Playbook · YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, TikTok and LinkedIn
How to make screen recording clips for Shorts, Reels and TikTok
Short answer
Walk the viewer through one screen-recorded task step by step, with captions naming every click. Deliver 9:16 on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and TikTok and 1:1 on LinkedIn. Burn captions in on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and TikTok; the others take plain text.
Start from: screen recording + voiceover.
The steps
- Pick one task: If the task has more than 5 steps, split into multiple clips.
- Record screen + voice: Use a clear microphone. (Workflow)
- Crop / zoom to the action: Make every click readable. (Reframe)
- Burn captions: Lower-third or call-out style. (Burn-in)
What to produce: 60-90s tutorial short (9:16, 90 s); Long-form full tutorial (16:9, 600 s).
Platform by platform
| Platform | Aspect | Length | Captions | Reframe from 16:9 | Safe zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 | up to 60 s | Burned in | Yes | Apply before upload |
| Instagram Reels | 9:16 | up to 60 s | Burned in | Yes | Apply before upload |
| TikTok | 9:16 | up to 60 s | Burned in | Yes | Apply before upload |
| 1:1 | up to 90 s | Plain text | No | Not required |
Screen recording clips on YouTube Shorts
- Hook
- First 3 seconds decide Shorts retention - open on the strongest beat.
- Captions
- Burned-in captions; Shorts allow heavier caption styling.
- Deliver
- 60-90s tutorial short (9:16); Long-form full tutorial (16:9)
Extra steps for YouTube Shorts
- Apply platform safe-zone overlay: Use the YouTube Shorts safe-zone overlay so subjects stay visible. (Safe-zone)
YouTube Shorts export preset · YouTube Shorts safe-zone overlay
Screen recording clips on Instagram Reels
- Hook
- Lead with motion; Reels favours strong visual hooks.
- Captions
- Burned-in lower-thirds; Reels tolerates heavy captions.
- Deliver
- 60-90s tutorial short (9:16); Long-form full tutorial (16:9)
Extra steps for Instagram Reels
- Apply platform safe-zone overlay: Use the Instagram Reels safe-zone overlay so subjects stay visible. (Safe-zone)
Instagram Reels export preset · Instagram Reels safe-zone overlay
Screen recording clips on TikTok
- Hook
- Lead with the surprising beat; TikTok rewards pattern interrupts.
- Captions
- Burned-in captions; place inside the platform safe-zone.
- Deliver
- 60-90s tutorial short (9:16); Long-form full tutorial (16:9)
Extra steps for TikTok
- Apply platform safe-zone overlay: Use the TikTok safe-zone overlay so subjects stay visible. (Safe-zone)
Screen recording clips on LinkedIn
- Hook
- Lead with the contrarian or non-obvious point; LinkedIn rewards dialogue.
- Captions
- Burned-in captions are essential; LinkedIn feeds are predominantly muted.
- Deliver
- Long-form full tutorial (16:9)
Pitfalls to avoid
- Cursor disappears under captions
- Audio too quiet
- Tutorial assumes too much prior knowledge
Turn one source into the clips
Koldflux turns one long video into ready-to-post vertical clips with captions.
Questions people ask
What aspect ratio should screen recording clips use?
9:16 on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and TikTok and 1:1 on LinkedIn.
How long should screen recording clips be?
YouTube Shorts: up to 60 s, Instagram Reels: up to 60 s, TikTok: up to 60 s and LinkedIn: up to 90 s.
Do screen recording clips need burned-in captions?
YouTube Shorts: burned-in recommended, Instagram Reels: burned-in recommended, TikTok: burned-in recommended and LinkedIn: plain text is enough.
Related playbooks and guides
Sources
- YouTube Help - Creator playbooks, verified September 18, 2026.
- HubSpot content types overview, verified September 18, 2026.