What are YouTube Shorts, and How Will They Help You?

YouTube is now the third most popular social media platform after Instagram’s Reels and Snapchat’s Spotlight.

YouTube is well-known for its tutorials, reviews, and long-form videos, but short-form video content is still a core part of the platform’s history.

It was 56 seconds long and could be considered one of the first viral videos on YouTube.

The Google-owned platform is trying to re-capture short-form video viewers’ attention with this new feature.

Before you dive into the new world of Shorts, here is all the essential information from the marketers at SMM company in Singapore.

 

YouTube Shorts: How to Use

Shorts can be downloaded. This allows you to use YouTube’s short-form tool, the Shorts camera. It makes it easy to create videos up to 15 seconds in length and has the option of capturing multiple clips.

There are many creative options available, such as:

•    Music – Choose from a variety of free songs.
•    Speed control – Choose to speed up or slow down your recording.
•    Timer – Set the Countdown and Stop points to start recording hands-free.

YouTube allows you to add any audio, from its audio to copyright-free music, to your short video.

 

Where can I find YouTube Shorts made by other people?

YouTube users can search for your videos by clicking on the shelf or the homepage. Users can also search the “What to Watch Next” module to find your short videos. You can search YouTube to find shorts made by other users.

 

How can you monetize Shorts videos?

YouTube Shorts videos cannot be monetized or used to generate ads. The company could, however, work on this feature in the future.

1. YouTube Shorts is different from its competitors.

Marketers might find it overwhelming to see every social media platform launch stories and short-form video features.

Now that there are so many, you may wonder, ” Will YouTube shorts offer more opportunities than Instagram Reels and TikTok?” We don’t yet know the answer. YouTube Shorts are worth your time. Here are some reasons why.

2. Creators of short-form content could have a wider reach.

TikTok was overwhelmed by Gen Z users, which led to its remarkable early growth. YouTube, however, is the second most popular website worldwide and launched Shorts, which has more than 2 million monthly active users.

Instead of pondering, “Will YouTube Shorts be more popular? ” How can I tap into YouTube’s vast audience with Shorts?”

According to Nelson Chacon, HubSpot’s principal YouTube content strategist and chief YouTube content strategist, Shorts (or any other YouTube video) should be targeted to a specific segment of YouTube’s vast audience before you produce them.

If you have a loyal subscriber base, keep creating content that is still relevant to them, even if it is shorter. Chacon states, “Your subscribers know what your channel is about and YouTube works best when it’s consistent.”

Let’s say, for example, that you create long-form content about your industry or product, engaging your audience. Chacon explains that Shorts can be used to create tutorials and step-by-step videos about these content topics quickly.

3. Brands in all industries could use shorts.

TikTok’s user base is a niche one, so it might be more difficult for B2B brands to gain awareness. YouTube is a popular platform for young adults.

However, YouTube’s content is so extensive that people of all ages, nations, industries, niches, and ages can access it.

YouTube has a video for every person. Shorts will allow brands to connect with a wider audience. A B2B brand may have trouble connecting with Gen Z consumers via TikTok but might connect with professionals on Shorts looking for industry-related content.

Similar to the previous example, if your target audience is older generations like Gen X, your short-form content may get more engagement on YouTube than on TikTok.

4. YouTube Shorts may be more vulnerable than other viral platforms.

TikTok was threatened by bans and censorship regulations throughout the summer and fall of 2020.

This is why it’s so concerning. A ban or regulation on a social media platform could result in losing the content you have worked so hard to create.

YouTube, one of Alphabet’s most popular online platforms, is more trusted than viral apps like TikTok, which provides less information.

5. The long-term potential for shorts may be a boon.

Instagram Stories and Reels content are automatically deleted after 24 hours. However, YouTube Shorts beta testers have found that Shorts remain on YouTube. This could increase long-term YouTube awareness.

If someone who likes short-form content stumbles across your YouTube page, they will be able to see all your videos instead of only being able to access the longer content.

You might also find someone in a hurry and looking for a quick tutorial on something they’ve done. Even if your videos were published months ago, they might be able to access them.

 

How can I create a short?

 

Like Reels and TikTok, shorts can be created directly within the YouTube mobile app. How to make your first Short. A step-by-step guide by the Best SMM agency in Singapore.

1. Click on the “+” icon at the bottom left of the homepage.
2. Tap “Create A Short”
3. Record your short by pressing the red record button one time. You can set the video speed, add filters or start a timer here. You can also upload a clip from the camera roll.
4. After filming, click on the tick at the bottom right corner.
5. Then, you’ll be able to add music from YouTube’s Audio Library, overlaying text and filtering.
6. To add your title, change your visibility to the public, private, or unlisted, schedule your posting time, and reveal any age restrictions, click ‘Next’ at the top right corner. YouTubers are familiar with all these things.
7. Click ‘Upload’ at the top-right corner, and you’re done! Your first Short is now available for everyone to see.

 

What sets Shorts apart from its competitors?

Shorts looks and sounds like Reels and TikTok, but it has some unique qualities that brands can capitalize on.

• The largest music collection

YouTube is the most popular platform for artists to upload music, especially music videos.

Shorts have an advantage over its competitors because the platform’s large audio library offers users a wealth of undiscovered and popular songs, perhaps more than what TikTok or Reels offer its users.

