How to Create YouTube Shorts and Monetize Them
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Short-form video is taking over social media networks, and YouTube is jumping on the wagon with the new YouTube Shorts option. These Shorts videos are aimed at a younger audience who loves the vertical videos vibes and the way video clips can be scrolled through.

The beta version of YouTube Shorts is taking the internet like a storm, and you need to know all the details if you want to make an income and even grow your YouTube channel with this new feature.

So, if you want to learn everything about vertical videos and YouTube Shorts, keep on reading. 

And when you’re finished, take a look at our other YouTube guide:

What Is Shorts on YouTube?

As the name suggests, YouTube Shorts is short-form content that you can create on YouTube. This new feature is the response to the new craze that TikTok and Instagram Reels. 

Thousands of creators are using the opportunity to create original and short videos to entertain the audience and even earn an income. It’s specially designed for mobile creators who can use the native YouTube app to create and upload video content.

There is a dedicated bar on YouTube promoting Shorts that shows how much the platform is trying to make this new feature popular. It’s very easy to create short videos, and all the tools you might need are already implemented in the app. The videos are published alongside your regular videos, but your followers will not be notified.

This means you can be very active and post daily without worrying about overwhelming your followers with notifications.

So, how do you create catchy videos, and more importantly, how can you monetize this new feature? Keep on reading to find out more.

How to make a Short on YouTube?

Creating YouTube Shorts is incredibly easy, and most content creators use the built-in feature on the YouTube app. If you want to make Shorts content there are a few things to think about like the length, music, text, and your target audience.

Here is how you can make viral YouTube Shorts in minutes:

Record YouTube Shorts

Once you have a great idea for your short video, you can press the big plus button on your YouTube app and select “Create a Short”. 

  • Keep in mind that this new feature is now available in India, the USA, the UK, and a few other countries. So, in case you don’t have the record button to create a short video, you can still make it happen. Just record a video for up to 60 seconds and use the hashtag #shorts in the description. This way, YouTube will promote your video clips in the Shorts tab.

In case you do have the option to record, you can make the video on your phone and edit as you go.

Three additional features might come in handy:

  • Flip-function – To switch between your front and back camera;
  • Speed function – To change the video speed and make slow-motion video clips;
  • Video timer – To change the YouTube Shorts length or create a countdown timer before recording;

YouTube Shorts Length

Popular Shorts are not necessarily the longest ones, although you can make the video anywhere from 15 to 60 seconds, you need to think about audience retention. These clips are meant to be scrolled through fast, and you don’t need to take the entire minute if you don’t have content for that.

So, keep it sweet and short, entertaining and engaging. If you want to learn more about the perfect ways to make each YouTube Short viral, keep on reading, as we will go into details later in the text.

Add Music to YouTube Shorts

Adding music to your content can be crucial for success, and the good news is that YouTube allows you to use music labels and popular songs without fear of copyright claims. 

This can be a huge relief for content creators who just want to make their videos public and get more YouTube subscribers. You can always keep the original audio, depending on the video.

You can add music to your YouTube Shorts in two ways:

  • Adding music before you record – When you start making the Short video, you will have an option at the top of the screen, “Add Music”. When you find the best track or music video you want to use, just click on the blue button with the black arrow to go back to creating content. 
  • Adding music after you record – If you already made the perfect shot, you can add music in the next step. Just tap the music icon in the bottom left corner and add your favorite tune. You can adjust and edit the audio clip to go perfectly with the song.

Add Text

The online video editor will allow you to add text to your videos and make them more engaging and interesting. Since the whole point of these short-form videos is to capture the attention you might want to use all the features to get to your audience.

Here is how to add text:

  1. Record your YouTube Shorts and tap on the “Text” option in the bottom left corner;
  2. Type in the appropriate text depending on your version of Shorts;
  3. Edit the text and change the font or size as you see fit;
  4. Once you are satisfied with the results, you are ready to go public.

