Long vs short-form content: What’s best for business?

Long-form content vs short-form content is a battle for the ages. Yet before we weigh in and determine which type is best for businesses, let’s find out a little more about our competitors. 

Long-form content 

Long-form content is normally seen as anything over 10 minutes long. These videos are usually found on platforms like YouTube where viewers are more willing to invest time in watching longer videos. Long-form videos are great for telling brand stories, explaining complex products or services and delivering in depth educational content. 

Short-form content 

In contrast, short-form content was traditionally anything under the 10 minute mark. Yet with the rise of bitesize content on social media such as Instagram reels, TikTok and Twitter, the ideal short-form content is now between 30-60 seconds. Short-form videos are great for showcasing product features, highlighting customer testimonials and promoting sales in a catchy and digestible way. 

So, what’s best for business? 

The choice between long-form and short-form video content depends on several factors including your business goals, target audience and the type of content you are creating. 

Do you value storytelling? Then consider long-form to help build the story of your business and connect with your audience. Long-form video content is best suited for topics that require a more in depth discussion such as tutorials, webinars, case studies or even video essays. The attention span is long-form content’s worst enemy so the content needs to be engaging to justify the run time of the video. A highly engaging long-form video could lead to people spending more time on your business’ website which can help with SEO. 

Short-form video content is typically easier and less expensive to produce than long-form content which makes it a great option for businesses on a budget. Does your business use social media heavily? Then short-form videos would be the best choice; they’re perfect for social media sites such as Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube shorts and the ability to share content on these platforms provides an opportunity to reach a wider audience. 

Ultimately, the choice between long-form and short-form content depends on your business objectives and the preferences of your audience. It’s important to experiment with both types of content to see what resonates best with your audience and what will help you achieve your goals. 

Could long or short-form video content enhance your brand? Get in touch with our team today to find out how video can boost your business.