How to Make a Horizontal Video Vertical to Repurpose Your Best Content
With the rise of platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, vertical videos have become the go-to format for content creators. Short-form, vertical videos are highly engaging and designed for mobile consumption, making them perfect for reaching a wide audience. But what if your best content is in horizontal (landscape) format? Instead of starting from scratch, you can easily repurpose your horizontal videos into vertical ones using a video maker app.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to convert horizontal videos into vertical format, share tips for making them visually appealing, and show you how to optimize them for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts.
Why Repurpose Horizontal Videos into Vertical Format?
Before diving into the steps, let’s explore why repurposing horizontal content into vertical format is a smart move:
Expand Your Reach: Vertical videos are favored by algorithms on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, helping you reach a wider audience.
Maximize Existing Content: Repurposing lets you reuse your existing content, saving time and effort while increasing the lifespan of your work.
Optimize for Mobile Viewing: Most people watch videos on their phones, and vertical videos provide a full-screen experience that feels more immersive.
Stay Relevant: Adapting to vertical video trends ensures your content remains fresh and aligned with what viewers are consuming.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Horizontal Video Vertical
Follow these steps to transform your horizontal video into a vertical one using a video maker app.
Step 1: Choose a Video Maker App
To start, you’ll need a reliable video maker app that allows you to edit video dimensions. Here are some beginner-friendly options:
StatusQ: A straightforward drag-and-drop editor with customizing and resizing capabilities
InShot: Perfect for resizing videos, adding filters, and customizing layouts.
CapCut: Great for cropping, adding text overlays, and creating trendy vertical videos.
Canva: A simple drag-and-drop editor that supports resizing and customization.
Adobe Premiere Rush: Offers professional-level tools for resizing and editing videos.
These apps provide templates and features specifically designed for social media platforms, making it easy to create vertical videos.
Step 2: Import Your Horizontal Video
Once you’ve chosen your video maker app, upload the horizontal video you want to repurpose:
Open the app and create a new project.
Import your horizontal video file by either dragging and dropping it or selecting it from your device.
Place the video on the timeline or editing canvas.
Step 3: Change the Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio determines the shape of your video. For vertical content, you’ll need to switch to a 9:16 ratio (the standard for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts).
Here’s how to adjust the aspect ratio in your video maker app:
StatusQ: After selecting the "Format" option, choose 9:16.
InShot: Select the “Canvas” tool, then choose the 9:16 preset.
CapCut: Click on the “Format” option and select 9:16.
Canva: Choose “Custom Dimensions” and set it to 1080x1920 pixels.
Adobe Premiere Rush: Select the aspect ratio menu and switch to vertical (9:16).
The app will crop or adjust your video to fit the vertical frame, but you may need to reposition key elements to ensure nothing important gets cut off.
Step 4: Reposition and Scale Your Video
When converting a horizontal video to vertical, the original content may appear zoomed out or have black bars on the top and bottom. To fix this:
Zoom In: Use the scaling tool in your app to zoom in on the main subject or action in your video. This helps fill the vertical frame.
Reposition: Drag the video clip up, down, or sideways to center the most important elements.
Crop If Necessary: Some apps allow you to crop parts of the video to ensure it fits perfectly into the vertical frame.
Step 5: Add Text Overlays and Captions
Vertical videos often benefit from text overlays, captions, or subtitles, especially if viewers are watching without sound. Adding text can help convey your message and make your video more engaging.
Use the text tools in your video maker app to:
Highlight key points.
Add a catchy title at the top.
Include subtitles or captions for accessibility.
Make sure the text placement doesn’t obstruct the main visuals or important elements of your video.
Step 6: Enhance the Background
If parts of your video don’t fill the vertical frame, consider adding a background to enhance its appearance:
Blurred Background: Use a blurred version of your video as the background to maintain visual consistency. Most video maker apps have this feature built in.
Solid Colors or Patterns: Add a plain color or gradient background to create contrast.
Custom Images: Use branded visuals, icons, or logos as the background for a professional look.
Step 7: Add Music and Sound Effects
To make your vertical video stand out, consider adding background music or sound effects. Many video maker apps have royalty-free music libraries that you can use.
Choose upbeat or trending audio tracks for platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels.
Sync the music with the cuts or transitions in your video to create a seamless experience.
Step 8: Export and Optimize for Social Media
Once your video is ready, it’s time to export it:
Select the export option in your app and choose a high-quality resolution (1080x1920 pixels is recommended).
Save the file to your device or upload it directly to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube Shorts.
For optimal performance, include relevant hashtags, a compelling caption, and any trending keywords to increase discoverability.
Tips for Repurposing Horizontal Videos
Focus on Key Moments: Short-form videos thrive on engaging content. Extract the most interesting or exciting parts of your horizontal video for the vertical version.
Optimize for Different Platforms: While the 9:16 ratio works for most platforms, consider tailoring content to each platform’s unique audience and trends.
Use Templates: Many video maker apps offer vertical video templates that make editing faster and easier.
Test and Iterate: Analyze the performance of your repurposed videos and tweak your approach based on what works best.
Conclusion
Repurposing your horizontal videos into vertical format is a great way to maximize your content's potential and reach a wider audience. With the help of a video maker app, you can easily adjust the aspect ratio, reposition key elements, and enhance your video to create engaging vertical content that performs well on platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
Whether you’re a seasoned creator or just starting out, this method saves time and helps you stay relevant in the fast-paced world of digital content creation. So, dig into your existing content library, pick out your best clips, and start repurposing them for the vertical video revolution!