✳ PLAYBOOK · COMMENT · TIKTOK
News segment short on TikTok
Recap one news item with primary sources cited on-screen.
What to produce
- 90s news recap - 9:16, 90s
- Threaded recap - (no aspect)
Recommended inputs
- Article clip
- Press release
- Stocks / charts
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
- Pick the story: One story per clip.
- Cite the source on-screen: Show the publication name and date. (Burn-in)
- Add commentary: Three sentences max.
- Reframe for TikTok: 16:9 to 9:16 reframe; subject tracking. (Reframe)
- Apply platform safe-zone overlay: Use the TikTok safe-zone overlay so subjects stay visible. (Safe-zone)
Pitfalls to avoid
- Speculation framed as news
- Missing source caption
Tools and presets
Frequently asked
How do I make a news segment short for TikTok?
Pick the story; Cite the source on-screen; Add commentary.
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)