Top 7 Video Content Ideas for More Social Media Engagement

A picture? Worth a thousand words. But a video? Now that's priceless.

If you're looking to increase your social media engagement, creating video content for social media is a prize feather you should put in your digital marketing cap.

87% of digital marketers are investing in video content for social media. And it's no wonder why. For starters, people watch YouTube content for upwards of one billion hours every day worldwide. So if you want to reach a global audience and engage them, video content will get you there.

Sounds easy, right? Not so fast. There are a few things you need to know about making engaging video content for social media. And certain types of videos will net you the best ROI.

So refill that coffee mug, open your notepad app, and let's get started.

There are tons of options out there for creating a video for social media. The downside is, we're all spoiled for choice. It's way too easy to get overwhelmed with so many options at our disposal.

But the simplest way to narrow down your video marketing strategy is to:

#1. Know your audience.

You've got the option to create videos for many different platforms. Awesome! That means you can reach more people!

Stop right there. To protect your budget (and your sanity), you must determine where your audience is most likely to view your video.

Different demographics and audience groups tend to congregate on certain platforms.

For example, a more mature audience is likely to hang out on Facebook and see your videos there. On the other hand, younger demographics will be more likely to see your content on Instagram, Snapchat, etc.

So, figure out where your ideal customers are, and make it easy for them to find you. An added bonus is that you don't have to spend as much time and money learning all the different ins and outs of every social media platform for video.

This brings me to my next point.

#2. Choose your platform. Master it.

Chances are, you'll ultimately choose one or two platforms to share your videos. Narrowing your focus gives you the ability to truly master how the particular algorithm works so you can game it and get your videos more views and engagement.

Before you grab your camera and start filming, pinpoint whom you're trying to reach and why. Answering these two crucial questions will help you narrow down your platform.

For starters, consider where your target audience is most likely to see the video, and also ensure that the video will fulfill some need of the viewer's, for example:

If you're trying to educate your audience and they are professionals, use LinkedIn.
If you want to entertain your audience and you've got multiple buyer personas, YouTube or Facebook might be just the ticket.
Your target demographic is suburban moms who want interior design tips. Pinterest is your friend.

And so on and so forth. This guide with 2021 stats on the different social media demographics can help get you started.

Size — Make sure your video's aspect ratio is compatible with the platform where you'll be posting. You want to optimize for each platform so the footage looks professional, and you'll avoid stretched images, random black bars on the content, etc. If you are posting on a few different platforms, a 1:1 aspect ratio should suffice.
Direct uploading — Since not all video sizes are compatible with every platform, it's essential to optimize for size and upload directly to your desired platforms. For example, Google owns YouTube and is a direct competitor to Facebook. Ergo, YouTube links won't play nicely with Facebook. When you upload directly, you'll get 10X more shares, your video will look better, and your audience will appreciate it.
Length — Shorter videos get more engagement, eat up less data, are easier to make, and are mobile-friendly. Aim for one to two minutes for most of your videos to get engagement and give yourself some quick, easy wins. But longer-form videos have their place, and you should definitely consider them, depending on your goals and audience.
Mobile — Make sure your videos are mobile-friendly. Over half of all videos viewed on social media are watched on a mobile device. Keep your graphics simple, and watch your video with the sound off before uploading. 85% of all videos are watched on mute. See if your video is engaging without the sound on, and make sure your videos have captions and subtitles.
Analytics — Check your social media analytics. See what's performing best. Do more of that. Out of ideas for videos? Which blog posts get the most views and engagement? Make short, digestible, visually-appealing videos of your most successful blogs.

Remember to always provide real value for your viewers.

Solve a problem they're having or answer their top question with your video content. Web pages that include a value proposition get higher engagement than pages without. The same is true for social media videos.

#1. How-to and explainer videos

There are a few things you can do with this type of video. Usually, brands use explainer videos to show customers how a product or service works. Alternatively, if your customer base has a problem or question about something on-brand for your company, you can give them a how-to demonstration.

These types of videos are in high demand. For example, YouTube surveys have found that how-to searches increase 70 percent per year on the platform. Bonus — these videos are relatively simple and easy to produce.

#2. New product introductions

Got a new product or service? A video introducing your new offering is an excellent piece of content for increasing social media engagement.

You can drum up interest for your new product and answer common FAQs about it. With this social media video idea, you get the opportunity to overcome objections in an entertaining, engaging way.

#3. Behind-the-scenes videos

Give your customers a behind-the-scenes video about interesting processes your company uses or the people working there. These types of videos serve two distinct purposes:

#1. They entertain your customers and build trust in your brand.

#2. This type of video showcases company culture and can be used as a recruiting tool.

Consider interviewing your employees and show viewers what it's like to work at your company.

#4. Animated content

Another excellent video to increase engagement on social media is animated content. Ultimately, the success of this type of video will depend on your specific goals and audience. But we like animated videos because they're highly entertaining and also timeless.

You can use free resources to create animated videos from places like animaker.com. But for more strategic, polished content, it's worth investing in a professional service.

#5. Instagram Reels

If your target audience frequents Instagram, look into Instagram Reels. These are 15-second videos that you can record, edit, add music to, then share on your Explore Feed, Stories, and Reels tab.

Instagram Reels are an excellent piece of video content because they're short, simple to make, and entertaining. Use them to connect with your current followers. Or partner with an influencer to promote your Reels and reach a broader audience on this popular social media platform.

#6. Interviews

A company thought leader interview is an excellent piece of video content for building credibility with your audience and positioning your brand as an industry leader. Use a simple Q&A style format with a top employee or executive.

#7. Testimonial

Testimonial videos build credibility with prospects, and user-generated content is often highly entertaining and engaging on social media. Ask your customer to talk about why they love your product. A testimonial video can also help you generate more sales when people visit your website since a testimonial makes for compelling, evergreen content.

Videos for social media don't have to be complex productions. Short videos that don't require much upfront investment are often highly effective at engaging your audience and building brand awareness. Use these top 7 video ideas to quickly level up social media marketing.

While a video is just one asset in your marketing flywheel, getting the most out of your investment requires strategy, finesse, and expertise. So if you're ready to start a custom marketing strategy, reach out to us today and schedule your free consultation.