Youtube, the giant online video company, decided not to fall behind after seeing the great success of short and vertical videos powered by Tik Tok and Instagram Reels. But how good are Youtube Shorts? Are they worth it? Here we’ll tell you everything you need to know before implementing it into your video marketing strategy.
Here’s What You’ll Find:
- First Things First, What Are YouTube Shorts?
- How to Make YouTube Shorts?
- How to Upload Shorts on YouTube?
- Where Do You Find YouTube Shorts?
- Let’s Talk About Money
- Why Do We Like YouTube Shorts?
- Why Do We Give Them Thumbs Down?
- Best Practices to Make the Most of Them
- Final Thoughts: Are Those Videos Really Worth It?
- FAQ YouTube Shorts
First Things First, What Are YouTube Shorts?
As we already anticipated, YouTube Shorts are nothing more than online videos in a vertical format with a short duration (up to 60 seconds).
💥 Note: these videos can only be created/uploaded via mobile device. However, anyone can watch them, no matter what device they use.
These videos, which live within the YouTube platform, have complemented the classic horizontal and long-form videos. According to YouTube, the shorts are “easy to consume” and have a “broad appeal” because of the variety of sounds, trends, and information that can be shared and expressed through a video to reach your audience.
▶️ Check out Placeit’s lower-thirds YouTube templates.
Technical Considerations
If you’re wondering how long YouTube Shorts can be or what the YouTube shorts aspect ratio is, we have that information for you so you can share it with your graphic designer or create them yourself. However, if you’re trying to record a video from scratch (directly on YouTube), it won’t be necessary to guess these factors since the video will record with these attributes by default. 😉
- Length: up to 60 seconds.
- Aspect Ratio: for vertical videos, use the 9:16 ratio. Also, you can upload a 1:1 ratio video, but it’ll show up as a square with black borders.
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920 px
- Max File Size: 2 MB
- File Format: .MP4 and .MOV.
🔥 You might like: How to Edit YouTube Videos Like a Pro
How to Make YouTube Shorts?
For YouTube Shorts, there are two alternatives: uploading a ready-made video or recording one from scratch.
Features
- For both alternatives, it’s possible to add text, sounds and songs, photograms, and filters.
- And if your goal is to create a video from scratch, the YouTube Shorts editor allows you to: use the front and rear camera, add a timer, and change the speed from 0.3X to 3X. Plus the features we described above.
How to Upload Shorts on YouTube?
- Open your YouTube App from your mobile.
- Go to the bottom bar and click on “Shorts.”
- Then, you’ll see the Shorts videos section. Next, click on the camera button in the top right-hand corner to create your first Short.
- There the YouTube Shorts editor will appear. You can choose whether to create a new video or upload a recent one.
✨ For further information, go to the YouTube center by clicking here.
Where Do You Find YouTube Shorts?
As we mentioned, shorts are a tool and add-on found on YouTube, so check out the different sections where you can find them:
- On the Home Page. Here you can find a row containing different Shorts, so you can swipe right until you find an attractive video to watch.
- Through the Search Bar. Thanks to the hashtags and keywords, you’ll be able to find Shorts that correspond to what you are looking for. The videos will be shown on the top or directly in the search results.
- By Clicking Directly on a Channel. Immediately, you’ll be able to watch the most recent Shorts video. However, you’ll find a mosaic at the bottom of the channel that includes a six shorts gallery.
- Let the Notification Bell Ring! This will depend on YouTube’s algorithm, although the notification won’t pop up every time a Short is up.
- Subscriptions Feed. In this section, subs are the first ones to see them. Here, you’ll be able to watch them individually or in a row of up to 15 different Shorts, and if none of them convince you, you can click on “View all.”
- Shorts Section. Of course, it couldn’t be missing from this list as it’s obvious. Here, relax and prepare to watch unlimited minutes of content.
Let’s Talk About Money
Well, let’s be clear here. YouTube Shorts don’t allow creators to earn revenue through advertising -as in traditional videos-. That’s why the red company decided to create a Fund.
