Updated 9 Oct 2026

Free content idea generator for short-form video

Type what you sell or post about and get 10 or 20 short-form video ideas for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and Facebook. Each one has a format, a first line to say and a shot idea. It is free, with no signup.

Example ideas

One for each pillar, made for “vitamin C serum”. Add your own details and press Generate.

Teach

1 idea

Answer a question or explain how something works.

Customer question
A real question about vitamin C serum
Say
Someone asked: [the question]. Here's what I'd say.
Shot
Show the question as text (with permission), then answer to camera.

Show

1 idea

Let people see the work, the product or the place.

Behind the scenes
Behind the scenes of vitamin C serum
Say
Here's a look behind vitamin C serum that you don't usually get to see.
Shot
Film the work as it happens and keep the sound natural or add a simple voiceover.

Prove

1 idea

Back it up with something real, using your own details.

Customer question
The question that changed how we work
Say
A customer asked [the question], and it changed [what changed].
Shot
Question on screen, then show the change.

Entertain

1 idea

Give people a reason to stay: a story, an opinion, a laugh.

Story
Something I learned the hard way
Say
I learned this the hard way with vitamin C serum: [what you learned].
Shot
Talk to camera, with a clip of the moment if you have one.

Press Generate for 10 or 20 ideas across all four pillars.

Before you post

How to use your ideas

Step 1: Mix the four pillars
Ideas come in four groups: teach, show, prove and entertain. A feed that only sells gets tiring, so post from all four over a few weeks.
Step 2: Fill the brackets with something true
Lines with [brackets], like [your result] or [customer name], need your own real details. Never invent a result, a customer or a quote, and ask before you show someone's name.
Step 3: Film the shot idea first
Each idea ends with a shot you can film today. Start with the shot, then say the first line over it. Many people watch with the sound off, so put the line on screen too.
Step 4: Batch a few, then repeat
Pick a handful of ideas, film them in one sitting and post them over the next days. Press Shuffle for a fresh set when you run out.

Pick the job

The 12 video formats

Each format does a different job. Pick the one your video can honestly deliver on.

How-to
Shows the steps to get something done, one step per shot.
Use it when you know the steps well. Keep it to the few that matter and put each step on screen.
Example
Here's how to get started with [your topic], one step at a time.
Behind the scenes
Lets people see the work, the place or the process they do not usually get to see.
Good for products and services made by hand or by a team. Film it as it happens; polish is optional.
Example
Here's a look behind [your topic] that you don't usually get to see.
Myth vs fact
Names a common belief, then corrects it.
Use a myth you really hear in your field, and a correction you can explain in a few seconds.
Example
Myth: [the myth]. Fact: [the truth].
Before and after
Shows the starting point and the finish side by side.
Use real work only, with the same framing in both shots. Fill the brackets with your own true details.
Example
Before: [your before]. After: [your after].
Day in the life
Follows a normal day at your business, channel or workshop in short clips.
Works when the day has a clear rhythm. Add a time on each clip so it is easy to follow.
Example
Come along for a normal day at our [business].
FAQ answer
Answers one question people ask before they buy or book.
Pick a question you have answered more than once, and answer only that one question per video.
Example
You asked: [the question]. Here's the answer.
Demo
Shows the product, tool or service doing its job.
Film it in one take if you can. Open on the result or on the action, not on a slow intro.
Example
Here's [your topic] in use, start to finish.
Customer question
Takes a real question from a customer or follower and answers it on camera.
Ask before you show someone's message or name. Paraphrase if you do not have permission.
Example
Someone asked: [the question]. Here's what I'd say.
Mistake to avoid
Names one common mistake and shows what to do instead.
Be specific. A mistake you have seen yourself, with a clear fix, is better than a vague warning.
Example
One mistake to avoid: [the mistake]. Do this instead: [the better way].
Comparison
Puts two options side by side and explains the difference.
Be fair to both options. Say who each one suits, and let the viewer choose.
Example
There are two ways to do this: [option one] and [option two].
List
Gives a short list the viewer can count along with.
Use your own items. Number each one on screen, and keep the list short enough to finish.
Example
Here are [number] things to know about [your topic].
Story
Tells a short story with a clear start, a turn and an ending.
Use a true story from your own work. Open on the scene, not on a preamble.
Example
Story time: how [your topic] started.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the content idea generator really free?

Yes. It is free, with no signup, no email and no limit on how many times you generate or shuffle.

Does the content idea generator use AI?

No. It fills written templates with your words, so it runs in your browser, answers instantly and sends nothing you type to a server. Contengine itself uses AI to research your brand and make short-form. This free tool does not.

What are the four content pillars?

Teach ideas answer a question or explain how something works. Show ideas let people see the work, the product or the place. Prove ideas back a claim with something real. Entertain ideas give people a reason to stay, like a story or an opinion. The tool spreads your ideas across all four.

Why do some ideas have [brackets]?

Brackets mark details only you know, like [your before] or [customer name]. The tool never invents results, customers or quotes, so the Prove ideas always use your own placeholders. Replace each bracket with something true before you post.

What do I do with an idea?

Read the title, say the first line out loud, and film the shot idea. Put the first line on screen as text for the first second or two. Then post it to TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts or Facebook.

What does Contengine do with ideas?

Contengine learns your brand, plans the hook and the shots, makes the short-form video and posts it to Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook. You approve every post, or turn on auto. Reach is organic, with no ad spend. It costs $29/mo per brand billed annually, or $49/mo month to month, and AI usage is billed at cost.

From a free tool to a posting engine

Contengine creates and posts these for you

This tool gives you the ideas. Contengine does the rest: it learns your brand from one link, plans the hook and the shots, makes the short-form video and posts it to Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook. You approve each post, or turn on auto, and it gets better every week.