It isn’t difficult to see that TikTok wants longer videos on its platform. In the summer of 2021, the platform announced that it would be extending the maximum video length from 1 minute to 3 - with more recent extensions to 5 and then 10 minutes in total.
Why?
Because, although short, snappy videos have served the platform well during the initial stages of growth, ultimately longer videos will keep users interested and engaged with the app for longer. This will improve user retention, but also allow TikTok to sell more ad space and increase revenue.
But how does this translate to users?
Ultimately, when a platform like TikTok wants users to do something, they will reward the desired behaviour. This is usually done by increasing organic reach for content that meets their requirements.
Although the exact TikTok algorithm is unknown, users on the platform are already reporting seeing faster growth and greater reach when publishing longer video content. This is a similar approach that we have seen on other platforms like Instagram where users reported seeing much faster growth when consistently posting stories and Reels when they were first released.
Longer videos will also offer your audience more value, making you a more desirable and worthwhile account to follow.
So, investing time in longer videos is clearly worthwhile. But longer doesn’t necessarily mean better. In this article, we offer you 5 tips to nail your longer TikTok videos.
#1 Use Text
Just because you publish a longer video doesn’t mean people are going to watch it. Ultimately, your video needs to be more engaging and interesting in order to convince viewers to watch them from start to finish.
One smart way to do this is to include a text overlay.
When you use a long-ish, but interesting, block of text on your video it encourages viewers to take the time to read it. This can drastically increase the time they watch the video. Taking this approach can also be useful in keeping viewers' attention long enough to ‘sell’ them on the video, boosting the chances that they will continue watching even after they have finished reading.
#2 Find Inspiration
Luckily, there are already some great content creators pushing out quality long-form video content on TikTok. Of course, in the name of originality, you shouldn’t copy these videos, but they can offer some brilliant inspiration for your own.
Seek out creators you look up to and watch their long-form videos. See how they structure them and the types of topics they cover. This will give you a good idea of how to create your own long TikTok videos that really appeal to your audience and keep them watching.
You could also try looking at creators outside your niche to find new and fresh ideas for long-form content.
#3 Plan
Creating a plan for your longer TikTok videos is a great way to ensure that you cover everything you need, whilst also ensuring that you don’t drag out any one particular element too far. This is crucial in maintaining interest in your video.
Of course, there is no need to be too detailed in your plan, as this can lead to an unnatural feel. Instead, use bullet points to highlight the main sections and then deliver those points in a natural way.
For example, you may decide to create a longer TikTok video which teaches viewers how to play a particular tune on the piano. With ten minutes to play with, your plan might look like this:
Introduce yourself
Your credentials (why people should listen to you)
Play the tune you are teaching
Show them the steps
Repeat the tune for them to play along with
Of course, each step needs to be kept short, snappy and exciting - this is especially important on TikTok where viewers expect brevity.
#4 Answer Questions
One great way to make fantastic longer TikTik videos is to answer questions from your audience. This is super simple with the TikTok Q&A feature - just create a video asking viewers to ask you questions on a specific subject and then record your replies.
Although typically creators reply to Q&As with short unedited videos, as you are aiming for a longer video, you may take the opportunity to give real detail in your replies. This could include offering demonstrations or walking the audience through your answer step by step.
For example, a creator that specialises in fitness content may use the Q&A feature to collect requests for specific workouts and then create longer videos detailing each step of that workout.
#5 Montage
One of the biggest challenges of creating longer videos that people actually watch is keeping their attention. This is especially true of TikTok videos as viewers expect short, to the point videos that entertain.
Creating video montages is a great way to keep the viewer's attention. This could be a montage of your top TikToks, or even short videos stitched together which cover a similar topic. Because each clip will have a slightly different look and feel, it will make viewers feel like they are being served fresh content each time the next clip starts.
Longer TikTok Videos: Summary
It is clear that TikTok wants creators to create longer videos on their platform. Those that do are likely to continue being rewarded with greater reach and engagement. However, longer content can be tricky to make, especially when publishing on a platform where users expect to quickly view multiple videos.
Use this guide to nail your longer TikTok videos and increase the value you bring to your audience.