In today’s digital landscape, content is king. But when it comes to content creation, one size doesn’t fit all. Content creators need to master the art of length, knowing when to use short-form and long-form content. But how do you know which one to use? And what are the advantages of each? Join us as we explore the differences between short and long-form content and help you determine when to use them.
Short-form content
Short-form content refers to brief articles, videos, and social media posts that are typically less than 1,000 words. It’s critical in attracting audiences on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, where users scroll through content swiftly. The goal of short-form content is to grab the viewers’ attention and provide fast, bite-sized information that they can consume on the go. This type of content is perfect for breaking news or updates that you want to share with your audiences. Blog posts with an emphasis on listicles, tips, brand updates, and event reminders are all examples of short-form content.
Some advantages of short-form content include:
- The quick and easy assembly, enabling you to create more content in less time.
- It’s great for the attention span-challenged demographic, as they don’t have to invest a lot of time to take in the content.
- It’s budget-friendly since producing short-form content can typically be done with minimal production resources.
Long-form content
Long-form content, on the other hand, refers to content that’s more than 2,000 words. Unlike short-form content that’s meant to be skimmed, long-form content provides an in-depth look at a specific topic. Long-form content is ideal for brands that are looking to educate their audience on a particular subject. Explainer videos, whitepapers, case studies, and long-form blog articles are some examples of long-form content. Producing comprehensive content establishes thought leadership, and this type of content has a higher search volume and can boost your SEO ranking.
Long-form content is not just more informative, but also provides:
- Increased engagement by holding a reader’s attention for a longer period of time.
- Enhanced SEO value, as search engines value longer content, thereby providing more opportunities for keyword inclusion.
- Long-form content can serve as a great foundation for repurposing smaller assets, like tweets, that can be used to further engage your audience.
When to use short versus long-form content
So which one should you use? It really depends on what you’re trying to achieve. Short-form content is great for capturing someone’s attention quickly and can be easier to consume. With our shorter attention spans, it’s important to hook your audience fast, and short-form content does just that. This is particularly important for social media, where you only have a few seconds to grab someone’s attention. But keep in mind that short-form content can only communicate so much information before it becomes overwhelming.
Long-form content, on the other hand, can provide a deeper level of information on a particular topic. It allows for a more comprehensive look at a subject and can position you as a thought leader in your industry. For example, if you’re a home builder, a long-form blog post on the top trends in home design can position you as an expert in your field. But keep in mind that long-form content takes more time to create and may not be as easy to consume for some people.
Additional considerations to make
One thing to consider is the platform on which you plan to publish your content. For example, LinkedIn is a great platform for long-form content, while Instagram is better suited for shorter posts. Think about where your audience is spending their time and tailor your content accordingly.
Another factor to consider is your overall content strategy. If you’re just starting out or don’t have a lot of resources, short-form content may be the way to go. It’s quick and easy to produce and can help you establish a presence on social media. But if you have the resources and want to create a more in-depth content strategy, long-form content can set you apart from your competitors and provide valuable information to your target audience.
Short-form and long-form content are two essential components of content strategy. Understanding the differences between them can take your content marketing to new heights. The key to successful content creation is striking a balance between them and creating a content strategy that delivers timely updates and useful resources to your audience.
Graphic Language has helped homebuilders thrive online for the past 26 years with thoughtful and creative marketing strategies that drive real-world results. Need help boosting your content marketing strategy in 2023? Let us help.