Short-form video has taken over the web. Whether or not your prospects are searching Instagram, watching YouTube, or Googling their subsequent buy, there’s a great likelihood they’ll come throughout a fast video—typically simply 15–30 seconds lengthy.
These movies are extra than simply leisure. They’re powerful advertising tools for selling your small business, connecting with potential prospects, and driving gross sales.
However should you’re investing in video promoting, the massive query is: Which platform provides you the perfect return? Do you have to be utilizing Meta Reels, YouTube Shorts, or Google Video Ads (Discovery and In-Stream)?
On this article, our Melbourne agency breaks down the professionals, cons, prices, and best makes use of for every choice. We’ll additionally discover how they match into your buyer journey, and tips on how to make them work to your targets—whether or not that’s boosting consciousness, getting extra web site clicks, or growing on-line gross sales.
Meta Reels: Excessive Attain, Decrease Value, Nice for Model Consciousness
Meta Reels are full-screen vertical movies proven on Instagram and Facebook. What you are promoting can use them to succeed in individuals who don’t comply with your web page—Reels are designed for discovery and attain, not simply your present viewers.
What Makes Reels Engaging for Enterprise?
Meta (the corporate behind Fb and Instagram) is closely prioritising Reels in its algorithms and advert placements, making it one of the vital cost-effective video codecs for companies.
In keeping with Meta’s Q1 2024 earnings call, Reels now drive over 3.5 billion reshares each day, with time spent on Instagram growing by 24% year-on-year due to Reels. This huge attain, mixed with decrease competitors from different advertisers, helps preserve CPMs down—typically outperforming Tales and Feed advertisements by way of value per impression and discovery potential, particularly for small to mid-sized companies.
Typical promoting prices for Reels (based mostly on Australia & US averages):
- CPM (value per 1,000 impressions): $3.50 – $7.00 AUD
- CPC (value per click on): $0.60 – $1.20 AUD
Reels can attain hundreds of recent prospects for a comparatively low spend. If you happen to’re a small enterprise seeking to construct model recognition, Reels are one of the vital budget-friendly methods to do it.
Greatest Use for Your Enterprise
- Model consciousness campaigns
- Showcasing merchandise in motion
- Behind-the-scenes content material or the way it’s made movies
- Teasers for promotions or occasions
When Reels Would possibly Not Be Preferrred
In case your primary purpose is driving speedy gross sales or web site visitors, Reels might be hit or miss. As a result of customers are in a passive, scroll-and-swipe mindset, they will not be able to click on or purchase right away.
YouTube Shorts: Extremely Participating and Nice for Product Promotion
YouTube’s Shorts are YouTube’s reply to TikTok: quick, vertical movies designed for cell customers. Not like Meta Reels, YouTube customers are sometimes watching with sound on and actively in search of leisure, tutorials, or data.
What’s in It for Your Enterprise?
YouTube Shorts now entice greater than 2 billion logged-in users monthly, making it one of many fastest-growing short-form video platforms on this planet. In 2024, YouTube reported that Shorts generate over 70 billion each day views, with robust engagement throughout each leisure and branded content material.
For companies, this implies an enormous alternative to succeed in and affect audiences—particularly for visible services like style, health, tech, and residential enchancment. As a result of Shorts are native to YouTube, they’re typically seen with sound on and in full display screen, making them best for product demonstrations, tutorials, or testimonials. Google’s AI-driven concentrating on additionally helps guarantee your movies seem in entrance of the fitting viewers on the proper time.
If you happen to’re in search of a format that mixes broad attain with measurable engagement, YouTube Shorts are a sensible funding in 2025 and past.
Typical prices for YouTube Shorts Adverts:
- CPM: $4.00 – $8.00 AUD
- CPC: $0.50 – $1.10 AUD
Shorts are barely dearer than Reels however typically drive higher engagement—particularly in case your content material is beneficial, entertaining, or tells a narrative.
Greatest Use for Your Enterprise
- Product demonstrations
- Brief tutorials or how-tos
- Buyer testimonials
- Fast model tales or ‘why select us’ clips
When YouTube Shorts Shine
If you happen to’re attempting to coach prospects about your product, stand out in a crowded market, or generate curiosity from heat audiences, YouTube Shorts can outperform different codecs.
