In today’s fast-paced world, Instagram has become an essential platform for sharing moments and staying connected with friends and family. However, one aspect of Instagram that can sometimes be overwhelming is the length of stories. With each story consisting of 15 seconds or less, it can be difficult to fit all your content into just one post. This is where trimming comes in handy. Trimming allows you to cut out unnecessary parts from your videos so they fit perfectly within Instagram’s character limit.
Understanding Instagram Character Limits
Before we dive into trimming techniques, let’s understand how long each Instagram story video can be. Each Instagram story consists of three posts, which means there are typically six frames per story. On average, these six frames take up about 432 characters (including spaces) on Instagram. If you’re planning to add text captions, this number increases slightly.
Common Trimming Techniques
Remove Background Noise
One common technique for trimming Instagram story videos is to remove any background noise or distractions. This not only makes your video cleaner but also enhances its overall aesthetic appeal. Use tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or even free apps like DaVinci Resolve to edit your footage and reduce unwanted elements.
Reduce Text Captions
If you’re using text captions in your Instagram stories, consider reducing their size or removing them altogether if possible. Longer texts can make your video longer than necessary. Instead, opt for short, impactful captions that convey your message succinctly.
Optimize Your Videos for Smaller Screens
Not everyone uses large screens when scrolling through Instagram Stories. By optimizing your videos for smaller devices, you can ensure they look great on mobile phones and tablets. This involves compressing the resolution and adjusting the frame rate to make the video more compact without sacrificing quality.
Edit Out Unnecessary Animations
Animations can add visual interest to your videos, but they can also stretch them unnecessarily. Consider editing out any animations that don’t serve a purpose or enhance the story being told. This will help keep your video under the character limit while still maintaining its impact.
Advanced Trimming Tools
For those who prefer advanced editing capabilities, there are several third-party software options available:
- Adobe Premiere Pro: A powerful professional-grade video editor that offers extensive trimming features and customization options.
- Final Cut Pro: Another industry-standard video editing tool known for its detailed control over video trimming and optimization.
- DaVinci Resolve: An open-source video editor that provides advanced trimming tools along with color correction and grading functions.
Practical Examples
Let’s say you have a five-minute video that needs to be trimmed down to just two minutes for Instagram. Here’s a simple example of what you might do:
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Remove Background Noise: Open your video in Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro and use the “Trim” tool to delete sections that contain unnecessary sounds or noises.
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Optimize Resolution: In DaVinci Resolve, select the video and adjust the resolution settings to match the smallest device screen size used most frequently by your audience.
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Reduce Text Size: If you’re using subtitles, resize them until they fit comfortably within the remaining space. Alternatively, disable subtitles entirely if they don’t significantly contribute to the narrative.
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Cut Out Animations: Identify scenes with excessive animation and manually remove them using the timeline scrubbing feature.
By following these steps and utilizing advanced trimming tools, you can effectively trim your Instagram story videos to meet the character limits while keeping them engaging and visually appealing. Remember, the key is finding the right balance between adding value to your content and adhering to Instagram’s guidelines.