Adding text takes just a few moments, but it can add value to your content and make the audience more likely to interact and follow. 

How to Upload YouTube Shorts?

When you are done making the best YouTube Shorts, the next step would be to upload them. This is a simple process that takes a few minutes to complete, and your short video will be ready for all the likes and comments.

Here is how to upload Shorts:

  1. When you create the video, click on “Next” in the top right corner;
  2. Come up with the best title for your Short;
  3. Set the visibility to the public, unlisted or private;
  4. Select the target audience for the video;
  5. Click on “Upload” in the top right corner.
  • Considering you can add tags or thumbnails at this stage, you might want to make the title count.

Once you have uploaded the Short video, you can head back to your homepage and access the library and editing tools. This is where you can add descriptions and tags that can boost your visibility and reach more people. 

How to Make Money with Shorts?

YouTube Shorts monetization is a big deal and the most common question people have about this new feature on the platform. The good news is that there is a Shorts fund and the bad news is that there is not an ad revenue available, yet.

Considering how invested YouTube is in this new feature, they are setting aside a substantial amount of funds to give away to the best Shorts creators. This $100 million reward fund should be enough to motivate individuals to make and upload their Short videos.

Keep in mind that you need to be contacted by YouTube via e-mail to be eligible for this reward, and they are going to boost content that is viral and popular videos.

But, considering there is no option for ad revenue and only a few people are selected for the YouTube Shorts Fund, can you make an income with YouTube Shorts?

The answer is – Yes!

Your official YouTube channel and your Short videos are published in the same place. So, any time people see your Short video in the Shorts tab, they are more likely to become your follower and see your regular content.

This can also come in handy when you are just getting started and need that additional boost in your follower numbers and views to become one of the eligible creators for YouTube ad revenue. 

In addition, since YouTube is the number one platform for most content creators, chances are that the new Shorts project will be more than lucrative in the future. This is why it can be a good idea to start your career now and have a proper channel by the time the feature is developed fully, and different monetization tools are added.

How to Increase YouTube Shorts Views?

YouTube Shorts videos have a lot of potential for future earnings, but the most important thing they are able to deliver now are the views and increased interaction on your YouTube channel. 

People who see your YouTube Shorts are more inclined to visit your main page and become your fan.

So, to increase views on your short-form content, you can:

  • Make the videos vertical and use the entire screen – The whole idea behind these short videos is to make them mobile-friendly and shot in vertical mode. Although you can upload square videos, it’s not the best option since the black screen will draw the attention away from your video;
  • Be original and creative – When the feature launched on YouTube, many content creators just reposted their content from other social media platforms like TikTok. While this might sound like a good idea to get more views, you need to stand out with original content made just for YouTube;
  • Use the pinned comments – If you are looking for the best way to draw traffic to your YouTube channel, you can comment on your Short video and pin it. This way, anyone who goes to the comment section can see you as the creator and most likely come to your official YouTube channel.
  • Use Shorts creation tools – Even though the feature is still developing, there are some incredible tools you can use to create an engaging video. So, you don’t really need any other programs or equipment to make these short videos. Just make sure to add great tags and video descriptions to help YouTube promote your video to the right audience.

Using all the tips and tricks we provided will result in amazing and interesting Shorts that will not only capture instant views but help your YouTube channel grow organically. So, it’s very important to dedicate some time and come up with the best video ideas for Shorts content.

Final Thoughts

For years, video creators have adored YouTube for a variety of reasons. This is one of the most popular platforms in the world, and billions of active users are watching videos every day. So, this added feature in the form of short videos is a welcomed and very engaging way to introduce yourself and your content to new viewers.

While there are already stimulation and monetization options in the creator fund, this new amazing feature is going to be more lucrative as more people join.
This is why you need to take this chance and follow our detailed guidelines on becoming a pro and making sure your YouTube channel is growing organically.

Anne Haynes
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