What we cut from
| Source | What usually works as a short | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Podcast episode | A strong opinion, a short story, a quick answer to a common question | A separate camera or audio track per speaker |
| Webinar or workshop | One tip with a clear before and after, a live demo moment | The screen recording at full size, plus the slides |
| Livestream | A reaction, a reply to a viewer question, a surprise moment | The local recording rather than the platform download |
| Talk or panel | The one line people quote afterward, a punchy exchange | Audio from the sound desk if it was recorded |
| YouTube video | A self-contained section that answers one question | The original file, not a re-download |
Finding moments that stand alone
The hardest part of this work is judging what makes sense out of context. A great point at minute 34 often leans on something said at minute 12. We read through a transcript first and mark moments that start cleanly, make one point and end on a beat. Where a clip needs a little setup, a short on-screen line can carry it, or we borrow a sentence from earlier in the recording if it still sounds natural.
How long each short should be
There's no single right length. Quick tips can land in 15 to 20 seconds. A story or an argument often needs 40 to 60. We cut each clip as long as the moment needs and no longer, and we flag any clip that only works at a length one of the apps doesn't allow. Platform limits on length change now and then, so we check the current ones at delivery.
Sound from long recordings
Long recordings drift. Levels change as people lean in and out, rooms hum, and one guest is always quieter than the host. Each short gets its own sound pass so voices sit at an even level and the clip doesn't jump in volume next to other posts in a feed.
Music and rights
If a recording has background music you don't hold rights to, we cut around it or mute it. For added music, we use a library you have a license for, or leave the clip without music so you can add a sound inside the app when you post.
Questions
Can you work from old recordings?
Yes. A back catalog of episodes or webinars is a good source for the first few batches while new recordings build up.
Do you need a transcript?
No. We make one as part of the job. If you already have one, send it along with the files.
Got a long video and an empty posting calendar? Tell us what you record, how often, and how many shorts you want each month.
Request a quote