According to the Google official support site, the Fund was created to help creators. Its value ascends to $100M to “reward creators for their dedication to making creative, original Shorts that delight the YouTube community.” Therefore, the selected creators receive a bonus of anywhere from $100 to $10,000.
It’s worth mentioning that you can’t sign up or send an application; it’s the YouTube team who directly contacts the creators based on the requirements and the contents.
🔥 Keep reading: How to Make Money on YouTube
Why Do We Like YouTube Shorts? 😉
- Firstly, Shorts are available all around the world. So anyone can become a content creator!
- They are ideal for communicating quick news without making a long video.
- Viewers only have to scroll down to keep watching and discovering more Shorts.
- They bring you closer to people and help you to make your videos visible and gain followers in a short time.
- For advertisers, it’s an advantage that now, ads are displayed within the “Shorts” tab.
- The “subscribe” button is visibly larger than on other platforms. In addition, it has a vibrant red color that makes it easier to click on.
- Shorts are perfect for those channels that already have a consolidated audience since their subscribers are the first to watch their content.
- Lastly, it’s a platform used by everyone from children to older people.
Why Do We Give Them Thumbs Down? 🥱
- There isn’t a great variety of videos compared to other vertical video platforms, as some tend to repeat themselves.
- It isn’t possible to monetize YouTube Shorts.
- Metrics and statistics aren’t very advanced.
- The Shorts video editor is quite basic and doesn’t work with artificial intelligence.
- It isn’t possible to download videos (by an Internet user).
- Even though you have created great content, if YouTube Shorts doesn’t invite you to the creator’s Fund, you can’t receive any money from that, no matter how much effort you’ve invested in them.
- New accounts that start from scratch are unlikely to succeed with Shorts, as they get very few views and interaction. However, one video can go viral, but it doesn’t happen frequently.
🔥 If you want to check out the pros and cons of other video platforms, we suggest: YouTube Shorts vs. Tik Tok vs. Reels: Which Is best?
Best Practices to Make the Most of Them
1. Who Is Your Target?
Of course, we couldn’t miss an obvious step. Before going straight to the best practices, we must know who we are talking to. Therefore, you can create engaging content that aligns with what your target wants to watch. Don’t forget to include the visual part. At Placeit by Envato, we have a lot of templates ready to use! 😉
2. Forget About Competitors and Make Things Right
Nowadays, many accounts often upload a video to TikTok and then save it and upload it directly to YouTube Shorts, including the watermark! However, to ensure optimal eligibility for the YouTube Shorts Fund, it’s advisable to upload the original video without any logos or watermarks. This may entail utilizing software with no watermark to preserve the video’s integrity when transitioning between platforms. While YouTube Shorts does not penalize or prohibit the inclusion of watermarks, presenting content in its purest form enhances its appeal and potential for monetization.
3. Titles, Hashtags, and Descriptions Are the Key to Standing Out
All these elements play an essential role. First of all, you must use the right ones for your audience to find you; remember that YouTube is still a search engine and not a social network at the end of the day. So:
- Use keywords your audience search for or identify with. Add them to your title and hashtags.
- Also, don’t forget to write attractive titles that generate clicks.
- Try to keep your descriptions short.
- Add the hashtag #Shorts for the YouTube system to recommend your Shorts all over the platform.
- During the first few seconds, try to implement bold and captivating images to make viewers stay.
- Also, complement this action with unique edits, popular audio, good lighting, costumes, and locations.
Many of the most popular videos aren’t always the most produced or budget-intensive. What attracts the most are entertaining, informative, or funny videos that sometimes even include everyday situations that make us click because we identify with them.
4. Repeat Over and Over Again
Another practice recommended by YouTube is to start and end with the same shot and part of the audio. This tip can be handy in increasing your visualizations. However, it can be shocking for some users because they think that the video continues, although they won’t mind watching it again if it’s too good.
⭐ You might like: How to Make a Video Successful with These 6 Tools
5. Memes Have a Special Place
Humor is perfect for connecting with your audience, especially the younger ones. So, take advantage of the trends and customize your video according to what you sell or offer. Do it authentically and without filters; naturalness and spontaneity add a lot!
💣 Check out: the Instagram trends that were based on Generation Z.
