What is a micro video
There is no official definition of this term, as "micro" can vary greatly depending on the viewer and their habits. Overall the attention span of an Internet user tends to decrease, so in general micro videos shouldn't exceed 1 minute. Some users even share a radical opinion that a "true" micro video can't be longer than 15-20 seconds.
The most popular micro content platform is, of course, TikTok, but it's not the only social media you can use. Facebook or Instagram stories are also great examples of that format. The YouTube audience still prefers "full-length" recordings, but even here, you can find more and more short clips.
If it's such a powerful tool, why should you lag behind? Start using it right now!
How to create micro videos
Pretty much the same way as "macro" ones. The key stages are the following:
Set your goal. With a long video, you can afford some rambling or divagations, but if you have only 15 seconds to express yourself and achieve your goal, you should make a prompt start.
Should it be an instructional video? A short but brilliant advertisement? Your brand introduction to increase customers' loyalty? Decide in advance.
Decide on the video style. While a long recording can be multilayered and complicated, a micro one can't. It should be coherent all the way.
Write a script. Yes, even 15-second-long videos need a script. No, you can't just "go with the flow" and see how things will turn out. Quite the opposite: the shorter the recording is, the more elaborate and thought-out it should be.
Choose your equipment. We have already written that you don't need to rent a studio and buy expensive professional cams. A common smartphone with proper settings can do the job.
Just make sure you have good lighting. It's also a good idea to use a tripod or just mount your phone on a flat surface is also a good idea to avoid shaking. Last but not least: purchase an external microphone, as the sound is no less important than the image.
Find handy editing tools. The cost of editing shouldn't be higher than the potential video profit, right? Don't invest huge sums, especially at the beginning of your vlogging career, when you are not yet sure if the whole idea will pay off.
Choose something cheap, preferably — free. Clideo video tools fit ideally, as they are free for files up to 500 MB, and short videos are unlikely to exceed this size.
Select a posting platform. It may be your corporate site or one of the social media platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, etc.
Don't forget to use analytic tools to study your audience's behavior and preferences. The right posting time is crucial, so try a cut-and-try method and analyze the results.
Tips and hints
So far, it looks quite complicated, huh? We mean: you should put in the same effort as for a "normal" video, just to get something 15-second-long. It doesn't sound fair, does it?
Here are some tips on how to spend less time on your micro video creation.
Repurpose. If you already have a bunch of "long-format" clips and you think you have already drained them dry, you're wrong. Cut video into smaller chunks and post again!
Long and short videos aim at different audiences, so this way, you'll hit another layer of followers and attract new ones.For example, if you have a long video manual, make each step a micro learning clip. They will be much easier to swallow and follow.
- Use special tools to schedule posting. Just upload a bunch of videos, set their posting times, and enjoy yourself!
- Don't shoot from scratch. Use videos from stocks and edit them as you need. Just make sure the content you use is royalty-free.
As you see, it's not rocket science!
