Short-form video is still the attention magnet in 2025. Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts lead the way, with platforms continuing to prioritise vertical video and native, sound-on storytelling. YouTube Shorts alone has reported huge growth this year (YouTube’s CEO cited ~200B daily views in June 2025; YouTube’s press page listed 70B/day in April - either way, the trajectory is clear). 

Below are five formats every local brand can use right now - plus simple creative checklists, specs, and 5 ideas you can hand straight to me when you’re ready to shoot.

5 Social Media Video Types and Ideas Brands Need in 2025.

1.Reels/TikTok “hooks” (15-45s)

When to use: fast awareness, trends, quick product or vibe hits.

Creative checklist

• Open with a clear hook in the first 1- 2 seconds (problem, benefit, surprise).

• Keep it vertical 9:16, high-resolution, and native (no watermarks).

• Add on-screen text and captions - a large share of people watch with sound off.

• End with a single call-to-action (“Book a shoot”, “Try the new menu”, etc.). 

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Spec notes (safe defaults): 9:16, 1080×1920, 24–60fps, 3–90s runtime, keep important text away from the bottom UI area. 

Example ideas

• Café: “£5 lunch in 15 seconds” - quick prep cuts + price + address overlay.

• Fashion: “3 ways to wear it” - jump cuts + captions.

• Musician: “Studio teaser” - 3 shots + lyric on screen.

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2. Short-form promo/ads (20–60s)

When to use: paid or boosted posts with a single offer or launch.

Creative checklist

• Script a clear problem → solution → outcome arc.

• Show the product/service in context within 3 seconds.

• Use subtitles (burn-in or platform captions).

• Design for vertical first, then version for 1:1 and 16:9. 

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Spec notes: Build the master in 9:16 (1080×1920), then export alternates for ad placements. Keep text overlays big, high-contrast, and within safe areas. 

Example ideas

• “New class times this week” (fitness studio) -  timetable + instructor cuts.

• “Autumn menu drop” (café) - 3 hero dishes + price range + location pin.

• “Limited run tees” (brand) - close-ups + model street cutaway + CTA.

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3. Branded mini-stories (45–120s)

When to use: build trust, values, and reasons to care.

Creative checklist

• A human narrator: founder, team member, or happy customer.

• B-roll that proves every claim (product, process, community).

• Sound design: light music + natural sound.

• Subtitles and chapter-style overlays for skimmers. 

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Spec notes: Shoot in 4K for clean crops to vertical, square and horizontal. Add a 9:16 export for Reels/Shorts to maximise reach. For YouTube/Google visibility, publish a version on a page you control and mark it up with VideoObject schema. 

Example ideas

• “Why we roast in Hackney” (café) -  origin → process → community impact.

• “From sketch to shelf” (fashion) - designer voiceover + studio b-roll.

• “The story behind the track” (artist) - writing, recording, meaning.

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4. Event highlight reels (30–90s)

When to use: parties, launches, workshops, gigs - perfect for FOMO.

Creative checklist

• Timeline-driven edit (doors → peak → finale).

• Wide ambience + tight details; drone where safe/permitted for open-air.

• On-screen date/place and taggable partners.

• Deliver a master + social crops + subtitles pack. 

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Spec notes: 9:16 hero cut for Reels/TikTok, plus 16:9 for YouTube/website. If you embed the video on your site, ensure Google can fetch the file/thumbnail for rich results. 

Example ideas

• “Friday at The Garden” (bar/venue) - 8–10 best moments + CTA to book.

• “Pop-up launch in Shoreditch” - queue → product try-ons → smiles → CTA.

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5. Cinema-graphs & motion stills (6–15s loops)

When to use: product hero moments in feeds, menus, and on websites.

Creative checklist

• Lock off the camera; isolate one elegant looped motion (steam, pour, fabric).

• Keep file size light; add a macro hook in the caption.

• Export as video for socials; GIF/WebM for web placements.

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Spec notes: 9:16 for social, consider 1:1 for grid harmony. Keep loops 6–15s and seamless.

Example ideas

• “Pour shot” (café) - steam and crema looping.

• “Fabric ripple” (fashion) - sleeve or hem in soft light.

• “Pedal shimmer” (musician) - LEDs pulsing in sync.

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How to measure what’s working

• Hook & hold: watch-time/retention in platform analytics.

• Action: profile taps, DMs, link clicks, voucher redemptions.

• Output velocity: 4 - 8 assets per shoot, versioned for Reels/TikTok/Shorts.Shorts/Reels continue to be massive distribution channels in 2025 - plan vertical-first and publish regularly. 

Production with Mantas Vision (what you get)

• Concept → shoot → edit → colour handled end-to-end.

• Cinema camera package, prime lenses, lights; drone where safe.

• Delivery in 9:16 / 1:1 / 16:9, subtitled, and platform-ready.

• Optional content calendar and copy to post with.

Hope you enjoyed my 5 Social Media Video Types and Ideas Brands Need in 2025 post.

Ready to plan your next month of content?

Get a quote for social media videos or contact me.