10 Top Video Trends in 2025

Short form video continues to dominate

How can you and your business be most visible to your target market in 2025? No surprise here, especially if you've been following me on social media or reading this blog. Across social media, short-form videos certainly seem to dominate as the viewers' preferred type of content.

Why not?

1. Short videos are great for grabbing and holding attention, especially as TikTok and Instagram reels. Even LinkedIn in 2024 started its own short video feed for mobile users.

2. They're easy to watch from start to finish, considering their very short length.

3. They're very easy to share and promote across platforms.

4. They're relatively quick and easy to make, thanks to cell phones and the popularity of informal, spontaneous clips.

Not convinced that social media is THE way to go? The HubSpot State of Marketing Report 2024 reports that 63% of marketers state that social media drives the highest ROI of all marketing channels. And short videos overwhelmingly are favored over other types of content by most viewers.

So, focusing on short-form videos, what do you need to know and do differently? Some of the 2024 trends continue to gain in strength and popularity, while others are just gaining traction and may not be on your radar yet. Here's my list of the top 10 video trends for 2025.

Think of short, vertical, captioned videos - all in a series

1. 60-90 second videos

Here's your sweet spot for attracting and retaining eyeballs through to the end of your message. The KISS acronym doesn't just stand for "Keep It Simple, Stupid." It also means "Keep It Short. Simple." (Yeah, I made that one up.)

By and large, the traditionally defined limit of a short-form video is 60 seconds are less. Over the past year or so, some platforms like Instagram have expanded that to 90 seconds, and now YouTube has just announced that it's expanding its Shorts maximum length to 3 minutes. I suspect that retention will fall off as attention spans are so notoriously short, so play the odds and keep within the ideal 60-90 second range.

2. Portrait (vertical) mode

The mobile phone continues to be the preferred way to view content, so lead with short-form videos shot in portrait or vertical mode for easiest viewing on phones. Our pocket companion leads other devices with 63% of consumers opting to learn about brands and products with quick searches made on the fly (HubSpot State of Consumer Trends 2024).

Want to reach younger audiences (GenZ and millennials)? That's where you'll find them. The majority of Gen Xers, too. Only the Boomers and those of the Silent Generation seem to prefer the larger desktop alternatives. Hmmm. Could it be habit or does the larger, easier-to-read screen make all the difference? I suspect both.

3. Keywords, not hashtags

Want to be found in 2025? Use keywords in your titles, captions, and other descriptors when posting videos. Hashtags were already fading in effectiveness in 2024. With voice search on mobile devices becoming more common, again through the younger generations, think long-tail keywords, too, using words or phrases used in casual conversation.

4. Muted videos

Videos that can be enjoyed without sound are increasing in popularity because ... well, many of us are looking at our videos rather than paying strict attention in meetings or during phone calls with our mothers-in-law.

Caption your videos - always. Not only does it make watching your video doable on the sly, but it helps the audio-impaired enjoy your content, too. Multi-taskers, too.

5. Short video series

As an on-camera actor, I've auditioned for and been cast in vertical short films that are sold as a video series. They're along the lines of telenovelas - over-the-top, highly dramatized emotional stories that read like soap operas on steroids. They're shot the same as any feature film, but then they're cut up and serialized with a mini cliffhanger at the end of each short episode, each of which is only two minutes or less in length, and then sold as a series to subscribers.

My kids discovered one of these projects on TikTok and got to see me in a very fun role, as a greedy, vain, and murderous stepmother who'll stop at nothing to see her son climb to the top of the social and corporate ladders in pursuit of riches and prestige beyond imagination. 'Natch. Yeah, those are fun roles, especially when I get to work with stunt coordinators to make sure I stab and die just right. Bwa ha ha.

In more sedate business terms, creating a short video series means that your audience will expect to see you sharing your knowledge and expertise on a regular basis with them in a recognizable format. Good stuff, as it builds credibility and trust in you and what you offer. I've been doing this for a few years now, with my long-form video series On Camera Tips for Busy Execs and short-form series like On Camera Confidence for Business and my MOMisms. (I have a new series in mind, coming in 2025!)

I've kept mine consistent with the series title on the top of each short-form video, but it's not necessary. Some content creators like to add anticipation by adding "part" to their video titles. The content itself can be tips (one per video, like I like to do), monthly challenges, before and after shots with customer testimonials, reaction shots, or even behind-the-scenes glimpses - especially those with mistakes. (People do like seeing train wrecks and blooper reels.) Create a YouTube playlist on your channel and upload your shorts series there for easy consecutive viewing.

