Let me guess: you’ve been told a million times that video is everything right now. But if you’re anything like me — a creative freelancer juggling multiple clients — you probably don’t have the time to film, edit, caption, and post five different TikToks a week.
Enter AI. It’s not magic (you still need some creativity), but it cuts down the time I spend creating short-form video from hours to about 20–30 minutes. Here’s exactly how I do it.
Why I Use AI for Short-Form Video
Before AI, making Reels and TikToks felt like an uphill battle. I’d overthink scripts, spend forever editing transitions, and give up halfway through captioning. With AI, I can now:
-
Generate video ideas fast (no more blank-page panic)
-
Write scripts and captions in seconds
-
Auto-caption videos (hello accessibility!)
-
Batch-create multiple posts in one session
It doesn’t replace creativity — it just removes the boring parts.
Step 1: Generate Ideas That Actually Land
I start every content session with AI brainstorming. Tools I use:
-
ChatGPT or Jasper: “Give me 10 TikTok hook ideas for sustainable living.”
-
Vidyo.ai: Pulls top-performing clips from my long-form videos.
My Tip:
Use AI to spot trends — ask it what’s trending in your niche this week. Saves you hours scrolling TikTok’s “For You” page.
Step 2: Write Scripts in Seconds
Once I have a topic, I use ChatGPT to draft a 15–30 second script. I give it:
-
My audience (freelancers, small biz owners)
-
The vibe (friendly, casual, helpful)
-
Call-to-action (like “follow for more tips”)
Example prompt:
“Write a 20-second TikTok script explaining how to save 3 hours a week using AI scheduling tools. Make it chatty and energetic.”
Step 3: Turn Text Into Captions & Graphics
This is where Canva Magic Write or CapCut AI comes in. I paste my script and let AI:
-
Generate subtitles (auto-synced to my voice)
-
Suggest trending music
-
Add simple transitions and branded colours
Step 4: Batch Create and Schedule
I record three to four videos at once, edit in CapCut, then schedule using Later or Metricool. Both integrate with Instagram and TikTok so I can post while I’m asleep (literally life-changing).
AI Tools I Recommend for This Workflow
-
ChatGPT/Jasper – Scriptwriting & brainstorming
-
CapCut AI – Editing, captions, transitions
-
Canva Magic Write – Graphics & text overlays
-
Vidyo.ai – Repurposing long videos into shorts
-
Metricool – Scheduling & analytics
What AI Can’t Do (Yet)
AI helps me go faster, but I still need to:
-
Choose visuals that match my style
-
Add personal stories (AI can’t replicate me)
-
Check for trends manually (AI isn’t always up-to-date)
Final Thoughts
Short-form video is non-negotiable for growth right now — but it doesn’t have to consume your life. AI speeds up the planning and editing so you can focus on your message and connecting with your audience.
If you’ve been putting off Reels or TikToks because they feel like too much work, start small. Pick one tool, test it on one video, and see how much time you save.
