These days, video is absolutely essential to get people to discover your business and their next must-have product.
I’ve found some of my favorite businesses and products from videos that I saw scrolling on Instagram or Tiktok. #Tiktokmademebuyit is no joke.
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According to Wyzowl, 89% of businesses use video as a marketing tool, and 73% of marketers believe that videos between 30 seconds to 2 minutes — the sweet spot for Tiktoks, Shorts, and Reels — are the most effective in reaching audiences.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro at stopping folks mid-scroll, or you’re just getting started (seriously, just start posting!), I’ve gathered 16 social media video examples across four of the most popular platforms that are sure to give you some ideas. Many of these don’t need a fancy camera or a huge production budget.
And when you‘re ready to create your own, check out HubSpot’s free AI-powered video maker, Clip Creator, which can convert text into scroll-stopping videos.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
4 Instagram Reels Examples
1. Sunrise Ceramics
Instagram is a great place for artists to show their work. Riley O’Neil is the potter behind Sunrise Ceramics. In his reels, he talks through his process of making the pieces that end up in his shop.
There’s something therapeutic about watching artists create their work. It’s inspiring and motivating to see how much love and care people pour into their creations.
What I like: You can see how he masterfully shapes the mounds of clay into beautiful pieces of pottery, and it’s so satisfying watching the clay get taller and taller, and then seeing the colorful clay show through.
2. Patagonia
Patagonia is known for valuing environmental sustainability. In this reel, they explain why they will no longer use materials with PFAS, a class of molecules that’s used in making materials water repellant.
As a consumer, I appreciate it when companies share what they value and how those values guide their business. To do this, you could show where you source your raw materials, show a factory tour, or introduce your partners.
What I like: They managed to explain a complicated topic (PFAS) and their reasons why they’re no longer using it quickly.
3. Mixed
Mixed is a Brooklyn-based clothing company founded by Japanese-Iranian-American designer Nasrin. This video is a behind-the-scenes look at the shoot for their Spring 2025 collection. The vibe is light, fun, and casual, which says a lot about the brand.
Not only does this reel give a preview of the upcoming collection, but seeing the models have fun in the clothes also sends the message that the clothes are comfortable and easy to wear.
What I like: I absolutely love behind-the-scenes footage, especially when people are enjoying what they do.
4. Brevite
Brevite is a company that makes colorful camera bags. In this reel, one of the founders talks about a problem that he kept running into while doing product research — that all camera straps were black. He then asks their followers to suggest the colors that they want to see.
At the time of writing, this reel got over 80K views and over 300 comments from people not only suggesting colors, but also sharing why they love a simple black strap.
My takeaway from this social media video example is that if you’re stuck in a rut, don’t be afraid to reach out to your customers on social media and ask them what they would like to see.
What I like: I like how they paced this video. They hooked me with “the problem,” and then roped me in to suggest a solution. As a customer, I’m always happy to chime in.
4 TikTok Video Examples
1. Golloria
Golloria George is a well-respected beauty influencer who tackles inclusivity (or the lack thereof) in the makeup industry by testing products to see if they’re suitable for women with dark skin tones like her.
In this video, she’s promoting a blush product that she co-created with Rhode, a makeup brand founded by Hailey Beiber.
Some history: In September 2024, Golloria reviewed Rhode’s newly launched blush line, Pocket Blush. She found that the blushes she tested left an ashy cast on her skin.
In a surprising twist, Beiber took this as an opportunity to improve Pocket Blush shades and invited Golloria to help them develop shades that work better for black people and make the product more inclusive.
Brands, take note. Don’t be afraid to engage with bad reviews.
What I like: Instead of ignoring Golloria’s review, they embraced the criticism, took accountability and created a partnership. As a result, they created a more inclusive product line and expanded their customer base. I call that a win.
2. Duolingo
Love it or hate it, the saga of Duo’s death and apparent resurrection gripped the internet. I remember being in shock when I heard that Duolingo was killing off its mascot, Duo. At the time of writing, his “death” via cybertruck had over 2 million likes and tens of thousands of comments.
You don’t have to kill your mascot, though, to get engagement. But as DuoLingo did, you can create a story and tell it in a handful of posts.
What I like: Even though they literally killed off their mascot, the comment section was largely positive. Many people shared sympathies and bragged about their streaks. Even brands chimed in. Some of my favorites: Hyatt said, “Duo was just on vacation. We have the receipts,” while Tide Rescue said, “Guess you don’t need help cleaning up!”
3. Viz Media
Viz Media is a company that publishes manga and licenses and distributes Japanese films and anime. They have a weekly series that provides a brief roundup of the latest chapters of the manga they just released. It‘s been a hit among fans who may read multiple Viz Media titles and have a hard time remembering what’s out and what’s next.
What I like: For me, this is a great example of a brand knowing its audience and providing a service that their fans will enjoy.
4. Scrub Daddy
Some of Scrub Daddy’s most popular TikTok videos feature a narrator explaining new products in a straightforward, candid way with a sprinkle of wry humor. This video debuting its spring lineup of sponges is a great example.
