The Ultimate Guide To Short Video Ads (Why They Work, Platforms & More)

June 4, 2025

18 minutes

Lorenzo Nicolini

CEO at Moonb

The Ultimate Guide To Short Video Ads (Why They Work, Platforms & More)

You’ve crafted the perfect commercial video for your product or service. You just have to get it in front of your target audience. So, you upload it to your website and share it on social media. What’s next? The next step is to create short video ads that will help you promote your commercial. These bite-sized videos are perfect for paid social media ads, like Instagram and Facebook ads, and can even be used on Google to promote your business. Not only are they great for driving traffic to your website, where you can showcase your commercial, but they also allow you to deliver your message to your audience quickly and concisely. If you're still in the early stages, understanding how to make commercial videos can give you a solid foundation for crafting compelling content that resonates with viewers. In this article, we’ll discuss short video ads and their benefits, how to create them, and what to include to help you achieve your goals.
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Short video ads can help you get your message across to your audience while they’re looking for something different online. At Moonb, we create educational video production services that help you achieve your business goals. Short video ads can attract an audience, inform them of your products or services, and increase sales. Reach out today to learn how we can help you with your short video ads and other online video goals.

Why Short Video Ads Work?

Creating short video ads is cheaper than making longer video ads. This is because short-form video ads need fewer resources to produce and can even be filmed on your smartphone. If you’re strapped for cash, creating short video ads is a great way to promote your business without breaking the bank.

Short Video Ads are Easy to Repurpose

Another great benefit of short video ads is that they’re easy to repurpose. You can use them across multiple social media platforms to boost your visibility and engagement.

You can even restructure your videos to create paid ads. Most social media platforms have length restrictions for ads, but short video ads are typically so brief that they easily fit within these limits.

People Love Short Video Ads

Research shows that audiences enjoy short video ads. They want them and prefer them over longer content.

According to a report by Ofcom, 16-24-year-olds spend an average of 53 minutes a day watching TV but 57 minutes a day on TikTok. And this is just TikTok, not to mention other short video content on apps like Instagram and YouTube.

They're Great for Social Media

We’ve mentioned the same short video ads and social media, and that’s what they’re becoming. All of TikTok's content is video, which now takes up 30% of the time people spend on Instagram.

People are looking for short video ads on social media, so by giving them what they want you can increase your visibility and popularity on these platforms.

Better for Declining Attention Spans

The average human attention span is ever-shrinking. Instead of pouring all your time and effort into a longer video that may not get watched through, it makes more sense to work on multiple shorter videos focused on one specific point or feature.

This is a great way to combat shrinking attention spans and make your videos more memorable for viewers.

How Moonb Helps Your Business in Creating Why Short Video Ads Work

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Moonb helps businesses create short video ads by blending creative expertise with strategic execution without all the hassle that usually comes with video production. Whether you're looking to boost brand awareness or drive clicks through social, Moonb steps in as your all-in-one video partner. You don’t need to worry about juggling freelancers or overloading your internal team; we handle everything from concept to delivery.

Moonb’s Approach to Video Production

We start by getting to know your brand, voice, and goals. Then we craft video content that doesn’t just look great and perform, whether that means high engagement on Instagram, click-throughs on LinkedIn, or driving signups through paid campaigns.

Because most people watch social videos without sound, we ensure your message is loud and clear with bold on-screen text and sharp visual storytelling.

Collaboration is Key to Moonb’s Video Production Process

Everything we do is designed for smooth collaboration. You’ll get access to our team via:

Trello
Slack
MS Teams
Plus weekly strategy calls to keep things moving

Since we’re subscription-based, there’s no long-term commitment just consistent, high-quality content that fits into your marketing flow. With Moonb, short-form video becomes a powerful, stress-free tool in your business toolkit.

3 Best Platforms for Short Video Ads

1. TikTok: The Titan of TikToks

TikTok reigns supreme in the world of short-form video ads. Creating a commercial for TikTok is a great way to reach Gen Z and younger millennials who comprise nearly 60% of the platform’s audience.

