46 Fresh Short-Form Video Ideas for Your Small Business

Creative burnout is real. If you are a small business owner, you probably feel like you are constantly reinventing your business. With multiple areas to focus on, creating short-form videos that showcase your business week after week while running the business can get overwhelming. Whether you are looking to increase follower count, get more orders, or just trying to be consistent about posting, having some ideas to work from is one less thing you have to think about.   

Short-Form Social Media Video Ideas 

1. “After [number of years in industry], this is what I have learned.”
2. “We tested [number of products] and here’s which ones we loved.”
3. Put something out of the ordinary in the frame, a person in a costume, unusual background, etc.
4. “Don’t do [action] if you plan on [action].”
5. Slideshow
6. Rank something in your industry (ex. If you are restaurant, dipping sauces)
7. Three reasons to buy product or spend on service
8. Common mistakes people make with product or service
9. Show the growth of your company (ex. From 40 orders in my first year to over 50,000)
10. “Have you ever [insert relatable, highly specific thing]”
11. Highlight local landmarks nearby your business (ex. How to Spend a Day in [City])  
12. Borrow attention from a popular event (“Everyone is talking about [blank], but here’s what you should know about [blank].)
13. Interview someone unexpected (your dog, a grandmother, a customer) just get written permission first
14. Side-by-Side comparison (but be careful not to name or disparage anyone)
15. Talk about your least ordered product or service and why it is underrated
16. Tell the story of why you started the business
17. Celebrate a holiday related to your business
18. Talk about or show the history of your industry
    
19. Show unusual items in your workplace and tell about them
20. Poll your audience on a decision (What time should the class start? Should we order brown or blue?)
21. Talk about what your product is made of (materials, ingredients)
22. Show how to clean your product or maintain your service
23. Show something your customer normally wouldn’t see – your kitchen, your factory, etc.
24. Start with a myth about your industry and tell why the opposite is true
25. Center your product or service around a trip (don’t forget to pack this, check this off your list before you jet off)
26. Explain why the pricing of your product is different from your competitors (Here’s why we charge $200 for this cupcake)
27. Highlight a member of your team
28. Start with a surprising statistic related to your business
29. Interview someone in your industry
30. “I was today years old when I learned [insert fact or shortcut]”
31. “What my biggest failure taught me about [Business Industry].”
32. “Everyone told me I couldn’t [action].”
33. Draw or write something on a whiteboard (be sure your camera doesn’t mirror, or you will have to write backwards)
34. Unique ways people can use your product or service
35. Re-Edit and existing video you have with a new hook
36. Talk about who inspired or influenced your business
37. Do a product or service giveaway
38. Show your setup
39. Film a parody
40. Teach a skill or do a short “How to” video
41. Time-lapse an event
42. Thank your customers
43. Post a time-saving hack
44. Your blooper real, behind the scenes of you making content
45. Have your customers film themselves using your product or service
46. Tease an upcoming announcement

Don’t Make These Video Mistakes that Could Cost You Views 

Mistake #1: Posting a Video per Day, Then Nothing for Weeks 

The algorithms favor consistency. If you need to, batch create content before your busy season and use scheduling tools to post later.

Mistake #2: Not Starting with a Hook  

Your audience is scrolling fast, and you need to capture their attention within the first 1-3 seconds. Introduce yourself and your business after the hook. You need to show your audience what the value trade is immediately for their time to watch the video.

Mistake #3: Only Copying Trends, and Not Telling Your Story 

Audiences are after authentic, specific content. While trends can help you reach a new audience and may be fun to participate in, don’t forget to tell your story.

Mistake #4: Creating Videos with No Strategy 

Know your end goals, and then work backwards to create content. Going viral means bragging rights and attention for a split second, but what are you trying to achieve with your video content? Sales? Awareness?

Mistake #5: Creating a Video that Could Get You Legally in Trouble 

False claims, using trademarked material, or slandering competition are all firmly things you should stay away from at all costs. Don’t let your next social media post lead to a lawsuit.

Mistake #6: Thinking You Need Special or Expensive Equipment to Film 

There is a time and a place for polished video. If your short form video is airing on a television station, you may want to enlist the help of a professional videographer. For social media, however, authenticity can work more than polish. While you are holding back because you need the right tools, someone else is using a smartphone to build their content library.

Mistake #7: Never Reviewing Your Analytics 

You can learn a lot about what content works for your business by studying the analytics of your videos. What flopped? What got the most comments? What did people find relatable?

Mistake #8: Not Optimizing Your Thumbnails 

Just like a movie poster or the cover of a book, a thumbnail should give a synopsis of what your video is about, and be engaging to look at. Study what thumbnail layouts work the best.

Mistake #9: Making Your Video too Long 

If your video is over three minutes, the algorithm may not actively show it to a new audience. Aim for 60 to 90 seconds. Don’t try to cover everything, focus on one idea. You can always break longer content up into multiple videos.

Mistake #10: Selling All the Time 

While you want to have a clear call to action, centering all of your messaging around buying or booking can be the fast track to getting tuned out.

 

___________________________________________________________________

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon or used for any particular purpose. Cross Insurance shall not be held responsible in any way for, and specifically disclaims any liability arising out of or in any way connected to, reliance on or use of any of the information contained in this article. The information contained or referenced in this article is not intended to constitute and should not be considered legal, insurance, accounting or other professional advice, nor shall it serve as a substitute for the recipient obtaining such advice. The views expressed in this article are that of its author and do not necessarily represent the views of Cross Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Cross Insurance”) or Cross Insurance’s management or shareholders.