Are you a digital nomad or aspiring entrepreneur trying to figure out this whole “YouTube Shorts” thing? Perhaps you keep hearing about this type of short-form video, but, you’re too shy to ask anyone the basics about this YouTube Shorts tutorial. You’re thinking you might have missed the boat and its too late.
It’s completely normal to feel a bit lost or confused on the topic – everyone in your shoes goes through a phase of asking “What on earth?” when learning the steps of video creation. In this guide, you will find help with YouTube Shorts, including all the information needed to go from beginner to expert. It’s completely ok to ask these newbie questions with this YouTube Shorts tutorial.
Contents
What Are YouTube Shorts?
So, what exactly is a YouTube Short? It’s a short, vertical video created and shared on YouTube. Think of it as YouTube’s answer to TikTok or Instagram Reels.
These videos are 60 seconds or less, and you can make them straight from the YouTube app. You can also string multiple video clips together, add music, text, and use other creative tools. YouTube Shorts don’t disappear after 24 hours like some other content, so it can stay visible on the website.
Why Should You Care About YouTube Shorts?
Content creators are starting to lean in on short-form content more these days. As a busy digital nomad, you need to connect with your audience quickly and efficiently. You have to make it so others see you as the authority.
YouTube Shorts offer a way to create snackable content. That type of content resonates in today’s fast-paced world. They are perfect for sharing quick tips, behind-the-scenes looks, or even mini-tutorials.
Plus, because YouTube has billions of users, you can discover massive opportunities to be seen by people who want what you can share. There is an estimated 70% of YouTube Shorts are more than 15 seconds in video length.
Creating Your First YouTube Short: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now you get into the core of this YouTube Shorts tutorial. It’s surprisingly easy. You won’t need fancy equipment – just your smartphone and a creative idea will work.
First things first, grab your phone and open the YouTube app. Make sure you’re logged into your YouTube account. Do you see the “+” icon at the bottom center of your screen? Tap on that.
From the menu that pops up, select “Create a Short.” You’ll be taken to the Shorts camera interface. Here, the fun begins.
YouTube Shorts Tutorial On Recording Options
The default recording length is 15 seconds, but if you want more time, tap the “15” above the record button to switch to 60 seconds.
To start recording, press and hold the big red record button. You could be sitting anywhere on this planet starting the process of building that know, like and trust factor for your business. You can also tap it once to start and again to stop, whatever is easier.
Want to record hands-free? Tap the timer icon (it looks like a stopwatch) and set a countdown. It allows time for setting up before your recording begins.
To switch between your front and rear cameras, tap the camera icon with arrows. To speed up or slow down your recording, tap the “1x” icon. Adjusting things will add another interesting visual feature to your output.
Adding Music, Text, and Filters to YouTube Shorts Tutorial
No YouTube Shorts tutorial would be complete without talking about the editing aspect of these videos. To add music to your Short, tap the “Add sound” icon at the top. Search millions of different song options. You can choose any of these different trending songs.
Once you’ve chosen your song, select the section you want to use. After recording, you can add text, filters, and adjust the timing of elements. See and tap on those tools along the bottom.
Want to add some text on your recording screen? Then tap on the “Text” icon, type your message, and adjust the color, font, and position. The changes you make can keep viewers visually focused.
To apply a filter, tap the “Filters” icon. Filters are known to give another layer of engagement in your short video content. To align multiple clips, use the “Align” tool to see a ghosted image of your last frame. Align tools create smoother transitions.
Finished your edits? Give a review by watching your recording with the edits added in.
Uploading and Optimizing Your Short Video
Once you’re happy with your Short, tap “Next.” From here, add details like a title and set the visibility. Here is where you must give some key data.
Write a short, catchy title that includes relevant keywords. Keep the viewers interests at hand to create a resonating message. This title should make the viewer eager to stop scrolling.
Since Shorts are public by default, choose your audience carefully. The last thing you want is people reporting your amazing content. Use the options in settings like, “made for kids” if it is.
Finally, tap “Upload” to publish your Short. Once it’s live, your Short will appear on your channel and in the Shorts shelf on YouTube. This increases its discoverability.
