How to Repurpose YouTube Videos as Shorts in 2025

By now, it’s no secret that short-form video is taking over. YouTube Shorts has become a must-use feature for creators looking to boost views, gain subscribers, and maximize engagement. With YouTube continuing to prioritize Shorts in its algorithm, this format isn’t just a trend — it’s a key growth strategy for any creator or business.

The best part? You don’t have to start from scratch. Instead of filming new content, you can repurpose your existing YouTube videos into Shorts — saving time while reaching a wider audience.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to turn your long-form YouTube videos into Shorts in 2025, quickly and easily.

How to Repurpose YouTube Videos as Shorts in 2025

Why Repurpose YouTube Videos into Shorts?

Repurposing your YouTube videos into Shorts is a smart way to extend your content’s lifespan while tapping into new viewers. Here’s why it works:

✅ More Discoverability: YouTube promotes Shorts heavily, increasing your chances of going viral.
✅ Faster Channel Growth: Many creators have seen huge subscriber boosts from Shorts.
✅ Higher Engagement: Viewers love bite-sized content that delivers value fast.
✅ Less Work, More Content: Instead of filming from scratch, you’re making the most of what you already have.

How to Repurpose YouTube Videos as Shorts (in 5 Steps)

Step 1: Select Your Original YouTube Video

Start by choosing a long-form YouTube video that you want to repurpose. The best options are videos that have clear, digestible points that can be easily broken into short, standalone clips.

Pro Tip: Look for a video that includes:
✔ Quick tips or how-tos – Great for creating value-packed Shorts.
✔ Engaging moments – Think reactions, big reveals, or high-energy content.
✔ Clear takeaways – A Short should make sense on its own, even if viewers haven’t seen the full video.

If your video includes multiple key points, each one could become its own Short, instantly multiplying your content.

Step 2: Duplicate Your Video for Shorts

Once you’ve selected your video, you’ll need to create separate versions for each Short. Instead of manually re-uploading your video multiple times, Zubtitle makes it easy with its Duplicate function.

Here’s how:
1. Upload your original video to Zubtitle.
2. Skip the trim tool for now and head to the next screen.
3. Use the "Duplicate" button to create multiple copies.

For example, if you’re turning a YouTube video into five Shorts, go ahead and duplicate it five times. Now, you can trim and edit each version while keeping the original file intact.

Step 3: Trim Your Video for Shorts

Now it’s time to trim each duplicate into a bite-sized Short.

🎯 Use Zubtitle’s simple point-and-drag editor to quickly trim the front and back ends of your video.
🎯 Focus on the most engaging part of the clip — the hook should grab attention instantly.
🎯 Keep it under 60 seconds (YouTube Shorts must be 60 seconds or less).

Once you’ve trimmed each clip to perfection, you’re ready for the next step!

Step 4: Resize & Optimize for Shorts

Since YouTube Shorts uses a vertical format (9:16), you’ll need to resize your video to ensure it displays correctly on mobile.

With Zubtitle, you can:
✔ Automatically resize your video for Shorts in one click.
✔ Edit captions for clarity and engagement.
✔ Customize with your branding — add a logo, brand colors, fonts, and more.
✔ Enhance with animated captions, headlines, and progress bars to grab attention.

Captions are especially important in 2025, as most users scroll with the sound off. Adding branded captions ensures your message is still seen — even on mute.

Step 5: Render & Upload Your Shorts

Once your videos are ready, all that’s left is rendering and uploading!

🚀 Click the "Download" button in Zubtitle to export your finished Shorts.
🚀 Upload to YouTube and optimize:

• Use #Shorts in the title & description for better discoverability.
• Write an engaging title that encourages clicks.
• Add relevant tags to help YouTube categorize your video.
• Include a call to action (CTA) — encourage viewers to subscribe, comment, or check out your full video.

Start Repurposing Your YouTube Videos as Shorts Today

Turning your long-form videos into high-performing YouTube Shorts is one of the easiest ways to boost your reach, grow your channel, and increase engagement without creating content from scratch.

✨ Ready to make repurposing effortless? ✨
Zubtitle helps you resize, trim, caption, and brand your Shorts — fast.

✅ Sign up for a free Zubtitle account and create your first YouTube Short today!