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YouTube Shorts has revolutionized the way we consume videos. In fact, content creators stand to gain numerous benefits from incorporating short-form videos into their content strategy. Read this blog to get a breakdown of how to make a YouTube Short in a few easy steps.
The versatility of YouTube Shorts opens doors to various content ideas, including:
💡Related read: How to Start a Podcast Channel on YouTube for Free
Shorts can extend up to 3 minutes, comprising either multiple 15-second segments or a single continuous video. Videos must adopt a vertical orientation with a 9:16 aspect ratio and maintain a resolution of 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels.
For more information on YouTube Shorts dimensions and mistakes to avoid, check out our blog linked above.
Here’s how to upload Youtube Shorts on mobile in 6 easy steps:
Here’s how to upload Youtube Shorts on mobile in 4 easy steps:
To maximize your Shorts' impact, you need to nail both length and format. Your Shorts should run between 15-30 seconds – this sweet spot keeps viewers engaged without losing their attention. Shorter videos often perform better because they deliver quick value and are more likely to be watched multiple times.
When filming, use the vertical 9:16 format (1080x1920 pixels) exclusively. This format maximizes screen real estate on mobile devices, where most Shorts viewing happens. Fill the entire frame with your content – avoid horizontal footage that creates black bars and wastes valuable screen space.
Technical Specifications:
Your description strategy can make or break your Shorts' discoverability. Always include #Shorts as your primary hashtag – this signals to YouTube's algorithm that your content is specifically created for the Shorts format.
Research and add 3-5 additional hashtags that directly relate to your content's topic. Look for trending hashtags in your niche, but only use them if they genuinely match your content.
For descriptions, front-load your most important keywords in the first sentence. Create compelling, action-oriented descriptions that tell viewers exactly what they'll learn or experience. End every description with a strong call-to-action that prompts engagement.
For example: "Drop a '💡' if this helped you!" or "Share your best tip in the comments!" Keep your CTAs varied and specific to your content to avoid seeming stereotypical.
Primary Hashtags (Always Include):
Research Methods:
Hashtag Placement:
Timing significantly impacts your Shorts' performance. Use YouTube Analytics to identify when your specific audience is most active. Look for patterns in your highest-performing Shorts' posting times.
Most channels see peak engagement during weekday evenings (6-9 PM local time) and weekend afternoons. However, your optimal posting times depend on your target audience's location and habits.
Maintain a consistent posting schedule that you can sustain long-term. If you can post daily, do so – this gives you more opportunities to appear in the Shorts feed. If daily posting isn't feasible, aim for at least 3-4 times per week at consistent times.
The algorithm favors channels that maintain regular posting schedules, as it signals reliability and commitment to the platform.
Drive meaningful engagement by making comment generation a core part of your content strategy. Design your Shorts to naturally prompt discussion. Ask specific, thought-provoking questions that relate directly to your content.
Instead of generic prompts like "What do you think?", use targeted questions such as "Which of these three techniques will you try first?" or "What's your biggest challenge with [specific topic]?"
Pin strategic comments immediately after posting. Your pinned comment should either extend the video's value (like sharing an additional tip) or pose an engaging question that encourages viewer interaction.
Respond to early comments quickly – this creates momentum and shows YouTube that your content generates active discussion. Consider creating "response Shorts" to thoughtful comments, which can turn one-time commenters into loyal followers.
Strategic use of audio can significantly boost your Shorts' performance. Monitor the Shorts audio library for trending sounds in your niche. When you find trending audio that fits your content, use it within the first 24-48 hours of it gaining popularity. This increases your chances of appearing in trend-based feeds.
Balance trending sounds with your original audio needs. If your content includes speaking, keep background music at 20-30% volume to maintain clarity. Test different audio styles – some content performs better with trending music, while other topics need clear voiceovers or natural sound.
Always credit audio sources in your description to avoid copyright issues and provide transparency to viewers.
Create Shorts that viewers want to watch multiple times by mastering the art of seamless loops. Design your content so the end transitions naturally back to the beginning. This could mean creating perfect visual loops, using transitions that flow smoothly, or building suspense that makes viewers want to rewatch for details they missed.
Effective looping strategies include:
Loop Structure Types:
Content Loop Techniques:
Advanced Loop Strategies:
Maximize your Shorts' reach by strategically sharing them across multiple platforms. Download your Shorts without watermarks and optimize them for each platform's specific requirements. When sharing on Instagram Reels, add platform-specific hashtags and adjust your caption style. For TikTok, consider adding trending sounds from that platform.
On Facebook Stories, keep content shorter and add strong visual elements that work without sound. Develop a cross-promotion schedule that spaces out your sharing across platforms.
This prevents overwhelming your audience and gives each post time to gain traction. Track which platforms drive the most engagement back to your YouTube channel and prioritize those in your sharing strategy.
Implement a robust analytics review process to continuously improve your Shorts performance. Focus on these key metrics:
Review your analytics weekly to identify patterns in your highest-performing content. Document specific elements that correlate with better performance, such as:
Create a testing schedule to systematically improve these elements. Test one variable at a time and track results over at least 5-10 posts before drawing conclusions. Use this data to develop content templates that consistently drive engagement while still allowing for creativity and experimentation.
Keep a detailed record of your findings and update your content strategy monthly based on your results. Focus on replicating successful elements while continuously testing new approaches to stay ahead of platform trends and algorithm changes.
Given the popularity of vertical 9:16 aspect ratio videos on various social media platforms, creators can extend the reach of their Shorts by repurposing and sharing them to a broader mobile audience. Create your Shorts video in quso.ai (previously vidyo.ai), then save and share to grow your video content on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
💡Related read: How to Share a YouTube Video on Instagram with quso.ai
For creators new to YouTube, quso.ai (previously vidyo.ai) streamlines content creation, delivering customized and polished videos without requiring advanced editing skills.
If you’re wondering how to make YouTube Shorts from existing YouTube videos, turn to quso.ai (previously vidyo.ai) for your repurposing needs:
quso.ai (previously vidyo.ai) offers everything you need to create awesome YouTube Shorts:
💡Related read: quso.ai Helps Marketing Manager Boost YouTube Subscriptions by 150%
By following this guide on how to make a YouTube Short, you're well on your way to creating short form content that not only captures attention but also inspires, entertains, and educates.
Top creators trust quso.ai (previously vidyo.ai) for their YouTube Shorts. Try quso.ai (previously vidyo.ai) for free today and enjoy all the AI video editing features it offers.
Yes, you can upload Shorts from your computer, provided they are in a vertical format and you label them as a Short in the title or description.
A YouTube Short can be up to 3 minutes long.
Yes, incorporating music can significantly enhance the appeal of your Short, making it more engaging and enjoyable for viewers.
Utilize descriptive titles, relevant hashtags, and ensure your video is optimized for your target audience to improve its visibility and reach.
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