Google Video Adverts: Exact Concentrating on for Gross sales-Pushed Campaigns
Google Video Adverts can seem throughout YouTube and the broader Google community. Two short-form codecs stand out for companies:
- Discovery Adverts – quick movies within the YouTube house feed or recommended video part
- In-Stream Adverts – 5 to 15-second advertisements proven earlier than or throughout YouTube movies (customers can skip them after 5 seconds)
These advertisements are backed by Google’s search and intent information, which means you’ll be able to attain folks actively researching your services or products.
Why Companies Use Google Video Adverts
Not like Reels or Shorts, Google Video Adverts provide you with entry to detailed intent-based concentrating on—so that you’re not simply promoting to broad audiences, however to folks actively looking for what you provide.
In 2024, Google reported that video campaigns utilizing intent-based viewers segments delivered 20% increased advert recall and 30% extra conversions in comparison with demographic concentrating on alone supply. You possibly can goal based mostly on current searches, web site visits, buying exercise, and even YouTube viewing behaviour.
This makes Google In-Stream and Discovery Video Adverts notably efficient for companies promoting high-consideration services or products, resembling healthcare, finance, skilled companies, or tech. It additionally means your advert spend is extra environment friendly—reaching customers already displaying curiosity, quite than hoping to catch their consideration passively.
For companies seeking to flip consciousness into measurable outcomes, Google Video Adverts provide precision that almost all social video platforms can’t match.
Typical prices:
- Discovery CPM: $5.50 – $10.00 AUD
- In-Stream CPM: $6.50 – $12.00 AUD
- CPC: $0.90 – $2.00 AUD
Sure, it prices extra—however these advertisements typically convert higher, particularly for services or products that require a bit extra consideration.
Greatest Use for Your Enterprise
- Driving visitors to your web site
- Retargeting prospects who didn’t convert
- Selling time-limited presents or gross sales
- Displaying options to a particular drawback
Evaluating Prices and Objectives at a Look
| Format | CPM (AUD) | CPC (AUD) | Works Greatest For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta Reels | $3.50–$7.00 | $0.60–$1.20 | Model consciousness, way of life content material |
| YouTube Shorts | $4.00–$8.00 | $0.50–$1.10 | Product highlights, storytelling |
| Google Discovery Video | $5.50–$10.00 | $0.90–$1.80 | Mid-funnel curiosity, analysis section |
| Google In-Stream Video | $6.50–$12.00 | $1.00–$2.00 | Direct gross sales, lead technology, retargeting |
If you happen to’re working with a restricted finances and need most attain, begin with Reels. If you happen to’re able to promote or retarget individuals who have visited your web site, Google In-Stream is commonly price the additional spend.
The place These Movies Slot in Your Gross sales Funnel
Prime of Funnel (Individuals who don’t know you but)
- Meta Reels: Present your character, merchandise, and values
- YouTube Shorts: Entertain and introduce your model
- Google Discovery: Catch consideration whereas folks browse YouTube
Mid-Funnel (Folks evaluating choices or displaying curiosity)
- YouTube Shorts: Demo merchandise or clarify why your resolution is healthier
- Google Discovery: Educate or retarget current web site guests
- Meta Reels: Share buyer opinions, course of movies, or FAQs
Backside of Funnel (Folks prepared to purchase)
- Google In-Stream: Direct CTA to “purchase now”, “guide right now”, or “get a quote”
- YouTube Shorts: Add urgency or incentives
- Meta (different advert placements): Mix with Reels for remarketing
How one can Create Efficient Brief Movies for Your Enterprise
Creating short-form video content may sound overwhelming, but it surely doesn’t should be. Whether or not you’re recording your first advert on a smartphone or working with a manufacturing group, essentially the most profitable movies are likely to comply with just a few key rules. The excellent news? They’re easy, sensible, and designed to work throughout platforms like Meta Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Google Video Adverts.
Right here’s what makes quick video content material efficient—particularly for small and medium-sized companies:
What to do:
- Seize consideration within the first second – Use daring textual content, movement, or a shocking visible to cease the scroll instantly.
- Shoot vertically – Platforms are mobile-first, so full-screen vertical movies carry out finest.
- Add clear captions – Most individuals watch with pontificate. Captions assist get your message throughout.
