Plan for the screen your viewer holds
TikTok, Reels and Shorts share a small-screen viewing context, but each platform has its own publishing rules and interface. Plan a vertical composition with the important subject near the middle. Check the current platform preview before posting.
A short story needs a readable opening, a change and an ending. A large cast or a complicated location change can be hard to follow in a short running time. Start with a single problem and remove anything that does not help it.
Before you export
- Choose the vertical aspect ratio in the workspace.
- Frame the character so faces and important actions remain visible.
- Keep captions away from the edges and review them on a phone.
- Listen with sound on, then check whether the story still makes sense with sound off.
- Download the result and upload it to the platform yourself.
Build a repeatable format
Keep the recurring promise stable, such as one small mystery per episode, and change the problem. Save notes about the cast, visual style and closing beat. This gives the next video a starting point without repeating the same script.
Platform limits and monetization policies can change. This guide makes no claim about algorithmic reach or earnings. MakeStory prepares video files; automatic posting is not part of this workflow.