The Era of Long-Form Video Is Here

Remember the golden age of Vine? Six-second snippets were all the rage, and attention spans seemed limited to the blink of an eye. But fast forward to 2023, and a fascinating shift is brewing: viewers are ravenous for longer video content. And guess what? Instagram Reels, with their potential for 90-second epics, are leading the charge.

Here are the facts:

  • Reels reign supreme: They're outperforming all other video formats across Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok. 

  • Longer is bolder: Instagram Reels clocking in at over 90 seconds snag more than double the views compared to TikTok's bite-sized offerings. Size does matter, it seems.

  • Attention on steroids: Social video consumption is skyrocketing, with U.S. adults dedicating 56.5% of their social media time to it — that's a 15-point jump in just three years!

  • Engagement, amplified: Reels over 90 seconds boast six times the reach of Instagram Stories. Hello, viral possibilities!

So, why are viewers ditching the micro-content and diving headfirst into longer narratives It's simple: quality trumps brevity. If you can captivate us for 90 seconds with compelling stories, valuable insights, or side-splitting laughs, we're all ears (or should we say, eyes?).

Think about it: longer videos allow for deeper dives into your topic, fostering stronger connections with your audience. You can build suspense, introduce nuance, and leave viewers truly satisfied. Remember, engagement isn't just about racking up views; it's about sparking conversations, igniting curiosity, and creating a community around your content.

The future of video content is clear: it's long, it's engaging, and it's taking center stage. So, creators and brands need to craft stories that deserve more than a fleeting glance. Be bold, be brave, and embrace the era of long-form video. Your audience is waiting, and they're ready to invest their time in something truly worth watching. If you’d like to talk more about how to use video for your brand, let’s chat!

Previous
Previous

From Spark to Sizzle: The Ephemeral Life Cycle of a Meme

Next
Next

The Rise of Lapse: Navigating the New Social Media Landscape for Brand Marketing