If you make videos or are active on YouTube and are looking for new ways to really get started, then take a look at YouTube Shorts. These are short videos that you can upload directly to YouTube. They are similar to TikTok or Instagram Reels and can be up to 60 seconds long. In this article, you'll learn how to make such shorts and increase your reach.
You don't need any expensive equipment or software to create YouTube shorts. A smartphone and a cool idea are all you need. You can record the video directly in the YouTube app or adapt a video you already have. Uploading is just as easy as with a normal YouTube video. And when you upload your shorts, you can also use hashtags to reach even more people.
Table of contents
What are YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts are short, vertical videos that can have a maximum length of 60 seconds. The format is ideal for users who want to create creative and entertaining content quickly and easily. YouTube Shorts were introduced in July 2021 and have since become a popular way to get more reach on YouTube.
The format is very reminiscent of TikTok and Instagram Reels, as it works in a similar way to these platforms. Users can add music, text and effects to their videos and upload them directly via the YouTube app. The videos can be commented on, shared and liked by other users.
YouTube Shorts are a great way to get more attention for your channel. By creating creative and entertaining content, you can attract new viewers and strengthen your existing community. Plus, you can get even more reach by sharing your shorts on other social media like TikTok and Instagram.
To create YouTube Shorts, all you need is a smartphone and the YouTube app. There you can select the format and start creating your videos straight away. There are many ways to make your shorts even more appealing, such as adding music, text, effects and filters.
Overall, YouTube Shorts are a great way to get more reach on YouTube and make your content accessible to a wider audience. With a little creativity and ingenuity, you can quickly and easily create engaging and entertaining content to inspire your viewers.
Creating YouTube Shorts
Creating YouTube Shorts is easy and requires no special skills. In this section, I'll show you the steps you should follow to create your own shorts.
Preparation
Before you start recording, you need to make sure you have the following things:
- A smartphone with the latest version of the YouTube app.
- A good internet connection.
- An idea for your short.
Make sure you have enough storage space on your smartphone to save the recording.
Recording
To record a YouTube short, you need to follow the steps below:
- Open the YouTube app on your smartphone.
- Tap on the plus sign in the bottom center of the screen.
- Select "Create short video".
- Select whether you want to record 15 seconds or 60 seconds in the top right-hand corner.
- Press and hold the red record button to change the zoom while recording (you can move the red button) or just press the red button once to start recording.
- Release the button to end the recording (if you have not released it or press up again).
You can also create multiple recordings and edit them later.
Editing
After recording, you can edit your shorts to make them more appealing. The YouTube app offers various editing tools that you can use to improve your shorts. Here are some of the editing tools you can use:
- Trim tool: Shorten your recording to the desired length.
- Filter: Choose from different filters to enhance your recording
- Text: Add text to explain or label your shorts.
- Music: Add music to accompany your shorts.
You can also use other editing apps to enhance your shorts before uploading them to YouTube. I use Camtasia or Adobe Premiere for this.
Alternatively, there's the YouTube Create app (currently still in beta):
With the YouTube Create app, you can easily create and edit high-quality videos. Here are some of the most important functions:
- Create videos: the app offers a variety of editing tools that allow you to cut, rotate, filter and add effects to your videos. You can also add music and audio and create subtitles.
- Editing shorts: The app is specially optimized for creating shorts, which are short, vertical videos. You can import clips from your camera roll or record live videos.
- Uploading videos: Once you have finished editing your video, you can upload it to YouTube. You can add a title, description and tags to your video.
Here are some other features that the YouTube Create app offers:
- Audio cleanup: You can use this function to remove unwanted background noise from your video.
- Automatic subtitles : With this function, you can automatically add subtitles to your video in English, Hindi and Spanish. Unfortunately not yet in German.
- Dynamic transitions and filters: You can quickly add cool transitions and effects. You can also quickly use great text effects (there are many templates for this).
The possibilities are endless. With the YouTube Create app, you can easily create and edit your videos without any prior knowledge.
That's it! Now you can create and upload your own YouTube Shorts to get more reach.
Uploading YouTube Shorts
Uploading YouTube Shorts is a simple process. In this section, you'll learn how to upload and optimize your YouTube Shorts to gain more visibility and engagement.
Steps to upload
Here are the steps to upload YouTube Shorts:
- Open the YouTube app on your mobile device or go to the YouTube website on your computer.
- Click on the plus sign at the bottom center of the screen or top right of the website to upload a new video.
- Select the "Short video" option.
- Select the file you want to upload (click the icon at the bottom left) Make sure it is a short video and that it is in square or vertical format.
- Enter a title, description and tags for your video.
- Select a thumbnail or upload your own. You can also define the visibility etc. here.
- Now click on "Upload short video" to upload your video to YouTube Shorts.
Optimization for SEO
To ensure that your YouTube Shorts are seen by more people, you should optimize your videos for search engines. Here are some tips on how to optimize your YouTube Shorts for SEO:
- Use relevant keywords in your title, description and tags. (we use Seobility for keyword research or take a look at this list).
- Write a meaningful description that makes viewers curious and encourages them to watch your video.
- Use hashtags to rank your videos in relevant searches.
- Create an appealing thumbnail that piques viewers' interest. Try it out with your face in the thumbnail. People like to know in advance who they are dealing with.
- Share your videos on other social media to get more reach.
By optimizing your YouTube shorts for search engines, you can gain more visibility and engagement, which can lead to higher rankings and more views.
More reach with short videos
Short videos are a great way to get more reach on YouTube. Here are some tips to maximize the reach of your short videos.
Use hashtags
Hashtags can be really helpful to make your short YouTube videos more discoverable. Just choose hashtags that fit well with your video content and might interest people. But don't overdo it with the hashtags, otherwise your video will quickly look like spam.
