Why sketched shorts stop the scroll
Short-form feeds are full of faces and fast cuts. A drawing that's still forming creates a small open question — what is it going to be? — and that's often enough to earn the next three seconds.
Lengths that work
| Platform | Shape | Sweet spot |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | 9:16 | 20–45 seconds |
| Instagram Reels | 9:16 | 15–30 seconds |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 | 30–60 seconds |
| YouTube long-form | 16:9 | 6–10 minutes |
Hooks for sketched shorts
- "You've been doing ___ wrong."
- "Here's why ___ in 30 seconds."
- "Nobody explains this part of ___."
- A number: "3 things your bank won't tell you."
Making one
- Choose 9:16 before generating. The layout is composed for a phone screen.
- Keep it to 5–8 scenes. About 100 words.
- Front-load the hook. The first scene does most of the work.
- Post and repurpose. Turn your best short into a full 16:9 video, or vice versa.
Price
You can start free: every account gets one AI-made video, plus five free Studio videos every day where you write the scenes and choose the pictures (720p, small watermark, kept for seven days). Paid plans start at $19.99 a month, and one credit makes one minute of finished video.
A 30-second vertical script
2. Batteries make power with a chemical reaction.
3. Cold slows that reaction right down.
4. So the battery can't deliver power fast enough, and your phone gives up early.
5. Warm it in your pocket — the charge comes back.
Five scenes, about 60 words. The first line states the payoff, so viewers know why to stay.
Designing for a phone screen
- One big drawing per scene. Small details vanish on a phone.
- Assume sound is off at first. The first drawing should make sense on its own; add captions in the platform editor.
- Loop-friendly endings. A last line that echoes the first encourages rewatching.
- Leave the edges clear. Platform buttons cover the right side and bottom.
Posting rhythm
Short-form platforms reward consistency more than perfection. A sustainable plan is three to five sketched shorts a week on one or two topics your audience cares about. With five free Studio videos a day, you can batch a week's posts in one sitting.
Turning one long video into many shorts
A six-minute explainer usually contains four or five self-contained ideas. Make each into its own 30-second vertical video and link back to the full version. One script, a week of content.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make vertical whiteboard videos?
Yes; choose 9:16 before generating.
What length is best for TikTok?
20–45 seconds for most explainers.
Can I make the same video in both shapes?
Yes, generate one in 16:9 and one in 9:16.
Do vertical videos have captions?
Narration is spoken; add captions in your platform's editor if needed.
Is it free?
You can start free with daily Studio videos.
Should vertical videos have text on screen?
Add captions in TikTok, Instagram or YouTube's editor; many viewers start with sound off.