SOVE7GN
How to turn long YouTube videos into Shorts
Updated 23 October 2026 · Written by Reyansh Juneja and Naman Dhiman, the co-founders of SOVE7GN, who run the campaigns and review the clips
Every long YouTube video has Shorts hiding in it. Done right, Shorts bring new viewers to your channel and send some of them to your full videos. Here's the process.
Short answer: pick moments that make sense on their own, cut each one to open on the payoff, crop to vertical 9:16 with captions, keep one idea per Short, give it a clear title, link the related long video where YouTube lets you, and post 1 to 2 Shorts a day. Use what YouTube's own Clip feature and your analytics say viewers loved as a guide.
Step 1: Find the moments
- Look at your audience retention graph for spikes in the long video.
- Check which sections viewers clipped with YouTube's Clip feature.
- Read the comments for timestamps people mention.
- Scan the transcript for strong opinions, stories and clear answers.
Step 2: Cut hook first
Start the Short at the strongest line. If the payoff comes 40 seconds into a section, start near it and add only the context viewers need.
Step 3: Make it vertical
| Long video setup | Shorts crop |
|---|---|
| Single speaker | Crop to the face, leave room for captions |
| Two speakers, two cameras | Switch crops with the speaker |
| Two speakers, one wide shot | Stacked layout or follow the speaker |
| Screen recording | Zoom on the important part; face on top if you have one |
Step 4: Captions, title and link
- Captions on every word, clear of the app's buttons.
- A title that says what the Short is about, not just "wait for it".
- Link to the related full video where YouTube allows it, so interested viewers can watch more.
Step 5: Post on a rhythm
1 to 2 Shorts a day is plenty. Batch a week's Shorts from one or two long videos.
Step 6: Learn
After two weeks, look at which Shorts brought the most viewers and subscribers. Cut more like those and record future videos with those moments in mind.
Done for you
SOVE7GN turns long videos into Shorts and posts them on your channel: Entry is $2,000 a month for 2 a day with a weekly strategy call and an idea doc; Growth is $4,000 for 4 a day. See done-for-you Shorts for YouTubers.
Questions people ask
How long should a YouTube Short be?
As short as the point allows. Test a few lengths on your channel.
Do Shorts hurt long-form views?
They can bring new viewers to the channel. Linking related long videos helps send people across.
How many Shorts can one video give?
One hour of talk-heavy video usually gives 12 to 20 good clips.
Should I post Shorts on TikTok and Reels too?
Yes, remove watermarks and post the same clips there as well.
Want a straight answer for your videos?
Book a 30-minute call. Send us a link first and we'll tell you which plan fits and how many clips we can make.
Book a call See plans and pricing- YouTube clippingThe Clip feature, Shorts from long videos, and clipping campaigns.
- Done-for-you Shorts for YouTubers2 to 4 clips a day on your own accounts, from $2,000 a month.
- How to repurpose long-form videoOne long video into a week of clips, step by step.