A short video still needs a clear purpose. Write one sentence stating what the viewer should understand or do. Make a simple shot list: opening, key explanation, supporting detail and close. Record in a quiet place with stable framing and clear voice audio.

1. Check the phone lens, light and background.
2. Record a short test and listen with headphones.
3. Leave a brief pause before and after each take to make edits easier.
4. Get permission from people whose faces, voices, artwork or location appear.

Exercise: Record three 10-second clips explaining a safe everyday tip. Choose the clearest take and note why.

Import the footage into an editor and arrange clips on a timeline. Remove mistakes and long pauses, but do not cut so tightly that the idea becomes hard to follow. Add captions, then proofread the generated text. Automatic transcription can mishear names and technical terms.

1. Place the strongest opening first and keep one main idea.
2. Trim empty sections while preserving natural speech.
3. Generate captions if available; correct wording, punctuation and line breaks manually.
4. Use readable contrast and keep text away from important visual details and interface edges.
5. Preview with sound off and with sound on.

Tools differ: CapCut documents automatic captions and editing; DaVinci Resolve has a free edition and paid Studio edition. Features and availability vary by product version and region.

Exercise: Edit a 20–30 second clip with a clear opening, one point, corrected captions and a closing action.

Choose a frame shape and resolution for the destination. Instagram accepts a range of aspect ratios from 1.91:1 through 9:16; vertical 9:16 is common but not the only supported ratio. Adobe recommends H.264 for most online video exports. Match the sequence to the destination and inspect the finished file.

1. Confirm aspect ratio, resolution and frame rate for the intended placement.
2. Choose MP4/H.264 when a broadly compatible online file is appropriate.
3. Decide whether captions should be burned into the picture or supplied as a separate track, if the platform supports it.
4. Watch the exported file fully on a phone; check audio, spelling, edges and file playback.

Mini-project: Make a 20–40 second vertical how-to video using footage you recorded. Add reviewed captions and export a platform-ready copy. Keep a clean master and retain permission for all assets.

Revision: Plan one message. Edit for clarity. Proofread captions. Export to platform requirements and watch the full result.