7 Short-Form Video Trends Marketers Can't Afford to Miss in 2023

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, short-form video content has become a critical component of any successful marketing strategy. With platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts gaining immense popularity, marketers are constantly seeking innovative ways to capture the attention of their target audience.

In this blog post, we'll explore eight short-form video trends that marketers should watch in 2023. By leveraging these trends, you can create engaging content that resonates with your audience and drives results for your brand.

1. Authenticity And Relatability

In 2022, authenticity and relatability have taken center stage as audiences crave genuine connections with the brands they follow. Short-form videos that showcase behind-the-scenes glimpses, candid moments, and personal stories can help humanize your brand and build trust with your audience. To capitalize on this trend, consider sharing raw, unfiltered content that highlights the people and values behind your brand.

2. Educational And Informative Content

As the thirst for knowledge grows, educational and informative short-form videos have emerged as a powerful way to engage viewers. From how-to guides and product demonstrations to industry insights and expert tips, sharing valuable information can help establish your brand as an authority in your field. Embrace this trend by creating short, digestible videos that offer valuable takeaways for your audience.

3. Product Teasers And Organic Promotion

Traditional commercials have paved the way for product teasers in the realm of short-form video content. Brands can leverage these platforms to promote their products organically without the need for large budgets. By creating captivating product teasers that build anticipation around your brand, you can achieve greater effectiveness and potentially even go viral.

4. Collaborations And Challenges

Collaborations and challenges have always been popular in the world of short-form video content, and 2022 is no exception. Partnering with influencers, industry experts, or other brands can expand your reach and introduce your content to new audiences. Meanwhile, participating in viral challenges and creating branded challenges can generate buzz and encourage user-generated content. Keep an eye on trending challenges and collaborations to stay relevant and boost engagement.

5. User-Generated Content (UGC) And Gen-Z Appeal

User-generated content has proven to be a winning strategy for brands, as it influences purchasing decisions more than brand- or influencer-generated content. According to HubSpot Blog research, UGC offers great ROI, with 40% of marketers surveyed ranking it as a high-ROI format on social media. This format is especially popular with Gen-Z, the largest demographic on TikTok. By tapping into the power of UGC, brands can evoke emotion and create budget-friendly videos without using up too many resources.

6. Focus On Mobile-First Experiences

With the majority of short-form video consumption happening on mobile devices, optimizing your content for mobile-first experiences is crucial. Ensure your videos are formatted for vertical viewing and pay attention to text size, contrast, and visual elements to create an enjoyable viewing experience on smaller screens. Prioritizing mobile-friendly content will help maximize your reach and engagement on popular short-form video platforms.

7. Augmented Reality (AR) And Interactive Elements

The integration of augmented reality and interactive elements in short-form video content has opened up a world of creative possibilities for marketers. AR filters, stickers, and effects can add a layer of interactivity and personalization to your content, making it more engaging and shareable.

Leverage this trend by experimenting with AR features available on different platforms, and invite your audience to interact with your content in new and exciting ways

Top 3 Short-Form Video Platforms

1. TikTok

The first major short-form video platform to emerge was TikTok, which was launched in 2016. Unlike other social media apps, TikTok is exclusively dedicated to short-form video content, although it recently added a BeReal competitive feature called TikTok Now.

Upon opening the app, users can easily switch between the "For You" page, which displays algorithmically suggested content, and the "Following" option, which displays videos exclusively from accounts that they follow.

TikTok's Discover section is also a popular feature, accessible by tapping the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner of the app. This section functions as a search engine, allowing users to find content and learn how to do things, among other things.

2. Instagram Reels

Instagram, which was initially launched in 2010 as a photo-sharing app, has undergone significant growth and evolution over the years. It is now owned by Meta, the parent company of Facebook. In 2019, Instagram introduced its own version of short-form videos known as Instagram Reels.

To access Reels, users simply need to tap on the center icon on the home screen. Due to Instagram's algorithm, Reels have become extremely popular, and scrolling down your feed will likely showcase a plethora of Reels. To view a Reel, tap on it and then scroll down to see more, similar to how you would browse content on TikTok.

3. YouTube Shorts

YouTube has been a leading video platform since its launch in 2005, and it was only a matter of time before they entered the short-form video space as well.

YouTube Shorts can be discovered directly on the home screen, with recommended Shorts appearing prominently. Alternatively, users can click on the Shorts icon located in the bottom menu to browse Shorts videos. By scrolling up after each video, users can discover new content and keep the viewing experience fresh.

End Note

As short-form video content continues to dominate the digital landscape in 2022, marketers must stay ahead of the curve by embracing emerging trends and experimenting with new approaches.

By focusing on authenticity, educational content, product teasers, collaborations, user-generated content, and mobile-first experiences, you can create captivating short-form videos that resonate with your audience and drive results for your brand. Don't miss out on the opportunity to connect with your audience through the power of short-form video content — start implementing these trends today!

If all this seems too much to you because you don’t have time to focus on video creation for your company, you don’t need to worry at all because that’s what we do at Prism Digital, the best video Production Agency in Dubai. Our expert videographers & editors will create videos that will give voice to your brand story. Sounds interesting? Reach out to us now.

About The Author: Lovetto Nazareth

Lovetto Nazareth is a?digital marketing consultant ?and agency owner of Prism Digital. He has been in the advertising and digital marketing business for the last 2 decades and has managed thousands of campaigns and generated millions of dollars of new leads. He is an avid adventure sports enthusiast and a singer-songwriter. Follow him on social media on @Lovetto Nazareth