The Rise of Short-Form Video Content: Insights from Our Latest Shoots

If you’ve scrolled through your phone today, chances are you’ve watched at least one short video—whether it was a 15-second tip, a meme, or a teaser for something bigger. Short form video content isn’t just dominating social feeds—it’s reshaping the way we consume, create, and connect.

At MOB, we’ve been right in the thick of this transformation, producing a range of short-form videos for clients across various industries. In this post, we’ll break down why short-form video is exploding, what we’ve learned from recent shoots, and how brands can use these fast-paced formats to make a big impact in today’s digital-first world.

Why Short-Form Video is Taking Over

Let’s face it—attention spans are shrinking. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have built entire ecosystems around delivering maximum value in minimal time. And audiences love it. The success of short-form content proves that people want digestible, engaging moments that fit neatly into their fast-paced lives.

We’ve seen this shift first-hand. More and more clients are asking specifically for short-form video as a core element of their marketing strategy. They want:

• Hooks that grab attention instantly—a compelling question, a surprising fact, or a slice-of-life scene that reels people in.
• Authentic, raw visuals that feel more relatable and less like traditional commercials. Social-first content over polished cinema.
• Trending audio tracks that align with platform-specific algorithms and increase discoverability.

It’s no longer just about putting out content—it’s about capturing the moment. A great short video creates a pause in someone’s scroll and delivers value right then and there.

The Power of Short Videos in Digital Marketing

So, what makes short videos such a powerful digital marketing tool?

For one, the engagement numbers are impossible to ignore. According to recent data, short-form video has a 2.5x higher engagement rate than traditional long-form video. That means more likes, shares, comments, and overall interaction. In fact, 85% of marketers now include short-form content in their digital marketing strategies.

Short videos are being used for everything—from product reveals and teaser campaigns to behind-the-scenes peeks and educational “how-to” clips. And because they’re quicker and cheaper to produce, brands can test different messages and formats rapidly.

We’ve helped clients transform their digital presence just by trimming down longer videos into effective short-form pieces. These micro-edits are easier to consume, more likely to be shared, and typically perform better across platforms. It’s a simple but powerful shift in strategy—and it’s one that works.

Short-form video isn’t just a tactic. It’s a cornerstone of a successful social media marketing video strategy.

Behind the Scenes – Lessons from Our Recent Shoots

One of our most exciting recent projects was producing a short-form opener for the Aramco Team Series Riyadh Tournament. This shoot pushed us to flex both our creative and technical muscles.

The Vision

The objective was bold: build buzz for the final leg of the 2024 Aramco Team Series in Riyadh. The idea? Show the tournament trophy travelling across iconic Riyadh landmarks, culminating in its arrival at the golf course. This would be intercut with dramatic shots of key players, explosive tournament moments, and energetic visuals.

The Challenge

Reality, however, had other plans. We hit logistical roadblocks around securing location permits across the city—a common issue with tight turnarounds and public spaces.

The Hack

Enter AI.

We trained a model using high-res images of the trophy and combined that with dynamic stock footage of Riyadh locations like Kingdom Tower and the Boulevard. The result? Believable, compelling video short form edits featuring the trophy in situ—without ever filming on location.

The Final Cut

The final version clocked in just under 60 seconds—perfect for platforms favouring short form video content. From snappy cuts and vibrant colour grading to tight storytelling and music that drove the energy forward, the video delivered everything we needed: hype, clarity, and authenticity.

It was a reminder that short videos don’t need big sets or huge budgets—they just need a big idea and the right tools.

Key Production Techniques for High-Quality Short Videos

We’ve learned a lot from producing hundreds of digital marketing video assets. Here are some of the key elements that make short-form video successful:

• Crisp visuals: Ensure footage is sharp, well-lit, and clean.
• Engaging compositions: Use a mix of camera angles to keep viewers visually stimulated.
• Dynamic editing: Fast cuts, on-beat transitions, and rhythm are key to holding attention.
• Sound design: Audio must be clear and intentional, whether it’s voiceovers, music, or ambient sounds.
• Stabilisation: Gimbals or handheld rigs help create professional-looking footage, even on smartphones.
• Colour grading: Use LUTs or platform-specific tones to make content pop and feel scroll-stopping.

Most importantly, great short-form content balances polish with authenticity. People want videos that feel native to the platform, not repurposed TV ads. The goal is to create short videos that appear spontaneous yet strategic.

How to Maximise Short-Form Video for Brand Success

Short-form video can be a branding Swiss army knife when used smartly. We often advise clients to stretch the value of their shoots by planning ahead for multiple deliverables.

From one session, you can produce:

• Teasers and trailers
• 15–30 second highlight reels
• Platform-specific edits (Reels, Stories, TikTok, YouTube Shorts)
• Aspect ratio variations (vertical, square, horizontal)

This not only maximises content output but also ensures you’re delivering content tailored to the consumption patterns of each platform. And with tools like AI-assisted editing, the production process is becoming faster and more affordable than ever.

The future is bright for short-form content, with trends like interactive video, real-time analytics, and hyper-personalised storytelling pushing the format even further. We’re already testing these technologies to help our clients stay ahead.

Why Short Videos Are Here to Stay

Let’s be clear—short-form content isn’t a passing fad. It’s a fundamental shift in the way we experience digital media.

With the rise of easy-to-use creation tools, automation platforms, and accessible AI enhancements, it’s never been easier to make an effective digital marketing video. Whether it’s auto-captions, AI-generated voiceovers, or synthetic B-roll footage, creators now have the power to do more with less.

Even mid-sized brands and content creators can now compete in the same creative space as big-name players. What matters most isn’t your budget—it’s your concept, execution, and timing.

We’re continuing to experiment with these technologies at MOB to enhance our content workflows while keeping the human element front and centre. After all, the heart of a great social media marketing video is still a compelling story—told quickly, clearly, and creatively.

Ready to Create High-Impact Short-Form Video?

If you’re a brand, agency, or content creator looking to take your video strategy to the next level, short-form video is where you need to be.

Whether you want snackable how-tos, high-energy teasers, or a full suite of video in social media marketing assets, our team is here to help you turn that vision into a scroll-stopping reality.

Let’s make something that moves fast—and moves people.

Tags: Film and Production , video production