What I Learned After Years of Creating Viral Reels & TikToks

Creating short-form content is tough. People expect to laugh, learn, or both in under a minute. Been thinking about diving into TikTok or Reels? Or maybe you’re already there but seeing zero traction? You need both; a good video and a professional video editing tool like CapCut. Here's what I’ve learned after years of crafting video content. Let’s get into it.

Start with a Plan

Here’s the deal: Reels aren’t for winging it. It’s not an Instagram Story or Live session. If you think you can press record and call it a day, think again. Reels require some forethought. No need to get fancy with it—a solid idea is more than enough.

Ask yourself:

· What’s this Reel even about? (More on storytelling below.)

· What do I want viewers to gain? Are they laughing? Learning? Clicking your bio link?

· How long will this be? Remember, you’ve got 15, 30, or 90 seconds max.

· Want to mess with speed? You can film normal, but speeding up sections can add flair.

· Other features? Filters, music, transitions—don’t ignore them. If you're looking to enhance your videos even further, consider using professional video editing software like CapCut. This can help you add advanced effects and create a polished final product. CapCut provides diverse editing tools like trimming, effects, and keyframe animation, plus a vast library of music, stickers, and filters.

With a plan in place, you’ll find the process far smoother. Know your vibe before hitting record, trust me.

Tell a Story

Everything connects better when there’s a story. A Reel without a beginning, middle, and end? Feels incomplete. Even the funniest meme can tell a tale.

Think about this:

· What’s the story? Even a product demo can have narrative flow.

· What’s the takeaway? Ask what message sticks after they scroll past.

· Does it stir emotions? Humor, curiosity, inspiration—what’s the mood?

· What action do you want? A laugh, a share, a “click here to learn more”? Making your videos accessible to a wider audience can be achieved by using text to speech software, allowing viewers to understand your content even without sound. Here’s how to do it in CapCut:

·  First, you’ll need to get your video uploaded.

·  Pick the file straight from your computer.

·  Want an easier way? Just scan a QR code to upload!

·  Next, click ”Text“>” Default text” and turn your text into speech—this step’s kind of fun.

·  Choose from the available text styles, type in your words, and pick the language you’re feeling.

·  You can decide if you want this feature for the whole thing or just a clip.

·  Add extra stuff like voice effects, reduce background noise, or adjust the volume. Fade-ins and fade-outs? Totally an option.

·  Finally, set your export preferences—file name, resolution, and all that.

·  Save your project by downloading it or, if you’re feeling bold, share it on TikTok or wherever else.

·  Boom. Done.

Not every video needs all the answers, but clarity matters. Picture your story before you shoot.

Add Value that Aligns with Your Niche

TikTok and Reels are popping off right now. Lean in. Ask yourself, “What’s useful to my audience?” Value can mean tutorials, styling hacks, or anything that makes someone think, Hey, I’m glad I watched this.

Content that educates or inspires? Almost always gets boosted by algorithms. Align it with your industry, and you’ll see the growth.

Be Entertaining and Interactive

If it’s boring, it’s dead on arrival. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, but keep it engaging. One idea, one clear message—that’s the secret. TikTok caps at 60 seconds; Instagram Reels trims to 90. Get in, make your point, and get out.

Show your product in unexpected ways. Add a twist. Better yet, challenge your audience to interact. Could they recreate the idea with their own spin? Start a trend using your product. Trends get people talking—and watching.

Also, influencers are experts in short-form content. Watch what they’re doing and adapt. And don’t forget those branded hashtags—they’re free reach boosters. For a more professional touch, you can use video editing software to remove background from video, creating a clean and focused presentation. Here’s how I do it:

1. First, I open CapCut. Click “Import.” The video file I upload from the device.

2. The background goes next. I hit “Remove BG” on the right panel. Auto removal does its thing—figures disappear. Want more control? Use "Custom removal." The auto feature is pretty solid—takes out the human figures on its own. Want to go deeper? You’ve got tools like the “Smart brush” to paint in what you want to keep, or the “Smart eraser” to cut out parts you don’t. There’s even a basic eraser tool for cleaning up smaller sections. Once that’s sorted, don’t forget to click “Apply.” If you’re working with a green screen or a single-color background, the Chroma Key tool comes in handy.

3. Exporting is easy. Adjust video quality, frame rate, bit rate—whatever fits. Save it to your device. Or maybe, share right to TikTok or YouTube, all without leaving CapCut. Done!

Think Like a Journalist

This part is personal for me. I spent over 10 years as a journalist, and here’s what I know: you need to hit the sweet spot between what you want to say and what they want to hear. Always.

Ask yourself:

· What does the audience care about? Laughter? Knowledge? Inspiration?

· Is it timely? No one’s searching for snow boots in July.

· Can I tie it to a trend, holiday, or viral moment? Keep it relevant.

Even if your product doesn’t seem “cool,” find a way to make it work. Teach something adjacent. Entertain with something adjacent. People will connect the dots for you.

Lean Into User-Generated Content (UGC)

Customers are already creating content about your brand—so use it. Found someone tagging you? Comment. Repost. Keep that energy flowing. UGC is authentic, relatable, and requires zero effort from your team to generate.

It’s a cycle: they post, you engage, others see it, and suddenly you’ve built a mini community. ROI? Yes, please.

Give Precedence to Creativity

If you’re churning out the same stale content as everyone else, say goodbye to engagement. Don’t repurpose old feed posts or Stories either. Reels need to stand out.

Ask yourself:

· What’s my unique angle? If everyone’s doing x, try y.

· What hasn’t been done in my space? Even small twists matter.

Creativity doesn’t mean complexity. Think differently, even subtly.

Be Real

No one wants to watch overly polished, fake-looking videos. Keep things organic. Skip the forced branding. Let your content speak for itself. People crave authenticity—give them that.

Jump on Trends (Smartly)

Reels trends blow up fast. They vanish just as quickly. Can you adapt your brand to what’s trending now?

Here’s how:

1. Check Instagram’s @Creators account or browse the Reels and Explore tabs for ideas.

2. Head over to TikTok. A lot of Reel trends start there. Watch what’s hot and think about your version.

3. Be picky. If the trend doesn’t align with your voice, skip it. Not every brand can pull off a lip-sync or dance challenge. That’s okay.

Mastering TikTok or Instagram Reels isn’t rocket science, but it does take effort. Start small. Focus on storytelling, creativity, and editing through CapCut. The rest will follow. And remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about connection.