YouTube Shorts: Guide to Creating Short-Form Content

YouTube serves as a crucial marketing avenue for both business proprietors and content creators alike. Notably, YouTube Shorts has garnered a staggering user base of over 13 billion, presenting a vast potential audience for reaching potential customers.

With YouTube Shorts’ monetization policies receiving a boost in February 2023, YouTube is doubling down on its investment in Shorts to rival platforms like TikTok. This makes the present moment an opportune time to delve into the world of Shorts content creation.

Beyond its utility for business endeavors, YouTube Shorts also offer avenues for additional income generation through the platform’s monetization features.

Explore our blog to gain comprehensive insights into YouTube Shorts and learn how harnessing Shorts content can fuel the growth of your business.

What are YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts are short-form vertical videos that can be up to 60 seconds long. They are designed to be easy to create and consume, primarily on mobile devices. Shorts provide a platform for creators to showcase their creativity, entertain viewers, and potentially reach a wide audience.

Initially, YouTube Shorts aimed to foster spontaneous content creation by enabling YouTubers to capture, edit, and share videos directly from their mobile devices. Subsequently, YouTube extended Shorts accessibility to desktops, facilitating the upload of refined edits alongside spontaneous clips.

It’s crucial to recognize that YouTube Shorts thrives on swiftly capturing viewers’ attention before they transition to the next video. Consequently, prioritizing rapid hooks and engaging content has become more crucial than ever. With limited time to retain viewers’ interest, directness is key!

How Long are YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts comprise vertical videos lasting 60 seconds or less. These Shorts can either be a single 60-second video or a compilation of several 15-second clips. However, if your Short incorporates music from the YouTube catalog, it will be restricted to 15 seconds.

Pro tip: YouTube automatically classifies any content under 60 seconds as a Short.

Why YouTube Shorts?

Visibility: YouTube Shorts are displayed prominently in the Shorts shelf on the YouTube app, increasing the visibility of your content to potential viewers.

Engagement: Short-form videos are highly engaging and have the potential to grab viewers’ attention quickly.

Trends: Shorts allow creators to capitalize on trending topics, challenges, and memes, helping to keep content relevant and fresh.

Monetization: YouTube is investing in Shorts monetization features, providing opportunities for creators to earn revenue.

Monetization Strategies for YouTube Shorts

YouTube Partner Program: Join the YouTube Partner Program to monetize your Shorts through advertising revenue.

Brand Partnerships: Collaborate with brands for sponsored content opportunities within your Shorts.

Merchandise Sales: Promote and sell merchandise related to your Shorts to generate additional revenue.

Fan Memberships: Offer fan memberships or subscriptions to provide exclusive content and perks to your most dedicated fans.

Affiliate Marketing: Include affiliate links in your Shorts’ descriptions to earn commission on product sales.

Crowdfunding: Use platforms like Patreon or Ko-fi to accept donations from your audience to support your content creation efforts.

How to upload YouTube Shorts

Step 1: Install the YouTube App

Creating Shorts is exclusive to the YouTube app. YouTube’s decision to integrate Shorts seamlessly into their existing app simplifies the process for users, eliminating the need for additional downloads or registrations.

To access the YouTube app, follow these steps:

1. Open your preferred app store (iOS App Store or Google Play) and search for “YouTube”.
2. Download the official YouTube app.
3. Sign in using your Google account or create a separate YouTube login.

Step 2: Begin Crafting Your YouTube Short

1. Tap the (+) icon located at the bottom of the app homepage, then select “Create a Short”.
2. To record a 15-second clip, hold down the red record button. Tap once to start recording and again to stop.
3. For a full 60-second video, tap the number 15 above the record button to adjust the video length.
4. Enhance your Short with special effects and features using the toolbar on the right side of the screen:a. Rotate the camera view by tapping the rotating arrows. b. Adjust the speed of your Short using the 1x button. c. Set a countdown timer for hands-free recording by tapping the clock icon. d. Apply filters by tapping the three circles icon. e. Enhance your video with retouching using the magic wand. f. Change your background and add images from your phone’s library by tapping the person icon. g. Utilize the ghost icon to assist with transitions between clips.
5. Incorporate sound into your Short by tapping the “Add sound” icon at the top of the screen. Note: Audio tracks can only be added before recording or during the editing process.
6. Correct any errors by tapping the reverse arrow next to the record button.

Step 3: Edit and Upload Your Short

1. Once recording is complete, tap the checkmark to save your Short.
2. Finalize your Short by adding music tracks, text overlays, and filters.
3. For advanced editing, tap the timeline icon to adjust when text appears in the video.
4. After editing, tap “Next” in the top right corner.
5. Provide details for your Short and choose its visibility settings (public, unlisted, or private).
6. Indicate whether your video is suitable for children or requires age restrictions.
7. Tap “Upload Short” to publish your video.

FAQs on Youtube Shorts