The Rise of Short Form Content: How Digital Voice is empowering people to use it
What is Short Form Video Content? Think Instagram Reels, Youtube Shorts and Tiktok; any content that can be consumed quickly, often referred to as ‘bite-size’ or ‘snackable’. It creates viral sensations, is a powerful marketing tool and is used by millions of people across the world. The average age of a TikTok user is between 16-24, if you’re not in that age group (Gen X over here!) then it can feel very confusing, and if you don’t have regular access to digital devices either, it becomes just another way that you can be excluded. Digital Voice is doing something about that.
Whilst the rise of short form video has quickly become a powerful way to sell products, launch personal brands and socialise with friends, it can also be harnessed as a tool by activists, with potential to reach a huge global market. We spotted the potential of these platforms to empower the groups of people we work with:
“AS A DIGITAL ORGANISATION FOCUSSED ON DIGITAL EQUALITY, IT’S VITAL WE KEEP UP WITH THE PACE OF TECHNOLOGY SO THAT OUR PARTICIPANTS CAN TOO. BY TEACHING PEOPLE HOW TO CREATE CONTENT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA, THEY CAN BE INCLUDED IN THOSE BIG CONVERSATIONS.”
- Julie Nicholson, Managing Director
Taught as part of our iSkills Content Creation courses, we’ve been working with a variety of groups on bespoke approaches to using short form content. Whether that be young people talking about the effects of anti-social behaviour; adults with learning disabilities discussing self-advocacy; young care leavers offering their peers advice and support; everyone has found a way to get their message across. We’ve even been sharing practical tips for low-cost recipes, which are proving popular amidst the cost of living crisis.
It’s not solely about the messages though, the digital skills that underpin creating the content, will prove very useful in a variety of ways:
“WITH MANY EMPLOYERS NOW REQUIRING AT LEAST BASIC DIGITAL SKILLS FOR THE MAJORITY OF ROLES, OUR SHORT FORM VIDEO COURSE CAN BE AN IMPORTANT STEP TO INCREASE EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS. IT’S ALSO A GREAT WAY TO ENGAGE WITH GROUPS FOR WHOM MAKING LONGER FILMS JUST ISN’T POSSIBLE.”
- Julie Nicholson
If you have a group that would benefit from this and other programmes, have a look at our iSkills courses.