Your audience isn’t ignoring you. Your message is just too long.
In motion graphics, clarity beats length every time. While you might feel that every detail is essential, trying to say everything at once can cause your core message to get lost or, worse, ignored.
So, how do you ensure your message is received? By trimming the excess and finessing your delivery.
The Problem With Long Messages
We often receive scripts that are just a little too long. They want to showcase every feature, every benefit, and every detail because it all matters to our clients. And it does. But the danger of cramming everything into a single video is that your audience won’t retain any of it.
Attention spans are short. The longer your message, the more likely your audience will scroll away before getting to the point. Instead of overloading your viewer, the goal should be clarity, not quantity.
Trimming the Fluff: Say More With Less
A good message doesn’t need to be long. It needs to be clear.
Take this example:
Before (Long and Cumbersome)
"Motion graphics help break down complicated information by transforming raw data and abstract concepts into visually appealing and dynamic animations, allowing viewers to grasp key points more quickly and effectively."
That’s a mouthful. The message is buried in unnecessary words. Now, let’s trim the fluff:
After (Concise and Effective)
"Motion graphics simplify complex information into clear, engaging visuals."
Same idea, but now the message is direct, digestible, and impactful.
Breaking It Down: The Power of Shorter, Targeted Videos
Sometimes, a script feels impossible to cut because there is too much information to fit into one short video. But what if you didn’t have to?
One studio head suggests an alternative approach. Instead of trying to fit everything into a single 60-second video, break it down into multiple 15-second videos.
Why this works:
Keeps each message focused. One key idea per video means your audience retains it.
Targets different audiences. Tailor each video to different segments instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.
Increases engagement. Shorter videos are more likely to be watched in full.
Many brands now use short-form video content to generate interest on social media. These videos, often under 15 seconds, tease the full content rather than trying to explain everything at once. They introduce the core idea, giving the audience enough information to spark curiosity. If viewers want more details, they can click through to watch the full video, read a document or find the landing page.
For example, imagine a company launching a new software tool. Instead of a single one-minute explainer video, they could create a series of 15-second videos, each addressing a different pain point:
Video 1: A quick demo of the software’s most exciting feature
Video 2: A customer testimonial on how it saves time and improves workflow.
Video 3: A breakdown of a key challenge the product addresses, visually illustrating the before-and-after impact.
These short-form videos deliver just enough information to engage a specific audience while leading them toward the full content. This approach keeps messaging clear, digestible, and action-driven, making it an effective strategy for boosting social media engagement.
Final Takeaway: Make Every Second Count
Viewers scroll fast. If your message takes too long to get to the point, they won’t stick around to hear it.
Instead of overloading a single video, focus on clarity, trim the excess, and keep it sharp. When there is too much to fit, find other ways to highlight all the elements, like breaking it into multiple targeted videos.
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