Short-Form Video: The 1st 1-3 Seconds is The Most Important

Advice for short-form videos: The first 1-3 seconds is the MOST important.

Don’t say “Hi my name is,” “What’s up guys,” they’re already gone. Long intro, with big pauses, they’re gone.

And don’t do that awkward few second pause unsure if the camera is recording. They’re already fucking gone. You lost.

That’s okay for long-form videos (YouTube) but for short-form (TikTok & IG Reels) make the literal 1st 1-3 seconds compelling.

If I’m talking, I’ll give the title at the top. If it’s footage, I’d do the most compelling shot first, or a flash montage and then travel back to the actual start. Your hook in short-form is in that 1st 1-2 seconds. Not kidding. It’s honestly less than a second.

Also, for platforms like TikTok, every video is going out to new people who don’t follow you. About 95%. That’s one reason why things go viral on there. But it’s also, not your followers. You get a new at bat with every video. So you’re not talking to your followers, you’re talking to new people who don’t know you or what you do nearly every time.

p.s. It’s been a little over a month since I’ve had a hit, 2 weeks spent off grid, but this one looks promising... 500K+ in 2 days. 🙌🏽 My niche may have to be relationship advice w/comedy.