Based on the research, content consumption has evolved considerably in ten years' time. Traditional television and long-form web series still exist; however, the continued transition of consumer behavior toward shorter, bite-sized content, especially on social media, is a significant trend.
When it comes to short-form series, scripted or unscripted, episodes are typically only a few seconds to a few minutes in length. It is noted as one of the significant trends when the viewing of content is shared directly on an online platform or medium, such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Facebook, or Snapchat.
This article discusses how short-form content has become more common, what is causing the growth of the format, the implications for content creators and the audience, and what may happen to the format in the future.
What is Short Form Content?
Short-form content is a video content piece that tells a story or presents information in incrementally smaller episodes. Episodes are generally less than 5 minutes, with most falling into the 30 seconds to 2 minutes scale. Short-form series typically differ in that they are more episodic and have continuity between each episode in terms of story, theme, or character.
Short-form series can be scripted comedy, scripted drama, educational snippets, interviews, lifestyle information, or mini-documentaries. Often these will be produced for a specific platform and its purpose. For example, TikTok and Instagram Reels are vertical videos, and creators will plan their visual content accordingly.
Why Short Form Series Are Gaining Popularity
1. Attention Spans Are Shorter
We live in a world where attention spans are considerably shorter than ever, and there are multiple short-form content tools being launched with the goal of creating some kind of engagement with the viewer.
When a person sees hundreds of social posts each day, it is incredibly difficult to get that person to stop scrolling and watch a 30-minute episode of anything. In the case of short-form series, people can see a quick story that can provide some kind of entertainment or engagement without committing to a lot of time without having to watch a 30-minute episode.
2. Easy Access Through Smart Phones
Most people today own a smartphone, and the vast majority of the social platforms are designed for mobile access and use. Short videos are easy to load, easy to watch, and easy to share. There is something appealing about a quick, short-form video that plays with no load time compared to traditional video formats.
3. Platforms Are Pushing It
TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have all embraced the short video revolution. These social media and video platforms have created algorithm adjustments to favor short videos and access to a dedicated space for them (Reels tab on Instagram or Shorts on YouTube).
This means that the creator has a better chance of being seen instead of competing with everything else and presents a more significant opportunity to reach a larger audience. For businesses looking to leverage these platforms, understanding how to dominate local markets through social media can provide a competitive advantage.
The benefits for a creator adopting a new video-centric style that may be different from the usual long-form travel style are enticing.
4. Reduced Production Costs
Whereas standard series often require extensive equipment, crews, and locations, short-form series do not. A creator can shoot an entire episode on a smartphone in their bedroom. The reduced barrier of entry encourages people to experiment with storytelling and build an audience.
5. Instantaneous Feedback
Creators can release episodes quickly and get instant feedback from viewers. They can adjust their content based on what the audience enjoys instantly; that would not be available with traditional production costs.
Examples of Popular Short Form Series
1. TikTok and Instagram Sketch Comedies
There are a number of content creators constructing character-driven episodic comedic series across Instagram Reels and TikTok, such as Kusha Kapila or Bhuvan Bam. Most of them cultivate their own brand identity through a repertoire of recurring characters and themes, allowing their audience to become adherent to the characters over time.
2. Mini-Dramas
Pages like "Brut India" or "FilterCopy" make short-form scripted dramas that complete a storyline in 5 minutes. The stories deal with themes such as relationships, family, and youth culture and are relatable to their younger audiences.
3. Mini-Docu-Drama Series
Often fitness, cooking, or fashion influencers make short episodes based on a specific theme - for example, a cooking influencer may post an elaborate 10-part short series, "10 Breakfast Recipes in 10 Days."
4. Educational Story Series
Pages like "Nas Daily" and "The Modern Medic" present short educational snippets on a number of topics like history, science, and health subject matter. They ultimately curate complex subject matter and distill it down into short-form video content that their audience enjoys accessing when they look to learn something quickly.
Such short educational story series are also easy to create. You just need to seek explainer video services from skilled professionals, or if you're experienced enough, you can create them yourself.
Impact on Content Creators
1. Lower Entry Barrier
More than ever, anyone with a phone and an idea can start a short-form series. You don’t need a studio, a team, or a budget. This democratization of the content creation space has opened up so many doors for many more people from backgrounds across the spectrum.
2. Growth and Awareness
Short-form series tend to get way more views than long-form videos simply because consumption is easy and sharing is easy. Creators that can consistently create great content are the ones that can go viral and get a multitude of followers overnight.
3. Branding Opportunity
Once creators have built and gained a following, they can monetize the series through brand deals, sponsorship deals, merchandise, or driving traffic to other platforms. Brands are interested in your series as long as the series continues to bring a consistent audience size and engagement.
4. The Pressure To Not Fade Away
This opportunity is massive for anyone that can take advantage of it, but the pressure to keep a constant influx of new content can be too much and can push creators into a state of burnout. Trends change rather quickly, and staying in tune with what’s relevant can be difficult as a creator when you are pushed to create content quickly and have to be flexible with what is relevant to build that momentum.
