How to make a text story video for TikTok

Text story videos tell a story as a chat that plays out on screen: typing dots, messages typing in, the conversation scrolling up. They're quick to make and easy to follow with the sound off. This guide takes you from a blank script to a 9:16 video ready for TikTok, Reels or Shorts.

Step 1: Write the story first

The best text stories read like a real conversation with a hook in the first message and a payoff at the end. Before you open the editor, jot down the beats:

Hook: the first message should make people want the next one ("ok don't be mad…").
Back and forth: short messages keep the pace up. Split long thoughts into two or three bubbles.
Pauses: a beat of silence before a reply is a punchline. You'll be able to add one to any message.
Payoff: end on the twist or the joke, then let it sit for a second.

Step 2: Type the chat

Open Text story in Saynetic. You start with a short example you can overwrite. Each row is one message:

Who sends it: tap the name chip to switch between the other person (left) and you (right).
The text, plus an optional emoji or your own image.
Pause before (seconds) for dramatic timing, and Instant for a message that appears at once without typing.

Add, duplicate, delete and drag messages to reorder them. Everything can be undone. Type the contact's name at the top: by default it's shown centred at the top of the screen with their initials (or a picture you add), like a text feed.

Use made-up names and your own pictures. Don't use real people's photos or phone numbers, and don't make a chat look like it came from a real person who didn't write it.

Step 3: Pick a look

Choose one of five looks (Classic Blue, Dark Mode, Green Chat, Minimal, Neon Night) and adjust the bubble and text colours, font, bubble size and corner radius if you like. For TikTok keep the format at 9:16.

For the background, use a solid colour or gradient, your own image, or your own video. A popular format puts the chat in the top or bottom half over gameplay or b-roll: choose Chat over video under Layout, then Your video as the background.

Step 4: Timing, sound and extras

Typing speed and gap: about 18 letters per second and a 0.6 second gap feel natural. Speed up for drama, slow down for tension.
AI voiceover (optional): switch to AI voiceover to have each person read their messages in their own voice. The voices are made on your device; the voice model downloads once (about 94 MB). Bubbles are timed to the speech, and you can add captions of it.
Sound effects: typing clicks, a send whoosh and a receive pop, with a volume slider. They're off by default.
Read receipt and timestamps add realism. A timestamp appears before the first message and after any pause of 2 seconds or more.
Hook title: add a big title over the first seconds ("the dinner that ruined my week") from the Hook section.

Step 5: Export and post

Press Export. The video is made on your device at 1080×1920 and 30 fps, ready to upload. Turn on Safe zones above the preview to check nothing important sits under TikTok's buttons; the chat already keeps clear of them by default.

Tips that keep people watching

Keep it under a minute for most stories. If it runs long, cut filler messages rather than speeding everything up.
Use one emoji-only message for a big reaction: it shows large, without a bubble.
Leave the last message on screen: the video holds for a moment after it before the optional end card.