Easy social video ideas to boost your engagement

If you want to connect with people online, then you need to be using video. With the ability to reach 92% of online users, it’s clear that video is an invaluable tool for connecting with your target audience and spreading your message. Social media is one of the main ways that video is shared and streamed online. But thinking of ideas for social videos isn’t an easy task, so we’ve brought together a list to help get you started. 

Why does video work well on social media?

Video performs so well on social media because it is more engaging and shareable than any other content format. When used effectively, video can help build trust and a personal connection with an audience in a way that text can’t. 

This is especially the case when the visuals used in a video are eye-catching and emotive, helping the content stand out against everything else around it and encouraging the viewer to actively share it with others. 

What to think about when making a social video

Consider the size of the screen your audience will be using to watch your video when they see it on social media. Whilst many smartphones have large screens, they are nowhere as big as a laptop or TV. So whilst you might start a movie with a sweeping shot of a landscape, you’ll want to start a social video with a close up which allows your viewer to clearly see it on a small screen. Any on screen graphics will also need to be big enough that they are easily readable. 

The other principle to consider for social video content is the 3 second rule. We all scroll through social media platforms looking for something to catch our attention and often decide in 3 seconds or less whether we want to stop on a video to watch it. So carefully consider which shots you want to use in the first few seconds of your video.

Social videos ideas for you to try

Quick fire questions

This can be a fun and engaging way to introduce your brand and team or explore a chosen topic area. You could sit people down and then fire questions at them or give them cards with questions to read aloud. 

Or you could prepare some questions and then surprise people when they’re working and start firing questions off at them. This option might give you a more amusing or candid video as the person tries to answer the questions with no time to prepare!

Behind the scenes

The aim of a behind the scenes video is to show the viewer something that they wouldn’t otherwise have had access to. It could be showing how something is made or produced, giving a tour of your facilities or showcasing how an event took place. Whatever it is, it’ll need to feel exclusive for the viewer.

It’s great when these videos are faced by a presenter, as this makes it feel as if they are taking you with them on a “behind the scenes” journey. This will also make it easier to engage with people who the presenter meets when exploring, allowing them to have a quick chat about what they’re up to or the work that they do.

Explainers

Briefly introduce your audience to a topic or story, making sure to break it down so that it is accessible and easily understood. Explainer videos can be a great way for introducing your mission, how something works or a plan you are pursuing. 

To keep things simple you’ll probably want to opt for a text based video or presenter led. You could have someone speaking to camera explaining a subject to the viewer and answering commonly asked questions. 

User-generated video

Not all of your video content needs to be shot by you or your production company. Sometimes video captured by your clients, customers or target audience can be a great way to engage with other viewers online and build trust with your brand. 

If you’re running a campaign, user-generated content can be a great way to show how lots of people are engaging with it. Maybe they’re benefitting from a new product which you’ve released and are showing it in use, or are taking an action you suggested which is benefitting them because it is solving a problem. 

Testimonials

When you shop for something online or search for places to visit, you’ll often end up looking at reviews to work out whether it’s worth your money or time. Capturing testimonials with customers, visitors or clients is a very effective way of highlighting customer satisfaction.

If you’re running an event or have an opportunity to capture testimonials with clients or visitors, then it’s important to take advantage of this. Especially as it might not be often that you have these people in one place at the same time. Setup a dedicated space for capturing these testimonials so that people can walk in, give their thoughts and then leave. This makes it a very easy process for them to take part and for you to capture.

Social cuts of longer videos

Sometimes you’ll have produced one or a series of longer videos that you’ve shared on YouTube or your website. Whilst the full length video might not be suitable for social media, where many videos don’t run beyond 30 or 60 seconds, it might be worth looking at whether parts can be repurposed or key moments extracted for social release.

Find sequences in the longer videos where someone is speaking about a really interesting subject for 60 seconds or where there is an engaging series of shots showcasing something. Remember this clip will need to grab the attention of your viewer on social media who might just be scrolling through their phone looking for something to watch.

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We’re Sheeran Media

You might have reached the end of this article and thought that you’d like some help from the professionals to create your next social video. 

We’re Sheeran Media. An all in one content production company with expertise in video, podcasts, animation and design. If you have a video you need support with, then get in touch. We’d love to help!