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Your Pocket Guide To YouTube Shorts (And How It Can Redefine Your Content Strategy)

Published On February 02, 2022

YouTube Shorts are the most recent version of short videos circulating on social media. 

It’s new to YouTube, but it doesn’t feel that way. Why? Only because Shorts are the YouTube cousin of TikToks and Instagram Reels, which rose to popularity in the last year.

But the central question is whether it will benefit your career as an influencer and your YouTube channel.

So, in this blog, we’ll go over what YouTube Shorts are and whether they should be part of your marketing strategy. 


What Are YouTube Shorts?

This new YouTube feature gives us YouTube’s take on bite-sized video content similar to platforms like TikTok.

YouTube Shorts is a new feature that allows creators to upload up to 60-second long short-form videos. This feature is built into the YouTube app, allowing users to watch Shorts alongside other “regular” YouTube videos. Like and dislike buttons, as well as a dedicated comment box, are included on YouTube Shorts.

The USP of YouTube Shorts, like Instagram Reels and TikTok, is “quick entertainment”. To work, Shorts rely on catchiness and immediate pleasure. This allows platform users to take a break from the regular long-form videos and consume straightforward content that doesn’t require much concentration.

The new feature is an incredible opportunity for you, given the popularity of short and direct videos on the internet.

Key Features Of YouTube Shorts

Other than being user-friendly for both creators and audiences, other key features make YouTube Shorts a lucrative platform. 

1. Videos Up To 60 Seconds

The key to successful YouTube marketing is capturing and maintaining the audience’s attention. YouTube Shorts allows you to publish videos up to 60 seconds long (15 seconds for Beta). This is a terrific starting point for piquing your audience’s interest.

Because people’s attention spans are shorter these days, it appears that the more concise the video is, the better.

Short-form films perform better in YouTube marketing because they require you to be innovative in a short amount of time. Thus, you’re less likely to include pointless filler scenes. As a result, your content will be short but powerful—the ideal outcome for any advertising campaign. ​

2. Third-Party Tools and Fancy Gadgets are not “must-haves”

The new YouTube feature today adds several built-in editing tools beyond clipping and stitching video. Because YouTube Shorts is a more relaxed version of the platform, a mobile device with a good camera will suffice for recording.

Editing is also possible on your cell phone, which helps create content on the go. 

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the new YouTube Shorts editing features:

  • Multi-segment Camera: You can clip and string multiple footages together with YouTube Shorts. This means having maximum creative control over your video plot.
  • Green Screen: One of the cornerstones of YouTube marketing is creativity. A green screen can be used in YouTube Shorts to add flair to your content.
  • Direct Audio Links: Producing YouTube Shorts is made simple for content creators and YouTube advertisers thanks to direct access to YouTube’s vast audio collection.
  • Video Extraction: You can directly access existing YouTube videos to combine with your Shorts for quick and easy content creation, making YouTube Shorts a breeze. 

3. Automatically add captions to your Short

Captioning has many advantages, but the most important reason is that captions improve people’s recall of what you say. Captions, in essence, boost video retention. Viewers are currently watching videos on mute. So adding captions to videos is vital for experts who use talking heads type videos.

Also, captions make your videos more accessible and help with YouTube video SEO.

When YouTube Shorts were first released, the platform gave creators access to a dedicated Shorts camera in specific locations. In the YouTube app, creators have access to a multi-segment Shorts camera. It’s similar to TikTok in that it includes tools for creating 15-second videos with music clips, speed adjustments, and other features. Also, you can simply add media from your phone to these videos. 

If you don’t have access to the Shorts camera yet, you can still use the hashtag #Shorts in the title or description of your existing vertical videos that are less than 60 seconds. 

5. Color correction filters, with more effects to come in the future

In the recording and editing panels of the Shorts camera, YouTube creators will be able to swap between several filters. Filters allow users to color correct footage or alter the appearance and feel.

According to YouTube, this is just the beginning, as the company plans to offer a far more significant number of filters and effects throughout the year.

Youtube shorts color

How To Create YouTube Shorts?

With the YouTube app, creating a Short is pretty easy. 

Here is the step by step breakdown for you: 

Step1:  Go to the bottom of the home page and click the ‘+’ icon.

Step 2: Select ‘Create a Short’ from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Tap the red record button once to start filming your short. You can also use a clip from your camera roll to post. You can also adjust the video speed, start a timer, and apply filters here.

Step 4:  Click the white tick in the bottom right corner of the screen once you’ve finished filming.

Step 5:  After that, you’ll be able to add music from YouTube’s audio library, as well as text and filters, to your video.

Step 6: To add your video’s title, adjust its visibility to the public, unlisted, or private, schedule your uploading time, and declare any age limits, click ‘Next’ in the top right corner. As a YouTuber, you will already be familiar with this. 

Step 7: Finally, click ‘Upload,’ in the top right corner, and you’re done! 

Your very first Short is now available for all to see!

Can You Monetize YouTube Shorts? 

As a reward for delivering exciting and engaging content on the platform, YouTube Shorts creators can now receive a portion of a new $100 million YouTube Shorts Fund, awarded throughout the years 2021-22.

The fund will be a bonus payment to thousands of eligible creators each month, based on the performance of their content the previous month.

Creators can win up to $10,000 based on the number of people that watch and engage with their Shorts content. To be eligible, channels must meet the basic eligibility requirements. They are updated every month to appreciate other creators for their innovative and distinctive Shorts.

