What is clipping? A clear guide.
Clipping means cutting the best moments out of long videos and posting them as short clips. In clipping campaigns, creators and brands pay clippers based on the views those clips get. Here is how it works and how to get started.
How clipping campaigns work
A creator or brand starts a campaign
They share their long videos and a brief with the rules, often on platforms like Whop or ClipArmy.
You make clips
You cut short vertical clips from their videos, following the brief.
You post them on your own accounts
Usually on TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels.
You submit your links
The campaign tracks the views on your posts.
You get paid for views
Payment is usually based on the number of views, as described in the brief.
Rules you often see in a brief
- Length: a minimum and maximum number of seconds.
- Format: usually 9:16 vertical.
- Captions: often required.
- Tags and mentions: hashtags or an account you must tag.
- Not allowed: for example copyrighted music, watermarks or reposting other clippers’ work.
Tips to get more views
- Start with the strongest moment. The first one or two seconds decide everything.
- Pick moments that stand on their own: a story, a hot take or a funny reaction.
- Use captions and a short headline at the top.
- Post consistently, a few clips per day, instead of a big batch at once.
- Always read the brief again before you post. A clip that breaks the rules may not be paid.
How ClipSquad helps
ClipSquad is made for clippers. Add the campaign brief as a PDF, Word file or text and ClipSquad sets the length, format and required tags for you. It then finds the best moments, adds captions and frames the speaker. Before you post, the post-check shows whether each clip follows the brief.
Frequently asked questions
Is clipping legit?
Clipping campaigns are run by creators and brands who want their content spread. Only clip videos you have permission for, and follow the rules of the campaign.
How much can you earn with clipping?
That depends on the campaign and your views. Each campaign sets its own payment, so check the brief.
Do I need followers to start?
No. Many clippers start with new accounts. Good clips can get views without followers.
What do I need to start?
A computer with Chrome or Edge, accounts on TikTok, YouTube or Instagram, and a tool like ClipSquad to make the clips.