One of the things I’ve come across while working in social media is the need to turn promotional videos into “snackable” content. Promotional videos generally don’t get filmed vertically, and are often too long for Instagram Stories. There are two options when it comes to serving up long form content – creating multiple stories or using IGTV – but getting your horizontal video to fit into a vertical format is often tricky, and cuts off a lot of your content. However, if you are using a Mac computer, there is an easy way to make your content fit without paying a cent.
Program One: Keynote
The first program you’re going to need is Keynote, Apple’s slideshow program.
1. Create a new slideshow and choose either the white or black layout.
2. In the bar on the right, click on Document and go to slide size. Choose “Custom Slide Size…”
3. You want to make your custom slide size the same size as Instagram Stories, which is 1080px by 1920px.
4. Once your slide is the same size as an Instagram Story photo or video, you can insert your video. Click Media on the top bar. If your video is in your Photos album, click Movies. If your video is in a different folder, click Choose.
5. Insert your video to your tastes. If you’re not using audio, you could potentially have multiple videos in this screen. However, ideally, you want your video to be in the centre.
6. (Optional) This is where you can get creative! Add text, photos, layers, anything you like to make the rest of your video really shine. You have a lot of space in the top and bottom, so make the most of it!
7. Once your video looks exactly as you want it to, go to File > Export To > Movie…
8. Since we’re only working with one slide, you don’t need to adjust anything. I would recommend changing the resolution to 1080p simply to make sure you’re showing your video in its best version.
9. Save your video somewhere where you will find it quickly, because we’ve still got a few steps left.
Program Two: Handbrake
Handbrake is a great open source video converter. We need this because Keynote exports your video in .mov, and Instagram will only upload videos in mp4. It is very simple to use.
10. Open Handbrake and select your video.
11. Select mp4 file under the Format dropdown. Click start.
That’s it! Your video is now ready to be uploaded to Instagram. You can post it as is under IGTV, or use an application like Continual or Cutstory, among others, to split the video into 15 second segments for Instagram stories. Simply upload your newly edited video to your phone (Airdrop is probably fastest) and edit as needed!