Repurposing long-form video content for social media
Repurposing long-form video content for social media. Long-form video content is ideal for going deep into topics, but it doesn’t always suit the fast-scrolling audience on social media. By repurposing your long videos into short-form content, you can convey your message more effectively and reach a wider audience. But how exactly do you go about it? In this article you will discover why repurposing is so valuable and how to do it step by step.
What is video content repurposing?
Repurposing means reusing existing content, such as a long video, in a new way or for a different purpose. Instead of sharing an hour-long video just once, for example, you can split it into shorter videos or pull highlights from it to share on social media. This way you reach a wider audience and get more value out of the same content.
The idea behind repurposing is to make smarter use of what you already have. You don’t have to create new content every time, but can reuse existing material and adapt it for different platforms. This saves time and ensures your message is seen more often, which increases the impact of your content.
Benefits of repurposing long-form video content
Reusing long-form videos for social media has several benefits:
- Efficiency: You quickly create many short videos from a single long video.
- Platform optimisation: The videos are designed specifically for the target audience and the characteristics of each platform.
- Higher engagement: Short videos grab attention and increase engagement on social media.
- Maximising content value: Existing videos get a second life, so you get more value out of them.
- Advertising opportunities: The best-performing short videos can be used for targeted advertising campaigns.
Step by step: how to repurpose long-form video content
To make the most of your long-form videos, you can apply the following methods:
- Cut highlights from long videos Cut the key moments, quotes and highlights from long videos such as webinars or interviews. From these highlights you make short summaries that are perfect for platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. By distilling the core of your message, you create impactful content that attracts and holds viewers.
- Use transcripts for short videos With tools such as OpenAI’s Whisper you can create transcripts of your long-form videos. Then ask an AI assistant such as ChatGPT to pull out the highlights and relevant passages from the transcript. These fragments form a strong basis for your short-form videos, which tie in directly with the core message of your original content. There are also paid tools available, such as Opus Clip, which are very popular for using AI to automatically split your video content into 10 short-form videos.
- Split long videos into short segments If you have an hour-long video in which you answer frequently asked questions, for example, you can easily divide it into several short videos of 30 to 60 seconds. Each segment can be published on social media as a stand-alone video, which can expand your content strategy.
Best practices for social media platforms
Every social media platform has its own unique characteristics and audience preferences. Below are a few tips to optimise your content for each platform:
- TikTok and Instagram Reels: Focus on fast, visually appealing content that grabs attention immediately. Use subtitles and visual cues to get the message across, even without sound.
- YouTube Shorts: Create content that delivers value in under 60 seconds, and make sure you have a catchy opening to hold the viewer’s attention.
- LinkedIn: LinkedIn is ideal for B2B content. Here you can share videos containing valuable insights or business tips. Keep the videos professional and relevant to your target audience.
Start repurposing videos for social media
By repurposing long-form video content for social media, you get the most out of your video material. It offers an efficient way to create a lot of content that fits the specific characteristics of different platforms. This not only increases engagement and brand awareness, but can ultimately also improve your marketing results. So before you upload your next long video, think about how you can turn it into a series of powerful short videos that appeal to your target audience. Need help with your social media content strategy? Get in touch or request a BE Digital scan to find out where the opportunities lie for your business in your digital strategy.