18 proven video formats for TikTok that will take your business to the next level + real cases

At 4Limes, we've researched and compiled 18 proven video formats for TikTok that will not only increase your visibility, but also help you create a deep connection with your audience.

But words are just words until you see real results. That's why we're not just going to tell you about these formats, but also share real cases of our clients who have managed to use the potential of TikTok to the fullest, turning creative ideas into tangible business success.

Video formats for TikTok, Shorts, and Reels

When it comes to short videos on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels, the main goal of every brand is to attract maximum audience attention. Using different approaches, such as a voiceover to ask questions or staging dialogues between a customer and a manager, can significantly increase engagement and brand awareness.

Proven strategy from 4Limes

Our company has long recognized the potential of short videos as a business growth tool. We specialize in creating content that performs well on YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, and even Pinterest. The use of short videos allows us not only to attract new audiences through organic traffic, but also to grow the popularity of our channels, especially on YouTube, where we have the most experience.

Our approach to content creation is based on in-depth analysis and understanding of audience needs. We have found that the success of a video largely depends on its format. Therefore, when developing a content plan, we not only define the topic and description of the video, but also work out the format of each video in detail. This allows us to tailor content to the specific interests and preferences of our audience, ensuring high interaction and engagement.

We recommend that our clients test 4 to 10 different formats during the first month of cooperation to identify those that resonate best with their target audience. Based on this data, we formulate a content strategy that involves publishing 30 videos per month: half of them are cuts from longer videos created using artificial intelligence, and the other half are original short videos shot specifically for the campaign.

This strategy allowed us not only to increase organic traffic and audience engagement, but also to identify unique video formats that work best for different projects.

"Talking head"

The "talking head" format involves the presenter discussing a certain topic while standing in front of the camera. To make the video more engaging and dynamic for the audience, you can use various shooting techniques, such as slow zooming in or out. Another effective technique is to add subtitles, which makes the content more accessible and understandable to a wider audience.

This format is particularly well received by audiences aged 40-45 and older. They appreciate the opportunity to get information directly from an expert speaking in front of the camera. However, when it comes to the younger generation, they may show less interest in this type of content, perhaps due to a reduced attention to traditional formats of expert analysis. This underscores the need to adapt content to the age characteristics of the target audience, as well as the importance of using a variety of formats to attract a wider range of viewers.

Using footage and photos

The video format, which combines narration with photos, footage, or video footage of other people, opens up new horizons for creating more informative and dynamic content. This approach allows you not only to convey information to the viewer, but also to visually reinforce it, making the video more engaging and understandable.

The use of footage and photos in video is a kind of development of the "talking head" format. The main difference is the addition of visual content that not only emphasizes the key points of the story, but also makes the information more visual and understandable for the viewer. This allows you to create a deeper and more emotional connection with the audience, as well as ensure better assimilation of the material.

This format is ideal for topics where it is necessary to elaborate on an issue, provide additional explanations, or simply make the content more attractive and memorable.

One-man theater

Acting out scenes of people communicating may require more time and effort to realize, but the result is undoubtedly worth it. It allows you to demonstrate different situations by recreating dialogues between characters, which can be especially appealing to viewers.

One way to implement this format is when one person plays several roles, filming themselves from different angles and entering into a dialog with themselves.

Another option is to use scenes involving two or more people, which can also be an effective way to present information. This adds dynamism and realism to the video, allowing viewers to better immerse themselves in the topic being discussed.

Interviews

Using a voiceover that asks questions that you answer directly in front of the camera creates a sense of direct audience participation in the dialog.

Interviews can be extremely varied, from the classic question-and-answer format to more innovative approaches such as an interview game or debate. The key here is to ensure that each interview is not only informative, but also engaging for the viewers, covering relevant and up-to-date topics.

The secret to a successful interview is the ability to make it interesting and meaningful for the audience. This includes deep, thought-provoking questions or light and entertaining topics that evoke an emotional response. It is important that the person answering the question is free to express their thoughts and ideas, making the content more personal and authentic.

Storytelling

Storytelling in video format is a unique process where the main role is played by the story itself, not the face on the screen.

The video creation process starts with writing a script. This is the basis of your story, the framework around which all further content is built. The script determines how the story will develop, what key points will be presented, and how they will be interconnected.

Next comes the voiceover stage. You can use your own voice recorded on a mobile phone or turn to speech synthesis technologies, which allows you to create a more professional sound without the need to involve external speakers.

Creating a video is the stage where your story takes on a visual form. You can shoot the necessary footage yourself, entrust this task to a professional cameraman, or use thematic footage to add dynamics and visual appeal to your story.

At the final stage, the editor combines all the elements into a single whole, creating a complete video. This process involves not only putting the footage together in a logical sequence, but also adding effects, infographics, and other visual elements that help to better reveal the video's theme.

Video with voice-over

A voice-over video is a format where visuals are complemented by a voiceover commentary that tells the main information. This approach allows not only to cover the topic in detail but also to make the content more communicative and informative by adding graphics and other visual elements.

