How to Make Twitter Videos

Putting a great video on Twitter is one of the fastest ways to stop the endless scroll and grab someone's attention. While the platform is famous for text, a well-made video can deliver a message, show off a personality, and drive engagement in a way that 280 characters can’t. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from brainstorming ideas to hitting that post button.

Why Video on Twitter is a Game-Changer

First, let’s quickly cover why you should even bother with video. On a platform as fast-moving as Twitter, visual content immediately stands out. Videos start playing automatically as users scroll (often with sound off), giving you a precious three-second window to hook them. A good video can communicate emotion, demonstrate a product, or tell a quick story far more effectively than a static image or a block of text.

Unlike perfectly polished Instagram Reels or long-form YouTube content, Twitter videos thrive when they are authentic, timely, and direct. People are on the platform for what's happening right now, so videos that feel immediate and relevant tend to perform best. Understanding how to use hashtags on Twitter can significantly boost your video's discoverability.

Before You Start: Understanding Twitter’s Video Specs

Getting the technical details right saves you a lot of headaches later. If your video doesn't meet these requirements, Twitter will reject it or display it poorly. To avoid common issues, learn how to fix Twitter video quality. Here’s a simple breakdown of what you need to know:

• Format: MP4 with H264 codec is your best bet for compatibility and quality. Most modern cameras and editing apps export to this format by default.
• File Size: Your video file must be 512MB or smaller.
• Video Length: The maximum is 140 seconds (2 minutes and 20 seconds). Got a longer video? You can trim it in Twitter’s native editor or use Twitter Media Studio for videos up to 10 minutes (with approval). But honestly, shorter is better. Aim for under 60 seconds.
• Resolution: The minimum resolution is 32x32, and the maximum is 1920x1200 or 1200x1900. Stick to standard resolutions like 1080x1080 (square) or 1080x1920 (vertical) for the best results on mobile.
• Aspect Ratios: Between 1:2.39 to 2.39:1. For the friendliest mobile viewing experience, a square (1:1) aspect ratio is fantastic because it takes up more screen space in the feed. Vertical (9:16) videos also work well. Avoid traditional landscape (16:9) unless it’s absolutely necessary.
• Frame Rate: Aim for 30 or 60 Frames Per Second (FPS).

Don't let these numbers scare you. Most simple video editing tools have presets for social media that will handle all of this for you. Just remember: keep it under 2 minutes, relatively small in file size, and format it as an MP4.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Killer Twitter Videos

Making a video that people actually want to watch doesn't require a Hollywood budget. It just requires a plan. Let’s break it down into a few simple steps.

Step 1: Plan Your Video Content (Strategy First)

Don't just hit record. Think about your goal. What do you want people to do, think, or feel after watching your video? A strong hook in the first three seconds is your most important asset.

Here are some questions to guide your planning:

• What’s the one thing I want my audience to take away? Clarity is everything. If you try to say too much, you’ll say nothing.
• How can I grab attention immediately? Start with a bold statement, an interesting visual, a question, or a surprising sound. Don't waste time with a slow intro or a fancy logo animation.
• Is this story better told with video? If you can say it just as well in a sentence or a photo, maybe video isn't the right format. Video is meant for showing, not just telling.

Step 2: Choosing Your Tools (No Big Budget Needed)

The best camera you have is the one in your pocket. Modern smartphones can shoot incredible high-quality video. From there, you just need a simple app to edit your clips together.

Popular and Easy-to-Use Video Editing Apps:

• CapCut (Mobile/Desktop): Free, incredibly powerful, and packed with features like auto-captioning, transitions, text overlays, and trending music. It’s perfect for creating short-form social videos.
• InShot (Mobile): Another mobile favorite that makes it simple to trim videos, add music, and format your content into a square or vertical aspect ratio.
• Canva (Web/Mobile): You probably know Canva for graphics, but its video editor is surprisingly robust. It’s great for creating videos with animated text, graphic overlays, and stock footage.
• iMovie or Photos app (Apple devices): If you have an iPhone or Mac, you already have a powerful, free video editor built-in. Perfect for simple cuts and trims.

Step 3: Quick Filming and Production Tips

High production value isn't expected on Twitter, but a few small details make a huge difference in how professional your video looks.

