Let the sentence set the pace
Short-form video moves quickly, but captions do not need to chase every cut. Start by matching each caption to the phrase being spoken. Then watch the clip at normal speed and notice where you have to rush to finish reading.
If a caption feels crowded, shorten the displayed segment or divide it into two natural phrases. Avoid splitting a name, a number with its unit, or a closely connected expression across separate captions.
Use pauses as editing points
A pause is often a good place for one caption to leave and the next to appear. It gives the viewer a small visual reset. Listen for changes in thought as well as silence: a sentence can turn a corner without a long pause.
Do not reveal the punchline several seconds before the speaker says it. Caption timing is part of the delivery. Preview jokes, dramatic pauses and reactions with particular care.
Make text survive the background
A colour that looks great over a dark wall can disappear when the camera turns toward a window. Review the brightest and busiest frames in your clip, not just its first frame. A contrasting outline or solid background behind text can help where available.
Keep the font large enough to read in the final viewing size. Avoid packing so much text into a line that you must shrink it. If a caption covers a face, demonstration or key detail, reconsider its position or break it into shorter chunks.
Check the platform preview
Social apps place buttons, descriptions and other controls over videos. Their layouts can change, so check your draft in the platform where you intend to publish. Keep essential text away from areas that are covered in that preview.
Before publishing, watch the exported file from beginning to end. Check the opening caption, transitions between phrases and the final line. Export review catches problems that are easy to miss while focusing on one caption in the editor.