Automate Social Media Video

The daily flow of new content on social media makes it essential to post regularly. Content must also stand out to be effective as a marketing tactic. A great way to tackle this is by integrating video automation into your social media strategy. By doing this, it's possible to create consistent, compelling social media video content driven by automation in a fraction of the time otherwise required.

Consistent video through automation
Automate social media posts
Social media content that stands out

Tutorial: How to Automate Social Media Video

Here's a quick breakdown of how to make videos for social media automatically. It's just a matter of creating a video template, then setting up a custom routine that uses that template to generate video in a way that works for you. There's a lot of flexibility here, as no-code tools like Zapier can be used to create very custom workflows that fit your specific needs.

1
Start with a social media video template

Video on social media comes in different styles and formats. Start by thinking about the social media platforms you're targeting. On Facebook and Twitter, videos tend to be horizontal instead of vertical, like Stories and TikTok, which have a storytelling format that appeals to a younger audience.

Creatomate comes with several video styles that work with any of these formats out-of-the-box. Alternatively, you can design your own social media video template with the online template editor. Once you have a template ready, you can use it to automatically generate tons of social media videos, as we'll see next.

01	Spring Sale	Image 1	#4980f1
02	Summer Sale	Image 2	#4980f1
03	Autumn Sale	Image 3	#4980f1
…	…	…	…
99	Holiday Sale	Image 99	#4980f1

99 videos generated

2
Set up an automated workflow

The video template from step 1 can then be put into an automated workflow. There are several ways to accomplish this, ranging from code-based approaches to no-code ones. If you do not wish to use code, you can set up an automated routine using a no-code tool such as Zapier. This is by far the easiest method of automating social media videos. Through Zapier, we are able to connect thousands of apps in a way that completely automates the process.

Another way is to use code. If you are familiar with programming languages or if you have a developer on your team, you can write software that interacts with the Video API to generate video based on the template from the previous step. While it's the most flexible approach, it requires a basic understanding of Python, JavaScript, or PHP.

3
Start generating social media videos on autopilot

Creating a video template and automated workflow takes only a few minutes, but already pays off with the first auto-generated social media videos. As an example, you may set up a Zapier scenario that runs automatically whenever a new row is added to a spreadsheet. The workflow can take data from this row, create a video featuring a custom text message and pictures, and automatically post the video on all social media platforms.

Whenever that automated scenario runs, a bit of effort is saved, which can accumulate over time to result in considerable time savings. In the fast-paced world of social media, where consistency in posting is essential, using automation to create video posts is an excellent way to be more efficient.

Frequently asked questions

How can I automate social media videos?

Social media videos can be automated using code (such as JavaScript, Python, or PHP) or a no-coding tool (such as Zapier) together with Creatomate's video API service. By connecting these services, you can create completely hands-free automations for generating video for all your social media channels, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube.

What are the benefits of automating social media video?

Producing social media video is time-consuming, so automating it is a great way to save time in the long run. It will also help you to keep all of your social media video consistent with the brand, while limiting the possibility of human error.

What kind of social media videos can be automated?

Almost any kind of video can be automated. Especially if the video can be designed as a reusable template, it is very easy to set up a workflow to create videos using existing content (such as a spreadsheet, blog posts, and quotes). The Creatomate video template editor allows you to design your own type of social media video templates in an easy and intuitive manner.

How long does it take to set up?

It takes less than 10 minutes to set up an automated scenario using a platform such as Zapier. At the bottom of the page, there are several guides that guide you step-by-step through the process.

Who is social media automation intended for?

The benefits of social media automation are huge for anyone who is serious about their social media outreach. It's especially helpful for entrepreneurs and small teams that wish to concentrate on their areas of expertise, rather than spending a lot of time on social media. Due to the time-consuming nature of social media video, many business owners don't use it to its full potential. In addition to that, automation can save them from having to outsource the job to a marketing team.

What's the best tool for automating social media video?

The best tool for automating social media video is Creatomate, as it provides all of the video generating tools you need in one place. You can create your own video templates and then automate them using one of the dozen integrations and automation tools.