The emphasis in such videos is on the voice, which can be either the author's or a professional speaker's. The use of a voice gives the video a special atmosphere and helps to better connect the visual content with the message you want to convey to the audience.

The voice-over video format is similar to storytelling but with some differences. While storytelling focuses on narratives and stories that capture the audience's attention, voice-over video is more focused on detailing a specific topic or providing instructions. This format allows the author to demonstrate certain processes or results of their activities, making the content not only informative but also personally meaningful.

Informative images

The format of informative images plays a key role in conveying information, given that our brains perceive and memorize visual images much better than textual data. This becomes especially important when creating short commercials, where every second counts and the content should be as concentrated and clear as possible.

The use of trendy music and high-quality graphics are important aspects that help to grab the audience's attention and make your video not only informative but also enjoyable to watch. The length of such a video is usually between 5 and 10 seconds, which allows viewers to watch it several times during one viewing session, significantly increasing the chances of memorizing key facts or ideas.

Working with masks on TikTok

Masks and effects can be used for a variety of purposes: from creating creative and out-of-the-box videos to adding comedy or a certain mood to your stories. It's not only a way to attract attention, but also a way to express your creativity and personality.

The use of masks on TikTok is not limited to funny or entertainment purposes. They can become a powerful tool in the hands of marketers and content creators, allowing them to create videos that not only attract attention but also stay in the viewers' memory, encouraging them to take further action.

In addition, masks and effects on TikTok can be used to visually represent certain ideas or concepts, making information more understandable and accessible. It's the perfect way to add depth and emotion to your videos, making them more than just a viewing experience, but a real experience for your audien

Virtual avatar

This format is ideal for creating educational content where an avatar can act as a teacher or instructor, making the learning process more interactive. In addition, virtual avatars can be indispensable in projects where it is important to preserve the anonymity of a person or where it is necessary to create content in several languages without involving a large number of actors.

Working with a virtual avatar requires a special approach and an understanding of the technologies behind their creation. We have a complete guide to working with virtual avatars that demonstrates how to effectively use this format to achieve client goals, especially when they want to avoid personal participation in the video.

Entertainment videos

This format is effective for creating a positive image of the company and attracting a new audience, as entertaining content has a great potential for viral distribution. Videos that evoke laughter, admiration, or even surprise are often shared by users, expanding your reach and increasing brand awareness.

The entertainment format of video can be extremely diverse. From street interviews to challenges offered to viewers, this format allows you to interact with the audience in a relaxed and engaging way. Communicating with different people on the street, asking them questions or involving them in various social experiments not only entertains viewers, but also helps to reveal the essence of the brand by showing it from a human perspective.

Showcase your talents

TikTok provides a unique opportunity for everyone to share their talents, whether it's dancing, singing, acting, juggling, or performing tricks.

Focusing on the client's talents opens up new horizons for revealing the image and brand. It's not just a showcase of abilities, but a strategic approach to building a relationship with the audience, where every performance or demonstration of talent contributes to a positive company image.

Cutting up long videos

Using existing content such as speeches, webinars, interviews, and YouTube videos to create short videos is an effective way to capture the attention of your audience on platforms like TikTok.

The process of cutting long-form videos requires careful selection of moments that best capture the essence of your message, demonstrate your key ideas, or simply have the potential to entertain and engage your audience.

The key to success in this format is to find the perfect balance between informative and entertaining, ensuring that each short video is engaging, understandable, and interactive, regardless of whether the viewer has seen the original long-form video.

Video reviews of products and services

The video review format is one of the most effective tools for demonstrating the features, benefits, and practical value of products or services. Such videos allow you to dive deeper into the details of a product or service by demonstrating it in real life use. This not only increases brand credibility, but also contributes to a better understanding of the value offered by the product or service, thereby stimulating interest and the desire to make a purchase.

The unboxing format is especially popular in the beauty industry, where demonstrating a product "in action" can significantly influence the decision of potential buyers. It allows you not only to show the product, but also to share your personal experience of using it, which is an additional factor that can encourage the audience to buy.

Adjusting to trends

The main components to consider when trending include music, script, and meaning. These elements are the foundation for creating an effective trending video. It's important to keep these variables relevant and in line with current trends, while adapting them to the unique characteristics and needs of your business.

Music plays a key role in attracting attention and creating an emotional connection with your audience. Choosing the right track that is already popular on the platform can significantly increase the chances of your video going viral.

The script should be flexible and creative, adapted to a specific trend, but still reflect the essence of your brand or product. This allows you to create content that is not only in line with current trends, but also effectively communicates your core message.

Meaning is what gives your video depth and value. Even the most entertaining content should carry a message or idea that resonates with your target audience.

Tutorials and how-to guides

Tutorials and "how-to" videos include instructions on how to use the product, tips on how to use it effectively, cooking methods, and any other step-by-step information that will help users make the most of your product or service. This not only increases the value of your offer in the eyes of potential customers, but also helps to build trust and brand loyalty.

