The Best Use of 10 Seconds: Extra-Short Video Marketing Tips

Full-length commercials are a proven effective marketing strategy, but what about extra-short videos that only last 10 seconds (or less)? As it turns out, these are just as effective as commercials when executed properly. To make the most of an extra-short video marketing strategy, you need to make the best use of your time. Here are some tips that will help you get the job done in 10 seconds or less.

Improvise

This goes against all the marketing advice you've heard in the past, but today's consumers prefer improvised content — or at least content that feels improvised. Keep your clips simple, using minimal scripting and no special effects if you want to grab your viewers attention quickly. Authentic improvisation is always best, but if you fake it, make sure it looks and feels like the real thing — because today's consumers are smart and they can tell the difference.

Why this works: Your viewers want you to be real. Today's consumers don't have time for advertising if it's not genuine; they simply don't trust heavily edited commercials. When you share improvised content, viewers feel more connected to your brand because you're including real people, just like them.

Don't Tell the Whole Story

One of the best approaches with a 10-second ad is to treat it like an elevator pitch. Grab your viewers attention with the most compelling message you can create. Leave the viewer with a sense of curiosity, a compulsion to know more about your brand. Then offer additional info through a longer video link, email signup or blog post.

Why this works: A person's attention span is fairly short, but it's even shorter when they're watching an ad. That's an issue when you can't present all the important information in less than 10 seconds. By providing just a snippet of information that intrigues your viewers, you're opening up more opportunities to show them the whole story at a later time.

Form an Ongoing Connection

As with all marketing efforts, the deployment of your extra-short videos may be the most crucial aspect of the journey. With 10-second videos, you shouldn't focus on a "one and done" approach. Instead, create an ongoing connection with your viewers by offering multiple extra-short videos over a significant length of time (the indefinite future is your best bet). You have lots of media options available for this type of advertising. Create an Instagram account, and use the Story feature. Tell your viewers to follow you on Snapchat, or utilize the paid marketing capabilities there. Even YouTube has a six-second video format called Bumper that's great for connecting to an audience.

Why this works: You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again: Social media is prime real estate for marketing. Young consumers practically demand it, and the under-30 crowd is a huge percentage of the population. Today's buyers want real-time videos, authentic updates and brands that create ways to connect. When you offer these connections, you're grabbing viewers who feel more loyal to your brand because you're genuine.

Final Thoughts

Short video marketing is a great idea, and they can add a huge boost to your sales when you make the most of the 10 seconds or less approach. Don't be dissuaded by the new format. There are platforms already available for the short video format — just waiting for you to jump in. After all, marketing should always focus on the next big thing, and extra-short videos are it.