Impact on Audiences
1. More Entertainment for Your Time!
Viewers are able to binge a series while they wait for a bus or on their lunch break. If there is one thing that makes the convenience of short-form series so invigorating, it is the ability to enjoy short form as a viewer.
2. More Personalized Content
Social platforms offer viewers a buffet of content in algorithms, so it is easier for viewers to discover a short-form series they like based on their interests than it would be to choose from traditional media with fewer choices.
3. Shorter Attention Span
The ease of the short video is making it possible that viewers' attention to watch long-form content without getting distracted is indeed dwindling. More users feel that while watching a full-length movie or series, they have to be able to look away for a moment than they have in the past.
4. More Engagement
They are also getting more likes, shares, or comments than long-form content. They are easier to quote, remember, and generally help with having an online community with a specific creator or series.
Role of Platforms
TikTok
TikTok has become a powerhouse for launching and distributing short-form series. With its scrollable feed and advanced algorithms, TikTok provides huge exposure for creators. Some of the more popular short-form comedy series, dance series, and mini-documentaries launched on TikTok.
Instagram launched Reels to directly compete with TikTok back in 2020. Since then, many creators have launched episodic content utilizing Reels. Instagram also has carousels and Stories functionality that allows for behind-the-scenes content to accompany episodic content. Some creators use a virtual phone number to manage fan interactions and business inquiries separately from their personal lines.
YouTube Shorts
YouTube wanted to tap into the short-form market, and it introduced Shorts and monetization using the YouTube Shorts Fund. It will also have ad revenue share soon, so creators of short series will be attracted to the platform.
Snapchat
Snapchat Discover has options for short-form content and has been hosting content from media companies and creators for some time already. The options for short-form content consist of daily recap videos of news to episodic stories aimed at a younger audience.
Facebook does not offer as strong of dominance in short-form video content as others; however, it does still host short content, as well as watch shows and shared Reels. Some creators use Facebook Watch and Reels to reach a different demographic with their short-form content that can cross-post.
Business and Monetization
Brand Collaborations
Brands are collaborating with creators to sponsor short-form series. For example, a food brand can sponsor a cooking series, and a fashion label can sponsor a style challenge series. The sponsorship deals are generally based on views and engagement.
Creators looking to find brand collaboration leads can use tools like a free email finder to discover and connect with decision-makers directly on LinkedIn or CRM platforms that offer integrated lead management features for better outreach and tracking.
They can also use interactive tools like Outgrow’s quiz maker to boost engagement, capture leads, and personalize viewer experiences alongside their short-form content.
Ads and Revenue Sharing
Another way to monetize short-form content is similar to how creators can earn revenue on long-form vertical video platforms like YouTube's Partner Program and TikTok.
Paid ads analytics can help creators optimize their content strategy and improve revenue generation. Of course, short-form ads will not generate as much revenue if your content doesn't have the same views or engagement, but the sheer volume can compensate substantially.
Merchandising and Product Sales
Additionally, creators will utilize their short-form series to promote their own products or merchandise. For example, a fitness creator will promote their workout guide through a short-form fitness challenge series.
Subscription and Exclusive Content
Finally, some creators are experimenting with offering exclusive short form series via paid subscriptions on platforms like Patreon or through platform-native monetization features like Instagram Subscriptions.
Challenges of Short Form Series
1. Short Time to Tell the Story
It is challenging to tell a whole story or provide value in 60 seconds or less. Creators need to work on being concise and getting to the point quickly.
2. Content Saturation
As many creators come into the short-form content space, it is becoming harder to stand out. With high competition, even the most compelling content can be overlooked if it isn't optimized correctly.
3. Algorithmic Fluctuation
Algorithms play a huge role in whether a video becomes successful or not. If a social platform changes its algorithms or priorities, you can see significant fluctuations in viewership.
4. Quality vs. Quantity
Creators feel like they constantly have to be posting in order to stay top-of-mind with their viewers, but that can lead to worse content quality or even creator burnout.
The Future of Short Form Series
The appeal of short-form series will likely continue indefinitely. As more platforms invest in the format and audiences continue to evolve, we can also expect innovations in how audiences experience short series and how they are packaged.
1. Enhanced Monetization Capabilities
Platforms are working on more lucrative monetization strategies for short-form content. Meaning more creators will want to create upper-echelon short series, a good chance with bigger budgets.
2. Niche-Based Community
More niche short series will enter the market. For example, niches like mental health, parenting, DIY crafts, and personal finance will likely see a larger competitive landscape of short episodic content that is targeted to each audience base respectively.
3. Integration with E-commerce
Many short series are already using product placement or direct links to their own Amazon Storefronts, eBay Stores, Etsy Shops, and more . This will likely continue to develop as social commerce accelerates, especially in industries like fashion, beauty, and tech, making it easier than ever to start an online boutique.
4. Hybrid Content Models
We should see more hybrid-type short series, meaning they incorporate both short-form and long-form elements. For example, creators can use short episodes as teasers or supplemental content to a longer YouTube vlog or podcast.
5. AI-Generated Content
With the enhancements of artificial intelligence tools, more creators will be able to automate the editing process and generate scripts with character outlines, and use tools like AI agents, giving them more time to work on creative concepts, ideas, and storytelling, .
