How to make Reddit story videos
Reddit story videos are short videos where a voice reads a story from Reddit (Am I the Asshole, TIFU, relationship advice, pro revenge, scary stories) over a background with big captions. They are one of the most popular faceless formats on TikTok and YouTube Shorts because the stories do the hard work: conflict, a twist and a question for the comments. This guide covers the whole process, including the parts most tutorials skip, like permission and monetization.
1. Pick a story that works on video
Not every popular post makes a good video. Look for:
- Clear conflict in the first sentence. "My sister banned me from her wedding because of my dog" beats a slow background story.
- A twist or payoff. An update, a reveal, a satisfying ending.
- A question viewers want to answer. AITA stories work because everybody has an opinion.
- The right length. 150 to 250 words for a 60 to 90 second video. Longer stories become Part 1 and Part 2.
2. Respect the writer and the rules
A Reddit post belongs to the person who wrote it. Reddit's terms give Reddit a licence to the content, not you. To stay on the safe side:
- Ask the original poster for permission when you can, especially for long or very personal stories.
- Never show usernames, and change names, cities and other identifying details.
- Retell or summarise in your own words instead of copying the post word for word.
- Or write your own original stories in the same style, which removes the problem completely.
3. Rewrite it for the ear
Reddit posts are written to be read, not heard. Before you make the voiceover:
- Move the most dramatic line to the very start. That is your hook.
- Cut background that does not matter to the ending.
- Write out abbreviations: "AITA" becomes "Am I the jerk", "BF" becomes "boyfriend". Write ages as words ("my twenty-eight year old sister").
- Split long sentences into short ones; an AI voice sounds more natural that way.
- End with a question: "So, was I wrong?"
4. Make the video in BolCaps
- Open the Script to video editor and paste your rewritten story.
- Choose 9:16 for TikTok, Reels and Shorts.
- Pick a voice. Heart (female) and Michael (male) are the most natural US English voices; set the speed a little faster than normal.
- Choose the visuals: AI pictures or stock videos that follow the story, or your own gameplay clip with Edit my videos.
- Press Generate video. BolCaps adds the voice, scenes, transitions and word-by-word captions.
- Check each scene, swap any picture that does not fit, and export the MP4.
Script to video is free for up to 6 minutes of video per person per day, with no watermark.
5. Backgrounds: gameplay, stock or AI pictures?
The classic look is a Minecraft parkour or Subway Surfers-style gameplay clip under the captions. It holds attention, but only use gameplay you recorded yourself or have the rights to; re-uploading other creators' gameplay is a fast way to a copyright claim. Visuals that follow the story (a wedding, a dog, an angry text message) feel more original and are what BolCaps makes by default.
6. Can you monetize Reddit story videos?
YouTube's reused content policy targets videos that reuse other people's material without adding significant original commentary or value, and its inauthentic content rules target mass-produced, repetitive videos. A plain AI voice reading copied posts over stock gameplay is exactly what those rules describe, and many such channels are refused for monetization.
What helps: original or heavily rewritten stories, your own commentary or reaction, your own voice, real editing and a consistent format with your own personality. Read our reused content guide and run the free monetization checker before you upload.
7. Posting tips
- Post at a consistent time every day; this format rewards volume and consistency.
- Use the same caption style and voice so viewers recognise your channel.
- Split long stories into parts and pin a comment linking Part 2.
- Reply to comments with your own take, which brings people back to the video.
Free tools for this
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