How to Create an Attention-Grabbing 30-Second Video

Spin Creative • September 11, 2022

It’s no secret that consumers love bite-sized video content. From TikToks to Instagram Reels, and newcomer YouTube Shorts, short-form content connects with your audience, despite consumers’ increasingly short attention spans.

   Get help from video creative agency and excel in any platform with short-form videos.


Attention sign in yellow on telephone pole

The most successful short videos are straightforward and feature a simple message or call to action. Whether you’re giving new viewers a snapshot of your brand or you’re introducing a new product, 30-second videos can communicate your values to your audience in an easy-to-digest format. Here’s how to create an attention-grabbing 30-second videothat tells a story and evokes emotion in a matter of seconds.


Start with a catchy title


Your audience is bombarded by video content and other advertisements all day long, which means you need to do everything you can to attract and retain their attention. Start with the title. The right kind of title will give your audience all the information they need to get them to click on and watch your video completely through. Create catchy titles that are scannable, informative and understandable at a glance. 


Write a great script


Even short 30-second videos should have scripts to help you plan and organize your video. Since brevity is important here, keep your word count to a minimum. Most English speakers can say around 150 words per minute, so it follows that a 30-second video should have a script of 80 words, maximum. Include description and narration, and if you go over the word limit, simply split the video into a series of two to keep the information digestible.


Create a storyboard


After you’ve refined your script, you can start visualizing the scenes you’ll use in your 30-second video. Develop a quick storyboard that serves as your guide to the order of scenes. Make sure you have a solid understanding of how objects in your video relate to each other and decide the direction of movement if you plan on including any in your video.


Embrace visual conventions


You don’t need to reinvent the wheel when you’re making 30-second videos. In reality, creating something completely original can confuse your audience. Use visual conventions to connect with your audience, including background elements, costumes and even facial expressions to emphasize key facts.


Optimize for social platforms


Each social media platform has its own unique quirks, which means you should optimize your 30-second video so that it has as much reach as possible. For example, on platforms like Twitter that have adopted muted autoplay, go visual with your content. Most video is viewed without sound, so incorporate captions and subtitles to convey key information while keeping your audience engaged. 


Making an attention-grabbing 30-second video is all about understanding your audience and delivering what it expects, wants and needs. Ready to see what you can do for your brand in just 30 seconds? Say “Hello,” to Spin Creative! We’re a dynamic video marketing agency that helps you make content that hits the mark, every time.



About Us

Spin Creative is a video production company and creative agency helping marketers create winning video and creative strategies that engage, inspire and activate targeted audiences. Spin is headquartered in Seattle with offices in San Francisco and London, serving brands around the globe. 

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