How to Create TikTok & Reels Videos for Free with AI

🤖 Claude Free — write your script and hook
https://claude.ai

🎥 Hailuo AI (MiniMax) — generate AI video clips from text (free tier)
https://hailuoai.com

🎙️ ElevenLabs Free — professional AI voiceover (10,000 chars/month)
https://elevenlabs.io

✂️ CapCut Free — edit, add captions, transitions, music
https://capcut.com

Alternative for video generation:
Runway Gen-3 Alpha Free (limited credits) → https://runwayml.com
Kling AI Free → https://klingai.com

✅ Script prompt for Claude:
"Write a 45-second TikTok script about [topic]. Format:
- Hook (first 3 seconds): a bold claim, surprising fact, or question that stops the scroll
- Problem (5-10 seconds): the pain point the viewer has
- Solution (20-30 seconds): the answer, broken into 3 short steps
- CTA (last 5 seconds): tell them to follow for more

Tone: conversational, no filler, fast-paced. Write as if speaking directly to camera. No bullet points in the script — write it as natural speech."

Hook formulas that work on TikTok:
"Nobody talks about this but..."
"I made [result] in [time] using only free tools"
"Stop [doing X] — do this instead"
"The free alternative to [expensive thing] that [specific result]"

✅ Steps in Hailuo AI:
1. Go to hailuoai.com → Sign up free (Google login works)
2. Click "Video Generator" → "Text to Video"
3. Write a prompt for each scene in your script
4. Generate 6-second clips (free tier)
5. Download each clip

✅ Hailuo prompt formula for TikTok clips:
"[subject doing action], [camera angle], [lighting], cinematic, vertical video, 9:16 aspect ratio"

Example prompts:
"Person typing on laptop at a coffee shop, close-up shot, warm natural light, cinematic, 9:16"
"Hands holding a smartphone showing a colorful app screen, overhead shot, bright studio light, 9:16"
"Abstract digital data streams glowing blue and purple, futuristic, dark background, 9:16"

Tip: Generate 2-3 versions of each scene and pick the best one.

✅ ElevenLabs voiceover steps:
1. Go to elevenlabs.io → Sign in
2. Click "Text to Speech"
3. Choose a voice:
• "Adam" or "Josh" for authoritative/educational tone
• "Rachel" for friendly/informational tone
• Your own cloned voice (from the previous guide)
4. Paste your script
5. Settings: Stability 0.4, Similarity 0.75, Style 0.2 (faster, punchier delivery)
6. Click Generate → Download MP3

✅ Make it sound more natural:
Add "..." for pauses
Add "[deep breath]" before key lines
Break long sentences into short ones before pasting
Capitalize words you want emphasized: "This is COMPLETELY free"

✅ CapCut editing workflow:
1. New Project → Import all Hailuo clips in order
2. Trim each clip to match the voiceover pacing
3. Add voiceover: "Audio" → "Import" → upload your ElevenLabs MP3
4. Auto captions: "Text" → "Auto Captions" → select language → generate
Style captions: Bold white, black outline, center-bottom position
5. Background music: "Audio" → "Music" → CapCut's free library
Volume: 8-12% (background only, don't overpower voiceover)
6. Transitions: Keep them simple — cut or quick fade only
7. Export: 1080p, 30fps, MP4 → no watermark with free account

Final ratio check before export:
✓ Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
✓ Duration: 30-60 seconds for TikTok, under 90s for Reels
✓ First frame: eye-catching, not black

✅ Best posting times (general, adjust for your audience timezone):
TikTok: 7-9am, 12-3pm, 7-11pm
Instagram Reels: 6-9am, 12-2pm, 5-8pm
Post Tuesday–Friday (avoid Monday and weekends for first posts)

✅ Hashtag strategy (use exactly this mix):
3 large hashtags (1M+ posts): #AI #TikTok #viral
3 medium hashtags (100K-1M): #aitools #contentcreator #freetools
3 niche hashtags (under 100K): #freeaialts #aiforbeginners #createwithAI

✅ Caption formula:
Line 1: Restate your hook (makes people read more)
Line 2: One sentence expanding on the value
Line 3: CTA — "Follow for more free AI workflows"

The single most important thing:
Post consistently — 3-5 videos/week beats 1 perfect video/month every time.