Short-form video trends are taking over, and for a good reason: They drive 2.5x more user engagement than long-form videos. So if you are serious about video marketing, keeping up is a must.
In this article, we will explore the hottest trends for these bite-sized videos. We will also share the best practices you need to apply to make sure your content creation is seamless.
By the end of your read, you will have a clear game plan to create videos that will help you win your audience over and thrive in digital marketing.
Stay Relevant: 7 Short-Form Video Trends You Should Not Ignore
Make a list of these trends and prioritize the one that makes the most sense for your audience. Start small and test one short video idea and see how your audience responds.
1. Share The Raw, Unfiltered Moments With BTS Content
64% of consumers want brands to connect with them, and one of the best ways to do that is using behind-the-scenes content.
Instead of polished ads, people crave authenticity. Show the real side of your brand to build trust and create a deeper emotional connection with your target audience.
BTS video content offers something better like valuable insights into your:
- Team
- Process
- Personality
More than the transparency, BTS’s short-form content makes your viewers feel like insiders.
Here’s how Fortune Restoration shows how they work on their projects:
The BTS look at their property management projects lets them prove their expertise in action. Plus, it turns routine tasks into success stories. Their target audience sees more than them doing maintenance; they see how the workers transform spaces, solve challenges, and add real value.
What To Do
- Introduce your team to let viewers meet the faces behind your brand.
- Highlight production bloopers to make your brand feel more relatable.
- Give office or workspace tours to showcase where the magic happens.
- Show your creative process like taking your audience from idea to execution.
- Give exclusive sneak peeks to build excitement before launch and keep engagement high.
2. Create A “Things I Wish I Knew Earlier” Series
You have probably seen these videos while scrolling: Quick, eye-opening lessons that make you think, Why didn’t I know this sooner? That is why video marketers use this format to grab attention fast.
People love learning hacks and avoiding mistakes. Use this short-form video content to tap into curiosity while offering immediate value. Instead of generic advice, share real lessons to position yourself as an expert without sounding like a sales pitch.
For example, let’s say you are in the tech niche promoting filmmaking management software like Pzaz. You can do a YouTube Shorts clip that starts with something like this:
Afterward, cut to a messy, overcomplicated timeline. Then, show how Pzaz’s features help with automatic storyboard creation and speed up workflow in just a few seconds. This makes the content engaging and visually appealing while subtly promoting the software without feeling like an ad.
What To Do
- Add simple visuals to show and not just tell.
- Use humor or surprise to make learning fun and memorable.
- Add text overlays to reinforce key points with easy-to-read captions.
- Batch your content and plan multiple lessons to release consistently.
- Keep it human, not scripted like, “Here are the top 5 things I wish I knew earlier—number 3 will shock you!”
- Include a pain point or a mistake your audience can relate to. For example, “I jumped into filming without a storyboard and wasted hours on unnecessary shots.”
3. Soothe Your Audience With Relaxing ASMR Content
In 2024, ASMR ranked as the most searched term on YouTube, and that trend is not slowing down.
As stress levels rise and attention spans drop, people actively seek calm, sensory-driven content.
The beauty of ASMR? It grabs attention without shouting.
So more than your usual content, ASMR can be very effective for your ads too. Instead of blending into the scroll, swap the hype for a whisper. ASMR short-form video advertising helps you grab attention by doing the exact opposite of everyone else.
For example, let’s say you are promoting a luxury candle brand. Create an ASMR Facebook ad that goes like this: Gently tap the glass, peel back the label with a soft crinkle, and light the wick with a slow-motion flame.
Layer in a whisper: “Unwind starts here.” But make sure you follow the 15-second optimal length for an FB ad to keep your video immersive without overwhelming.
When you do that, you can enjoy these benefits:
What To Do
- Zoom in close to focus on the sensory details.
- Use slow, deliberate motions to keep it calming.
- Keep a consistent pace and avoid sudden movements.
- Feature satisfying textures. Think paper, fabric, or wood.
- Record high-quality sounds. To do this, use a professional ASMR mic to capture texture and reduce background noise.
4. Create Hypnotic Scroll-Stoppers With Looping Videos
Have you ever found yourself watching the same few seconds of a video over and over without even realizing it? That is the magic of a looping video.
