Social Media Video Best Practices: How to Get More Views & Engagement

Meta Title:

Social Media Video Best Practices in 2025 | Visual Matters

Meta Description:

Discover how to boost views and engagement with better social video strategy. Visual Matters shares expert tips for creating high-performing videos on TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more.

Header Image Alt Text:

Social media strategist reviewing video metrics and engagement on phone and laptop

Introduction: Social Video Is Now a Business Essential

If youʼre not using video on social media in 2025, youʼre invisible.

Todayʼs platforms are built for short, engaging, scroll-stopping video content. Whether youʼre on TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube Shorts, the brands that win are the ones that understand the format, the audience, and the algorithm.

At Visual Matters, we help brands create videos that donʼt just look good — they get shared, liked, saved, and clicked. In this post, weʼre sharing our proven best practices for maximizing social media video performance.

Why Social Video Is Worth Your Focus

Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in video form (vs. 10% in text)

The average user spends 40%+ of social media time watching videos Video ads convert 23x better than static image ads

Short-form video has the highest ROI of any content type, according to HubSpot

Platform-Specific Best Practices

TikTok & Reels (Instagram/Facebook)

• Length: 6-30 seconds (shorter is better)

• Format: Vertical (9:16)

• Tone: Authentic, fast-paced, often humorous or emotional

• Tips:

1. Hook viewers in the first 2 seconds

2. Use trending sounds and effects early

3. Add on-screen text for silent viewers

4. Post consistently 35x/week for growth)

5. Use captions and hashtags that match your niche

Pro Tip: Donʼt over-produce  TikTok rewards organic- feeling content with high watch time.

YouTube Shorts

• Length: 15-60 seconds

• Format: Vertical 916

• Tips:

1. Use tutorials, product demos, or cliffhangers

2. Add a strong CTA at the end

3. Cross-promote long-form videos via Shorts

4. Upload regularly to build YouTube channel visibility

Instagram Stories & Highlights

• Length: Up to 15 seconds per slide

• Format: Vertical

• Tips:

1. Use polls, quizzes, sliders to boost engagement

2. Highlight testimonials or behind-the-scenes moments

3. Save evergreen content to Story Highlights

LinkedIn Video

• Length: 3090 seconds

• Format: Square or vertical

• Tone: Professional, insightful, value-driven

• Tips:

1. Lead with problem-solution storytelling

2. Turn blogs into short explainer videos

3. Use native video uploads for better reach

4. Add subtitles (most LinkedIn videos are watched silently)

Cross-Platform Best Practices for All Social Video

1. Always Hook in the First 2 Seconds

Start with:

• A burning question

• A bold statement

• A visual surprise

People scroll fast. If you donʼt hook them immediately, theyʼre gone.

2. Design for Silent Viewing

Up to 85% of social video is watched without sound. Always:

• Use dynamic subtitles or on-screen text

• Make the visuals tell the story without relying on voiceover

3. Use Captions, Hashtags, and CTAs

• Captions increase completion rates

• Hashtags help discovery

• CTAs (like “watch to the endˮ or “link in bioˮ) drive action

4. Post Natively

Upload your video directly to the platform. Donʼt just share a YouTube link on LinkedIn or Facebook — it kills reach.

5. Test, Analyze, Optimize

Use platform analytics to track:

• Watch time

• Drop-off points

• Shares and saves

• Click-through rates
  
  

Then adjust your video length, pacing, visuals, or thumbnail strategy accordingly.

Real-World Example: Boosting Engagement with Short-Form Video

Client: NovaTech SaaS

Goal: Increase brand visibility and demo signups on LinkedIn and Instagram

What We Did:

• Created a library of 12 short-form videos from 1 shoot day

• Repurposed into Reels, LinkedIn posts, and YouTube Shorts

• Added custom motion graphics and captions

Results:

• 3x increase in engagement

• 65% average watch time

• +42% demo signups within 30 days

How to Repurpose 1 Video into 10 Pieces of Content

Maximize ROI by slicing and dicing your video:

One shoot day with Visual Matters = weeks of content.

Why Work with Visual Matters?

Weʼre not just video producers — weʼre social-first visual storytellers. When you work with us, you get:

• Platform-specific strategy

• Scroll-stopping visuals

• Captioned and optimized assets

• Performance insights and iteration

• A creative team that understands human behavior + algorithms

Final Thoughts: Itʼs Not Just About Views — Itʼs About Value

The best social videos donʼt just get watched — they get remembered. They create emotion. They spark action. They build brands.

In 2025, video is the most powerful way to reach your audience where they already are — on their phones, in their feeds, ready to connect.

At Visual Matters, we help brands create short-form video content that drives long-term results.

Want Scroll-Stopping Social Videos?

Letʼs bring your brand to life on social.
Contact Visual Matters for a free social video strategy session.

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