TikTok has a super-easy-to-navigate interface, and its editing tools help you create engaging ads that perform well on the platform. TikTok ads can appear between organic TikToks and users’ profile pages on users' For You pages. The platform allows brands to create custom ads to reach specific audiences based on their interests, demographics, and behaviors. TikTok also lets you track your ad performance in real time so you can make any necessary adjustments on the fly.

2. Instagram Reels: Short and Sweet Ads for a Visual Platform

Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms with over 1 billion users. The platform’s focus on visual content makes it a great place for brands to showcase their products and services, so it’s no wonder Instagram ads boast an average click-through rate of 0.75%, higher than those for Facebook and YouTube.

Instagram Reels, the platform’s answer to TikTok, allows users to create short, 60-second videos set to music featuring various editing tools and effects. When it comes to Instagram ads, brief is best. Users want to see creative, engaging Reels ads that get to the point quickly and don’t waste their time.

3. YouTube Shorts: The Best of Both Worlds

As the “grandfather” of online video, YouTube has been a major player in the industry since 2005. And with the introduction of YouTube Shorts in 2020, the platform competes directly with TikTok and Instagram for short video dominance. YouTube Shorts allows users to create short, vertical videos that are 60 seconds or less.

And while YouTube is known for hosting long-form video content, the new feature caters to the popularity of short videos and their potential for virality. YouTube Shorts also come with many benefits, including monetizing your content and accessing a massive audience. YouTube is the second most visited website in the world (after Google) and boasts over 2 billion monthly users.

Integrated Approach

Moonb is a video marketing agency that offers corporate video services. We provide seamless project management integration via:

Trello
Slack
MS Teams
Weekly strategy calls
A contract-free, full-service production approach

Moonb stands out as a superior alternative to:

Traditional video agencies
Freelancers
In-house production teams

Subscription Model

Our flexible, subscription-based model combined with our expertise in creating compelling video content positions us as the ideal partner for companies looking to elevate their marketing and educational initiatives through the power of video. Start a 3-day free trial with our corporate video services to take your content to the next level.

How to Create Effective Short Video Ads

The first few seconds of short video ads are crucial. Eye-catching visuals, engaging captions, or an intriguing question can help grab attention instantly. You want to hook viewers immediately so they keep watching and don’t scroll past your ad.

Use Captions and Bold Text for Accessibility and Impact

Many users watch short videos without sound, making captions vital to effective short-form video ads. Adding bold, easy-to-read text enhances accessibility while reinforcing key messages.

Leverage Trends and Sound Bites to Increase Relatability

Incorporating trending sounds, challenges, and formats helps brands create shareable and relatable content. When a business aligns with trending sounds, the advertisement will likely go viral and reach larger audiences.

Maintain Messaging Clear, Concise, and Aligned to Brand Identity

Given the limited timeframe, every second of a short-form video ad must serve a purpose. A clear, concise message and consistent branding ensure the ad leaves a lasting impression.

Leveraging Short-Form Video for Marketing Success

Before creating short video ads, brands must take time to understand their target audience. Gathering insights about audience preferences and pain points will help marketers create content that resonates with viewers to drive results.

Brands can collect data through surveys and social media analytics. Developing audience personas will help with creating targeted content.

Use Authentic Storytelling in Short Video Ads to Build Trust

Short video ads don’t leave much time for brand messaging. For this reason, it’s critical to hook viewers right away to hold their attention. Authentic storytelling achieves this goal. Instead of featuring a fictitious character, incorporate real people into the narrative of the short video ad.

This could highlight actual customers who use your products or services. It could also involve showing employees behind the scenes to create a video that humanizes your brand. You can also apply humor carefully to make short video ads more entertaining. Ensure the jokes are relatable and align with your brand voice without offending anyone.

Inspire Relatable Short Video Ad Content That Connects with Viewers

Addressing audience pain points in short video ads is a great way to grab attention. The next step is to provide solutions by showcasing how your brand can help. A powerful way to do this is by inspiring short video ad content that features stories of overcoming challenges.

Aim to highlight real customer testimonials that align with your brand values. Ensure your short video ads display genuine emotions. This will enhance audience relatability and build crucial trust.

