Cross-posting the highlights from your YouTube videos to TikTok can be a great way to reach a new audience. And it doesn’t have to be hard work, either. Here are some tips. 

1. Get the clip into the right aspect ratio

The first thing you need to do is make sure the aspect ratio is right for TikTok. Most videos on YouTube are in landscape (19:6), but for TikTok they need to be in portrait size (6:19). You can convert your video into the right aspect ratio quickly and easily. Just make a clip from the YouTube video, copy the link and paste it into the upload bar on StreamLadder. Then select the layout you want and edit it from there. 

2. Add text overlays, subtitles or captions

TikTok is known for its text overlays, which can help to add context to your video and make it more engaging. You can add a simple line of text to highlight important parts of your YouTube clip, add captions or subtitles automatically so people can also watch the video without sound or even add your own commentary. Make sure nothing important gets covered by TikTok’s interface by enabling safe zones.

‍3. Use music or sound effects 

TikTok is a highly musical platform, so adding a catchy song or sound effects to your video can help to make it more engaging and. Music can also create an emotional connection with your audience, set the tone for your video and create a memorable experience for your viewer, which in turn can make your video more shareable and increase its chances of going viral. You can either use one of TikTok's pre-existing soundtracks or add your own music to your video.

4. Let them know who you are

TikTok is great for reaching a new audience due to the algorithm that will show people lots of videos similar to their interests, but the other side of that coin is you only have limited time to make an impression and lots of people will watch your video but won’t stick around long enough to watch others. That’s why it’s a good idea to include some sort of shout out to your account name, to up your chances of being remembered and people finding you on other channels. 

5. Experiment with filters and effects

This is entirely optional, but using filters in your TikTok video can make it more visually appealing, add a unique touch to your content, help you create a specific mood or atmosphere or make your video stand out from others on the platform. TikTok has a variety of filters, from basic color adjustments to more advanced effects like slow-motion, time-lapse and green screen. Experiment with different filters and effects to see what works best for your content. 

6. Keep it short and sweet

TikTok videos are usually around 15 seconds long, so you need to make sure your content can fit within that time frame. Try to focus on the most important parts of your YouTube clip and condense them into a shorter, more digestible format. People often quickly skip to the next video if it isn’t instantly clear what it’s about or nothing interesting is happening, so try to start the video with something striking or an engaging bit of text that lures the viewer to continue watching. 

And that’s it. Go to StreamLadder.com and start turning your YouTube videos into the perfect TikTok right away.

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