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TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts

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A man sitting out of focus in front of a camera with the words, "TikTok, Reels, and YouTube"

If you don’t remember Vine, you might be under the impression that TikTok was the first short-form video platform to hit the scene. For this blog, we’ll pretend that’s the case (it’s not). In response to the success of TikTok; Instagram Reels and YouTube shorts were created. So. Much. Video. Content. 

If you’re wondering what the differences are between the three and which makes the most sense for you, we created this handy chart that you can download, frame, and hang in your office—to remember us always.

Download Our Infographic

 

We’re about to get real nerdy, so hold onto your computer and keep reading.

TikTok Pros & Cons

Obviously, one pro of TikTok is that it’s the go-to place right now for short-form video content and it continues to grow. In 2022 alone, TikTok introduced tons of new features to improve user experience. It’s incredibly popular with the younger demographic, making it one of the best places to advertise to Gen Z and Millennials. As a bonus, TikTok ads flawlessly blend into the scroll without being overtly obvious.

They aren’t a ton of cons to TikTok. They’re setting the standard for short-form video platforms and with that comes a certain amount of authority. TikTok does require very consistent nurturing. This can be tough– especially if you’re a small business that doesn’t have time to crank out content or a marketing agency that can’t always be on-site to gather content. Another con to keep in mind is that TikTok is banned in certain countries, like India.

Instagram Reels Pros & Cons

Ah, Instagram. Instagram took the freaking cake for social media when it launched in 2010. Has it really been that long? Where does the time go? Instagram has done a lot right, Reels are pretty user-friendly and have a clean interface. There is also an exclusive section to watch Instagram Reels within the Instagram app. The shopping feature is one of the primary advantages since you can buy directly from the app without leaving the platform.

However, Reels are still new(ish) to Instagram and could use some refinement. One of the most annoying things about Reels is that you cannot pause a reel, and you cannot scrub forward or backward. You can mute it though…like ok then. Unlike TikTok, there isn’t a desktop version of Instagram Reels, which means no workplace distractions when you should be giving that Zoom meeting your full attention. 

YouTube Shorts Pros & Cons

We find it rather ironic the platform that set the standard for online video content was the absolute last to create a short-form version. YouTube Shorts lagged behind launching in March 2021 vs. Instagram Reels in August 2020. It’s not without its advantages, though. YouTube shorts are a great way to communicate to your already established following without fussing around with a longer, more polished video. YouTube is a platform used by people young, old, and all over the world– this means your shorts have a chance of being viewed by someone who may not be on Instagram or TikTok.

At this time, and maybe forever and always, YouTube Shorts doesn’t have the popularity of TikTok and Reels. It is getting there…slowly. You also can’t monetize YouTube shorts which is a bummer for some content creators.

Which One’s the Best?

The jury’s out on that one. Deciding which platform is best for you depends on your end-goal and where your account currently stands. Right now, TikTok is king and Instagram Reels are gaining more traction as Instagram changes up its platform to accommodate the digestible, short-form video craze.

The perfect answer to this question doesn’t exist, but if we had to break it down simply and if you scrolled all the way to the bottom of this blog because you didn’t want to read everything else up there, here’s the skinny.

  • Tik Tok is the most popular short-form video app, and newer accounts can see a decent amount of traction on their videos in a short amount of time.
  • Instagram Reels are a great addition to the platform, and Instagram is prioritizing them. Don’t get left behind.
  • YouTube Shorts benefit established YouTube content creators and have less of a niche audience.

In the world of social media, sh*t changes every day, and because of that, this blog will probably be outdated six hours after publishing…kidding-ish.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18099893149922914
The power of the Women's Entrepreneurial Fellowship, in a graduate's own words: "Growth is never accidental, it comes from being willing to learn, adapt, and embrace change. After nine months of dedication, reflection, and business development, I proudly graduated from the Women's Entrepreneurial Fellowship (WEF) during the Small Business Association of Michigan Annual Meeting. Throughout the program, I challenged myself to evaluate every aspect of my business, celebrating what was working while identifying opportunities for growth and improvement. The journey was made even more meaningful through the support of an incredible cohort of women entrepreneurs, the guidance of mentor Gina Jacquart Thorsen, and the leadership of bodespeaks and her team. A sincere thank you to smallbusinessassocofmichigan for investing in second-stage women business owners and creating opportunities that empower entrepreneurs to build stronger, more sustainable businesses." — Mary A. Barton, President and CEO of Equitable Accounting Solutions and proud WEF graduate. Applications for the next cohort are now open. Link in comments.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17903563788460776
"Out of failure comes growth – you have to see it as an opportunity." bodespeaks joined cuzzinjustin on the strictlyfromnowhere Podcast for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, embracing your superpowers, and building a personal brand that's actually yours, the wins, the setbacks, and everything in between. And naturally, dropped an f-bomb or two along the way. You don't want to miss it. Full episode in the comments 👇

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18141485725556889
AI doesn't treat every source equally; it trusts what's credible, cited, and current, like news coverage. Showing up in the right places isn't just good PR. It's how the robots (and the humans) get you right. Read the full blog at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18054365240537765
"If you don't get up and grind every day, the needle isn't gonna move." We sat down with brandonmccraney, founder and Master Blender behind olderaleighdistillery in Zebulon, North Carolina. Brandon spent fifteen years just thinking about whiskey before he finally opened his doors, and even then it took four more years, a dozen rejections, construction delays, and a global pandemic to get there. Two years later, Olde Raleigh had already won Best Micro Distillery in the US. Check out the latest episode of Happy Hour Hustle, where Brandon shares what it actually took to grow a business through COVID, the military discipline that kept him going when everything else said quit, and how working with people turned out to be the hardest part of the job. Listen to Happy Hour Hustle on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and watch the whole episode on Youtube. Link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17895511302506558
It's 9 months that is impossible to sum up in a video - but here's just a taste. This Women's Entrepreneurial Fellowship is resources, mentorship, and connections that you can't build anywhere else. We're so exicted for what the next cohort will bring. Apply now at the link in bio. smallbusinessassocofmichigan