Creating high-quality YouTube videos takes time and effort, so why not get the most out of that work? Repurposing your YouTube videos allows you to take one piece of content and turn it into multiple assets that can reach new audiences, grow your platforms, and maximize your ROI.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what repurposing videos means, why it’s a game-changer, and how to do it step-by-step with the right tools and strategies. Plus, I’ll share how to leverage platforms like TikTok—especially their shop and ad incentives—to generate even more opportunities for growth.
Let’s get started.
What Is Repurposing YouTube Videos?
Repurposing content means taking a long-form YouTube video and transforming it into multiple pieces of new content for other platforms. Instead of creating everything from scratch, you adapt your existing content into shorter videos, social media posts, blog posts, or even podcasts. Think of it like this: one video can become dozens of smaller assets. You can use these on TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or even email newsletters.
Why Repurpose Your YouTube Videos?
Here’s why repurposing is essential for content creators:
- Reach New Audiences
Not everyone watches long-form YouTube videos. By sharing highlights on TikTok or Instagram, you can capture the attention of people who prefer short-form content.
- Save Time and Effort
You’ve already done the hard work of creating the video. Repurposing lets you maximize that effort without starting over.
- Boost Engagement
Posting more frequently across platforms gives your audience more opportunities to interact with your content, increasing views, likes, and shares.
- Drive Traffic Back to YouTube
Short clips act as “teasers” for your main video. When done right, they’ll drive viewers back to your YouTube channel for the full experience.
- Monetize on Other Platforms
Platforms like TikTok now offer tools like TikTok Shop and ad incentives. Repurposing content allows you to take advantage of these opportunities to make money.
Tools for Repurposing Videos
Using the right tools will make repurposing fast and simple. Here are two must-haves:
Opus Clip
Opus Clip uses AI to identify the best moments in your long-form YouTube videos and turn them into short, viral-ready clips.
- Automatically generates subtitles, hooks, and captions.
- Saves you hours of editing.
Submagic
Submagic helps you create engaging captions with animations for your videos. Captions are key for short-form platforms since many users scroll with the sound off.
- Auto-generated captions in minutes.
- Adds animations and highlights to make your clips more eye-catching.
How to Repurpose YouTube Videos (Step-by-Step)
Here’s an 8-step process to repurpose your YouTube videos effectively:
Step 1: Pick Your Best Performing Videos
Start with videos that already perform well on YouTube. Look for videos with high engagement, views, and strong audience retention. This ensures the content you repurpose will resonate with viewers.
Step 2: Decide Which Platforms to Target
Before jumping in, decide where you want to share your repurposed content. Focus on platforms where your audience is active and tailor your content accordingly:
- Instagram Reels – Great for visual, fast-paced videos and stories.
- YouTube Shorts – Reach new viewers with bite-sized versions of your long-form content.
- Facebook – Best for longer, context-driven videos that encourage interaction.
- LinkedIn – Perfect for professional audiences and value-driven insights.
Step 3: Follow Platform-Specific Video Guidelines
Each platform has unique video requirements for optimal performance. Here are the key guidelines:
- Instagram Reels: 15-60 seconds. Focus on snappy, visually engaging clips with strong hooks.
- YouTube Shorts: Up to 60 seconds. Content should deliver value fast while teasing your long-form video.
- Facebook: 1-3 minutes. Longer videos perform better here, especially if they encourage comments and shares.
- LinkedIn: 30-90 seconds. Share professional insights, tips, or lessons tailored to a business-focused audience.
Step 4: Add Hooks, Captions, and Descriptions
Add captions using Submagic to make your videos more accessible and engaging. Pair this with a strong “hook” to stop users from scrolling. Examples of hooks:
- “Here’s how I made $10,000 in 30 days…”
- “You’re doing this WRONG. Here’s why…”
- “3 steps to achieve [result] in 30 days.”
Customize captions and descriptions to match each platform’s style and audience when repurposing your video clips.
- Write longer, story-driven captions that connect emotionally.
- Ask questions to encourage comments (e.g., “What’s your biggest challenge with this?”).
- Use relevant emojis and line breaks for readability.
YouTube Shorts
- Craft clear, concise titles that spark curiosity.
- Use numbers, action words, or questions to entice clicks.
- Example: “5 Simple Tips to Boost Productivity FAST!”
- Keep titles under 60 characters to optimize search results.
- Write captions that provide context and spark conversation.
- Share personal insights or relatable experiences.
- Use phrases like “Let me know what you think” or “Has this worked for you?” to invite comments.
- Tailor captions to a professional tone and focus on providing value.
- Start with a strong hook, like: “Here’s what I learned after [specific achievement].”
- Include relevant hashtags like #Leadership, #MarketingTips, or #SmallBusiness.
For video descriptions, include a clear call-to-action (CTA) such as:
- “Watch the full video here: [link]”
- “Subscribe for more tips like this!”
- “Check out my free guide in the bio!”
Step 5: Utilize Relevant Hashtags and Tags
Hashtags and tags are key to increasing your video’s visibility across platforms.
Instagram & TikTok
- Use 5-10 relevant hashtags that are specific to your niche.
- Combine trending hashtags with niche-specific ones.
- Example: #SmallBusinessTips, #ContentCreator, #RepurposeContent
YouTube Shorts
- Add hashtags like #Shorts and niche keywords directly in your title and description.
- Use 3-5 hashtags that align with professional topics.
- Example: #MarketingStrategy, #BusinessGrowth, #ContentCreation
- Hashtags are less crucial here but still include 2-3 niche-related tags for discoverability.
Step 6: Schedule and Post Your Repurposed Content
Use scheduling tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Later to plan your posts. Spread out repurposed content across platforms to keep things fresh and avoid overwhelming your audience.
- TikTok (and Take Advantage of TikTok Shop)
TikTok is one of the best platforms for short-form content. Here’s how to make the most of it:
- TikTok Shop: Sell products directly on TikTok while repurposing content that promotes them.
- TikTok Ad Incentives: TikTok’s ad incentives (like “Spend $30, Get $20” and “Spend $100, Get $100”) make it easy to start running ads with a low budget. Use your repurposed clips to create ads that stop scrolling and drive conversions.
- Instagram (Reels and Stories)
Post your repurposed clips as Reels, and break them into bite-sized highlights for Instagram Stories. Reels have huge organic reach, so they’re perfect for bringing new viewers to your brand.
- Facebook and LinkedIn
Don’t sleep on Facebook and LinkedIn. Repurposed clips that offer valuable tips or insights can perform well on these platforms, especially for professional audiences.
Step 8: Use The Repurpose Videos in Emails or Blogs
Embed your YouTube clips into emails or blog posts to repurpose content for readers. Summarize the key takeaways, add some text, and include a strong CTA to drive traffic back to YouTube.
Final Thoughts
Repurposing your YouTube videos isn’t just about saving time—it’s about working smarter. By turning one video into multiple pieces of content, you can reach new audiences, boost your engagement, and even drive more revenue across platforms like TikTok.
Start with tools like Opus Clip to find the best highlights, and use Submagic to add captions that grab attention. From there, post on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
