7 Tips for Creating More Effective Social Media Videos
Social Media Video Tips
You’ve got one shot to get it right. Below are some tips to help optimize your social media video.
As with any video production, if you plan on creating video for social media platforms like Facebook, ouTube, In
As with any video production, if you plan on creating video for social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram it’s important to plan well before you start. Poor planning can cost you time and money, and worse, can lead to an ineffective video.
When it comes to creating effective video content for social media, be sure to follow these seven tips!
1. Grab them in the first 5 seconds
59% of pre-roll ads on YouTube are ignored after 5 seconds. It’s a fact that if you don’t have a visual or narrative hook, you will lose your audience in the first 5 seconds. Create an eye grabbing opening visual, an odd close-up, a controversial phrase, or a slow-motion shot that immediately arrests your viewer!
Kmart’s “Ship My Pants” ad below not only kept viewers engaged, but it also reinforced their move to online from in-store selling. 21+ million views. Can’t argue with that.
stagram it’s important to plan well before you start. Poor planning can cost you time and money, and worse, can lead to an ineffective video.
When it comes to creating effective video content for social media, be sure to follow these seven tips!
1. Grab them in the first 5 seconds
59% of pre-roll ads on YouTube are ignored after 5 seconds. It’s a fact that if you don’t have a visual or narrative hook, you will lose your audience in the first 5 seconds. Create an eye grabbing opening visual, an odd close-up, a controversial phrase, or a slow-motion shot that immediately arrests your viewer!
Kmart’s “Ship My Pants” ad below not only kept viewers engaged, but it also reinforced their move to online from in-store selling. 21+ million views. Can’t argue with that.

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Other great ways to hook people right off the bat:
• Provide a really quick preview of what’s coming up in the video.
• Introduce a problem and offer a solution.
• Tell your audience what you do.
• Use text to reach your audience.
• Promise a story
2. Set a Good Pace
Hooking your viewer is a good start, but once you get their attention, you have to keep it! Setting a pace that engages your viewers attention is important. In general, shots shouldn’t be longer than 3 seconds (and that’s not set in stone). Be creative with your editing and use subtitles whenever possible!
Remember, on Facebook, for example, 85% of people will watch your video without audio.
The Virgin Media below is an excellent example of pace.

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3. Subtitles
If your video doesn’t include subtitles or on-screen text, there’s a good chance that your viewers will simply scroll past your ad. Facebook research show that videos with subtitles double the view rate!
In an era where all social media videos are muted by default and 85% of all Facebook videos are watched with no sound, subtitles are essential to catch social media user’s attention and increase engagement.
4. The Power of Visuals
The Sphynx Razor ad below illustrates the power of visuals in selling their product. The quick visually-driven ad draws the attention, keeps it, and sells the practical effectiveness of their product before viewers have a chance to look away.

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5. Give it a call to action
Video content is a missed opportunity without a call to action. What are you hoping to drive with your video ad? Do you want users to download your app? Ask them to download!
Including a call-to-action in your content can increase views and substantially improve the performance of your video!
Here are 7 call to action strategies…

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6. Focus on stories, not sales
If you want your video to be watched, it needs to hold some kind of perceived value for the viewer. Videos that are purely focused on a brand, product or service without a story element, are usually ignored.
The best video content tells stories that emotionally connect with the viewer. The better you tell stories about yourself, the more likely your viewers will understand what your offering is, and what it can do for them.
As Facebook recommends: “Your video ad shouldn’t be longer or shorter than it takes to tell your story well, so create a storytelling arc from the first frame to the last that keeps your audience interested along the way.”
This Thai Insurance advert is one of my favorites….

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7. Start a campaign with multiple ads in the queue.
If you hit your target audience with the same ad over and over again, they could start to lose interest.
Multiple versions can serve two purposes: 1. Show more than one application of your product or service and 2. Reduce viewer fatigue, and increase interest.
Campaigns that include multiple ads as part of a continuous episodic story are an excellent way to keep viewers engaged.
Filming for Viral Uber ICC World Cup Theme Song
Viral #WorldCup Anthem

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11 millions hits (and counting)!
@carinabruwer procured and directed the Khayelitsha United Mambazo choir studio recording and then joined @zen_cinematic on location in Langa who filmed the South African segment of the Uber production for the #WorldCupFanAnthem: ICC Cricket World Cup Anthem 2019 ft. SANAM, Jahmiel, & more
#CWC19 Performed by globally acclaimed artists like Jahmiel (Jamaica), Catherine Taylor Dawson (UK), Simba Diallo (NZ), Khayelitsha United Mambazo (South Africa) and SANAM – The Band (India). Sing along and cheer your team all the way-o to the top. #OnOurWayO#MovingFansForward#uber#sportslovers#capetown#africantalent#wakandaforever#proudlysouthafrican#brandsouthafrica#africansong#africanpower
Song written by – Sonal Dabral
Composed and Produced by – Michael (Mikey) McCleary
South African segment: producer(s), director @carinabruwer and @zen_cinematic
Global Spot Director: Aakash Bhatia
Agency – Ogilvy (Gurugram); Producer Bhavna Singh
Mini-Documentary: The Weather Channel-Brett Archibald
Brett Archibald Documentary

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Mini-documentary for The Weather Channel
Frames from our shoot for The Weather Channel. Brett Archibald overcame incredible odds after falling overboard in shark-infested waters. He survived in the rough Indonesian ocean for 29 hours without a flotation device. This amazing man went on to publish the best-selling book, “Alone” and is now using his life experience to help others gain perspective and find meaning.
@zen_cinematic Warren Mac Carthy: Director, & DP; Rudolph Michel de Girardier: Field Producer, B-Cam, & Diver. Nathi Mphindwana: Sound.
#survivor #film #interviewing #producer #directing #sound #author #ocean #best #selling
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