The Shorts Fund is the first step in creating a revenue model for Shorts on YouTube. It allows creators to earn money and grow their businesses as the globe concentrates on economic recovery. 

How Are YouTube Shorts Different from Its Competitors?  

For the time being, Shorts is another amusing and engaging medium for YouTubers and brands to work together and possibly reach millions of customers.

Now that so many Shorts are being released, you may be wondering, “Will YouTube Shorts provide more options than Instagram Reels or TikTok?”

However, creating YouTube Shorts we believe will be worthwhile. The following are some of the factors why:

1. Short-form creators could see a more expansive audience

Rather than dwelling on whether Shorts will make it big, ask yourself, “How can I use Shorts to reach YouTube’s massive audience?” Before making Shorts you’ll need to figure out which section of YouTube’s massive audience you want to target.

Continue to develop content that is performing well, even shorter-form, to continue growing your subscriber list. 

2. Shorts can leverage the vast user base on YouTube

While YouTube has a similar following among young adults, it’s content is so diverse that it attracts people of various ages, countries, sectors, and specializations.

YouTube has a video for everyone. Thanks to Shorts, creators will engage with viewers from a far larger spectrum of demographics. Whatever your ideal audience looks like, they are more than likely consuming YouTube daily. 

3. YouTube Shorts is less likely to go “off-market” than other viral platforms

If you’re someone who spends much time developing content on a social media platform, a ban or regulation of that app could mean that the content you’ve worked so hard on will never see the light of day.

On the other hand, YouTube is one of the oldest and most popular internet platforms. Owned by Google, it may be considered more trustworthy by governments. In contrast to other viral apps like TikTok, which discloses less public data security information.

4. Shorts could provide long-term benefits

While Instagram Stories and Reels disappear after 24 hours by default, some YouTube Shorts beta testers claim that Shorts stay on YouTube indefinitely.  This could help increase long-term YouTube visibility.

If a person who enjoys short-form content stumbles onto your YouTube channel, they will be able to see all of your short videos as well as longer content. Alternatively, if someone is in a hurry and looking for a brief how-to video about something you’ve filmed, they may come across and watch your short videos on the subject – even if they were uploaded months ago.

5. Short has probably the most extensive music library

Many musicians post their music — specifically their music videos – to YouTube. This gives Shorts a significant advantage over its competitors. The platform’s vast audio collection provides users with an abundance of well-known and lesser-known songs to pick from, probably more than TikTok and Reels provide.

6. The scheduling tool works seamlessly

The posting process for Shorts is quite similar to that of YouTube videos, which means the same scheduling tool. Although TikTok and Reels allow you to store drafts, you cannot schedule your content to go live directly from the apps. Shorts does, which is ideal for content makers because it saves time. It also allows you to upload content during peak performance hours without being present yourself!

youtube shorts calendar

Redefining Your Content Strategy With YouTube Shorts 

YouTube Shorts offers something unique and ground-breaking when it comes to content creators. It is difficult for creators to alter their content strategy as new social media platforms emerge every few months.

So, while we understand the hassles that come with adapting an existing marketing plan to match the unique requirements of a new medium, YouTubers should plunge headfirst into YouTube Shorts. 

Here are three reasons why:

1. Accessibility and Connectivity of YouTube to Google Ecosystem

When it comes to advertising, Google has certainly made things more efficient. Effortlessly connecting all of your projects to one ecosystem is a luxury that is slowly becoming a requirement for content creators and marketers. YouTube Shorts does not lag in this regard. Google has blurred the borders between their new services and their entertainment giant with YouTube Shorts. You can also take advantage of YouTube’s stability and reliability by using YouTube Shorts. You don’t need to start over with a new platform to experiment with different types of content and maybe reach new consumers.

2. Availability of YouTube Shorts Fund

The availability of the YouTube Shorts Fund is perhaps the most compelling reason to include YouTube Shorts in your YouTube marketing strategy.

The YouTube Shorts Fund is a $100 million fund that rewards Short creators. Because YouTube Shorts is still in its early stages, taking advantage of new YouTube features before other creators will provide you a significant advantage in terms of income. Another advantage is that you don’t need a monetized channel to be eligible for the fund. Hence, YouTube Shorts is an excellent place to start if you haven’t already.

3. YouTube Shorts Have Wider Base of Content Exposure

YouTube has remained one of the most popular online entertainment channels, which comes with its own benefits. One notable aspect is that unlike long-form content, where navigating around the YouTube algorithm to reach a new audience is difficult, YouTube Shorts have a much larger base of content exposure. When it comes to YouTube Shorts, it’s easier to drive traffic to your channel and content. Your current subscribers are still notified when you upload Shorts, and this information is still visible on their homepage. This increase in traffic and engagement.

Because YouTube Shorts is a part of YouTube, all of the data it collects is incorporated into your channel. Since both long and short-form content now impacts your channel’s growth, it is an excellent approach for your YouTube marketing strategy.  

WOman making youtube shorts

Ride The ‘Shorts’ Wave 

This feature’s instant rise to glory indicates that the number of apps that enable short-form video content will continue to expand in the social media market. YouTube Shorts have tremendous potential. You can successfully integrate untapped opportunities into your marketing strategy and overall content creation – all thanks to YouTube’s strong reference base, extensive exposure to broad market segments, and perceptive take on the increasing trends of content making and demand. 

As you get ready to grow your career as an influencer, join hands with Atisfyre. Find the best opportunities, brand collabs, and campaign management support through our AI-based platform, which is one of its kind. 

Also, signup is absolutely free! Join Atisfyre today

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