YouTube Shorts have exploded in popularity over the past couple of years. As our attention spans get shorter, these ultra-short vertical videos are capturing viewer interest in a big way.
But how can you as a creator tap into this hot new format? What goes into an effective Short? And most importantly, how can you build an audience and monetize your efforts?
This comprehensive guide breaks down everything a beginner needs to know to find success on YouTube Shorts. Let‘s dive in!
What Are YouTube Shorts and Why Should You Care?
YouTube Shorts are short-form videos that are 15 or 60 seconds long. They are shot vertically on a smartphone and optimized for mobile consumption.
Here are some key stats about Shorts:
- Over 15 billion daily views
- 26.5 billion monthly views
- 6.5 billion daily uploads
As you can see, Shorts represent a massive opportunity to reach viewers who increasingly prefer bite-sized content.
The great thing about Shorts is that they don‘t require fancy equipment or editing skills. Anyone can film them easily using just a phone.
And because they live within YouTube, you can leverage the platform‘s powerful recommendation engine. A winning Short can put your channel in front of tons of viewers searching for related content.
Crafting Share-Worthy Shorts: 6 Pro Tips
Creating a YouTube Short is the easy part. Making one that captivates audiences is a different story.
Here are six strategies to make thumb-stopping, view-grabbing Shorts:
1. Hook Viewers Fast
You have mere seconds to grab attention. Lead with your most engaging clip and make sure something dynamic happens within the first five seconds.
2. Keep It Simple
Resist the urge to cram too much in. Stick to one clear message tailored to your niche.
3. Add Interactive Elements
Leverage YouTube‘s effects to add text, graphics, filters and more. This boosts engagement.
4. Encourage Comments
Ask viewers questions and invite them to respond. This can help Shorts get promoted.
5. Link to Other Content
Entice viewers to check out your channel, website, or social profiles for more.
6. Analyze Performance
Pay attention to metrics like views, comments and traffic sources. Refine based on what‘s working.
Monetizing Your Shorts: 5 Options
While you can‘t run ads on Shorts yet, there are still plenty of monetization paths available:
YouTube Partner Program – Once enabled, you can earn a cut of the ad revenue your Shorts generate through Google AdSense.
Affiliate Marketing – Promote relevant products inside your Shorts and earn commissions when viewers purchase.
Selling Merchandise – Design t-shirts, mugs and other goods featuring your brand, clips or catchphrases.
Promoting Services – Showcase your skills and talents, then upsell viewers hiring your services.
Driving Traffic To Monetized Channels – Direct viewers to other monetized videos and content you‘ve created.
The key is crafting Shorts that captivate and convert viewers into subscribers and customers. High quality and consistency are key!
Maximizing Discoverability: 8 Marketing Tips
With over two billion monthly viewers on YouTube, standing out is a tall order. Here are some marketing best practices:
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Optimized metadata – Include targeted titles, descriptions and tags so people can find your content.
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Leveraging trends – Jump on trending topics, songs, hashtags and more to increase visibility.
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Calls to action – Explicitly ask viewers to like, comment, subscribe and share at the end.
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Playlists – Curate Shorts into themed playlists to boost watch time and views.
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Cross-promotion – Share your Shorts across TikTok, Instagram, etc. to maximize reach.
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Interacting with commenters – Reply, like comments and @ mention engaged viewers – YouTube notices!
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Video editing – Use editing to string clips together into compelling narratives that keep viewers hooked.
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Performance tracking – Analyze metrics to see which Shorts are resonating and double down on what works.
Still Have Questions? Check The FAQ!
When will I be able to run ads on my Shorts?
Ads will start rolling out in early 2023. All creators will gain access eventually.
Are links allowed in Shorts?
Yes, though destination websites must comply with community guidelines. Affiliate links are permitted.
Can I use copyrighted songs?
Many songs are available through YouTube‘s audio library. Otherwise, you‘ll need artist permission.
What‘s better – YouTube, TikTok or Instagram for short videos?
Each has pros and cons. Post your Shorts across multiple platforms to maximize views!
Dive Into YouTube Shorts Today
As you can see, YouTube Shorts represent an exciting, low-barrier way to grow an audience around addicting mobile content.
The key is staying focused on value, entertainment and virality with each piece of short-form video you produce. Do that while actively promoting and tracking performance, and your channel can thrive!
What unique, creative Shorts can you make that will delight viewers and get them coming back for more? The possibilities are endless – now get filming!