Prioritize Authenticity over Production Quality for Short Video Ads

The production quality of short video ads matters, but it’s not the most critical factor. Brands should prioritize authenticity over perfection. Many consumers enjoy short video ads that feel real and relatable. Don’t be afraid to create content that tells a genuine story, even if it’s rough around the edges.

Aim to optimize your short video ads by tailoring them to each social media platform’s format and audience preferences. After posting, engage with viewers and analyze results. Use calls to action to encourage interaction and analyze performance for continuous improvement.

Start a 3-day Free Trial to Take Your Content to the Next Level with Our Educational Video Production Service

Moonb is a video marketing agency that offers corporate video services. We offer seamless project management integration via:

Trello
Slack
MS Teams
Weekly strategy calls
A contract-free, full-service production approach

Moonb stands out as a superior alternative to:

Traditional video agencies
Freelancers
In-house production teams

Subscription Model

Our flexible, subscription-based model combined with our expertise in creating compelling video content positions us as the ideal partner for companies looking to elevate their marketing and educational initiatives through the power of video. Start a 3-day free trial with our educational video production services to take your content to the next level.

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Have Questions?

Who exactly is Moonb for?

We’re built for marketing directors, creative directors, founders, or entrepreneurs who know great marketing requires exceptional content but don't have the time, resources, or expertise to build or scale an internal creative department. Whether you have a small internal team or just one overwhelmed designer, Moonb immediately levels up your creative capabilities.

Is this subscription really unlimited?

Absolutely. Submit unlimited creative requests each month, covering animation, design, branding, and strategic creative concepts. We'll tackle them sequentially. One predictable monthly fee, unlimited possibilities.

What's included in the subscription?

Your subscription gives you instant access to your own dedicated Creative Director, motion and graphic designers, and illustrators. Every month, you get unlimited creative deliverables, unlimited revisions, strategic creative direction, weekly strategy calls, and guaranteed turnaround times.

Why should we choose Moonb instead of hiring internally?

Building an internal creative department takes months of hiring, onboarding, and management, and comes with substantial fixed costs and risks. With Moonb, you get immediate, scalable, high-quality creative output, expert strategic input, and total flexibility for less than the cost of a single senior creative hire.

Do I have to sign a long-term contract?

For maximum flexibility, we offer a simple month-to-month subscription without long-term contracts. But if you prefer fixed long-term pricing and predictability, we're happy to create tailored quarterly or annual agreements upon request.

Will Moonb replace my existing creative team?

Not necessarily. Moonb is designed to either fully replace your need for an internal creative team or powerfully complement your existing team, allowing them to focus on what they do best, while we amplify your creative capacity and strategic depth.

What does the onboarding process look like?

Once you subscribe, you will receive an email within a few minutes containing two essential links. The first link directs you to our production platform where you can access all your videos and request reviews. The second link takes you to your customer portal to manage your subscription. Your Dedicated Creative Director will contact you immediately to schedule a first call, during which we'll gather all the necessary information to get started. We'll then create a content strategy plan and begin working on your productions. We will develop a content calendar with precise deliverables and a review process. You can be as involved as you wish or leave it entirely in our hands.

What types of creative projects can Moonb handle?

Almost everything creative: animations (explainer, product launches, campaigns), graphic design (social media, digital, print, packaging), branding (visual identities, logos, guidelines), and strategic creative consultation and concept development. (Web design and development are not included.)

Will I have the working files? What about ownership of the work?

Absolutely, you'll receive the working files, and you'll own all the intellectual property created.

Who will be my point of contact?

As soon as you sign up, you'll be assigned a dedicated video team, supervised by a Creative Director who will be your main point of contact. You will be onboarded to our production platform, where you can oversee the entire process and manage each production.

Do you sign non-disclosure agreements?

Absolutely, your privacy matters to us. We can offer you our standard Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), or you are welcome to provide your own.

How hard is it to cancel a subscription?

Not hard at all, we keep things simple: no documentation or extensive process is involved and you can cancel at any point in time. Just log in to your Moonb account and you can cancel with just a few clicks. Need a hand with this? No worries. You can request assistance via email or directly to your dedicated team.

The Ultimate Guide To Short Video Ads (Why They Work, Platforms & More)