---
name: short-form
description: TikTok, Reels, and Shorts distribution - 9:16 vertical video optimization
mode: subagent
model: sonnet
---

<!-- SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT -->
<!-- SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2025-2026 Marcus Quinn -->

# Short-Form - TikTok, Reels, and Shorts Distribution

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## Quick Reference

- **Purpose**: Optimize content for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Snapchat Spotlight
- **Format**: 9:16 vertical video, 15-90s, hook-first structure
- **Success Metrics**: Completion rate, shares, saves, watch time

**Critical Rules**: Hook in first 1-3s (pattern interrupt or immediate value) · Fast cuts (1-3s max) · 9:16 aspect ratio · 60s sweet spot (15-90s range) · Trending sounds · Captions required (80%+ watch without sound) · No watermarks (cross-posting penalties)

**Platform Pacing**:

| Platform | Optimal Length | Cut Speed | Sound Strategy | Cadence | Peak Times (local) |
|----------|---------------|-----------|----------------|---------|-------------------|
| TikTok | 15-60s | 1-2s cuts | Trending sounds critical | 1-3/day | 6-9am, 12-3pm, 7-11pm |
| Reels | 30-60s | 2-3s cuts | Original audio + trending | 1-2/day | 9-11am, 1-3pm, 7-9pm |
| Shorts | 30-60s | 2-3s cuts | Music library or original | 1-2/day | 12-3pm, 6-9pm |
| Snapchat | 15-30s | 1-2s cuts | Original audio preferred | 1-2/day | 10am-12pm, 5-8pm |

**Content Type Presets**: UGC-style (1-3s cuts, handheld, authentic voice) · Educational (2-4s cuts, text overlays, narration) · Entertainment (1-2s cuts, music-driven, visual hooks) · Product showcase (2-3s cuts, benefit-focused, CTA at end)

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## Hook-First Structure

First 1-3 seconds determine 80%+ of completion rate.

**7 Hook Formulas**:
1. **Bold Claim** — "This AI tool made me $10k in 3 days"
2. **Question** — "Why do 95% of AI influencers fail?"
3. **Story** — "I spent $5k on AI video tools. Here's what worked."
4. **Contrarian** — "Stop using ChatGPT for content creation"
5. **Result** — "From 0 to 100k followers in 30 days"
6. **Problem-Agitate** — "Your AI videos look fake. Here's why."
7. **Curiosity Gap** — "The AI video secret nobody talks about"

**Visual Hook Patterns**: extreme close-up, unexpected action (pattern interrupt), bold text overlay, before/after split, POV shot.

## Script Structure

**4-Part Framework**: Hook (1-3s) · Storytelling (10-30s) · Soft Sell (5-15s) · CTA (1-3s)

- **Hook**: Visual + verbal pattern interrupt, text overlay with bold claim, immediate value promise
- **Storytelling**: Before/During/After arc, problem → failed solutions → discovery, fast cuts (1-3s/shot)
- **Soft Sell**: Solution reveal, benefit-focused, social proof or result, subtle CTA
- **CTA**: Follow for more / link in bio / comment keyword / save for later

**Example Script (Educational, 20s)**:

```text
[0-2s] HOOK
Visual: Extreme close-up of shocked face
Text: "I wasted $5k on AI tools"
Narration: "I spent five thousand dollars on AI video tools..."

[2-10s] PROBLEM → JOURNEY
Visual: Screen recording of failed output → montage of testing (3 x 1.5s cuts)
Text: "95% were garbage" → "Tested 12 platforms"
Narration: "...95% produced garbage. I tested 12 platforms until I found this."

[10-18s] SOLUTION → RESULT
Visual: Side-by-side before/after → analytics screenshot
Text: "10 videos/day now" → "+300% engagement"
Narration: "Now I generate 10 videos per day. Engagement up 300%."

[18-20s] CTA
Visual: Face to camera
Text: "Follow for more"
Narration: "Follow for the full breakdown."
```

## Platform-Specific Optimization

- **TikTok**: Algorithm weights completion rate, shares/saves, comments, watch time. Trending sounds within 24-48h of peak; original for evergreen. 3-5 hashtags (mix trending + niche + branded; avoid banned tags).
- **Reels**: Algorithm weights shares to Stories/DMs, saves, completion rate. Original audio for reach, trending for discovery. 3-5 hashtags in caption or first comment. Cross-post to Feed.
- **Shorts**: Algorithm weights watch time (total minutes), CTR from Shorts feed. YouTube Audio Library or original; voiceover clarity (viewers often have sound on). Front-load keywords in title; use `#Shorts` + 2-3 topic tags. Link to long-form in description.
- **Snapchat**: Algorithm weights unique content (no watermarks/reposts), completion rate, shares. Original audio strongly preferred; no copyrighted music (strict enforcement). No logos/watermarks, no clickbait, limited reach for political content.

