Brat Video Tips

Small things make a big difference in how your brat videos perform. Here's what actually works — based on videos that got real views.

Text Tips

Keep lines short

3-6 words per line is the sweet spot. Longer lines get cut off on mobile screens and are harder to read when they're flashing by. If a sentence is long, break it into two frames.

Use lowercase

The brat aesthetic is lowercase. It reads more natural and matches the vibe. Use ALL CAPS only for specific words you want to emphasize — not entire lines.

Start with something that hooks

The first frame decides if someone keeps watching. Start with a strong word, a question, or something unexpected. "pov:" works well. So does dropping straight into the most interesting part.

Don't over-punctuate

Skip the exclamation marks and ellipses unless they're intentional. Clean text looks better on screen. A single period at the end of a thought is fine. Nothing is also fine.

Timing Tips

Sync to the beat, not the lyrics

If you're making a lyric video, align text changes with the beat rather than syllables. One word per beat usually looks cleaner than trying to match every syllable. Read the full audio sync guide for more detail.

Vary frame duration

Not every frame needs to be the same length. Short frames for fast moments, longer frames for emotional weight or punchlines. Mixing durations keeps it interesting.

Give the last frame more time

The final frame should stay on screen a bit longer — gives viewers time to read it before the video ends. A half-second extra makes a difference.

Color Tips

Match color to mood

Classic green for energetic, upbeat content. Black for moody, heavy, or dramatic moments. Pink stops the scroll on Instagram. White feels clean and serious. Don't just default to green every time — think about what the content actually feels like.

Switch colors mid-video

Using different colors for different sections (verse vs chorus, different speakers) adds visual variety and makes longer videos more watchable. Even one color switch can change the feel completely.

Export Tips

Always use 9:16 for TikTok and Reels

Horizontal videos get almost no reach on short-form platforms. 9:16 fills the full screen — that's where you want to be. Square (1:1) works for Instagram feed posts.

30 FPS is enough

60 FPS looks smooth but takes longer to render and the file is bigger. For most content, 30 FPS is indistinguishable and uploads faster. Use 60 FPS only if your content has a lot of fast motion.

MP4 over GIF for social

GIF quality is much lower and file sizes are bigger. Always export MP4 for posting to social platforms. GIF is only useful for Discord, embedding on websites, or messaging apps.

Content Tips

Trending audio = more reach

TikTok and Instagram actively push videos that use trending sounds. Before you create, check what audio is trending in your niche and build your text around that. This is probably the biggest factor in whether a brat video blows up.

Keep it under 30 seconds

Completion rate is a key signal on all platforms. A 15-second video that people watch twice beats a 60-second video that people skip halfway through. Edit ruthlessly — cut anything that's not necessary.

Post at the right time

For TikTok: 11am-1pm and 7pm-9pm in your audience's timezone tends to get more initial views. For Instagram Reels: early morning (6-9am) or evening (7-9pm). These aren't magic rules but they help with the initial push from the algorithm.

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