How to make YouTube Shorts
A good Short comes down to three things: the right moment, the right format, and a hook that stops the thumb. Here is the method, by hand or automated.
Where do I find good Shorts in my videos?
Look for passages that stand on their own: a crisp answer to a question, a story with a punchline, a practical tip. A good Short makes sense without the rest of the video.
By hand, that means rewatching the whole thing; a transcript lets you spot those passages by reading. That's what an AI clip generator does.
Why do the first seconds matter so much?
In a short-form feed, people decide very fast whether to keep watching. Open on the strongest line of the passage, even if it means cutting the intro.
An on-screen hook title at the start helps too (a €1 option in Clipotte). Techniques are in the hook of a short video.
What format should a Short be?
A Short is vertical, 9:16, ideally 1080 × 1920 pixels. To go from landscape to vertical, you either crop to the subject or place the whole frame on a blurred background.
The pros and cons of each are compared in horizontal to vertical video. For length, check the current limit in YouTube Help.
Do I need captions?
Yes: plenty of people watch short videos muted. Big, readable captions with the active word highlighted hold attention.
Always proofread them: a misspelt name stands out immediately. In Clipotte, you fix the text right in the editor.
How do I automate the cutting?
Clipotte transcribes your video, suggests the best moments with a score out of 99, reframes to 9:16 on the speaker and adds optional animated captions. You fine-tune in the editor, then export in 1080p with no watermark.
You pay per video processed, from €4.90 for up to 30 minutes, no subscription. Details in turning a YouTube video into Shorts.
Price for this video : €9.90
Upload my videoNo subscription · 1080p export, no watermarkFrequently asked questions
How long can a Short be?
YouTube's limit has changed before: check the current maximum in YouTube Help before posting.
Should I repost the same clip on TikTok?
The same vertical clip works on TikTok, Reels and Shorts; just adapt the caption to each platform.
Can a Short link to my long video?
Yes, YouTube lets you link a Short to a video on your channel: that's the whole point of cutting up your long videos.
Can I make Shorts from my phone?
Yes: Clipotte runs in the browser on phones and computers, with nothing to install.