• YouTube’s loyal viewers can help you increase your reach.

The platform has thousands of creators who have built an engaged audience. They have also grown their YouTube channel with loyal subscribers.

These YouTube creators can help you reach more people and engage with your customers by partnering with them on Shorts.

• A scheduling tool that social marketers love

The upload process for shorts is the same as for YouTube videos. You also have access to the scheduling tool. Reels and TikTok both allow you to save drafts.

However, the app cannot schedule content to go live. It saves time and allows you to publish content at your peak performance without needing to manually. This is the ultimate social marketer’s dream.

• Are shorts a great opportunity for brands?

Brands are on the right track to mastering short-form videos thanks to Reels and TikTok. They might feel less intimidated by creating Shorts and may be more open to reusing their existing short-form content.

At least until the official ad options for Shorts are released. Brands must provide seamless conversion experiences. Brands will invest heavily if Shorts provides a seamless path to purchase that isn’t intrusive for consumers.

Shorts, for now, is an entertaining and engaging platform that brands can use to work with YouTube creators and reach millions of potential customers.

 

How to increase views on YouTube videos?

YouTube Shorts users face one of the most difficult challenges: how to get more views. Many users are unsure how to prepare videos that last between 15 and 60 seconds and still engage their viewers.

The following sections shared by the experts offering social media marketing services Singapore will discuss best practices and offer a few tips to increase your YouTube Shorts videos’ views:

1. Add Shorts Video to the “Featured” Section for More Views

The videos included under the “Featured” section are compared to other videos. They are recommended to the entire YouTube audience based on the algorithms that determine which clips should each be liked by beach viewers.

YouTube recommends videos based on your browsing history, viewing statistics, and any other information it collects over time. YouTube suggests videos based on what it thinks might interest you or be useful.

YouTube recommends clips that have been added to the Featured video category to more people than those listed under the Recommended’ category.

Note: While there are many topics to be covered under the “Featured” videos and channels sections, such as branding, advertising, etc., these topics are beyond the scope of this article.

It is easy to add YouTube Shorts videos in the Featured section. You can learn how by following the steps below.

Note: It’s assumed that you have already published a few short videos on YouTube.

Step 1 – Go to YouTube Studio Customization Section

Open YouTube using your web browser on your computer. Sign in to Google to view your YouTube videos. Next, click Customization in the left navigation bar. When the Studio page opens, go to YouTube.

Step 2 – Add YouTube Shorts

To add YouTube Shorts to your YouTube account, click ADD A SECTION in the Layout Tab.

Step 3 – Add short videos to the Featured sections, and save the changes.

Move the Short video bar left from the moving handle and place it below the Featured section segment. To save your changes, hover over PUBLISH in the upper-right corner.

After approval, YouTube Shorts videos will automatically be added to your channel as ‘Featured. Make YouTube shorts that are attractive and get more views.

Thumbnails are what you use to show the thumbnails of videos you post online. Removing the YouTube default thumbnail and replacing it with your custom image is important.

You can choose any video frame to be your thumbnail or upload a separate image from your computer and replace the current one.

Things to Consider when creating appealing thumbnail

It would help if you considered these things when using your custom image to create thumbnails for YouTube Shots videos:

• Relevance –

You should ensure that the thumbnail photo you use for your video is appropriate. You could lose your subscribers and viewers forever if you use an image that isn’t in context.

• Clarity –

Use images with large text and explicit content. This allows viewers to decide if the video is worth their time easily.

• Correctness –

Avoid using misleading thumbnails. Although such images may attract more viewers initially, they can cause people to lose faith in your channel if they don’t find what they want from the thumbnail.

 

2. Optimize YouTube Shorts for More Views

YouTube Shorts videos don’t differ from any other video you post on the platform. Optimizing short videos and regular videos is the same process.

These are some of the most important things explained by the Top SMM company in Singapore which play an essential role in optimizing YouTube shorts videos:

• Attractive Thumbnail

The thumbnail of a video’s video is its face. It is the first thing people see. Make sure your thumbnails are as appealing as possible.

• Compelling Title

The title is the most important thing. A catchy title can help your short videos get noticed and hit the internet.

• Detailed description

Your description should include your video’s title, genre, and nature. The detailed description will allow viewers to determine if they would find the video useful.

• Tags

Your short videos should include the appropriate tags. YouTube will know that the video is for YouTube Shorts by adding #Shorts in the description or title.

YouTube can also suggest media to relevant audiences by using tags related to the theme and genre of the short videos.

 

3. How to analyze YouTube short’s performance

YouTube Shorts are short videos of no more than 60 seconds in length. You can increase your views and playback time by adding YouTube Shorts to the ‘Featured” category.

These short videos can’t be monetized, so you might notice that your earnings aren’t as high as if you had regular videos.

 

Conclusion:

Whether you’re working on a college project, a business venture, or a passion project, there’s no reason not to take advantage of YouTube short.

With the right preparation and approach, you can use this feature to your advantage and make something that will gain attraction with viewers and spark conversation.

We hope this guide gives you what you need to start with a YouTube short. If you want to read more on such topics check out our blog

Progressive Web Apps: What They Are, Why You Should Care, and More.