Each social platform has its own vibe, audience expectations, and technical requirements. Here's how to tailor your prompts for maximum impact on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
TikTok: Raw, Trendy, Fast-Paced
TikTok audiences expect authentic, trend-aware content. Your prompts should reflect this energy.
What Works on TikTok
- Trend-adjacent aesthetics
- Quick, attention-grabbing visuals
- Relatable, everyday moments
- Satisfying loops and transitions
TikTok Prompt Framework
[Trendy/relatable subject] [quick action], [casual setting], authentic and unpolished feel, vertical format, scroll-stopping first frame, [current aesthetic trend]
Example Prompts
Aesthetic/Mood Content:
Iced coffee being poured over ice cubes in slow motion, golden afternoon light through a window, cozy cafe vibes, ASMR-satisfying, that girl aesthetic
Satisfying Content:
Perfectly organized colored pencils being arranged by gradient, top-down view, crisp shadows, oddly satisfying, clean and minimal
Lifestyle/Relatable:
Cozy bedroom with fairy lights, person's hand reaching for phone on nightstand, early morning light, relatable morning moment, soft and dreamy
Instagram Reels: Polished, Aspirational, Beautiful
Instagram leans toward curated, aesthetically pleasing content. Higher production value expected.
What Works on Reels
- Visually stunning compositions
- Aspirational lifestyle content
- Clean, well-lit scenes
- Smooth, professional motion
Reels Prompt Framework
[Aspirational subject] [elegant action], [beautiful setting], [professional lighting], polished and refined, Instagram-worthy aesthetic, vertical composition
Example Prompts
Travel/Lifestyle:
Crystal clear turquoise water lapping against white sand beach, drone-style slowly pushing forward, golden hour lighting, wanderlust aesthetic, cinematic travel content
Fashion/Beauty:
Elegant perfume bottle catching light on a marble vanity, soft morning glow, luxury minimalist setting, editorial beauty style, aspirational lifestyle
Food:
Perfectly plated brunch with avocado toast and latte art, bright natural light, clean white table setting, foodie aesthetic, Instagram food photography style
YouTube Shorts: Informative, Hook-Driven, Value-Focused
YouTube Shorts audiences often expect more substance. Hook them fast, deliver value.
What Works on Shorts
- Clear visual storytelling
- Educational or informative content
- Strong opening frames
- Slightly longer attention spans than TikTok
Shorts Prompt Framework
[Clear subject with purpose] [demonstrative action], [context-appropriate setting], informative and engaging, YouTube-style quality, vertical format, strong visual hook
Example Prompts
Educational/How-To Feel:
Close-up of hands demonstrating a satisfying organization hack, drawer transformation, before-to-after energy, helpful and inspiring, life hack aesthetic
Tech/Product:
Sleek new gadget powering on with glowing interface, futuristic desk setup, tech reviewer style, impressive and innovative, gadget showcase
Motivation/Inspiration:
Sunrise over city skyline, golden light breaking through buildings, slow cinematic push forward, new day energy, motivational and inspiring, hustle culture aesthetic
Universal Tips for All Platforms
1. Nail the First Frame
All platforms judge content in the first 0.5 seconds. Include:
- Scroll-stopping first frame
- Strong opening visual
- Immediate visual interest
2. Design for Sound-Off
Many viewers watch without sound:
- Focus on visual storytelling
- Avoid prompts that rely on audio context
- Make motion and visuals carry the message
3. Consider Loop Potential
Looping content gets more watch time:
- Seamless loop
- Perfect loop point
- Continuous motion
4. Vertical First
Always specify vertical format:
- 9:16 aspect ratio
- Vertical composition
- Mobile-first framing
5. Platform-Specific Keywords
TikTok vibes: authentic, raw, trending, relatable, aesthetic, that girl, clean girl, cozy, chaotic
Reels vibes: aspirational, curated, editorial, luxury, polished, elevated, refined
Shorts vibes: informative, valuable, impressive, satisfying, educational, interesting
Match your prompt vocabulary to the platform for best results.