The Secrets of Successful

SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEOS

How to create engaging videos for Facebook,

Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Vine & YouTube

Video can be a highly effective medium in social media… if used correctly.

But “create once, share everywhere” isn’t always the best strategy.

So let’s look at how to use video to educate, entertain, engage and more—for six

different platforms.

(This is an abbreviated guide to social media video marketing. For the full breakdown, visit

musicformakers.com/social-media-video-strategy.)

FACEBOOK best practices

Make the first few seconds highly relevant or surprising.

Aim for shorter videos (under 30 seconds).

Tease the video with an interesting status.

Add a call-to-action.

INSTAGRAM best practices

Share behind-the-scenes content.

Humanize your brand with humor and emotion.

Showcase your product experience.

Focus on quality.

SNAPCHAT best practices

Leverage FOMO by sharing exclusive, authentic content.

Be brief. (Videos are 10 seconds long.)

Shoot footage vertically (i.e., in portrait mode).

Include CTAs in your Snaps.

TWITTER best practices

Feature people early in your videos.

Showcase your product (and its benefits) in real life.

Tell a story, and add drama to entertain.

Tell viewers what to do after watching.

VINE best practices

Use stop motion.

Show viewers how to do or make something.

Get creative with special effects.

Entertain with humor or unexpected twists.

YOUTUBE best practices

Make your videos relatable, emotional and insightful.

Teach viewers how to do something.

Opt for longer videos.

Call viewers to action with cards and annotations.

Want Free Music for Your Videos?

Sign up for Music for Makers, and

get one free, royalty-free song in your inbox every Monday.