How to Post Videos on X (Twitter): The 10-30 Second Formula That Gets Results

Key Takeaways:

• Most X videos fail because they're boring vertical reposts from TikTok without captions
• Videos should be 10-30 seconds long in square or horizontal format for maximum engagement
• Adding captions and graphics keeps viewers' attention and drives better results
• CapCut formatting with 1080p export quality significantly improves video performance
• Educational posts paired with videos create the perfect engagement combination

My Video Success on X (Twitter)

Hey there, I'm Brad Smith, owner of Automation Links. I've been doing this marketing stuff for the last 10 years and worked with over 2500 brands. In my experience, most people are posting boring videos on X that get zero traction, and I'm going to show you exactly how to fix that.

I share my screen in my videos and show you exactly how to upload your video and actually do it right to get good results. I'll show you a few good examples and a few bad ones so you can learn from them.



• Quick Answer: Format videos as square or horizontal, keep them 10-30 seconds, add captions and graphics, then pair with educational posts for maximum engagement.
• Time Required: 5-10 minutes per video using CapCut
• Best For: Businesses wanting to capture attention and drive profile visits on X
  

Why Most X Videos Fail

The biggest mistake I see on X is people uploading vertical videos that are meant for TikTok and Instagram without adding captions to keep someone's attention. These videos look like direct copy-and-paste jobs, and people can tell you didn't put much effort into them.

Here's what separates good videos from bad ones:

Good X Videos Include:

• Graphics and visual elements to maintain attention
• Captions so viewers can read what you're saying
• Proper formatting (square or horizontal, not vertical)
• Short duration (10-30 seconds maximum)

Bad X Videos Are:

• Long-form content over 30 seconds
• Vertical format clearly from TikTok/Instagram
• No captions or visual engagement elements
• Generic content that looks effortless

The Best Video Length for X (Twitter)

You really don't want to make long-form videos on X. The sweet spot is videos that are between 10 to 30 seconds long. I've seen videos that capture people's attention at just 13 seconds in length.

The key difference from other platforms is that people aren't scrolling on X to learn things and get educated unless it's going to be a readable version. The videos are meant to:

• Capture attention fast
• Spark curiosity
• Get viewers to want to read the rest of the post

When you do add videos, I recommend making sure the captions are there and that you also have an educational post that they can read while watching the video.

How to Format Videos in CapCut for X

I prefer using CapCut because it's low cost and allows you to do captions easily. Here's my exact process:

Step 1: Choose the Right Ratio

1. Go to the ratio settings in CapCut
2. Choose either 16:9 (YouTube-style format) or 1:1 (square)
3. I think square (1x1) works best for X specifically

Step 2: Scale Your Video

1. Grab your video and scale it to fit perfectly in the box
2. Move it around until it's properly positioned
3. Now you've got an optimized video for X

Step 3: Trim to Optimal Length

For longer content, cut it down:

1. Find the 20-second mark in your timeline
2. Cut the video at that point
3. Keep only the most engaging 20 seconds

Step 4: Add Captions

1. Click "Generate" to auto-create captions
2. Customize the caption colors and styling
3. Make sure captions are clearly readable

Step 5: Export at High Quality

• Export at 1080p resolution
• X might recommend 720p, but we want to keep this as high quality as possible

Why Captions & Graphics Keep Viewers Engaged

Adding captions isn't just for accessibility—it's a crucial engagement tool. When someone is scrolling through X, they might have their sound off or be in a noisy environment. Captions ensure they can still consume your content.

Graphics and visual elements work the same way. They provide constant visual stimulation that keeps people watching instead of scrolling past. This is especially important on X where the feed moves quickly.

The combination of captions + graphics + short duration creates a video that performs well in X's algorithm and keeps real humans engaged.

Posting Tips to Boost engagement

When you're ready to post your optimized video, use this structure that I've found works best:

The Perfect X Video Post Structure:

1. Hook - Grab attention immediately
2. Story - Brief context or example
3. Education - The main valuable content
4. Engagement - Ask them to talk about themselves
5. More Info - Direct them somewhere for additional value

This format works because it combines the attention-grabbing video with educational content that people can actually learn from.

Creating Thumbnails for X Videos (Workaround)

X doesn't allow you to add thumbnails like YouTube and other platforms do, but there's a workaround I use:

1. Head back to CapCut
2. Find the best scene where you're most engaged
3. Take a snapshot of that moment
4. Add that image to the very beginning of your video
5. Make it show for just a split second
6. Add some eye-catching text overlay

This creates an effective "thumbnail" that shows when someone visits your profile. Instead of a boring static frame, you get something cool with big captions that focuses attention.

Tools I Recommend for X Video Success

For the complete X video workflow, here are the tools that make the biggest difference:

• Video Editing: CapCut (free and includes auto-captions)
• Content Planning: HypeFury for X posting automation
• Analytics: AdKong tracking software
• Follow-up: GoHighLevel CRM for lead nurturing

For more advanced X advertising strategies,  check out our X advertising service.

Common X Video Mistakes to Avoid

Based on analyzing hundreds of X videos, here are the mistakes that kill engagement:

1. The "Mr. Beast Problem": Just copying viral content without customization. Even big creators like Mr. Beast sometimes post content that doesn't perform well on X because it looks like a generic copy-paste job.
2. The "TikTok Tell": When your video format immediately signals it came from TikTok, users mentally categorize it as lazy content.
3. The "Education Overload": Making videos longer than 30 seconds assumes people want to learn complex topics from video alone on X.
4. Missing the Follow-Through: Posting great video content without an educational component in the text portion of the post.

Start Creating Better X Videos Today

The difference between videos that get ignored and videos that drive real engagement comes down to proper formatting, optimal length, and strategic posting. Most creators spend time on everything except these fundamentals.

If you want my full system on optimizing X and growing with X and X ads, I'd be happy to share it. This approach works for any industry because it focuses on the psychology of how people consume content on X specifically.

Key Takeaway: Stop posting boring vertical videos. Format them properly, keep them short, add captions and graphics, then pair with educational content. This simple system will dramatically improve your X video performance.

Ready to take your X strategy to the next level? Schedule a consultation and let's build a complete system that turns your X presence into a lead generation machine.

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