If you made it this far, you may be starting to see that a lot of these businesses have a distinct voice on social media. I’ve been there. But don’t worry if you don’t find it right away. If you’re just starting out, don’t be afraid to experiment and try out different styles to see what works for you and your brand.
What I like: The video has no frills, just the sponges and a narrator. I also enjoy that they acknowledge goofs with the narrator saying that the video is not centered.
4 YouTube Shorts Video Examples
1. DJI
I love this one because it’s show AND tell: Not only does DJI show you what you can achieve using their cameras and drones, but they also show you how you can do it, too.
YouTube is my go-to platform whenever I need a quick tutorial. These behind-the-scenes looks can be a way for your customers to learn new techniques that they might want to incorporate into their workflow or routine.
What I like: This video shows both the process and the end result in one sleek video. Personally, it grinds my gears if I have to go find another reel just to see the finished product.
2. Beardbrand
Beardbrand is a men’s grooming company that sells beard and hair care. A lot of their shorts show their talented barbers giving men a makeover using Beardbrand products. The men’s genuine reactions after the barbers work their scissors are so heartwarming.
What I like: When trying to promote products on Shorts, consider bringing in experts to walk viewers through the best way to use your products and have them share some tips and hacks. I think this video is a perfect example of how effective this strategy can be.
3. OG Slimes
OG Slimes is a company that sells colorful slimes in a variety of textures and scents. Their videos are the perfect example of “show and don’t tell.” This video rates the “scoopability” of their latest releases. Watching the scoop run through the slimes and hearing the slimes pucker is just so satisfying.
What I like: I love that the products speak for themselves. The videos engage the senses and make you feel like you’re playing with the product. If your product lends itself to ASMR sensibilities, lean into that. OG Slimes’ videos get tens of thousands of views, with some getting millions of views.
4. Woobles
This is touching. Woobles is a company that sells crochet kits. Emelia, their social media “woobler,” started crocheting Milly the Million Follower snake in April 2024, adding bands as they gained more followers. The series started on TikTok before switching over to YouTube. They finally reached their millionth YouTube subscriber in 2025, and with Emelia adding a gold tongue to match their Gold Play Button.
These videos got a lot of engagement from subscribers. Fans cheered her on in the comments and answered questions when Emelia asked them. Subscribers even moved with them when they switched platforms. People were invested in the snake’s progress, and in turn, helped Woobles reach their goal of getting a million subscribers. The lesson here is to engage with your community. Don’t just post and ghost.
What I like: I’m not the biggest fan of snakes, but I have to admit Milly was really cute. I cheered when she finally got her tongue after over a year of being made.
4 Facebook Reels Video Examples
1. Good Grounds Coffee Company
If you’re a small business, Facebook is a great place to engage locals in the community. In this reel, Good Grounds Coffee Company, an all organic coffee shop in Almont, Michigan, shows people what they’re supporting when they go to their coffee shop. Their other reels show ingredients like their live sourdough starter and of course, their coffee beans.
I think this video is a great example of how to leverage your strengths as a small business. So, consider letting your customers get to know you a little bit. Tell your story and share what you and your business are all about. It’s a great way to build goodwill and community.
What I like: I like that they have crafted a cozy aesthetic for their reels. It’s the perfect vibe for a family-owned coffee shop.
2. Netflix
This video manages to capture so much in only a few seconds. You can see the shock, awe, and joy on their faces watching “THAT MOMENT” from Cobra Kai.
The element of surprise, when used sparingly and at the right moment, can work in drumming up excitement for your business. I personally love being let in on a little secret. Suggesting a plot twist, showing off a secret feature, or using the product in some quirky way can make your content stand out.
What I like: It definitely sparked my curiosity. It made me want to find out what “THAT MOMENT” was.
3. I Teach Tiny Humans
On its surface, this video presents helpful tips for parents looking for activities for their young kids. It’s not until you look at the caption that you discover that it’s promoting Inspired Minds, an app that gives parents ideas for age-appropriate activities and helps track feedings, sleep, and milestones. By the time people hit “more,” they’re hooked, curious, and ready to engage with the app.
What I like: I love that they packed so many activities in one short shoot while showing a sample of what parents could see if they download the app.
4. Red Bull
A list about inspiring social videos isn’t complete without Red Bull’s death-defying content. Its famous slogan, “Red Bull gives you wings!” is taken to new heights in this video (pun intended).
What I love about Red Bull’s content is that we all get a glimpse into what it’s like performing unbelievable physical feats without ever leaving the couch.
While not everyone has the capacity nor the budget to film stunts like these, people like to see challenges and triumph. Perhaps, there are ways to set up fun challenges around your product on a smaller scale.
What I like: To be honest, there isn’t much in this video that can be replicated (unless you have a skydiver on retainer), but that’s what makes it fun.
And that’s it. Many of these social media video examples show that you don‘t need a super high-end budget or even a marketing team to spotlight your brand’s products and services. In many cases, all you need is your phone.
I hope that you’ve come away with some ideas to try on your next social video. And if you’re just starting out, use any of these videos as a jumping-off point, and start creating.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in May 2016 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.