YouTube Shorts are 15 to 60-second snackable videos that give you an easy lift to reach a lot of new people and subscribers. All you need is a smartphone and the Shorts multi-segment camera in the YouTube app. Here’s nearly everything you need to know about them.

What are YouTube Shorts?

They are basically vertical, short-form videos created directly on a mobile device. You can use YouTube’s built-in production tools to record, edit, add music from major labels, overlay animated text, change the tempo of your film, and mix many 15-second video clips to make your Shorts.

People can share, like, or comment on the video, or even subscribe to your channel, as they watch your Shorts. Unlike Instagram Stories and Snapchat, YT Shorts live forever online and are not deleted after being watched.

How do YouTube shorts work?

Shorts are an excellent way to promote yourself and build recognition amongst your audience because they have a different discoverability system than the main video discoverability system on YouTube. 

It means when a person is swiping through Shorts, they’ll keep getting more Short recommendations and not a long format video. That makes them unique!

It gives you the chance to stand out from the crowd with the flexibility to edit and incorporate creative aspects.

What is the YouTube Shorts time limit?

Shorts can be a single, uninterrupted 60-second movie or a sequence of separate 15-second pieces. However, if your Short incorporates music from the YouTube music collection, it can only be 15 seconds long.

Pro Tip: Anything on YouTube that lasts 60 seconds or less will be classified as a Short.

Will YouTube pay for Shorts?

Yes, YouTube will add the revenue generated from ads in the Shorts feed and pay out a share to creators starting in February 2023. You can also earn from the YouTube Shorts Fund.

How much does YouTube pay for Shorts in India?

Creators can get paid from $100 up to $10,000 thanks to the YouTube Shorts Fund.

How to make YouTube Shorts?

1. Choose a theme

Selecting a theme that is pertinent to your YouTube profile is crucial before you begin posting Shorts. Once you have decided on a topic, move on to step two.

2. Write a script

A script helps you decide what material to include in the video. Make sure you don’t add too much information because YouTube Shorts only last 60 seconds.

3. Choose your music

A wonderful technique to engage viewers and make your YouTube Shorts more pleasurable to watch is by including music in them. Take your time choosing the ideal tune for your video from the platform’s millions of tracks.

4. Add filters

After you’ve selected your music, it’s time to add filters to give it a distinctive look and feel. There are numerous filters, so spend some time experimenting until you find the ideal one.

5. Publish your video

Once you have created your YouTube Shorts, it is time to publish it! They will be visible on your channel on both the Home and Shorts tabs

A lot of creators are opting to have separate channels for Shorts because the analytics of Shorts is mixed with your other videos. But, we think, it’s a personal call. 

Tips on creating unique YouTube Shorts

Shorts are blowing up. But if you want to be distinct from the pack, here are some pointers:

1. Be original in your title

Make sure your title is intriguing and catchy because this is your first opportunity to make a positive impression. Your hook is just as important.

2. Keep it snappy

Get right into the topic. Don’t take your time. People have limited attention spans, so be sure to speak briefly and directly. Make it fun and really experiment to increase the “subscribe-ability.”

3. Consider loops

Consider replays while you create your YouTube Short. They matter with Shorts because a lot of people watch them more than once. So, make sure your beginning syncs up with the end, so viewers will want to watch it again and again!

4. Boost value

Make sure the YouTube Shorts you create are useful. Whether they offer advice, amusement, or education, ensure they are compelling to watch. 

5. Get the right vibe

The tone of your YouTube Shorts should fit your style of communication and appeal to your target market. But never overproduce Shorts. By that, we mean it has to be rawer than your polished long-form videos. Shaky hand-cam snippets are good!

How do you market your YouTube Shorts?

Just like you’d promote your long-form videos, it’s a good idea to give your Shorts a shout-out, specifically if you’re new to the game. 

  1. On your other socials, provide a link to your latest Shorts. 
  2. If you have a blog or website, add a YouTube embed code to it.
  3. Add them to your DYT public profile, which is like a resume but for creators. 

How to monetize YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts monetization policies begin from Feb 1st. You can earn money from YouTube Shorts by placing ads between the videos. Another option is to put a call to action inside the Short to produce leads and sales.

This is YouTube’s official blog on monetization. Read it. It explains in detail which Shorts are ineligible and how much you can earn from them.

Know this if you’re new to YouTube Shorts

For creators used to making long videos, going from that to Shorts is a challenge. It’s an awkward transition, so we recommend taking it slow. Begin with one short in three weeks and gradually increase that number.

Also, you don’t have to make them 58 seconds long. Try one that is 14 sec, or another one that is 45 seconds long, and find out which works best for your audience. 

About the Author

Nehal

A freelance writer on a mission to tell stories through engaging content, Nehal is new to blogging. When she's not writing, you can find her trying new foods!

View All Articles