6. Data Plays a Significant Role
Many people don’t love data, but you can get valuable information from it. When reviewing statistics, you’ll realize that “likes,” “comments,” and “shares” aren’t just a number. They’re an indicator that tells you how well your video did.
Of course, these metrics are complemented by others, such as “retention time” and “traffic sources.” This way, you’ll know what content you should keep creating and where the most visits come from to boost that channel.
7. What About Having Two Different YouTube Channels?
YouTube suggests that if you’re going to upload content that isn’t aligned with your central channel, creating a specific channel for shorts is better, but some experiments show that it doesn’t do so well separately.
One of the disadvantages is that new accounts are unlikely to grow exponentially using only Shorts. This could be because they aren’t the central focus of the red giant but a tool to complement.
⭐ Learn how to brand your YouTube channel:
8. How Often Should You Post Shorts?
This will depend on your channel and your goals, although it isn’t necessary or mandatory to join every trend that appears. Therefore, YouTube emphasizes that you should create content as long as you consider it appropriate, as authenticity is crucial and will be perceived in your videos. Also, remember that more than uploading hundreds of videos, what matters most is the quality of your videos. So, before posting, make sure it’s effective.
9. There Are Many Ways of Being Creative: Diversify Your Content
- This kind of video platform allows you to express yourself in endless ways, so try to share part of your life by incorporating games and entertaining themes.
- Make sure to use a consistent format and that the content is easy to watch and understand.
- For example, take this successful case study of a family. They post videos of activities that are fun to watch and that don’t require speaking or for the viewer to be familiar with their past content. In this way, anyone can watch the videos without needing to understand the language or even familiarize themselves with previous videos because all of them are independent and don’t follow a story.
https://youtu.be/-f0ISwe2a6o
🔥 Talking about vertical videos, you might like this TikTok for Business 101: A Guide to Growing Your Brand
Final Thoughts: Are These Videos Really Worth It?
Now that we’ve unveiled all about YouTube Shorts, it’s time to give our most honest opinion. So, if we had to choose among the three vertical short video platforms, YouTube would be the last one.
Undoubtedly, it has some advantages. However, it’s not the best choice available in the market to focus your goals and energy on, because this giant platform’s central goal isn’t the Shorts but the long classic videos. Although this doesn’t mean that they have no value, on the contrary, they’re a great tool that allows you to complement your YouTube strategy, mainly to those channels that already have a loyal audience.
In this sense, their community gets more content that’s entertaining and easy to digest. Moreover, the content tends to reach like-minded people thanks to the fans’ interaction.
On the other hand, it’s still possible for those who don’t have many subscribers to achieve success. But the chances are reduced because it isn’t something that happens frequently or that this was made for. However, in this case, what can be done is to consider the recommended practices by YouTube and implement titles and images that grab attention from the first moment. The goal is to generate curiosity so that people continue watching and interacting with the video until it goes viral.
Another point about YouTube Shorts is that not all of them are created from scratch or are original.
This means that many of the most viral videos are usually fragments of movies, series, and interviews that bring pleasant experiences to viewers who are already familiar with this content. Additionally, these clips become more interesting to watch because they have catchy sounds or funny texts with emoticons.
🔥 Now, for those who want to start creating their own content (and of course, get the chance to be selected by the YouTube Shorts Fund) there are many dynamics that work like a charm in the community. For example
- Reviews,
- Personal stories,
- Dances and choreographies that list specific points or teach something,
- Processes,
- How-tos,
- Behind-the-scenes,
- Hacks,
- Recommendations,
- Important events or news,
- Video reactions,
- Routines,
- Tours,
- Games,
- Fun facts,
- Tests and experiments.
As you can see, there are many ways to adapt a theme, and it’s possible to exploit it in different ways. At the end of the day, the recommendation is to create genuine content that even you would watch.
So, to sum up, our final verdict: YouTube Shorts have advantages for every type of creator. However, it has to be combined with other strategies and social networks to succeed online.
FAQ YouTube Shorts
Let us know in the comments if you’d be willing to implement the shortest side of YouTube. 😉
1 Comment
Salvador
Great article.