YouTube Shorts is a super popular way to make short videos online. If you want to build your brand or personal presence this year, you shouldn't ignore it.
There are a whopping two billion people using it every month as of July 2023. So, it's a great way to reach new people and keep your current fans interested. Here are some really helpful tips for using YouTube Shorts in 2023:
1. Share Bits of Longer Videos
One smart idea is to take pieces from your longer videos and share them as Shorts. This gives you quick videos on their own and makes people want to watch your longer stuff.
Imagine you run a business channel and you just made a big 30-minute video about "How to Manage Your Time as a Business Owner." To make a cool YouTube Short, you could pick a 15-second part where you talk about a super useful time-saving trick, like "Use the 2-Minute Rule to Get More Done!"
You could call this Short "Get More Done in 15 Seconds!" By sharing this little bit, you give folks a quick and helpful tip that makes them want to watch the whole time management video. It's like a sneak peek of your expertise and a way to get people excited about your longer videos.
2. Make a Series
Think about making your Shorts as a series, especially if you're talking about complex stuff. If you put "Part 1" in the title, it makes people want to come back for more.
For example, if you have a fitness channel, you can release a new 15-second workout Short every week. Call them "Fitness Fridays Part 1," "Fitness Fridays Part 2," and so on. That way, people will be excited to see what's next and keep coming back for more.
3. Content Posting Strategy
Consider a posting strategy that combines your expertise and trending topics.
For example, post based on your experience one day, share your knowledge the next, and then jump on trending topics on the third day. Repeat this cycle to keep your content fresh and engaging.
4. Use Captions Wisely
Incorporate captions effectively. Use only a few words at a time to create a fast-paced effect, keeping viewers engaged as the text changes rapidly.
5. Visual Variety is Key
Change something visually every three seconds. Mix in B-roll, screenshots, or visual demonstrations. Remember, show, don't just tell.
6. Make Your Titles Catchy
The beginning part of your title, the first 30 to 40 characters, is really important for getting people's attention. So, make those characters count!
Imagine you're a real estate agent using YouTube Shorts to show off an amazing house you're selling. Instead of using a basic title like "Nice House Tour," you can make a more interesting and better title like "Awesome House: 5-Bedroom Beauty in Beverly Hills | Quick Home Tour in 60 Seconds."
In this title, the first 30 to 40 characters focus on the most important things: "Awesome House" and "5-Bedroom Beauty in Beverly Hills." This will immediately grab the interest of people who might want to buy a house. Doing this not only makes your video more interesting to viewers but also helps more people find it when they search for videos.
7. Use Pinned Comments for Actions
Instead of putting your requests or links in the video description, put them in pinned comments. This can guide viewers to more stuff, making them more engaged. It's easier for people to find comments than to look in the description, especially in short videos.
Let's say you run a YouTube channel about medical knowledge, and you're making a quick video about why it's important to get regular heart check-ups.
In your video, you could say, "If you want to learn more about keeping your heart healthy check out the pinned comment below!" Then, in the pinned comment, share a link to your longer video.
This method leads viewers to more detailed information, making them more engaged and informed. Since health-related information is important and often needs more explanation, using pinned comments ensures that viewers who want to learn more can easily find your detailed medical content.
8. Desktop vs. Mobile
When uploading your videos, consider using a desktop. It offers more options, such as selecting categories, crafting detailed descriptions, and adding tags.
9. Grab Attention from the Start
Start your Short with something interesting. There shouldn't be any awkward pauses, and something engaging should happen right away to grab your audience's interest.
10. Zoom In and Out for Effect
Use zooming techniques to maintain pace and add a dynamic element to your Shorts.
11. Tease and Deliver
Make people curious but always do what you promised. If viewers feel like you tricked them, they might not trust you anymore and might not watch your future content.
12. Keep It Concise
Shorts are meant to be snappy and easily digestible. While they can run up to 60 seconds, shorter is often better. Be concise to retain viewer interest.
13. Treat Shorts as an Extension of Your Regular Content
Pierce Vollucci, a product manager at YouTube, has pointed out that channels that create both Shorts and longer videos tend to grow faster. So, rather than keeping them separate, consider Shorts as an extension of your regular content. This can help maintain consistency and attract a wider audience.
14. Broaden Your Reach with Shorts, Connect Deeply with Long Videos
Shorts are great for reaching more people and getting new followers. But when you make longer videos, try to engage with your current fans more deeply. Remember this when you're planning what videos to make.
15. Use Content from Other Social Media
To save time and work, use content you've already posted on other social media sites. But don't just copy and paste it. Change it a bit to fit the Shorts style and the YouTube audience.
16. Add Emojis to Your Titles
Don't forget how useful emojis can be in your titles. They can give your Shorts some character and make them more interesting. Use emojis like 🤑, 😱, and 💪 in your title to show your content is exciting and upbeat.
17. Daily Posting is Key
Consistency matters. Aim to post at least one Short daily to maintain a steady presence and keep your audience engaged.
18. Monitor Your Analytics
Regularly review your analytics to understand how Shorts are contributing to your channel's growth and how each Short is performing individually.
To wrap it up, in 2023, YouTube Shorts is a powerful tool for growing your online presence and connecting with your audience. By using these tips and staying creative, you can make the most out of this fast-growing platform and take your brand or personal brand to new levels. Have fun making Shorts!