6. Human vs. AI-generated videos

AI makes a terrific assistant, researcher, organizer, and ever-patient teacher, but don't expect it will do all the heavy lifting for you, especially with regard to quality. AI-generated content is still easy to spot and using it too freely will have you lost in a sea of sameness in 2025. While AI can generate basic videos, they're obvious and ultimately self-defeating. Honestly, what intrigues you more? A personable video host speaking with warmth and gentle humor or a series of photos and film clips narrated by an AI-generated voice?

Keep the human connection front and center in your videos and all your social media content. The old marketing tried-and-true axiom still holds in the age of AI: make your marketing about your customers, their pains, and how to solve them. You know your customers best, so tailor your content to their particular needs.

Be very specific, too, when using AI and always work with the results afterwards to put your own voice and thoughts on the material. Speed of content delivery does not trump its quality when it comes to measuring effectiveness. If you're a small business owner or service provider, be front and center in your videos, talking directly to your customers and the unique way you help solve their problems. That's how you'll stand out from your competition.

7. AI tools for your videos

Short-form videos are relatively quick and easy to shoot, particularly since casual, informal content is better received than their professionally-packaged, highly produced counterparts. If you're making long-form videos, typically longer than two minutes, there are some very helpful AI tools that can automate some of the most time-consuming tasks or help clean up things like filler words and long pauses.

Check out Loom AI and Descript to edit out unwanted small sound bites, time and transcribe videos, and create interesting transitions. They and other similar tools can generate video titles and summaries, suggest keywords, and help ideate posts to promote your videos.

You can take this one step further with personalized videos. Loom Variables allows you to add audio variables for customization, such as addressing customers by name. Expect to see more personalized and interactive videos in the future!

8. Live videos, livestreams, and webinars

Want to engage with your audience in real-time? Nothing beats live interaction, especially for a customer or potential client who can have their questions and concerns addressed on the spot.

LinkedIn Live and Zoom offer platforms for hosting, sharing, and recording real-time videos that can be accessed through a simple link. Restream and Streamyard are popular products for sharing and recording live videos across multiple social platforms simultaneously. Webinars remain one of the most popular ways to host workshops, sales presentations, and training on a large scale to virtual audiences.

These tools will only improve in 2025. They all have free versions, but except for LinkedIn Live, also have subscription levels to extend the reach of your live broadcast to larger audiences and across more platforms.

9. Podcasts with a video component

If you're a podcaster, consider (if you're not already) creating a video version of your show. This trend has been gaining traction in 2024 and will only continue to pick up steam in the new year.

• You're missing out if you don't have a video counterpart to your show. YouTube is the 2nd largest search tool after Google (after all, it's owned by Google). With video gaining in popularity, why would you not want to be found when you could have so easily uploaded your video to your YouTube channel?

• Create short video clips of your best conversations with tools like Opus.pro for additional content to attract larger audiences.

• Remember, you can always record a video interview and then strip out the audio for your podcast.

• You probably know this already, but transcribe your video and use for blogs and social media posts. Don't you just love repurposing content in so many ways so easily?!

10. Encourage your customers to create UGC for you

If you're selling a consumer product, consider adding user-generated content (UGC) to the mix. More than just a customer testimonial, UGC content shows someone using your product to make their life or work easier. It can help build trust, and when customers share their own videos, it creates a sense of community and shows others that real people love your products.

You can run fun campaigns or contests where customers share photos or videos they’ve taken with your product. Just know that you'll have to screen your customers carefully so that you have the right people representing you in these videos! They'll need to know how to take decent videos at home with a mobile cell phone, sound, lighting, and background and how to speak to the camera. (Introduce them to my blog, videos, or LinkedIn newsletter if they need pointers, or I can create a basic video that teaches everything tailored to your product for you.) Your customers will also have know how to edit and send you well-framed videos to your specifications, unless you have a post-production team in place.

As an actor, I've seen plenty of postings from companies looking for people to film UGC with their products. Some, in the early days, even offered to send the equivalent of a small taping studio with their product. As an actor, I can tell you that these don't pay very well compared to proper industry standards, but on the flip side, seasoned professionals can film UGC easily from their homes. Just know that as a business, you will be paying for someone to produce UGC for you. Be sure that they're your ideal type of customer and that they know how to create useable content worthy of sharing on your platform, or you'll just be throwing your money away.

What's your video content strategy in 2025?

If you're a bit stumped about how to expand into any of these video trends, let's talk. I can help you strategize and come up with a content plan to boost your visibility, which in turn leads to winning more clients. And if you need to tailor your presentational or speaking skills to the camera, I can help with that, too. (It's my specialty.)

Here's to a strong start in 2025!

Want to learn more? Let's talk!

I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances.

VOICE OVER • ON CAMERA • CONSULTATION & COACHING