Video & Scriptwriting / Short-Form Video
Adapt scripts to each platform’s optimal length — platform-native formatting for cross-posting success.
Why This Prompt Exists
The same video performs differently on TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. Each platform has different optimal lengths, retention patterns, and audience behaviors.
You get:
- 30-second TikTok video that’s too long for Reels (cut off or cropped)
- Reels content that doesn’t fit Shorts format (wrong aspect ratio, wrong pacing)
- one video posted everywhere (suboptimal for each platform)
- no understanding of platform-specific retention curves
- missed reach from platform-native formatting
But platform optimization has patterns:
- TikTok: 21-34 seconds (algorithm sweet spot), fast pacing, text-heavy
- Reels: 15-30 seconds (feed native), slightly slower, visual-first
- Shorts: 15-40 seconds (mixed source content), pacing varies
- Snapchat: 10-20 seconds (quick attention), minimal text
Without optimization, cross-posting underperforms.
This prompt adapts scripts to platform-specific optimal lengths.
The Prompt
Assume the role of a multi-platform short-form strategist.
Your task is to adapt core content to platform-specific optimal lengths.
Generate:
1. PLATFORM LENGTH OPTIMALS
| Platform | Optimal Length | Max Length | Sweet Spot | Retention Peak |
|----------|----------------|------------|------------|----------------|
| TikTok | 21-34s | 60s | 25-28s | First 3s, then 12-15s |
| Reels | 15-30s | 90s | 20-25s | First 2s, then 8-10s |
| Shorts | 15-40s | 60s | 20-30s | First 5s, then 15-20s |
| Snapchat | 10-20s | 60s | 12-15s | First 1s, then 5-7s |
2. PLATFORM STRUCTURE DIFFERENCES
| Element | TikTok | Reels | Shorts | Snapchat |
|---------|--------|-------|--------|----------|
| Hook speed | Fastest (0-1s) | Fast (0-2s) | Medium (0-3s) | Instant (0-1s) |
| Text overlay | Heavy | Medium | Light | Minimal |
| Audio importance | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Pacing | Very fast | Fast | Medium | Very fast |
| CTA placement | Mid or End | End | End | End |
3. SCRIPT ADAPTATION TEMPLATES
**Core message (25-30 seconds):**
`Hook (3s) → Problem (5s) → Solution (10s) → Proof (5s) → CTA (2-5s)`
**Adapted for TikTok (21-28s):**
`Hook (2s) → Problem (4s) → Solution (8s) → Proof (4s) → CTA (3-5s)`
**Adapted for Reels (15-20s):**
`Hook (2s) → Problem (3s) → Solution (6s) → CTA (4s)`
**Adapted for Shorts (20-30s):**
`Hook (3s) → Problem (5s) → Solution (10s) → CTA (2-5s)`
**Adapted for Snapchat (10-15s):**
`Hook (1s) → Solution (6s) → CTA (3s)`
4. PLATFORM-SPECIFIC SCRIPT EXAMPLES
**TikTok (26 seconds):**
`[0:00-0:02] "Stop doing this."`
`[0:02-0:06] "It's killing your [results]."`
`[0:06-0:14] "Here's what to do instead. Step one: [action]. Step two: [action]."`
`[0:14-0:18] "I did this and got [result]."`
`[0:18-0:22] "You can too."`
`[0:22-0:26] "Follow for more." [text overlay + trending sound]`
**Reels (18 seconds):**
`[0:00-0:02] "Stop making this mistake."`
`[0:02-0:05] "Here's the fix."`
`[0:05-0:11] "[Action 1] and [Action 2]. That's it."`
`[0:11-0:14] "Watch the transformation."`
`[0:14-0:18] "Follow for more tips." [visual-first, less text]`
**YouTube Shorts (25 seconds):**
`[0:00-0:03] "Here's something most people don't know."`
`[0:03-0:08] "[Problem explanation] affects [X]% of people."`
`[0:08-0:18] "The solution is simple: [step 1], [step 2], [step 3]."`
`[0:18-0:22] "I've used this for [timeframe] with [result]."`
`[0:22-0:25] "Subscribe for more."`
**Snapchat (12 seconds):**
`[0:00-0:01] "Do this."`
`[0:01-0:07] "[Action] for [result]. Works every time."`
`[0:07-0:09] "Try it today."`
`[0:09-0:12] "Snap me your result."`
5. CROSS-PLATFORM POSTING STRATEGY
| Platform | Post First On | Wait Before Cross-Post | Reason |
|----------|---------------|----------------------|--------|