• Good Lighting is Your Best Friend: You don’t need studio lights. Just face a window to get soft, natural light on your face. Avoid sitting with a window behind you, or you’ll turn into a silhouette.
• Clear Audio Matters: People will forgive shaky video, but they won't stick around for bad audio. Use your phone's headphones with a built-in microphone or find a quiet room to record in. Avoid a lot of echo and background noise.
• Stabilize Your Shot: No one likes a shaky camera. Prop your phone up against a stack of books, use a small tripod, or just hold your phone with both hands and brace your elbows against your body.

Step 4: Editing for Twitter's Audience

This is where your video comes to life. Twitter users have short attention spans, so your editing style should reflect that. Fast, engaging, and easy to consume.

Core Editing Elements for Twitter:

• Add Burnt-In Captions: This is non-negotiable. Over 85% of social media videos are watched with the sound off. If your video has someone speaking, you must have captions directly on the video. Apps like CapCut can generate them for you automatically.
• Use Quick Cuts: Keep the pace moving. Aim for a new shot or angle every few seconds. Even if you're just talking to the camera, you can cut in slightly or use a "jump cut" to re-engage the viewer's attention.
• Incorporate Text Overlays: Add text on screen to emphasize key points, ask questions, or call out a website. This makes your message clear even if the sound is off.
• End with a Call-to-Action (CTA): What do you want people to do next? Explicitly tell them. "Retweet if you agree," "Click the link in our bio," "Comment your thoughts below," or "Visit our site to learn more."

How to Post Your Video Like a Pro

Once your masterpiece is exported, it's time to share it with the world. The process is straightforward, but how you craft the tweet around it is just as important as the video itself. For consistent posting, consider learning how to schedule posts on Twitter mobile.

Uploading on Desktop:

1. Open Twitter.com and click the "Tweet" button.
2. Click the gallery icon (the one that looks like a little mountain).
3. Select your video file from your computer.
4. You'll see a preview. Here, you can trim the video if needed and choose a thumbnail. Your thumbnail is the static image people see before the video plays, so pick an engaging shot.
5. Write your tweet text, add hashtags, and hit "Post."

Uploading on Mobile:

1. Tap the compose button (the feather icon).
2. Tap the gallery icon and select your video from your phone's library.
3. Tap "Edit" in the top-right corner to trim the video. Tap "Done."
4. Write your tweet, add hashtags, and post it.

Best Practices for Your Tweet:

• Write an Intriguing Caption: Your tweet copy is your secondary hook. Ask a question, state a bold opinion, or provide context for the video.
• Use Relevant Hashtags: Learn how to add hashtags to your Twitter post effectively. Use 2-3 specific, relevant hashtags. Don’t stuff your tweet full of them. Think about what terms people would actually search for.
• Tag Relevant Accounts: If your video features people, brands, or partners, tag their Twitter handles to increase reach.

5 Content Ideas for Engaging Twitter Videos

Stuck on what to actually make? Here are a few formats that consistently work well on Twitter:

1. Quick Tutorials or How-Tos: Show people how to do something in under 60 seconds. You can even consider learning how to go live on Twitter for real-time engagement. A keyboard shortcut, a quick recipe, a software tip. These add immediate value.
2. Behind-the-Scenes Looks: People love authenticity. Show your workspace, introduce members of your team, or give a glimpse into how your product is made.
3. Product Demos in Action: Don't just talk about your product - show it solving a problem. A quick, compelling video demonstrating a key feature is more effective than any ad.
4. User-Generated Content (UGC): Share videos from your customers! It’s powerful social proof and a great way to build community. Just be sure to ask for permission first.
5. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Turn your most common customer questions into a mini video series. Record yourself answering a single question and post it.

Final Thoughts

Making compelling Twitter videos is about understanding the platform's fast-paced, direct nature. It starts with a clear plan, embraces simple production, and relies on smart editing to grab attention quickly. By prioritizing a strong hook and an easy-to-digest message, you can create a video that effectively grows your brand and engages your audience.

Once you get into a groove creating great video content, the next challenge is staying consistent. Honestly, this is where we found ourselves struggling the most. That’s why we built Postbase to feel like a modern, video-first command center for all your platforms. Instead of fighting with tools that treat video like an afterthought, our platform lets you simply drag and drop your content onto a calendar, customize the caption for Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok, and schedule everything from one clean dashboard. It just makes the whole process of publishing videos consistently much easier.