Planning Short vs Long-Form AI Videos

Part of ✏️ MODULE 2: Planning & Scriptwriting with AI (Articles 6–9) in Crash Course: Starting an AI Video Generation Business from Scratch

Why Size (of Your Video) Actually Does Matter

Alright, pull up a chair and grab your coffee—or energy drink, green juice, oat milk latte, whatever fuels your creative brain—because we’re diving into a hot debate that even seasoned content creators mess up:

Should you go short-form or long-form with your AI videos?

Now, before we get all “This or That” about it, let me be totally honest: I’ve made both work—and I’ve also watched both flop, miserably. Like, crickets. Ghost town views. You’d think I posted a video of me reading Ikea instructions in Morse code.

So, let’s unpack this properly. No fluff, no overhype. Just real talk about what actually matters when you’re deciding how to plan, structure, and create videos with AI tools—whether it’s a 15-second reel or a full-blown 10-minute deep dive.

👀 First Things First: What’s the Difference (Really)?

Let’s get clear on definitions, because “short” and “long” are totally relative.

🎯 Short-Form Video

• Length: Under 60 seconds (but let’s be real, the sweet spot is 30 or less on TikTok and IG Reels)
• Platform style: Vertical, quick-hitting, often “hook” driven
• Vibe: Fast, fun, scroll-stopping
• Examples: Skits, how-to’s, hot takes, meme-style edits, “Here’s one tip you didn’t know” types

📺 Long-Form Video

• Length: 3+ minutes, often 8–15 min if you want ad revenue on YouTube
• Platform style: Horizontal, deeper dives
• Vibe: Storytelling, thoughtful, layered, often chill-paced
• Examples: Tutorials, opinion pieces, mini-documentaries, case studies

But here’s where it gets spicy: The tools and approach for both can be wildly different—even with AI.

🎬 The AI Angle: What Can It Actually Do (and Not Do)?

Look, AI is cool. I love it. It’s saved me hours of work and probably kept me from an early burnout spiral. But it’s not a mind reader. If you feed it a short-form idea and expect a TED Talk, or vice versa, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

Let’s break it down:

Both require intentionality. One just burns faster.

😅 Story Time: The 11-Second Video That Beat My 12-Minute Masterpiece

True story: I spent two full days scripting, editing, and perfecting a YouTube explainer on “How AI is Changing Freelancing.” It was polished. Clean. Looked like I’d hired Spielberg.

It got… 173 views.

Then I posted an 11-second short on “3 AI tools that saved my butt this week”—filmed on my phone, edited in 10 minutes, with bad lighting and a sarcastic tone.

It passed 25,000 views overnight.

Moral?
Short-form hits different. But also—context matters. Short videos hook people. Long videos build trust. Both play their role.

🤹‍♂️ So, Which One Should You Make?

Glad you asked. Let’s walk through a few questions (this is where the friendly advice kicks in):

1. What’s your goal?

• Want growth, reach, and eyeballs? Short-form.
• Want authority, brand loyalty, and leads? Long-form.

2. What do you love to make?

• If you hate fast-paced editing, short-form may kill your soul.
• If you hate rambling, long-form might bore you to death.

3. What do you have time for?

• Be honest. If you’re a one-person show (like many of us), long-form every week is a tough ask.
• Short-form is manageable and stackable.

4. What’s your audience expecting?

• If your crowd lives on TikTok or Instagram, don’t try to educate them with a 10-minute slow burn. They’ll scroll.
• But if you’re serving B2B, coaching, or skill-building content—YouTube depth matters.

No one-size-fits-all answer. Sorry. But hey, this is where the fun begins.

🧠 Planning Short-Form AI Videos

Okay, let’s get tactical.

The Formula (Don’t Worry, No Math Involved):

Hook → Value → CTA (Call to Action)

Examples of Good Short Prompts for AI:

“Write a 30-second script in a snarky tone that teaches one underrated Canva hack. Start with a scroll-stopping hook.”

“Give me a TikTok-style script about how to sound smarter using ChatGPT prompts. Include a trending sound idea.”

And don’t forget: AI tools like Pika Labs, Lumen5, and InVideo can crank out slick visuals in seconds. But you still gotta feed it with personality and clear intent.

Tip:

Use jump cuts, memes, or even “what not to do” examples. People love drama. Even mini drama.

🧠 Planning Long-Form AI Videos

Here’s where structure saves your sanity.

Outline First. Script Later. Edit Last.

Use prompts like:

“Give me a 5-part outline for a 10-minute YouTube video titled ‘How I Used AI to Quit My 9–5.’ Add humor and story elements.”

Once you’re vibing with the outline, ask AI to build out talking points or full-on monologues.

Tool Stack (My Faves):

• Descript for script-based editing
• Runway ML for B-roll
• HeyGen or Synthesia if you’re doing avatar narration
• ElevenLabs for realistic voiceover if you’re shy (we’ve all been there)

Don’t forget chapters. Viewers love structure. AI can help generate timestamps and summaries too.

😬 Common Pitfalls (and Yes, I’ve Done These)

• Trying to cram too much into a short video = chaos
• Rambling in long-form = snooze fest
• Relying too heavily on AI tone = sounds like your cousin reading a school report
• Forgetting WHY you’re making the video = burnout fast

You don’t have to be perfect. In fact, natural imperfections make you relatable. Stumbles, awkward laughs, moments of “Oh shoot, I said that wrong”—keep those. They’re gold.

💬 Real Talk: It’s Okay to Suck at First

You might make a few videos and think, “I sound like I’m reading off a cue card.” Guess what? You probably are.

That’s fine. It gets better.

AI is here to assist, not replace your humanity. So bring your weirdness, your opinions, your spicy takes. Let AI do the boring stuff like formatting, cutting filler, making you look cooler than you feel.

And remember this:

Short-form is for discovery. Long-form is for depth.

You need both—eventually. But you can start with one.

📌 TL;DR Cheat Sheet

🎯 Final Take

Whether you’re a “get in, get out” short-form creator or a “let me take you on a journey” kind of storyteller—what matters most is intentionality.

AI is just your co-pilot. You’re still flying the plane.

Don’t overthink. Test. Laugh at your own awkward edits. Use your voice—even if it shakes a little at first. The more real you are, the better your content will land.

Now—go plan a short and a long-form version of your next video idea. Challenge yourself. See what sticks. You might be surprised what resonates.

And hey, if you need a little AI sidekick along the way? You know where to find me.