Short-form videos have taken over social media, and YouTube Shorts is Google’s answer to this growing trend. Launched in 2020 on the heels of TikTok’s rise to popularity, Shorts has quickly become a hit with creators and brands alike. It offers a fresh way to reach new audiences and potentially go viral.
But what exactly makes Shorts special? And how can you use it to your advantage? In this guide, we’ll explore everything about YouTube Shorts, from creating eye-catching videos to earning money and growing your audience.
So what are YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts are vertical videos that can be up to 60 seconds long. They’re similar to TikTok videos and Instagram Reels, but live exclusively on the YouTube platform. The biggest benefit to creating Shorts is that every video has the opportunity to be seen by YouTube’s massive audience of 2.70 billion users.
Imagine having your 15-second masterpiece served up to millions of viewers who’ve never heard of you before. That’s the power of Shorts.
On top of that, any Shorts you upload go through YouTube’s smart recommendation system. This system helps viewers find new content they might like from new and established creators, which gives your videos a good shot at gaining traction.
How are Shorts different than TikToks or Reels?
Between Shorts, TikToks, and Reels, there’s a ton of different platforms for short-form video today. But is there a real difference between them? The answer is both yes and no. The content itself isn’t inherently different – most businesses and creators end up posting the same videos on each one. The main difference is the platforms they exist on, and the differences between those audiences.
TikTok is the only one that’s optimized for short-form vertical content specifically, while Instagram started as a photo sharing platform and YouTube has other content like video podcasts and long-form video. If you want to create short-form videos and build a brand, there’s no real reason to just stick with one platform. Upload your videos to all 3 and see how they perform!
Your complete guide on how to create and upload YouTube Shorts
Length and aspect ratio
As we mentioned in the last section, Shorts can only be up to 60 seconds long. But many successful Shorts are even shorter than a minute, usually falling between 15 to 30 seconds. Why? Because with short-form video, you need to grab your viewer’s attention fast and keep it.
Shorts use a vertical 9:16 aspect ratio. This means they’re tall and narrow, perfect for viewing on smartphones. When you’re creating content for Shorts, it’s best to film vertically from the start or crop your video to fit that aspect ratio. If you already have content that you’ve filmed for the traditional YouTube aspect ratio in the horizontal format, cropping your video to be vertical is a great way to create Shorts from existing video and give your older content new life.
How to make YouTube Shorts
1. Plan your content
Before you start filming, take some time to plan. Using a video script template can be helpful for organizing your ideas and making filming simpler. When you’re brainstorming ideas for your video, think about:
- What’s your main message?
- Who are you trying to reach?
- How can you grab attention in the first few seconds?
- What visuals will work best for your idea?
Even for short videos, a bit of planning and research can make a big difference. A large part of seeing success with video is knowing your audience – once you have that information, you can use it to create a video concept that you know that they’ll like.
2. Filming tips
Here are some key things to remember when filming:
- Use good lighting: Natural light works great, or you can try a ring light for a professional look. Remember that your lighting is also part of your visual aesthetic, which can help your audience easily recognize your videos.
- Keep your camera steady: Use a tripod or stabilizer if you can. Shaky video can be hard to watch.
- Frame your shots well: With vertical video, you always want to make sure the important stuff is in the center of the frame. Creating a basic storyboard (click to get a free storyboarding template) can be a helpful reference for setting up your shots as you’re filming.
- Start strong: Try to grab attention in the first 3 seconds with a strong hook. This could be with a surprising fact, a question, or an interesting visual.
3. Editing your Shorts
There’s tons of editing software available, whether you’re using desktop editors like DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro, or mobile editing apps. When it comes to short-form video like Shorts, you want to edit your video so it’s engaging from start to finish. That can mean using jump cuts, special effects, and more.
Your editing style is ultimately a personal choice and can help contribute to your channel’s branding. But if you want to learn the basics, check out our post that covers a simple 3-step editing process.
4. Adding sound to your Shorts
Sound is a big part of making great Shorts. YouTube has a library of music and sound effects that are free to use. You can also use your own original audio or even sample audio from other YouTube videos (but be careful with copyright issues).
Your best bet when it comes to music or sound effects is to use royalty free options that will protect you from any copyright infringement issues. With a Storyblocks subscription, you get unlimited downloads from our audio library of 100% exclusive, royalty free music from award-winning artists that you won’t find anywhere else.
How to upload YouTube Shorts
1. Using the YouTube mobile app
Uploading Shorts from your phone gives you more editing features, including the ability to select a thumbnail. Here’s how to upload Shorts from your phone:
- Open the YouTube app and tap the + icon in the middle of the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen.
- Then, choose Create a Short from the options listed along the bottom.
- Next, film your video or upload one from your phone. Here, you can also add in effects, use a green screen, and take advantage of other features to enhance your video.
- Once you’re done with your video, add a catchy title and description, then select your thumbnail from your video. (YouTube currently doesn’t allow you to upload thumbnails for Shorts).
- Finally, tap Upload and you’ve successfully published your Short!
2. Uploading from a computer
If you prefer to edit on a computer:
- First, create your vertical video using editing software like Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.
- Upload to YouTube like you would a normal video – select the film camera with a plus sign from the upper right of your screen, then choose Upload.
- Then, fill out the title of your Short and add a description. You can add “#Shorts” in the title or description to help YouTube know it’s a Short.
- An important thing to note is that when you upload a Short from your computer or browser, you won’t be able to choose a thumbnaill. That option is only available when you upload from your phone. So once you upload your Short, you can edit it from your phone to select your thumbnail.
