For creators and brands shipping cross-platform

One master, every platform spec

TikTok vertical, YouTube landscape, Instagram square, Shorts vertical, blog horizontal, newsletter image. Auto-resize preserving focal point and brand integrity, in one workflow pass.

Open workflow

When to use this recipe

Built for teams that publish cross-platform from a single source asset.

3+ platforms in rotation

Below 3 platforms, manual reformat is faster. At 3+ platforms, the per-platform reformat work adds up. Workflow compresses this into one pass.

One source asset per topic

Hero photo, generated image, or video master. Workflow expands the source across formats. Multiple source assets per topic complicates batching; one master per topic is the design.

Aspect ratio matters per platform

Vertical (TikTok, Reels, Shorts), square (IG feed), landscape (YouTube, X), portrait (Pinterest), banner (LinkedIn). Each spec is different; the workflow handles the rules.

Focal point preservation matters

Naive crop loses the focal subject. Workflow auto-detects and preserves focal point across aspect ratios. Hero subject stays centered; background adjusts.

The workflow

Five steps from a master asset to per-platform exports ready to schedule.

Identify the master and its focal point (5 minutes)

Master asset (image or video). Focal point: product, face, hook visual. Workflow needs to know what to preserve when cropping. Auto-detection works most of the time; flag manually if not.

Select target platforms (2 minutes)

Pick which platforms to export to: TikTok, YouTube, Instagram (feed and Reels), Shorts, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, blog, newsletter, custom. Each adds its own spec to the export batch.

Run the batch reformat (5 to 15 minutes)

Workflow produces per-platform exports in parallel. Focal point preserved across aspect ratios. Per-platform spec compliance (resolution, codec, file size limits) handled automatically.

Add platform-specific hooks if needed (15 minutes)

TikTok benefits from a first-second hook overlay. YouTube benefits from a thumbnail and end-screen integration. Per-platform polish that takes the same source to platform-native feel.

Name files for your scheduler (5 minutes)

Schedule_Platform_Topic naming so Buffer, Later, or native schedulers can ingest without manual rename. The batch is ready to publish across the week.

Tips and failure modes

Six patterns separating clean multi-platform exports from per-platform redo cycles.

Focal point detection fails sometimes

Auto-detection works for clear-subject masters. For abstract or multi-subject masters, manually flag the focal point. Saves a regeneration cycle.

Vertical needs different composition than landscape

Generating per-platform from a single landscape master sometimes fails on vertical (focal subject crops weirdly). For high-stakes vertical content, generate vertical-native rather than cropping.

Hooks per platform increase engagement

TikTok rewards first-second hook overlay. YouTube rewards thumbnail-and-title pairing. Platform-specific hooks add minutes per platform but lift engagement materially.

File size limits vary

Each platform has different file size limits. Workflow handles compression to spec; verify by sampling exports before publishing. Compression artifacts on premium content matter.

Text overlay safe zones

TikTok and Reels have UI overlay zones (caption, like button) that obstruct content. Workflow handles safe-zone composition; verify your hook text is not behind a UI element.

Name files for scheduler ingestion

Consistent naming (Date_Platform_Topic) lets your scheduler (Buffer, Later, Hootsuite) ingest the batch automatically. Without naming discipline, manual scheduling burns the workflow time savings.

Frequently asked questions

What cross-platform creators and brands ask about multi-platform export.

Does cropping from one master always work?

For clear-subject masters (product, face), usually yes. For abstract or multi-subject masters, vertical crops sometimes lose the visual story. High-stakes vertical content benefits from vertical-native generation.

How many platforms in one batch?

Practical limit is around 8 platforms per master. Above that, the cognitive cost of platform-specific polish exceeds the workflow time savings. 4 to 6 platforms is the typical sweet spot.

What about video aspect ratios specifically?

TikTok and Shorts at 9:16, IG feed at 1:1 or 4:5, YouTube at 16:9. Workflow handles the conversion. Audio sync preserved across reformats; subtitle burning available per platform.

Can I export different lengths per platform?

Yes. TikTok-shortened version (15 to 60 seconds) vs YouTube full-length. Workflow handles trim points per platform; you specify the segment per platform.

What about Pinterest pin variations?

Pinterest rewards multiple pin variations per post. The Daily Content Batcher recipe handles Pinterest pin batches better than per-master single export. Use Pinterest as a complement to this workflow, not a primary output.

Will my brand identity stay consistent?

Yes with brand-locked workflow templates. Brand colors, type, and layout patterns load into the workflow; per-platform exports inherit them. Brand consistency across platforms is the design goal.

Can I integrate with Buffer or Later?

Yes, via file naming or API. Pro tier supports API push directly into schedulers. Free and Basic tiers use file naming conventions for ingestion. Either way, the schedule-the-week workflow is preserved.

How does this fit with the Daily Content Batcher?

Complementary. The Daily Content Batcher plans and produces 7 topics for the week. This recipe handles per-platform export from each topic. Use together for high-cadence cross-platform publishing.

Publish across every platform without the per-platform redo

Multi-Platform Export workflow takes one master and produces TikTok vertical, YouTube landscape, Instagram square, Shorts, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, blog, and newsletter variants in one pass.

Open workflow