- Embody a name to motion – “Store now”, “Study extra” or “Go to our web site” ought to seem on display screen.
- Maintain it quick and centered – Intention for 15–30 seconds. Shorter movies typically result in higher completion and click-through charges.
What to keep away from:
- Overproduction – Shiny, scripted advertisements can really feel misplaced on social platforms. Authenticity wins.
- Reusing widescreen content material – Panorama movies don’t carry out nicely in vertical feeds and should get cropped.
- Sluggish intros – Don’t wait to get to the purpose. Your message ought to land within the first few seconds.
- Leaving branding to the tip – Introduce your small business visually or verbally early on to make an impression.
In keeping with a 2024 HubSpot report, 53% of customers say they’re extra more likely to interact with manufacturers that present actual folks of their movies, and 73% favor short-form content material over conventional advertisements.
One of the best half? You don’t want an enormous finances. A fast, well-lit video of a group member explaining a product or a buyer sharing their expertise can outperform a refined agency-produced advert. It’s all about relevance and relatability.
Prepared to show quick movies into actual outcomes for your small business?
Obtain our free video content guide for tips about what to say, tips on how to shoot, and the place to publish for max impression—no manufacturing crew wanted.
So, Which Video Advert Format Ought to Your Enterprise Use?
Right here’s the underside line:
- Begin with Meta Reels should you’re constructing consciousness on a finances
- Use YouTube Shorts to spotlight your merchandise or share fast suggestions
- Put money into Google Video Adverts if you wish to drive high-quality leads or shut gross sales
The best campaigns use a mixture of all three, matching every video format to a special stage in your purchaser’s journey.
Need Assist Selecting the Proper Video Advertising Technique?
At Digital Freak, we assist small and medium companies in Australia create short-form video campaigns that truly ship outcomes. From idea and inventive to operating the advertisements and reporting on ROI, we deal with all of it.
Whether or not you’re inquisitive about Reels, Shorts, or Google Adverts—or need to use all of them collectively—we might help.
Download our free video marketing guide or book a free strategy session with our group and let’s discover the perfect match for your small business targets.
FAQs
What’s the distinction between Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Google Video Adverts?
Reels and Shorts are organic-style movies proven to customers as they scroll social platforms, whereas Google Video Advert content material seems in search-driven areas like YouTube and Google feeds. Every format fits a special stage of the gross sales funnel. Need assistance selecting the right combination? Ebook a free technique name with our Melbourne group right now.
How a lot ought to I finances for short-form video advertisements?
Budgets fluctuate by platform and purpose, however many small companies begin with as little as $500–$1,500 monthly. Reels are typically the most affordable, whereas Google In-Stream presents high-quality leads at the next value. Let’s tailor a plan to your targets—chat with our Melbourne-based digital group in a free technique session.
Can I exploit the identical video throughout all platforms?
It’s doable, however not best. Every platform has totally different viewers behaviours, specs, and kinds. A video that works nicely on Reels could not carry out the identical on YouTube Shorts or Google. Small edits could make an enormous distinction. Our Melbourne digital company will enable you adapt your content material for every platform. Get began with a free seek the advice of right now.
How do I do know if my video advertisements are working?
The easiest way to see in case your video advertising and marketing marketing campaign is bringing in outcomes is to trace key metrics like value per click on (CPC), video completion charges, conversions, and return on advert spend (ROAS). Every marketing campaign ought to embrace clear reporting to indicate what’s working—and the place to enhance. Desire a video marketing campaign that’s all about efficiency? Ebook a free video advertising and marketing technique name with our Melbourne digital consultants.
What sort of companies get outcomes from short-form video advertising and marketing?
We’ve seen success throughout retail, health, well being, skilled companies, eCommerce, and extra. In case your viewers makes use of social media or YouTube (spoiler: they do), short-format video might help construct consciousness and drive motion. Let’s speak about the way it can be just right for you—schedule a free technique name with our digital advertising and marketing company in Melbourne right now, or obtain our free video information!
You know the way they are saying content material is King? Properly, meet the Queen. Participating and thrilling content material is what I’m right here to create. Whether or not it’s web sites, print, digital, or social graphics – I take your model’s imaginative and prescient and business tendencies and switch them into high-quality content material.