- Once all your info for your video is in, hit publish!
Best practices for uploading
To give your Shorts the best chance of success, you should always be sure to:
- Use eye-catching thumbnails and titles – this is what most people will see first, so a good thumbnail and attention-grabbing title will make them more likely to watch.
- Include relevant hashtags to make it easier for the algorithm to show your Shorts to the right audience.
- Write descriptions with keywords people might search for – this is a part of social media SEO, which can help your Short appear further up in search results.
- Post regularly so your audience knows when to expect new content – you can include this in the description of your video or mention it in your video directly.
Making money with YouTube Shorts
At first, YouTube had a special Shorts Fund to pay creators. Now, they’ve included Shorts in their regular Partner Program, which is what allows you to monetize your videos.
We have a whole post on the monetization process for YouTube, but to qualify for making money with Shorts, you need:
- 1,000 subscribers
- Either 4,000 watch hours in the last year OR 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days
As for how much can you earn, it varies a lot. Some creators make a few dollars a month, while others make thousands. It depends on factors like how many views you get, how engaged your audience is, and how many ads YouTube can show.
Keep in mind that building a steady income from Shorts usually requires posting consistently and growing your overall YouTube channel. It’s not a quick way to get rich, but it can be a good source of income over time if you stick with it. It can take years to build up a following, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see overnight success.
Why aren’t my Shorts getting views?
If your Shorts aren’t getting as many views as you’d like, it can be hard to pinpoint the reason why. If you’re just starting to post, it can take time to build up your audience. Here are some common reasons to consider with poor performing Shorts:
- Content quality: Make sure your Shorts are interesting, well-made, and give value to viewers. Take inspiration from some of your own favorite creators or brands – what makes you watch their content? How can you incorporate that into your own Shorts?
- Inconsistent posting: Algorithms love consistency. Posting regularly helps YouTube’s system recommend your content more often.
- Poor use of titles, descriptions, and hashtags: The information you include when you post your Shorts helps people find your videos. Use relevant, interesting words that describe your content well. For hashtags, check out which ones other creators in your niche are using and be sure to use them as well.
- Lack of engagement: Shorts that get likes, comments, and shares tend to do better. Try to create content that encourages viewers to interact, whether it’s asking people to like your Short or adding an animation pointing to the like button.
- Not following trends: Keeping up with popular topics, video trends, or music can help your Shorts get noticed. If you need inspiration, check out our full list of social media video trends for this year.
Tips for success with YouTube Shorts
While there’s no quick fix for getting more views, here’s a few ideas that can help improve the odds of your Short performing well.
1. Post regularly
I know, I know, we’ve mentioned this multiple times now. But it’s so essential to set a schedule for when you’ll post new Shorts. Even if it’s just once a week on Tuesday afternoon, this helps your audience know when to expect new content from you. And it also helps YouTube recognize that you’re an active creator.
2. Engage with your audience
Don’t just post and ghost. Reply to comments, ask your viewers questions, and use YouTube’s community features. Building a connection with your viewers can turn them into loyal fans and encourage them to subscribe so they never miss out when you upload.
3. Use trends and hashtags wisely
Stay up to date with what’s popular on Shorts. Be sure to use relevant hashtags to help people find your videos. But don’t force it. Use trends and hashtags that make sense for your content.
4. Be yourself
While it’s good to know what’s popular, don’t lose your unique style. Viewers can tell when you’re not being genuine and authenticity is in. Having a unique perspective and voice is what will make you stand out in the long run.
5. Learn from your analytics
YouTube has a great analytics tool that gives you data about how your Shorts are performing. Pay attention to which videos do well and try to nail down why they did better than your other content. Whether it’s the time you posted it, the length, or the content of the video itself, knowing the reasons why your top Shorts are your best performers can help you make better content over time.
6. Never stop learning
Whether it’s filming, editing, or coming up with ideas, there’s always room to get better. Take time to learn new techniques and try them out in your Shorts. Try taking a course, like our Beginner’s Guide to Creating Video.
7. Share your videos on other platforms
Today, limiting yourself to just posting on one platform is doing yourself a disservice. Creators and businesses alike need to be on multiple platforms to build a brand. So be sure to share your Shorts on other social media platforms.
8. Collaborate with other creators
Filming a video with another creator or partnering up to make content together is a great way to reach new audiences and build your channel. While you’ll probably have better luck with this if you’ve got an established following, it never hurts to reach out and ask!
Final thoughts
YouTube Shorts is more than just a new feature – it’s part of a larger movement that’s changing how we create and watch videos online. It gives anyone with a smartphone and an idea the chance to reach millions of viewers. Which is exciting! But it also means there’s a lot of competition.
As short videos continue to grow in popularity, getting good at making Shorts can be really valuable. Whether you’re a content creator, a marketer, or a business owner, Shorts offer a new way to connect with people.
We said it earlier, but it’s so important to remember that success with Shorts doesn’t usually happen overnight. It takes time, practice, and creativity. Keep testing new ideas, pay attention to what works, and don’t be afraid to embrace your uniqueness.
No matter what kinds of Shorts you end up creating, Storyblocks has a full toolbox of royalty free stock assets to help you make better videos, faster than ever. Stock footage is a great option if you don’t have time to shoot b-roll, our templates help you add awesome effects to your videos fast, and our audio library has both music and sound effects to help you create the perfect soundscape for your videos. Sign up today to start downloading!
