From scrolling through TikTok, watching a reel on Instagram or of course, the ever faithful YouTube – there is no denying that video content has become an inescapable part of our daily lives. 

With the dominance these three apps have, there are mixed opinions on whether short-form or long-form video works best in this day and age. Many video-centric apps based their initial beginnings on videos without time constraints, while over time the trend of short-form video has taken over.  

But even that is beginning to change as TikTok and Reels have increased time limits for video content. On the contrary, Youtube, which is known for allowing users to upload content that ranges from a few short minutes to hours long, has now created “Shorts,” an engagement boosting feature that allows users to upload 60 second vertical videos. 

With platforms toying with both long and short-form videos, it seems that there is no definitive answer as to which is better for business – let’s break down the reasons why either could work for you. 

Is Your Business Considering Long Form Video Content? 

With a rise in popularity of short-form content, it would lead many to think that long-form isn’t a necessity – however, that couldn’t be further from the truth. YouTube, which is known for longer video content, is the second most visited website with over 14 billion monthly visits. And with visitors spending 19 minutes a day on the site, the desire for fresh (long-from) content is ever growing. 

Now that we know time is dedicated to watching long-form content, let’s discuss the benefits. Long-form videos have the ability to create a connection between your business and its audience, thus humanizing your brand. In addition, long-form video can be repurposed for other social media platforms, blog posts and is an SEO magnet. Using long tail keywords increases the chances of website traffic and engagement. 

If your business relies more on educating your audience, long-form may work best. It helps to establish you as an expert in your field and gives you more time to speak directly to your audience. 

Or Maybe You Think Short Form Video Is A Better Fit? 

Short-form videos may seem more popular thanks to TikTok, Instagram Reels and even YouTube Shorts. With attention spans getting shorter, short form video is a great way to capture the attention of your audience before they quickly move on to the next video. A recent HubSpot survey even shows that short-form videos have a high return on investment. 

While short form video (appears) to be the future, you may be wondering if it can work for your business/brand. Short-form videos allow a brand to show quick tutorials on how their products work, give a behind the scenes look at their company and even preview upcoming events and products. An additional benefit of short form videos is that they are oftentimes easier to make. 

If your business is more of a visual company that includes different products, short-form videos may work better for you. 

So, Which One Is Better? 

The answer is? It truly depends. 

Do you want to sell more products? Educate your audience on a service? Humanize your brand? Take the time to consider what your business offers and what your overall goals are. That should lead you to decide which video format could work best for you. 

If your business is interested in incorporating video into its marketing plans, Blufish would love to help! Contact us today to learn more.