May 01, 2026

Attention spans are getting shorter. Getting people to stop scrolling on social media requires something quick, attention-grabbing, and memorable.

That’s where short-form videos come in. Whether you’re showcasing a listing, sharing buying tips, or offering a glimpse into your day-to-day, short-form videos—lasting from about 10 seconds to three minutes—can increase your visibility on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Need help getting started? A simple short-form video structure to follow is:

• Introduce the hook. Draw in potential clients with a “did you know” question, market stat, or a simple tip, such as, “Here is the number one thing you need to know to sell your home faster.”
• Make a connection. Explain the problem or challenge with a relatable scenario, story, or example.
• Offer a solution. Keep it simple, useful, and actionable.
• Include a soft call to action. Encourage your viewers to engage by using a house emoji or a certain word in the comment section to get more information from you.

Take a Moment to Prep Before You Hit Record

While there are many easy-to-use editing tools available—including some within social apps—not every issue can be resolved during the editing process. A little preparation will save you time and effort.

Clean your lens. Avoid letting smudges or fingerprints cause a blurry or unfocused appearance.

Check, check … the microphone. Sure, you can add captions, voiceover, and music. However, that may not be the tone you are going for. Conduct a test to make sure there isn’t an echo or background noise.

Avoid overhead and backlighting. Bad lighting is distracting. Lights overhead can create shadows under the eyes, while bright light from a window behind produces a silhouette effect that makes you appear dark. If you are near a window, shoot with the natural light in front of you, softening the light with a curtain or lightweight fabric.

Frame your shot. You can zoom in closer in the edit, but you can’t zoom out. Give yourself options by leaving headroom and extra space around you.