✳ PLAYBOOK · EVENT_RECAP · TIKTOK
Live recap short on TikTok
Turn the most interesting moments from a livestream into a short-form recap package.
What to produce
- Livestream highlight clip - 9:16, 60s
- Top moments carousel - 1:1
Recommended inputs
- Livestream VOD
- Stream highlight markers
Platform-specific guidance
- Hook
- Lead with the surprising beat; TikTok rewards pattern interrupts.
- Aspect
- 9:16
- Duration
- 60s
- Captions
- Burned-in recommended
- Reframe 16:9 to 9:16
- Yes
- Safe-zone overlay
- Apply before upload
- Caption guidance
- Burned-in captions; place inside the platform safe-zone.
Workflow
- Scan for highlight markers: Use viewer chat peaks as a proxy. (Workflow)
- Pick top 3-5 moments: Pick by reaction density, not by topic.
- Reframe 16:9 to 9:16: Subject tracking on the speaker. (Reframe)
- Burn captions: Lower-third style. (Burn-in)
- Apply platform safe-zone overlay: Use the TikTok safe-zone overlay so subjects stay visible. (Safe-zone)
Pitfalls to avoid
- Using the entire stream as one clip
- Cuts in the middle of a sentence
Tools and presets
Frequently asked
How do I make a live recap short for TikTok?
Scan for highlight markers; Pick top 3-5 moments; Reframe 16:9 to 9:16; Burn captions.
What aspect ratio should I use on TikTok?
Use 9:16 (TikTok's safe native ratio).
Do I need burned-in captions on TikTok?
Yes - TikTok feeds are predominantly muted, so burned-in captions are essential.
Which export preset should I pick?
TikTok's SAFE_DEFAULT preset is documented at /tools/export/tiktok/reel.
Sources
HubSpot content types overview (verified 2026-09-18) - YouTube Help - Creator playbooks (verified 2026-09-18)