctor: Mesmerizing Color-Matching Videos
Fritz Proctor is a talented painter known for his mesmerizing color-matching videos. He perfectly mixes paints to match external swatches or objects, and his videos are truly captivating.
5. Jorge Soto: High Schooler Sharing Daily Life
Jorge Soto, aka @horchatasoto, quickly gained subscribers on TikTok and YouTube with his short ‘story time’ clips. He shares funny anecdotes about everyday events with his audience, such as sitting in the wrong class.
6. The Korean Vegan: More Than Just Food Content
Joanne Lee Molinaro, or The Korean Vegan, creates content beyond food. Her channel features her podcast and series like ‘My Kitchen Stories’ and ‘The Molinaros,’ where she shares vlogs with her husband.
7. Marie Stella: One-Woman Comedy Show
Marie Stella, aka @Laframbuesaa, is a versatile comedic actor and writer who creates all the characters on her channel. Her top-performing YouTube Shorts feature tongue-in-cheek recreations of overused movie and TV tropes.
8. The Sorry Girls: DIY Duo Creating Popular Shorts
The Sorry Girls, Rachael, Becky, Kelsey, and Rochelle, have been sharing their DIY and redecorating projects on YouTube since 2010. Their Shorts are trendy, with some receiving millions of views.
9. Timothy Huynh: Speedcubing and Rubik’s Cubes
Timothy Huynh, aka @SoupTimmy, shares his passion for speedcubing and Rubik’s cubes on YouTube. He has 3.5 million subscribers who watch him solve cubes quickly and create his unique cubes.
10. Wendy Cung Ly: Beauty Creator on the Rise
Wendy Cung Ly, aka @wendyskin, is a beauty creator who isn’t afraid to experiment. She shares her hair and makeup transformations with her audience, and engaging content has earned her over a million subscribers on YouTube.
Get Creative with Crayo's Clip Creator Tool
Try Crayo’s free clip creator tool today and boost your short video game. Click the ‘Try Now’ button on our homepage to get started. No account is required! Go from prompt to viral shorts videos in minutes with Crayo.
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Create Viral Shorts In Seconds With Crayo
Crayo AI is your secret weapon for churning short videos at lightning speed. Consider this: You’ve got an idea for a viral TikTok, but the thought of editing it makes you groan. Crayo changes the game. It lets you create unlimited short videos almost instantly. You just pop in an outline or prompt, and Crayo does the rest. It even auto-generates captions, effects, backgrounds, and music. You’ll go from concept to viral clip in the time it takes to reheat a slice of pizza.
Cashing In with the TikTok Creator Fund
Want to make some easy money on the side? The TikTok Creator Fund is your chance to turn creativity into cash. And with Crayo, you can produce content so fast it’s almost like printing money. The more quality content you churn out, the better your chances of going viral and raking in views. It’s a numbers game, and Crayo gives you the numbers.
Customize Your Style, Your Way
Everyone’s got their vibe, right? With Crayo, you pick your style. Choose your background video, voice narrator, and music from Crayo’s free templates. It’s like having a whole production team at your fingertips. You control every detail so your videos match your unique style while still having that pro-level polish.
Export and Go Viral
Once your video looks just right, you’re ready to export and share. Crayo makes it easy to download and upload your video to your favorite platforms. With the right strategy, your videos have a better chance of going viral and getting tons of engagement. Get ready for the likes, comments, and shares to roll in.
Try Crayo’s Free Tool Now
Why wait? Try Crayo’s free clip creator tool today. Click the Try Now button on the homepage to start—no account is required. Go from idea to viral video in minutes with Crayo.
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