By Tiffany Mojo
Short videos are taking over online. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are not just a “nice to have”-they are where real influence happens. According to HubSpot’s 2024 report, short-form video gives the highest ROI of any social format. Even better, Short-form videos receive 2.5 times more engagement than long-form videos. For you, that’s not just another stat. It’s your chance. Your audience is scrolling fast, and you’ve got seconds to hook them. If you want to grow, land brand deals, and convert, short form is your best tool.
Short form video strategies
Now, let’s get into the strategies that will help you win.
Why Short-Form Videos Work
The shift to short form isn’t just random. It’s a reflection of how people behave today, for example:
- • People’s attention span is scarce: A Microsoft study shows the average attention span of a viewer is just 8 seconds; therefore, short videos match that reality.
• Algorithms push short videos: Platforms use AI to promote short videos to non-followers who most definitely watch your recommended videos. Therefore, you get discoverability without paying.
• It feels real: People trust short clips that look natural and raw, not overly polished long ads.
• It spreads quickly: The fact is, people easily share short, funny, or emotional videos in DMs or group chats nonstop, mainly because they are easy to download.
Wyzowl’s survey shows that 44% of people prefer discovering new products or services through short videos. That’s why brands are investing significant budgets in creators like you because you can capture attention and tell a story quickly.
TikTok Marketing Tips
TikTok is your best friend if you want to reach a wider audience. It’s the most generous platform for pushing content beyond your followers ever since its breakthrough in 2020. To boost your TikTok influencer marketing, you need to play by its rules to go viral. For example:
1. Hook your audience fast
The first 3 seconds of a TikTok determine whether someone keeps watching or swipes away. A strong hook could be:
- • A bold statement: “You’re editing your videos wrong—here’s why.”
• A visual surprise: sudden zoom, quick motion, or unusual setting.
• A pattern interrupt: do something unexpected, like asking a strange question or starting in the middle of an action.
It’s more helpful if you watch your own “For You” feed and notice what makes you stop scrolling. Use that psychology.
2. Ride trends smartly
TikTok runs on trending audios, effects, and formats, but copying blindly won’t help you stand out. Instead:
- Adapt trends to your niche or personality. Example: if you’re into fitness, twist a trending sound to show gym fails or workout hacks.
• Timing matters: trends move quickly. Jump in within 3–5 days of spotting them. After a week, it’s usually too late.
A bonus tip is to save audios you see blowing up in your “Favorites” so you don’t forget to use them.
3. Micro-storytelling works
Humans love stories, even short ones. TikTok rewards watch time, so keeping viewers until the end is key. A quick framework:
- • Setup: Introduce the situation (“I tried a crazy hack today…”)
• Conflict: Build tension or curiosity (“…but halfway, I realized it was going horribly wrong…”)
• Payoff: Deliver the twist, lesson, or laugh.
Think of it like a mini movie; even in 15 seconds, you can take people on a journey.
4. Consistency wins
TikTok’s algorithm favours creators who consistently post content. The recommended minimum is one post a day, but optimally, 3–5 posts daily is best, provided you can sustain quality. Why? More posts = more chances for the algorithm to test your content. Here is the trick. You can batch-film multiple videos in one sitting, then post them over the course of the week. This prevents burnout which has proven to make 73% of creators to quit.
5. Reply with videos
Comments are gold for content ideas. When someone asks a question or gives a funny remark, click “Reply with video” and create new content. This makes followers feel heard and valued while giving you endless material. To make it easier, you can encourage comments by asking questions at the end of your videos (“Would you try this? Yes or no?”).
6. Show behind-the-scenes
People connect with authenticity. Don’t only post polished results, show the process, the mistakes, or the funny struggles. For instance, share how you set up your camera, a blooper reel, or “what went wrong before this perfect take.” Brands and audiences trust creators who feel real, not overly scripted.
When you combine these rules, you grow, not just views, but real influence. TikTok influencer marketing has the highest engagement rate of any platform, estimated at 5.96%. That’s where brand deals get the biggest bang.
Instagram Reels best practices
Instagram is no longer the “photo app.” Meta is clear: Reels are the future. This means your Instagram reels strategy needs to evolve.
These are some of the best practices you can apply now:
- • Shoot vertically, full screen: The recommended ratio is 9:16 without black bars.
• Add captions: 80% of users scroll with sound off. This is why you need text overlays or auto-captions.
