What Are Reels, Shorts, and TikTok Videos?

You’ve probably encountered them — quick, catchy videos that capture your attention in seconds. But what exactly are they, and how can they help your business? Let’s break it down:

Instagram Reels

• Instagram Reels are short, vertical videos lasting up to 90 seconds.
  
  
• You’ll find them in the Reels tab or your feed.
  
  
• They are perfect for sharing tips, trends, stories, or quick updates.

Instagram is mainly used by Millennials and Gen Z (75%). If your product or service appeals to these groups, creating Reels is a great way to connect with them.

TikTok Videos

• TikTok videos are typically under 60 seconds, with some going up to 3 minutes.
  
  
• The platform focuses on creativity, humor, and trends.
  
  
• TikTok is fast-paced and easy to share, making it perfect for viral content.

TikTok is popular among Gen Z (43%), and it’s particularly well-known for product reviews and trends.

YouTube Shorts

• YouTube Shorts are under 60 seconds and made for vertical viewing.
  
  
• They show up directly in the YouTube app, making them easy to discover.
  

Shorts work great for quick tutorials, highlights, or summaries of longer content.

Shorts are an excellent way to repurpose long-format videos. For example, if you have posted a detailed tutorial, you can create a 30-second summary as a Short to reach a larger audience and get more views making it a high performing video platform.

YouTube offers content creators the opportunity to reach a global audience. For instance, if a business in Canada posts a sewing tutorial, people in other countries, such as Dubai, can also access and follow along. However, for retail businesses, it might make more sense to target local customers unless you can offer international shipping.

Facebook Reels

• Facebook Reels are similar to Instagram Reels but cater to a broader audience.
  
  
• They appear in your news feed or the video section, making them ideal for sharing quick messages, updates, or behind-the-scenes content.
  
  
• Great for businesses targeting a wider age group.
  
  

In fact, 78% of adult users use Facebook, with higher usage among older age groups (Source)!

LinkedIn Videos

• While LinkedIn has supported long-form videos since 2017, short videos have become increasingly popular and is a new feature that this platform offers.
  
  
• These videos often focus on professional insights, tips, events, or company updates – these are usually expected to be from professional work.
  
  
• For better engagement, keep LinkedIn videos under 1 minute and always use captions, as many people watch without sound.

Why Short Videos Work

Short videos are easy to watch, quick to create, and designed for mobile devices. They fit perfectly into people’s busy schedules and short attention spans. These formats also work well because you don’t need special equipment — just your phone and an idea.

As a small business, following a trend and making your own version of it can be a simple way to get noticed. You don’t need to start from scratch — just add your voice to what’s already working. Want to learn more about short videos? Book an appointment with JBC. We will help you figure out what works best for you.