How to Create Short-Form Content That Drives Sales

Summary:

Gen Z founders are now using TikTok-style videos to share funding news—and ignite interest.

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Why concise pitch videos matter now

Startups led by Gen Z founders are swapping press releases for cinematic TikTok‑style funding announcements—and it’s showing real ROI. According to Business Insider, these videos “are more likely to stick around in the feed” and algorithms favor them over text or links.

Josh Machiz, partner at Redpoint Ventures, emphasizes that “startups…must master their own media”—because traditional news coverage is drying up.

A venture-backed AI startup crashed its own servers after a $140K video launch went viral.

Anatomy of an effective under‑60‑second pitch

1. Strong visual hook (0–3 s)Grab attention immediately—show your product or brand in motion.

   
   

2. Problem + impact (3–20 s)State the issue and how your solution fixes it—in plain, quantifiable terms.

   
   

3. Funding news + celebration (20–40 s)Showcase company milestones or visuals from your journey.

   
   

4. Call‑to‑action + social proof (40–60 s)Close with a simple CTA: visit your site, follow you, or join a waitlist.

Gen Z founders at brands like Bland, Wander, Cluely, and Hedra use this structure to engage investors and customers directly via video feeds.

“A photo is good, but a video is worth a thousand photos.”

—Kyle Tibbitts, CMO at Wander

Performance benchmarks

Metric	Target Range
Video length	30–60 seconds
Engagement uplift	2–3× compared to still posts
Post‑release sales surge	+20–50% within 72 hours
Cost range	$2K (DIY)–$140K (high‑end)

How to launch your own short‑form pitch

• DIY vs. pro studio

  Simple founder-shot clips can cost as little as $2K, while narrative-style productions may exceed $100K (source)

  
  

• Repurpose your media

  Use existing company assets—drone shots, demo footage—to cut costs and boost polish.

  
  

• Write a tight script

  Stick to one key message. Find inspiration in top-performing formats like Our Future’s 60-second funding decks.

  
  

• Edit with rhythm and flair

  Transitions, text overlays, and punchy sound design keep viewers glued.

  
  

• Optimize for platforms

  Vertical (9:16), ≤60 sec, captions on—think TikTok, Reels, Shorts.

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