• Optimize hooks: Start with movement or a headline text. Stop the scroll immediately.
• Use trending audios: Ride the wave of trends but do add an original voiceover to stand out.
• Post at optimal times: Check insights for when your audience is online and post at these times.
• Use Thumbnails: Pick covers that look clean on your profile grid.
• Mix and match collaborations: Use the collab feature to share posts directly with another creator or brand.
Meta reports that 20% of all Instagram time is spent on Reels. If you skip Reels, your growth flatlines. It’s also advisable to use Reels as a portfolio for brands. Show them how you can creatively integrate products into trends without losing authenticity.
YouTube shorts for brands
YouTube is unique. While TikTok and Instagram are built for speed, YouTube is built for search + longevity. That’s why YouTube Shorts marketing is powerful. Your videos don’t just go viral today. They continue to attract viewers next year.
If you really want YouTube to work for you, Shorts should be in your mix. They’re quick, engaging, and a smart way to get discovered. Here’s how you can start using them without overthinking it:
- • Cross-promote your content: Drop a quick 30-second hack that links back to your longer tutorial. It’s like giving people a taste before the full meal.
• Use searchable titles: Shorts show up in YouTube search, so sprinkle in words people are already typing in.
• Batch your recordings: Sit down once, record a bunch of Shorts, and then roll them out week by week. Easy consistency.
• Teach one thing at a time: Don’t overload. One fact, one hack, or one myth-buster per video keeps it punchy.
• Organize with playlists: Group your Shorts into themes so people end up binge-watching your stuff.
• Add a simple CTA: Even something like “subscribe for more quick tips” or “drop a like if this helped” goes a long way.
According to the YouTube data, 1.5 – 2 billion logged-in users watch Shorts every month. That’s half the internet. When you pair shorts with community posts (polls, Q&As), you’ll build trust and foster conversation while growing your subscriber base.
Influencer Case Studies
There are real-life examples of people who thrived with the use of short videos. Let’s look at real creators who crushed it with short-form strategies:
Addison Rae (TikTok → Instagram)
Addison Rae first made her mark on TikTok with dance content, but she didn’t stop there. When she started cross-posting to Instagram Reels, she grew her presence beyond a single platform and proved her influence could travel. That multi-platform reach caught the attention of fashion brands, leading to significant partnerships. Her journey demonstrates how TikTok can serve as a powerful launchpad, but real growth occurs when expanding into other platforms.
Marques Brownlee (YouTube Shorts)
Marques Brownlee is best known for his long, detailed tech reviews, but he saw an opportunity in short-form content. He began creating YouTube Shorts with quick takes and bite-sized insights, and he attracted casual viewers who might not commit to a 20-minute video. Many of those viewers later became subscribers to his long-form content, proving that Shorts aren’t just standalone clips — they can act as a funnel into deeper engagement.
How to repurpose short-form content
The smartest influencers don’t create nonstop. They stretch their content. Repurposing helps you stay consistent, save time, and reach a wider audience. Moreover it is proven that repurposed videos increases engagement by three times. There are fresh ways you can flip one short video into many assets. Take, for example,
• Mini-series
Got one big idea? Break it into 3–5 quick clips. Each one stands alone but also keeps people curious for the next.
• Extract stills
Don’t waste those good frames. Turn them into Instagram carousels, Pinterest pins, or even a fast post on X.
• Turn into text
Your video isn’t just a video. Pull out quotes, tips, or the full transcript and share it on LinkedIn, Medium, or in your newsletter.
• Bundle into long-form
Short clips can grow up. Stitch them into a full YouTube video, a TikTok playlist, or an IG Reel mash-up.
• Repost evergreen hits
If something still feels fresh months later, bring it back. Change the caption or angle and let the algorithm give it another push.
• Podcast snippets
Got a podcast? Use clips as hooks or teasers. They make perfect intros.
• Email teasers
Drop a quick GIF or loop into your emails. It’s an easy way to get more clicks.
Practically speaking, you can use tools like CapCut, Canva, or Descript to resize and reformat quickly.
Your next step is simple: start posting. Don’t wait for the perfect camera or the perfect script. The power of short form is that it rewards action, not hesitation. Every video is a new chance. Every scroll is a potential follower. And every clip you publish moves you closer to the influencer you want to become.
So, why not try to boost your short-form strategy with Tandao Africa?
