July 29, 2025 | Vol. 104
🎥 Short Videos. Big Payoff.
When you think of short-form video in marketing and advertising, if your first thought is “15 seconds instead of a 30-second commercial,” you need to read this.
For the last decade, video has been the gold standard of content — and that’s not changing. But how we consume it is.
With the popularity of YouTube shorts, reels and TikTok short-form video is not just effective — it’s essential.
Attention spans are shorter than ever — and brands have seconds to make an impression.
Social Media Feed Algorithms reward short-form video because it keeps users on the platform longer.
📌 What is Short-Form Video?
Short-form video is content that’s typically under 60 seconds, optimized for mobile viewing, and built to capture attention fast and deliver a clear, memorable message.
It’s the native language of platforms like:
TikTok
Instagram Reels
YouTube Shorts
Facebook Stories
Many marketing companies like HubSpot, Wyzowl, Sprout Social, Vidyard and Oberlo have done studies and published reports on short-form video and I believe
📊 The Numbers Don’t Lie
73% of consumers prefer to watch a short video to learn about a product or service over reading text.
68% of viewers will watch a business-related video to completion if it’s under 60 seconds.
59% of short-form videos are watched until the end — significantly higher than long-form video completion rates.
💡 Why It Works
It’s fast. It’s relatable. It’s easy to consume and share. That makes it perfect for:
Product highlights
Brand storytelling
Behind-the-scenes content
Testimonials and reviews
🆕 What You Should Do About It
Start small but start now.
Repurpose existing content: turn long-form into short-form snippets.
Test multiple hooks — the first 3 seconds matter most.
Use captions, clear CTAs, and storytelling to make every second count.
🧠 Pro Tip
If you’re not already using short-form, start by trimming down existing content. Think: one idea, one message, one CTA. Keep it tight. Keep it moving.
Straight Talk from the Crazy🤪:
Let’s be real — if you're not on video, you're not in the conversation. And if you are on video but still posting 3-minute monologues, you’re probably being skipped faster than a YouTube ad without a “Skip” button. This isn’t about being trendy. It’s about being seen. People scroll with their thumbs — and if your message doesn’t move fast, they’re moving on.
Until next time - send me a 30 sec video on what you learned!
Expect to Win | #ChasingBetter
JIM
P.S. If you’re not sure where to start to leverage short-form video -I’d love to brainstorm with you.
Call, text, email — or go to JimWebb.me and connect however is easiest.
