Social Media Video Guide

Name: Social Media Video Guide
Author: Community

Create engaging short-form video content optimized for each platform.

Usage

Choose your platform and understand its format requirements
Script your hook (first 3 seconds) — this determines whether viewers stay or scroll
Structure content for the platform's optimal length
Edit with platform-native features and trends in mind
Optimize captions, hashtags, and posting time for discovery

Hook formulas that stop the scroll: "Here's what nobody tells you about [topic]..." (curiosity gap). "Stop doing [common mistake] — do this instead" (pattern interrupt). "I tested [thing] for 30 days — here's what happened" (transformation). "The secret to [desired outcome] is..." (promise). The first 1-3 seconds determine 80% of your video's performance
Platform specs: TikTok: 9:16 vertical, 15-60s sweet spot, trending audio boosts reach. Instagram Reels: 9:16, 15-30s performs best, use Reels-native text and effects. YouTube Shorts: 9:16, under 60s, title and description matter for search. LinkedIn: 1:1 or 9:16, 30-90s, professional tone, captions essential (autoplay is muted)
Tutorial format (60s): Hook (3s): "How to [result] in 3 steps." Step 1 (15s): demonstrate with voiceover. Step 2 (15s): key technique with closeup. Step 3 (15s): finishing touch. Result (7s): show final outcome. CTA (5s): "Follow for more [topic] tips." Fast-paced, no dead air, text overlays for each step

Vertical video (9:16) is mandatory for Reels/TikTok/Shorts — horizontal video gets buried by the algorithm
Add captions/subtitles to every video — 85% of social media video is watched without sound
Post consistently (3-5x per week minimum) rather than sporadically — algorithms reward consistency
Study trending formats on each platform weekly — trends move fast and early adoption gets amplified
Batch-produce content: film 5-10 videos in one session, edit throughout the week. Much more efficient than daily production
Analytics to watch: average view duration (not total views), saves, shares. High save/share ratio signals quality content to the algorithm