It's time to roll your cameras and roll up your sleeves. YouTube is by far the most popular social media platform in the United States. 81% of Americans say they use it, 12 percentage points higher than Facebook.
Everyone loves a good video, which makes it a great resource to promote your business. But you can't just film something on your phone and expect it to succeed. You need to know about video length.
How does the point of your video affect its length? How long should videos be on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram? What are some other factors that accompany the ideal video length?
Answer these questions and you can find the ideal video runtime for all video projects you start. Here is your quick guide.
The Purpose of Your Video
The single leading determinant for your corporate video length is the purpose of your video itself. Some videos need to be longer in order to explain more complicated ideas. There is nothing wrong with a long video, provided that the length is justified.
If you are making an advertisement, you can make one between 30 to 60 seconds. This length goes for television and Internet advertisements.
YouTube allows companies to run six-second bumper ads at the start of videos. If you can leave a lasting impression in that amount of time, you should try out bumper ads.
If you are making a video for your landing page, you should make one that is less than 60 seconds. You want to leave a great first impression with the viewer, explaining your company and brand. You may need only 15 seconds to do so.
For a sales video, you should adjust the length to your audience. A cold outreach video should be around 30 seconds. An outreach video for clients invested in your company can be longer, and you should provide details about your business in it.
How-to videos should be several minutes long. Viewers who click on how-to videos are willing to wait so they can receive all the information they need for a task. Don't overstay your welcome, but feel free to lay out a process in detail.
Social Media Platforms
Your social media video length depends on the platform you are running for your video. Users of different platforms have different expectations for video lengths.
Instagram is a platform that encourages quick scrolling. This means your video should be snappy, running 30 seconds long. You can stream a video on Instagram Live if you have something that is longer.
Twitter is another platform where users scroll by very quickly. Videos should never be longer than 30 seconds.
Some Facebook users may stay and watch a video, while others may scroll on by. You should assess what your target audience prefers, but you should not make a video longer than a couple of minutes. Provide a good hook at the start of your video so users will linger on your content.
LinkedIn is a professional platform for older people with longer attention spans. You can make a video that is a few minutes long, and your content should be formal.
YouTube is a platform for original videos, which leads many companies to make long-form ones. But most users do not watch all the way through a video, even with videos that are less than one minute long. You should keep your content short unless you are making a tutorial.
Rules of Thumb for Video Production
The biggest rule of thumb of corporate video creation is that the shorter a video is, the better it is. This holds true for many projects, especially for the Internet.
But length is one factor in the success of a video. You must familiarize yourself with corporate video mistakes and avoid them at all costs.
Devise a clear story for the video itself. This will help you reduce the length, but it will also create an emotional connection that your audience will find inviting.
Have a way to measure how your video is performing. You can look at the view count, but you should also look at how many comments and new subscribers you have.
Video is a visual medium, so you should care about cinematography and editing. Entice the viewer to pursue your services with strong visuals and relevant information.
How to Find the Perfect Video Length
Your video length depends on several critical factors. You should match your length to the point of your content. An advertisement should be less than one minute, while a tutorial can be longer.
Twitter and Instagram videos should be very short. YouTube and LinkedIn videos can be longer, provided that the length makes sense. Cut out all extraneous details from your script.
Consider length alongside your budget, storyline, and metrics. Adjust your video marketing campaigns according to all factors.
Turn to a video production that knows creative storytelling. Motion Source serves the Chicago area. Contact us today.