If you want to find the best hashtags for your short videos on YouTube, tools like Keyword Planner or Hashtagify are really useful. With their help, you can find out which hashtags resonate well with your target group.
Interaction with viewers
Interaction with your viewers is an important factor in achieving more reach on YouTube. Ask your viewers for feedback and reply to the comments. This shows that you care about your viewers and fosters a closer relationship with them.
You can also include surveys or polls in your short videos to get people to participate and gather opinions at the same time.
Regular updates
If you want to reach more people on YouTube, it's really important to update your short videos from time to time. Release new clips regularly so that people stay tuned and you get more reach.
It's best to plan your videos in advance and set a fixed release schedule. This will ensure that you always have fresh content coming out. This also helps to keep your viewers up-to-date and push your brand on YouTube.
All in all, short videos are a really good way to get more reach on YouTube. Use appropriate hashtags, get people to participate and ensure regular updates, and your reach will increase.
Advantages of YouTube Shorts
If you want to get started on YouTube, YouTube Shorts are the way to go. Check out the advantages of this feature:
1. more reach
YouTube Shorts are really good for reaching more people. They appear directly on the YouTube homepage, so users who would otherwise never have come across your channel can find you.
2. uncomplicated production
The great thing about YouTube Shorts is that you can create them really easily. All you need is a short video that lasts no more than 60 seconds. You can record it directly in the YouTube app or upload a video you already have.
3. room for creativity
Shorts give you the freedom to be creative. You can get a lot across in just 60 seconds and show your own style.
3. creativity
YouTube Shorts give you the opportunity to be creative. You can use different effects and filters to enhance your videos and make it more interesting. You can also add music or sound to spice up the video.
4. potential revenue
When you create YouTube shorts, you have the chance to earn money. If your videos go viral, you can earn advertising revenue and potentially attract sponsors.
5. trending format
YouTube Shorts is currently a trending format. So if you want to be successful on YouTube, you should look into this feature and try to design your videos to work in this format.
Overall, YouTube Shorts is a great way to increase your reach on YouTube and reach more people. By using this feature, you can unleash your creativity and potentially even make money.
Disadvantages of YouTube Shorts
There are some disadvantages to creating YouTube Shorts that you should be aware of. Here are some of them:
1. limited length
YouTube Shorts can be a maximum of 60 seconds long. This can be very limiting for some content, as some topics simply require more time to cover in detail. So if you want to create longer videos, YouTube Shorts are not a suitable option.
2. limited features
Compared to traditional YouTube videos, YouTube Shorts offer fewer features. For example, you cannot add end screens or annotations. The video description is also limited to a maximum of 100 characters. This can limit the ability to share additional information or link to other videos.
3. limited reach
Although YouTube Shorts are a new feature, they are not yet as widely shared as traditional YouTube videos. This can result in reaching fewer viewers. It can also be more difficult to promote your YouTube Shorts as they are not displayed on the YouTube homepage.
4. monetization opportunities
YouTube Shorts offer various opportunities to earn money since February 1, 2023. But you have to be careful not to give away too much money (e.g. do not use music, otherwise 20% less share will go to you => unless it is royalty-free music). You can find more details here or in our training: Create and upload YouTube shorts - more reach with short videos.
5. limited publishing options
YouTube Shorts can currently only be created and uploaded via the YouTube app on mobile devices. This can be inconvenient for some users as they may prefer to work on a computer. It is also currently not possible to publish YouTube Shorts on other platforms.
Although YouTube Shorts have some limitations, they can still be a useful way to get more reach on YouTube. However, if you want to create longer videos or use more features, you should go for traditional YouTube videos.
Conclusion
If you want to be successful on YouTube, then you should definitely include YouTube Shorts in your strategy. With short videos, you can increase your reach and attract new viewers. But it's important that you keep a few things in mind.
First of all, you should make sure that your videos are appealing and offer added value. Pay attention to good quality and make sure your videos are short and concise. Also, use the right hashtags to make your videos more visible.
You should also upload new videos regularly to continuously increase your reach. Also take the opportunity to share your videos on other platforms to reach even more viewers.
Overall, YouTube Shorts are a great way to increase your reach on YouTube. Take advantage of this opportunity and create engaging short videos to attract new viewers and strengthen your brand.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum length of YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts can be a maximum of 60 seconds long. This is a good length to entertain your viewers and get your message across quickly.
How can I monetize my YouTube Shorts?
Yes, since 1.2.2023 you can! Find out more here.
How often should I upload YouTube Shorts?
There is no set rule for how often you should upload YouTube Shorts. It depends on your schedule and your goals. However, you should upload regularly to keep your viewers happy and increase your reach.
When is the best time to publish YouTube Shorts?
The best time to publish YouTube Shorts depends on your target audience. If your target audience is mainly students, you should publish your shorts during school hours. If your target audience is mainly professionals, you should publish your shorts during working hours.
How can I deactivate my YouTube Shorts?
To deactivate your YouTube Shorts, you need to change the settings for the video. Click on the video you want to deactivate and select "Edit". Then click on "Settings" and select "Private" or "Unlisted". The video will then no longer be displayed publicly.
How can I find my YouTube Shorts in my history?
To find your YouTube Shorts in your history, click on the "Library" icon in the YouTube app and then on "History". There you will find all the videos you have watched, including your shorts.
Which shorts do you like?
- https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NwE_rjeB5Zc (even works without lyrics)
- https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rOnjib9hCHc (if you can sing well and here with subtext)
- https://www.youtube.com/@damiankaterr (if you look very good)
- https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iqiEiMP3Jt8 (here you can see that he simply uploaded the TikTok video directly to YouTube)
- https://youtube.fandom.com/wiki/Most_viewed_YouTube_shorts (a top list of the most viewed videos)