How to Repurpose Long Videos Into Short Clips (Step-by-Step Guide)
Got a long YouTube video, webinar, or podcast? Don’t let it collect dust—repurpose it into short clips for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts!
Short-form video is exploding, and smart creators are recycling existing content to save time and boost engagement.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Best tools for clipping videos
- How to pick the best moments
- Optimizing for each platform (TikTok, Reels, Shorts)
- Pro tips to maximize reach
Let’s dive in!
Why Repurpose Long Videos Into Short Clips?
- Reach new audiences – Short-form platforms have billions of active users.
- Boost SEO – YouTube Shorts can rank in Google search results.
- Save time – No need to film new content from scratch.
Step 1: Choose the Right Clips to Repurpose
Not every part of your long video will work as a short clip. Look for:
- High-energy moments (key takeaways, funny bloopers)
- Engaging questions (“Did you know…?”)
- Quick tips or hacks (“3 ways to…”)
Example:
- Long video: *”30-Minute SEO Masterclass”*
- Short clip: “This ONE trick doubled my organic traffic!”
Step 2: Use the Right Tools to Edit & Resize
Best Free Tools for Clipping Videos:
- CapCut (Best for TikTok/Reels)
- Canva Video Editor (Beginner-friendly)
- Adobe Premiere Rush (Advanced editing)
- YouTube Clipper (Directly trim YouTube videos)
How to Resize for Each Platform:
Platform
TikTok
Instagram Reels
YouTube Shorts
Ideal Aspect Ratio
9:16 (Vertical)
9:16 (Vertical)
9:16 (Vertical)
Max Length
10 min (but 15-30s works best)
90 sec
60 sec
Step 3: Optimize for Each Platform
TikTok & Reels:
YouTube Shorts:
Step 4: Repurpose Different Types of Long Videos
1. YouTube Videos → Short Clips
- Extract key moments (Best tips, reactions, tutorials)
- Use YouTube’s “Cut” feature (Built-in clipping tool)
2. Webinars & Live Streams → Shorts
- Clip audience Q&A (“You asked, we answered!”)
- Highlight testimonials (“This client 10X’d their sales!”)
3. Podcasts → Vertical Clips
- Turn audio into video (Use Headliner.app or Descript)
- Add animated captions (Boosts watch time)
Step 5: Automate & Schedule for Consistency
- Use Repurpose.io (Auto-converts long videos into clips)
- Schedule with Buffer/Hootsuite (Post at optimal times)
Pro Tip: Track Performance & Double Down
- Check analytics (Which clips got the most views?)
- Repost top-performing clips (With slight tweaks)
- Experiment with different hooks
