Playbook · YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, TikTok, LinkedIn and Medium
How to make explainer clips for Shorts, Reels and TikTok
Short answer
Explain one concept clearly enough that the viewer can repeat it in their own words. Deliver 9:16 on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and TikTok and 1:1 on LinkedIn and Medium. Burn captions in on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and TikTok; the others take plain text.
Start from: whiteboard, screen recording and talking head + graphics.
The steps
- Define the concept in 1 sentence: If you can't, the concept isn't ready.
- Storyboard 3 beats: Confusion to insight to application.
- Record screen + narration: Screen recording with voiceover; no face needed. (Workflow)
- Caption key terms: Use term-on-screen, not full narration. (Burn-in)
- Export + thread summary: Vertical short + textual summary. (Content Pack)
What to produce: 90s explainer short (9:16, 90 s); Threaded summary (no fixed ratio).
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 | |
| Medium | 1:1 | up to 90 s | Plain text | No | Not required |
Explainer 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
- 90s explainer short (9:16); Threaded summary (no fixed ratio)
Extra steps for YouTube Shorts
- Reframe for YouTube Shorts: 16:9 to 9:16 reframe; subject tracking. (Reframe)
- 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
Explainer clips on Instagram Reels
- Hook
- Lead with motion; Reels favours strong visual hooks.
- Captions
- Burned-in lower-thirds; Reels tolerates heavy captions.
- Deliver
- 90s explainer short (9:16); Threaded summary (no fixed ratio)
Extra steps for Instagram Reels
- Reframe for Instagram Reels: 16:9 to 9:16 reframe; subject tracking. (Reframe)
- 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
Explainer clips on TikTok
- Hook
- Lead with the surprising beat; TikTok rewards pattern interrupts.
- Captions
- Burned-in captions; place inside the platform safe-zone.
- Deliver
- 90s explainer short (9:16); Threaded summary (no fixed ratio)
Extra steps for TikTok
Explainer 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
- Threaded summary (no fixed ratio)
Explainer clips on Medium
- Hook
- Open with the confusing part. Promise clarity, not summary.
- Captions
- Key term captions; bold-on-screen definitions help.
- Deliver
- Threaded summary (no fixed ratio)
Pitfalls to avoid
- Animation over substance
- Conclusions that are 'and that's why it matters' (no payoff)
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 explainer clips use?
9:16 on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and TikTok and 1:1 on LinkedIn and Medium.
How long should explainer clips be?
YouTube Shorts: up to 60 s, Instagram Reels: up to 60 s, TikTok: up to 60 s, LinkedIn: up to 90 s and Medium: up to 90 s.
Do explainer clips need burned-in captions?
YouTube Shorts: burned-in recommended, Instagram Reels: burned-in recommended, TikTok: burned-in recommended, LinkedIn: plain text is enough and Medium: plain text is enough.
Related playbooks and guides
Sources
- HubSpot content types overview, verified September 18, 2026.
- YouTube Help - Creator playbooks, verified September 18, 2026.