## Production Workflow

1. **Script and Storyboard** — hook-first script (6-12 words for hook), shot-by-shot breakdown (1-3s/shot), dialogue pacing (8s chunks for AI video), text overlay and SFX cues
2. **Video Generation**:
   - **Sora 2 Pro** (UGC-style): 9:16, 1-3s cuts, handheld, natural light, seed 2000-3000
   - **Veo 3.1** (cinematic): 9:16, 2-5s cuts, smooth movements, professional lighting, ingredients-to-video workflow
3. **Audio Production** — Voice pipeline: CapCut AI voice cleanup → ElevenLabs transformation. LUFS: TikTok/Reels/Snapchat -10 to -12 (louder for mobile), Shorts -12 to -14. Mix: Dialogue -10 LUFS (primary), Music -18 to -20 LUFS (background), SFX -5 to -15 LUFS
4. **Captions and Text Overlays** — Auto-captions via CapCut, Descript, or platform tools (85-95% accurate — edit for accuracy). Style: bold, high contrast, mobile-readable. Hook text in first frame, 2-3 key-point overlays, CTA text at end. Position: center or lower third (avoid top — platform UI overlap).

## Optimization and Testing

**A/B Testing**: Hook variants (5-10 per topic, same content different first 3s) · Thumbnail variants (Shorts/Reels: 3-5 images, measure CTR) · Sound variants (trending vs original, measure reach and engagement)

**250-Sample Rule**: wait for 250+ views before judging.
- Below 2% engagement → kill
- Above 2% → scale (boost or repost)
- Above 3% → go aggressive (paid promotion)

**Platform Metrics Targets**:

| Platform | Primary Metric | Target |
|----------|---------------|--------|
| TikTok | Completion rate | 60%+ |
| TikTok | Shares | 5%+ |
| Reels | Shares to Stories | 5%+ |
| Reels | Saves | 3%+ |
| Shorts | CTR from feed | 5%+ |
| Shorts | Engagement rate | 3%+ |

Use platform analytics to identify drop-off points in hook (0-3s), mid-video, and CTA sections.

## Cross-Platform Strategy

**Repurposing Workflow**:
1. Create master version (9:16, 60s, captions burned in, no watermark)
2. **TikTok**: add trending sound overlay, 3-5 hashtags
3. **Reels**: original or trending audio, location/product tags, 3-5 hashtags
4. **Shorts**: add title/description, `#Shorts` + topic tags, end screen

**Batch Production**: film 10-20 videos per session, schedule via Later/Hootsuite/Buffer.

**Content Mix**: 50% educational, 30% entertainment/storytelling, 20% promotional.

## Monetization

**Affiliate Links**: TikTok — link in bio (1 link; use Linktree for multiple) · Reels — link in bio (multiple links allowed) · Shorts — link in description (multiple links allowed) · Comment pinning: "Comment 'AI' for the link" + DM automation via ManyChat

**Info Products**: $5-27 price point for impulse buys from cold traffic; upsell ladder to higher-ticket products.

**Platform Monetization**:

| Platform | Requirement | Rate |
|----------|------------|------|
| TikTok Creator Fund | 10k followers + 100k views/30d | $0.02-0.04/1k views |
| Reels Bonus | Invitation-only | $0.01-0.05/1k views |
| Shorts Fund | 1k subs + 10M views/90d | $100-10k/month |
| Snapchat Spotlight | Unique content | $1M+/day distributed to top creators |

## Tools

| Category | Tool | Notes |
|----------|------|-------|
| Editing | CapCut | Auto-captions, trending effects, free tier sufficient |
| Editing | Descript | Text-based editing, voice cloning, $12-24/month |
| Editing | Adobe Premiere Rush | Mobile + desktop, auto-reframe, $9.99/month |
| Scheduling | Later | Instagram + TikTok, free tier 10 posts/month |
| Scheduling | Buffer | Multi-platform, free tier 3 channels |
| Scheduling | Hootsuite | Multi-platform, team collab, $99+/month |
| Analytics | TikTok Analytics | Built-in: Creator Tools → Analytics |
| Analytics | Instagram Insights | Built-in: Profile → Menu → Insights |
| Analytics | YouTube Studio | Built-in: Content → Shorts → Analytics |
| Analytics | Pentos / Socialinsider | Third-party TikTok/multi-platform |

## Related Agents and Tools

- `content/research.md` — audience research and niche validation
- `content/story.md` — hook formulas and narrative design
- `content/production-writing.md` — script structure and pacing
- `content/production-video.md` — Sora 2 Pro and Veo 3.1 workflows
- `content/production-audio.md` — voice pipeline and LUFS levels
- `content/optimization.md` — A/B testing and analytics loops
- `content/video-higgsfield.md` — AI video generation
- `tools/video/video-prompt-design.md` — video prompting frameworks
- `tools/voice/speech-to-speech.md` — voice cloning and transformation
