So you want to repurpose your YouTube videos into Instagram Reels?
I get it. You’ve put hours into creating valuable long-form YouTube content, but the thought of chopping it up for the short-form Reels format feels overwhelming.
Maybe you’re worried about losing the depth of your message…
Or perhaps the technical aspects of reformatting your content for a completely different platform seem daunting.
You’re not alone.
Many experts struggle to bridge this gap, leaving valuable content trapped on a single platform.
Why you should repurpose from YouTube to Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels offer explosive organic reach potential that YouTube simply can’t match right now. The algorithm actively promotes Reels content to users who don’t even follow you yet—something that’s becoming increasingly difficult on YouTube.
With Reels, you can reach a completely new audience that might never discover your YouTube channel otherwise.
But the importance of repurposing goes beyond just platform-specific opportunities.
Here’s the truth: you never really know what content will resonate until you put it out there—on different platforms, in different formats.
Back in 2020, I created a series of YouTube videos about note-taking that barely gained traction. On a whim, I decided to repurpose that content for Medium articles. The results? Those repurposed pieces helped me launch a profitable 5-figure course and add 3,000 email subscribers to my list in just 12 weeks.
Why such a dramatic difference? The reasons vary:
- Different audiences hang out on different platforms
- Algorithms favor different content styles
- Timing can make an enormous impact
- Format preferences vary widely (some people prefer reading, others watching)
The main differences between YouTube and Instagram Reels
YouTube is built for depth—videos that can run 10, 20, or even 60+ minutes where you can thoroughly explain concepts, tell stories, and build comprehensive arguments.
Instagram Reels, however, live in a completely different universe:
- 90-second maximum length (though most successful Reels are 15-30 seconds)
- Vertical orientation (9:16) versus YouTube’s horizontal format
- Hook-driven content that must capture attention in the first 1-2 seconds
- Music and trending sounds play a crucial role
- Text overlays are essential as many viewers watch without sound
- Fast-paced editing with quick cuts keeps viewers engaged
The most successful Reels don’t try to convey everything—they focus on one specific point, quote, or concept from your longer content.
What makes a good Instagram Reel
The best Reels distill complex ideas down to their essence. They don’t try to be comprehensive—they aim to be compelling.
Great Reels typically follow this structure:
1. A pattern interrupt hook (“The biggest mistake experts make when pricing courses…”)
2. Quick delivery of value (get to the point fast)
3. Clear visual hierarchy (text that emphasizes key points)
4. A strong call-to-action at the end
For example, if your 20-minute YouTube video covers “7 Ways to Monetize Your Expertise,” each individual monetization method could become its own Reel.
One particularly effective Reel from a course creator took a 3-minute segment about pricing psychology from a longer YouTube interview and transformed it into a 28-second Reel that generated over 200,000 views—far outperforming the original video.
Build Your Swipe File Of Winning Instagram Reels
The best way to understand what works on Reels is to study content that’s already performing well. Each platform operates by its own unwritten rules, so you need specific examples to understand what to extract and rewrite from your longer content.
PRO TIP: Look for creators who are relatively new to Reels but getting significant traction. Established influencers can often get views regardless of content quality, whereas newer successful creators are likely following the current best practices that actually work for smaller accounts.
This research requires some upfront investment, but it will dramatically improve your results.
Download my free templates of winning Reels content patterns here.
Simple workflow to turn YouTube videos to Instagram Reels
Okay, so now that you have these elements laid out…
You could either do this manually like a monkey.
Hire a VA that you need to train for weeks on Fiverr…
Or (my favorite way):
You could use AI and automation tools to make this process as smooth as butter.
Here’s an example:
As soon as you publish on YouTube, an automation workflow can extract the best clips and prepare them for Reels formatting.
You can create automations that utilize specific prompts to save your time.
Tools like n8n, Make, or Zapier can help you build these workflows. A simple one might look like this:
1. YouTube video is published
2. Transcription tool automatically generates text
3. AI analyzes transcript to identify high-value 30-second segments
4. Clips are extracted and sent to a video editor like CapCut
5. You add text overlays and make final adjustments
6. Publish to Instagram
One working prompt that consistently delivers results:
“Analyze this YouTube transcript and identify 3 segments (20-30 seconds each) that would make compelling standalone clips. Focus on segments that contain: surprising facts, counterintuitive advice, or highly actionable tips. For each segment, provide the timestamp, a catchy hook title, and suggested text overlay.”
Stop leaving your best content trapped on YouTube while your competitors are building massive audiences across multiple platforms. Your knowledge deserves to be seen—and repurposing is your ticket to exponential reach.
For more tips on how to repurpose your content and grow your audience with less work, sign up for my free emails below: