The Smart Way to Repurpose YouTube Videos for Social Media

The real deal? If you’re pouring your heart and brainpower into long-form YouTube videos and then letting them collect digital dust… you’re leaving a lot of visibility on the table. Especially if you’re a coach juggling content and client work, repurposing isn’t just a smart move — it’s a sanity-saving strategy.

Why repurpose YouTube videos for social media?

Because your one great video can become *so many* things. A reel. A carousel. A quote. A post that hits just right. When you repurpose with intention:

• • You save time
  • You stay visible (without starting from scratch)
  • You show up consistently in front of your people

It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing less better.

What platforms are best for repurposed YouTube content?

If your people are hanging out on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or even Pinterest, there’s a way to meet them there with repurposed content:

Instagram

Perfect for reels, quote posts, or behind-the-scenes stories. Think: short tips, client takeaways, or even bloopers.

TikTok

Grab those mic-drop moments and drop them as 15–60 sec thought bombs.

LinkedIn

Reframe key insights into leadership-style text posts or share snippets with a personal story twist.

Pinterest

Turn how-tos or frameworks into infographics or idea pins.

How can I break down long YouTube videos into reels or shorts?

Let me be real with you. You don’t need to overthink it. Just:

• • Skim your video and grab 1–2 juicy moments
  • Snip them into 15–60 second clips
  • Add closed captions and a bold opening hook (Platforms use the text in your videos to show them on search engine results!)

You can use tools like Edits, CapCut, InShot, or Opus Clip for this. Keep it simple. Done is better than perfect.

Case Study: A Cannabis client who grew via repurposing YT videos for Instagram

Want a pro move?

Create FAQ-style B-roll reels!

• • Take your YouTube transcript
  • Highlight 2–3 common questions you answered
  • For each one, create a quick B-roll clip
  • Overlay text with the question + short, punchy answer
  • End with a CTA to check out the full video

They’re like the superheroes of repurposing — quick, efficient, and they save the day! Here’s an example…

How can I create multiple content types from one YouTube video?

This is the shift that changes everything: one video = a whole week (or more) of content.

Here’s what that might look like:

• • Blog post: Expand the video’s core lesson in written form
  • Instagram carousel: Break down 3–5 tips from the video
  • Audio snippet: Use the audio for a mini-podcast or reel with voiceover
  • Email: Turn the story or takeaway into a short, punchy email
  • Quote graphic: Pull a strong line and drop it into Canva

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Just reframe it.

What tools make video repurposing easier?

No fancy production needed. Try:

• • Kapwing – my personal fave, helps me screen record and edit seamlessly
  • Descript — edits video like a doc
  • Repurpose.io — auto-publishes clips to multiple platforms
  • Canva — design visuals, carousels, and more
  • Opus Clip — AI that finds the gold in long videos

Ok, but do you want to get AI to help with this? This is my current biggest use of ChatGPT (aka Chitty is what I call my assistant!)

🧠 Try this prompt:

“Reform my YouTube transcript titled [Video Title] into an FAQ-style B-roll reel. Choose [number] questions I answered in the video. Use the same hook from my YouTube video as the first text overlay. For each question, suggest visuals for a short B-roll reel with the text overlay of the question and my answer. The answer should be short & punchy, easy to read in 2-3 seconds. Add a call to action text overlay at the end to encourage viewers to watch the full video for the breakdown by commenting [word]. Give me a 200-word caption highlighting those questions + answers again and building curiosity to watch my video without revealing too many details. Here’s my Youtube Transcript”

Save this! Seriously.

That’s a simple workflow for repurposing content consistently!

You don’t need a 10-step content machine. You need a system that works when life gets lifey.

Here’s what you’re gonna do:

• • Create your YouTube content with repurposing in mind*
  • Create a snippet bank of moments, quotes, and visuals*
  • Assign each snippet to a platform and format*
  • Drop them into a content planner (Google Sheets, Canva works great)

That’s it. Let it be simple. Let it work for you.

FAQ

Can I repurpose old YouTube videos?
Absolutely. Evergreen = gold.

What’s the ideal reel length?
As long as it takes to say what you want to say and give value 🙂

Do I need fancy software?
Nope. Free or low-cost tools work just fine

How often should I do this?
Aim for 1–2 repurposed posts per week to start.

Will this help me get more clients?
Yes — showing up consistently saying the same thing in different ways builds trust and visibility.

Ready to start repurposing like a pro?

You don’t have to guess what to post. Or start from scratch. Or wait until things slow down.

Join my free 3-day Instagram challenge: WTF Do I Post?

Let’s turn your existing content into clarity, ease, and consistent visibility.

Because social media doesn’t have to be a time-suck. And you don’t have to do it alone…ever✨

P.S. Want more support with your weekly content? This is exactly the kind of strategy + inspo we dive into inside Chai Social Club (it’s like having me in your back pocket) ☕