| TikTok | Yes | N/A | Algorithm favors native uploads |
| Reels | No | 24-48 hours | Avoid duplicate detection |
| Shorts | No | 24-48 hours | Can upload same time as Reels |
| Snapchat | No | 1-2 hours | Different audience, less competition |
6. PLATFORM-SPECIFIC BEST PRACTICES
| Platform | Do | Don't |
|----------|-----|-------|
| TikTok | Use trending sounds, text overlays, fast pacing | Use watermarks from other platforms |
| Reels | High-quality visuals, clean audio, less text | Overlay too much text |
| Shorts | Square or vertical, clear CTA | Horizontal video |
| Snapchat | Quick edits, minimal text, direct address | Long intros |
7. COMMON PLATFORM MISTAKES
| Mistake | Why It Fails | Correct Approach |
|---------|--------------|------------------|
| Same video everywhere | Suboptimal for each | Adapt length and pacing |
| TikTok watermark on Reels | Algorithm demotion | Remove watermark |
| Reels too long | Viewer drops off | Keep under 30s |
| Shorts vertical on Reels | Wrong crop | Shoot vertical for all |
| No platform-specific CTA | Wrong action | "Follow" for TikTok, "Subscribe" for Shorts |
INPUTS:
Core content message:
[PASTE CORE SCRIPT OR MESSAGE]
Platforms needed:
[TIKTOK / REELS / SHORTS / SNAPCHAT]
Primary platform:
[WHERE CONTENT WILL FIRST BE POSTED]
Content type:
[EDUCATIONAL / COMEDY / TUTORIAL / STORYTELLING]
RULES:
- TikTok: 21-34 seconds, fastest pacing, text-heavy, trending audio
- Reels: 15-30 seconds, fast pacing, visual-first, less text
- Shorts: 15-40 seconds, medium pacing, clear CTA
- Snapchat: 10-20 seconds, very fast pacing, minimal text
- Remove watermarks when cross-posting (TikTok watermark on Reels hurts reach)
- Adapt CTA per platform ("follow" for TikTok, "subscribe" for Shorts)
- Shoot in vertical (9:16) for all platforms
- Post to primary platform first, wait 24-48 hours for others
How To Use It
- TikTok: 21-34 seconds, fastest pacing, text-heavy, trending audio — algorithm sweet spot.
- Reels: 15-30 seconds, fast pacing, visual-first, less text — feed native.
- Shorts: 15-40 seconds, medium pacing, clear CTA — mixed source content.
- Snapchat: 10-20 seconds, very fast pacing, minimal text — quick attention.
- Remove watermarks when cross-posting — TikTok watermark on Reels hurts algorithmic reach.
- Adapt CTA per platform — “follow” for TikTok and Reels, “subscribe” for Shorts.
- Shoot in vertical (9:16) for all platforms — don’t rely on cropping.
- Post to primary platform first, wait 24-48 hours before cross-posting to others — avoid duplicate detection.
Example Input
Core content message:
“Three morning habits that doubled my productivity. Habit one: no phone for first hour. Habit two: plan the night before. Habit three: eat protein first.”
Platforms needed:
“TIKTOK, REELS, SHORTS”
Primary platform:
“TIKTOK”
Content type:
“EDUCATIONAL”
Why It Works
Most creators post the exact same video on TikTok, Reels, and Shorts — missing the platform-specific optimization that drives reach.
This framework improves outcomes by forcing:
- platform length optimals (optimal length, max length, sweet spot, retention peak)
- structure differences (hook speed, text overlay, audio importance, pacing, CTA placement)
- adaptation templates (core → adapted for each platform)
- platform-specific script examples (ready-to-use patterns)
- cross-posting strategy (post order, timing, watermark removal)
Failure modes this prevents:
- 30-second video that’s too long for Reels (cut off or viewer drops)
- Reels content that doesn’t fit Shorts (wrong pacing)
- One video posted everywhere (suboptimal for each platform)
- TikTok watermark on Reels (algorithm demotion)
This improves on: One-size-fits-all posting. Platform-native optimization improves reach on each channel.
Related to: SF-02 (Hook) for opening; SF-05 (Pattern Interrupt) for retention.
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