Popular Social Media Video Types
Social Media Video Types
Surfing the web is revolving more around watching videos than searching for textual information. Vides on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter boast videos unique to each platform in terms of format, and indeed content. Keeping in mind that most internet users are on the web for different reasons, it makes sense that social media platforms vary in their video content. This content and video type are in no way connected to its format, i.e. mp4 et al. It does, however, specify what the video is about, how it will be structured, and the target audience.
Facebook and Twitter users turn to their feed, and stumble upon something interesting, while YouTube provides feeds based on search results. It is no coincidence that some users get more traffic feeds to their social media pages. Strategic approaches are applied, and social media videos are becoming mainstream.
Types of Video Content for Social Media
- Question and Answers
Q&A videos are fantastic for a more personal encounter with clients or potential partners. It works best if you jot down questions that may come up and their related answers. Being prepared is key as the physical aspect is cut off, and most people take advantage of its impersonality to vent, criticize, or query non-stop. It is the best method to capture a large audience at once. It helps set the record straight on several things instantly.
- Informational Videos
These show any aspect of a product, service, or brand you own. Being creative is the essence of informational videos because chances are, there are several of them out there. If your product is unique, and the video has a niche market, all the more reason to ensure audiences don’t get bored. One key element to pay attention to is what users are talking about on social media (trending client requirements). This will save you time making plain or clichéd videos.
- Behind-the-scenes Clips
How about showing customers what goes on behind closed doors, in your warehouse or factory. It’s more personal when you invite new, and old clients, to see the processes leading up to final products. Focus less on content creation on websites, FAQs, and links to support teams. A video may give insight into the complexities of a product, and/or care taken to meet industry safety standards of products.
- Tutorial Videos
These clips need to be long enough to disseminate relevant information. On that note, they need to be short enough to keep people captivated. Grabbing your viewer’s attention with an educational video is not only cool, but it also opens up doors for more consultation. Manufacturers watch tutorials that customers create and use them to improve their products. Either way, you cannot go wrong with a tutorial, especially if it helps out kids or work-at-home moms with technical difficulties.
- Feature Videos
In line with tutorials or informational videos are what is known as feature – or product videos. These commonly highlight a specific part of a product or the whole. The most common types can be found on YouTube, showcasing how something works, troubleshooting routines, and introductions to newly unveiled products.
- Live Videos
Streaming – what’s cooler than a live performance, or virtual experience in real-time? These are gaining popularity because they take place in real-time. A politician, advocate, or lobbyist can report on events as they happen, even mobilizing people to join a cause in real-time. It doesn’t involve editing during streaming, so users will find it authentic and transparent. It’s a very effective way to create and maintain a good following on social media. Some Q&A videos are recorded as creators read previously listed questions, then answer them. With a live stream, people query and receive answers live.
- Animation
Several companies use animation to promote their products. These products are rarely oriented toward kids. So why use cartoonish characters? It presents humor and lures audiences. Animated content is easy to create if you are tech-savvy. It eliminates the banal aspect of common ads by bringing in creativity. These are perfect as a marketing tool when competitors all seem engrossed in hyped-up marketing gimmicks.
- User-Generated Clips
These merge user expertise with numbers to make for a heavy following on your social media feed. When users of your product, or service, create videos related to the same, you can request them to use hashtags for others to follow. This promotes your services, driving in traffic, and eliminating a need for video creation on your part. Users do a majority of the work, which is why it’s important to acknowledge all content creators.
- 360 Views
Many of us are familiar with virtual reality. These 360 videos work under the same concept and are widely used to present products, especially in the housing market. Real estate agents use social media to capture buyers’ attention with little written content, and more clips. If you want to get more clients into your inbox, create a 360-degree video capturing a home for sale. You could become quite popular as a car blogger with 360 views of newly unveiled models.
- Vlogs or Video Logs
Capture your life history, or your daily routines using a vlog. If it turns out your life is boring, you will know instantly. However, vlogs can propel you to instant celebrity status if used correctly. The ease of creating a blog makes it underrated in its capacity to up your status. Use your camera phone to shoot short videos as soon as an idea hits you. Update happenings in real-time, or tell a story on a day-to-day basis related to something you are pursuing.
Bottom Line
Using social media videos to expose yourself to new clientele is priceless. Politicians, marketers, doctors, and socialites are breaking the bank with easy-to-use smartphones. Creating video content has never been easier. The competition companies and individuals face to gain leverage in their line of work is astounding. This is evident in the transition of news stations from the mainstream, to live streaming videos. These video creations stand to shoot to international stardom with the likes of Gordon Ramsey, or The Rock.