Creating step-by-step tutorials requires clear planning and structuring of the content. It's important to break down the entire process into logical steps (step 1, step 2, step 3, etc.) to make the information clear and easy to understand. This approach not only makes it easier to understand the material, but also allows viewers to easily apply the knowledge gained in practi

Rating other people's videos

In this format, the author can watch videos from other experts, brands, or competitors, analyzing and commenting on their ideas, techniques, or conclusions.

Evaluating other people's videos is an important tool for creating content that allows you to establish yourself as an authority in a particular field. By reviewing and analyzing videos on relevant topics, an expert can express their opinions, provide useful advice, or point out mistakes and common myths, thereby enriching the audience with valuable information.

Respond to comments

Using comments as a basis for video creation allows you to directly address your audience's questions, concerns, or interests by providing comprehensive answers and clarifications. This not only increases viewer engagement, but also demonstrates your openness to dialog and willingness to maintain communication.

This format is ideal for emphasizing the importance of the community that is formed around your brand or channel.

Case studies and "before and after" videos

This format is extremely popular on social media platforms because it is not only informative, but also extremely visual, making it easy to understand and engage the audience. It is ideal for demonstrating the effectiveness of products, training methods, fitness programs, cosmetic and medical services, as well as any other processes where it is possible to visually demonstrate results.

Case studies and before-and-after videos allow not only to show the final results of work, but also to effectively reveal the potential and effectiveness of approaches or products. The use of this format can be expanded to create a whole series of videos, each of which reveals different aspects and stages of the process, providing the audience with a complete understanding of the benefits and value of the proposed solutions.

Client case study: car sales

Now I'd like to introduce you to our client's case study, which has become a vivid example of the effectiveness of a flexible approach to video content creation. Initially, our client was limited to standard scripts for their videos. We set about developing a content plan that included 60 to 90 videos.

When we started working together, we initially followed the "talking head" format, where the client talked about cars, but this brought only 1500-2000 views, sometimes reaching a maximum of 5000 views.

We advised him to change his approach and start showing cars directly. The first video, filmed near the car, telling about it, got 30 thousand views.

As we experimented further, we tried different formats, including car reviews and a talking head. We realized that the subject matter was very important, but the "talking head" format was getting a maximum of 10 thousand views. Videos with car reviews showed better results, but still did not reach the desired level.

After changing the script to an interview format, where the client was asked questions behind the camera and answered, the first video exploded with 380 thousand views, and subsequent videos in this format showed even better results, with an average of 50 to 70 thousand views.

We did not stop there and continued to experiment, involving the client's friends in the filming and trying out new formats, such as discussions about cars between competitors. These innovations allowed us to consistently reach 20 thousand views per video.

Thanks to these changes, the client's traffic has grown significantly, and potential buyers interested in cars from the United States have started to contact them. Our efforts in developing and adapting content for different video formats allowed the client not only to increase the number of views, but also to significantly increase sales, becoming known in their niche.

Particularly impressive was a video shot by a friend of the client, which consistently gained between 100,000 and 250,000 views, demonstrating that the right choice of format can dramatically change the effectiveness of a video marketing campaign. This experience confirmed that understanding the target audience and flexibility in choosing a content strategy are key to achieving success in social media.

Client case study: sushi promotion

Another very cool case study we had the opportunity to implement demonstrates the power of choosing the right format for video content. When we started working with our client, we already had experience in applying a strategy to find the best video format that perfectly suits the client's needs.

We found that in Ukraine and America, there is a popular video format for sushi promotion, where sushi is offered right on the street to passersby. This entertaining content allows potential customers not only to get acquainted with the brand but also to get acquainted with the products in an interactive way.

Our first video created using this format received as many as 11 million views, which immediately confirmed the effectiveness of the chosen approach. We realized that we had found a gold mine for content on the channel because success did not depend on content experiments, but on the quality of the video itself.

The results were impressive: the videos received between 20 thousand and 3 million views. But the biggest achievement was the video, which has now garnered 48 million views, becoming a viral hit. This success brought our client a significant number of leads and made him popular in Odesa, thanks to the content published on TikTok.

This case study emphasizes the importance of choosing the right video format. When working with content, it's critical not only to find a suitable topic and design it properly, but also to choose a format that can turn views into leads, effectively promoting your brand and increasing its awareness.

We hope that our review of 18 proven video formats for TikTok, Instagram, and Reels will inspire you to create unique and engaging content that will not only take your business to the next level, but also help you open new horizons in marketing.

Remember that TikTok is not just a platform for entertainment, but a powerful tool for developing your brand. Experiment with formats, listen to your audience, and be ready for incredible results.

And if you're looking for even more ideas, tips and the latest news in the world of digital marketing, don't forget to visit our Facebook page. There you will find a lot of useful information that will help you stay on top of the latest trends and technologies. Answers to your questions, discussions of relevant topics and regular updates - all this awaits you here.