It starts and ends so smoothly, your brain does not catch the transition. It is perfect for the short-form video format, where attention is short but repeat views matter.
Looping videos work because they are not just engaging; they are sticky. When done right, loops increase video quality perception and elevate your brand’s creativity.
Suppose you are in the skincare niche. Produce a soothing Instagram Reels clip, and then instantly reset it back to the start in one fluid motion. It will feel calming, look beautiful, and show off the product’s texture, all without saying a word.
This trend is more than just clever editing; it is a strategic way to hold attention in your social media marketing and stand out with a stronger video strategy.
What To Do
- Match the first and last frames to make the loop invisible.
- Keep audio soft or minimal so it does not break the illusion when looping.
- Edit with rhythm or motion in mind. Sync the visuals to a natural beat or motion to make it pleasing to watch.
- Keep the loop under 15 seconds. Short loops work best in the short-form video format and feel effortless to rewatch.
- Use smooth, continuous motion. Think pouring, spinning, or swiping; movements that flow naturally.
5. Capture Hours In Seconds With Time-Lapse Magic
Visitors stay 88% longer on websites that include time-lapse videos. Time-lapse content does not just show results, it proves them, fast.
Why else does this work?
It shows efforts, transformation, and attention to detail, all within a few seconds. This is storytelling without needing a single word.
For example, let’s say you have a service-based business like this residential window cleaning company. You can run a 10-second time-lapse that shows a grimy, streaked window becoming spotless and clear as the sun shines through.
The effect? Viewers instantly get the “wow” factor and feel satisfied just watching because it feels like instant gratification, while quietly proving your team’s skill, speed, and consistency.
What To Do
- Keep the camera still for a clean, steady result.
- Edit for speed and flow to keep clips tight and smooth.
- Use a tripod or mount to avoid shaky footage that distracts.
- Add light background music to make it feel polished, not silent.
- Pick tasks that show visual change to capture real transformations.
- Shoot in good lighting because natural light boosts clarity and polish.
6. Reveal The Outcome Before The Journey With Reverse Storytelling
Most customers believe brands should use storytelling in their marketing, but one way to put a fresh twist on that is to start at the end. That is the magic of reverse storytelling.
Instead of the usual beginning-to-end narrative, you flip it. You reveal the result first, then rewind to show how it happened. It is a smart way to surprise viewers and spark curiosity; perfect for bite-sized clips where attention is short.
Additionally, this works because people love puzzles. Starting with the outcome makes them want to stick around to understand how you got there. It turns your short-form marketing videos into quick, memorable experiences.
Take fitness marketing as an example. With obesity rates in the U.S. rising from 22% to 40%, people are looking for relatable success stories, not just the final result, but the real struggles and small wins along the way.
If you are a fitness coach, your video could start with a client confidently lifting weights, and then rewind through their transformation. Highlight small wins, setbacks, and habits like:
- Their first unassisted push-up
- A skipped workout they bounced back from
- The daily habit of logging of meals that kept them on track
Then, post it on your Instagram Story, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts.
What To Do
- Include real emotions to make the story feel human.
- Add timestamp overlays to show time moving backward.
- Use subtitles or voiceover to guide the viewer through the rewind.
- Apply motion graphics like arrows, scribbles, or animated cues to guide viewers through the reverse flow.
- Use sharp jump cuts or a reverse playback effect to make the rewind feel intentional, not just a basic end-to-start recap.
- Focus on a single transformation. Avoid cramming too many elements because clarity beats complexity.
7. Pull Your Audience Into The Moment With POV Shots
Another way to give a fresh take on storytelling in the short-form video landscape is to use POV (point of view) shots. This format shows your audience exactly what you see, which makes the content feel personal and immersive from the first second.
In addition, POV videos work because they drop viewers directly into the experience; they do not just watch your story, they live it. You can use this to build emotional connections and show credibility through real, hands-on moments.
This type of video works well if you are in the culinary niche. Picture a 30-second video of a chef’s hands preparing a dish, from cracking the egg to flipping the pan, all from a first-person view.
The audience sees the steam rise, hears the sizzle, and feels like they are cooking it themselves. It is perfect for recipe brands or cooking classes trying to create engaging video content that sells an experience, not just a product.
