Playbook · YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, TikTok and LinkedIn
How to make tutorial clips for Shorts, Reels and TikTok
Short answer
Teach one thing in a single short - step-by-step, with captions naming every action. 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: hands + props, screen recording and whiteboard.
The steps
- Pick one thing to teach: If it needs more than 5 steps, split.
- Demonstrate each step: Show, don't just narrate.
- Add step captions: Number each step on screen. (Burn-in)
- Export pack: Vertical short + 1:1 carousel. (Content Pack)
What to produce: 60s tutorial (9:16, 60 s); Step-by-step carousel (1:1).
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 60 s | Plain text | No | Not required |
Tutorial 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
- 60s tutorial (9:16); Step-by-step carousel (1:1)
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
Tutorial clips on Instagram Reels
- Hook
- Lead with motion; Reels favours strong visual hooks.
- Captions
- Burned-in lower-thirds; Reels tolerates heavy captions.
- Deliver
- 60s tutorial (9:16); Step-by-step carousel (1:1)
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
Tutorial clips on TikTok
- Hook
- Lead with the surprising beat; TikTok rewards pattern interrupts.
- Captions
- Burned-in captions; place inside the platform safe-zone.
- Deliver
- 60s tutorial (9:16); Step-by-step carousel (1:1)
Extra steps for TikTok
Tutorial 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
- Step-by-step carousel (1:1)
Starting from a long YouTube tutorial
Produce a long-form YouTube tutorial that walks viewers through a topic step by step.
- Outline the tutorial: Cap at 6-8 main sections.
- Record section-by-section: Use chapters in the upload.
- Companion short: Cut one strong section into a 60s clip. (Workflow)
- Upload long + short: Long as 16:9; companion as Shorts. (Export preset)
Pitfalls to avoid
- Tutorial that needs 5 minutes of context
- Step numbers invisible
- Tutorial that never resolves
- Missing chapters
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 tutorial clips use?
9:16 on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and TikTok and 1:1 on LinkedIn.
How long should tutorial clips be?
YouTube Shorts: up to 60 s, Instagram Reels: up to 60 s, TikTok: up to 60 s and LinkedIn: up to 60 s.
Do tutorial 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.