What To Do
- Keep shots tight and intentional so do not over-pan or zoom.
- Capture hands in action to show real tasks from a human view.
- Use a chest mount or head strap to keep the camera steady and natural.
- Focus on sensory moments, like steam, texture, and movement, to make it feel real.
- Start with action. Open with a hand reaching, a door opening, or a tool moving to grab attention immediately.
- Match the pace to the task. For example, use slow motion for detailed craftsmanship or quick cuts for high-energy workouts.
Smart Practices That Take Your Short-Form Videos Further
Go through these best practices and pick one tactic you have not tried yet to refresh how you produce videos.
A. Simplify Content Planning With An Automated Social Media Management Tool
One reason short-form video ads fall flat is not creativity; it is inconsistency.
You can film amazing content, but if you are not planning ahead, it is easy to post too late, too often, or not at all. That is why smart social media marketers treat automation as part of their marketing strategies, not just a time-saver. It frees you from last-minute scrambling and helps you stay consistent with your brand voice across every platform.
To apply this best practice, use Bulkly. The platform uses automation and AI to:
- Automate scheduling
- Recommend hashtags
- Organize your content
- Let your team collaborate
You can also connect all your social media channels in one place to simplify planning and scheduling across all platforms.
For example, if you run a skincare brand, Bulkly can help you line up short-form video ads that showcase results, like a 15-second time-lapse of a clay mask in action, then auto-schedule daily skin care tips across all your platforms.
Here are more ways to maximize social media management tools:
- Use its AI to spark ideas when your team hits a creative wall.
- Review time spent vs results monthly to sharpen your strategy.
- Batch your content creation weekly and let the tool handle the rollout.
B. Hire The Right People Behind The Camera
If you want to hit the kind of results shown in all those impressive short-form video statistics, you need more than just a phone and good lighting, you need the right people behind the camera.
Why? Because quality matters, especially on short-form video platforms where users swipe in seconds and expect polished, engaging content.
To get the right people, do skill-based hiring. With this, you can make sure you are not just hiring a videographer; you are hiring someone who understands pacing, framing, storytelling, and the psychology of the scroll.
Depending on your needs, bring in a videographer, editor, motion designer, or even a creative director who understands the nuances of successful marketing campaigns.
Here are the best ways to hire the right people for short-form video:
- Look at real work samples, not just resumes.
- Test their editing speed and style with a trial project.
- Look for storytelling skills, not just technical know-how.
- Review their understanding of trends without relying on them blindly.
- Match their creative style to your brand voice so everything feels aligned.
- Ask how they have adapted content for different short-form video platforms.
Since you are mostly hiring for creative roles, get creative with your recruitment. It can help you attract the right talent and give candidates a feel for your brand’s personality and creative standards from the start.
C. Align Every Video With A Goal To Keep Your Content Intentional
This means every video you create should serve a specific purpose, whether that is to attract, educate, or convert, so your content feels focused instead of random. Intentional videos guide your audience clearly instead of leaving them wondering: What was that for?
Also, this best practice sharpens your message and makes sure each clip supports your bigger strategy. For example, a brand awareness video could be a 10-second behind-the-scenes of your team in action. It is light, fun, and easy to share.
Meanwhile, a retargeting video can show a quick product demo with a strong “Buy Now” offer to re-engage someone who visited your site.
Here’s how to align your video with a goal:
- Avoid adding unrelated ideas mid-video.
- Edit for the tone that fits the goal like fun, serious, urgent, etc.
- Define one clear goal before filming like getting email sign-ups or driving product clicks.
- Choose visuals that support the message like showing happy customers to build trust or close-ups for product details.
Final Thoughts on Short-Form Video Trends
Start with a quick review of these short-form video trends and ask yourself: which ones fit your brand, audience, and current capacity?
For example, if your brand thrives on authenticity, start with BTS or POV videos. Talk to your team, align each trend with a specific goal, whether it is reach, retention, or recall, and plan your next test campaign.
To help you manage your marketing efforts, use Bulkly. The diverse features can help you plan smarter, post faster, and bring your team together to create short-form videos that move the needle. Sign up now and learn more about how we can take your videos to fuel your growth.