Tips for Making Engaging YouTube Shorts
Keep your Shorts focused and to the point. People scroll quickly so you should use that knowledge for better strategy. Also make sure you make content that aligns with that quick scroll action of social media.
Hook your viewers within the first few seconds. Use bold text, intriguing questions, or exciting visuals. Your initial seconds set the stage, otherwise the viewer may not even care and ignore everything you put together.
Use clear, high-quality video and audio. Use good lighting when shooting the recordings. Good lighting is free, with natural sun, and keeps viewers from getting distracted.
Embrace trends, but add your unique spin. Don’t follow everyone else, be your own style. Also keep the target persona in mind before publishing so it is relevant.
Engage with comments and feedback from viewers. Engaging with users could give that “human touch” to your content for growing subscribers. Keep that “humble spirit” alive for engaging online.
How Brands Leverage YouTube Shorts
Many top-tier brands are already catching onto this method to create snackable content. Take notes of the ways companies utilize YouTube Shorts. For instance, ESPN offers short-form highlights, trending videos, and commentary in seconds.
| Brand | YouTube Short Example | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN | Quick sports highlights and commentary. | Keeps sports fans updated with timely, engaging clips, using exciting visuals. |
| MrBeast | Clips segments of their YouTube content | Re-purposes long-form content into minute-long engaging content, bringing in more views from existing fans and those that prefer the shorter formats. |
| NBC’s The Voice | Promotion video advertising for new seasons of the hit show, “The Voice” | Keeps consistent promotion using short-form content and bold text on videos |
Monetizing YouTube Shorts
It’s a hot topic on the mind of anyone spending valuable time making this content, like how you could, asking “Can I actually make money from this?” Right now, YouTube doesn’t pay creators directly from the Shorts Fund like TikTok does with its Creator Fund. Instead, they share revenue through ads in YouTube shorts.
You will need a longer video vertical, typically at least one thousand subscribers and four thousand valid public watch hours to reach monetization in this way. Shorts ad revenue shares about 45% with creators which may sound less than the 55% that traditional videos receive. Think of the revenue as one revenue of many possible as an online entrepreneur.
Affiliate marketing is another powerful method for growing an online business by offering commission links. Those could earn some percentage income over time. All from offering special deals to subscribers that also benefit your business.
Measuring the Success of Your YouTube Shorts
Think of analytics as one other business building tool on top of the dozens or hundreds of other actions taking place on a regular basis. YouTube analytics has all types of reports that would give another piece of content to your business puzzle. The number one key performance indicator of content on YouTube is the “Watch Time”.
Watch time will dictate a few different other reports from showing more times or having some show less. In the case of shorts, if watch time shows poor performance than think about shortening video times. Otherwise, perhaps you need better lighting and editing to enhance content that does gain better reach.
Using Analytics to Optimize Content Strategy
Keep in mind when creating an effective content strategy; that success means playing the long game. Keep the mindset, it won’t come overnight. There are times you create videos, maybe it will seem like 50, and no-one is seeing or clicking.
This might mean it’s time to switch things up in future content. Perhaps think to put your YouTube short recording and uploads aside to create full-length videos. A full length video may appeal more, perhaps not to those who have less than a minute attention span though.
You must choose if the direction needs adjusting, it will feel overwhelming to you on any of your travels or lifestyle decisions. Stay encouraged with knowing if something works once, it may never again and something that failed ten times may suddenly go viral overnight. There’s an unknown in analytics that keeps a fun game.
FAQs about YouTube Shorts tutorial
How do you do YouTube Shorts?
Open the YouTube app, tap the “+” icon, select “Create a Short,” then use the tools to record and edit your video. Remember that, like with most anything online, having great editing and audio really enhances things.
How do you succeed with YouTube Shorts?
Create valuable content that makes users see what they can learn or engage with when they are on their viewing screens. It takes time to discover ways that give a solid output each week.
How much do YouTube Shorts pay for 1,000 views?
YouTube used to pay based on their “Shorts Funds” method where views determined your income earned each month. Right now YouTube offers another, where revenue shares from shorts through ads.
How do you earn from YouTube Shorts?
Revenue share on ads in the short vertical content and by leveraging affiliate marketing products.
Conclusion
There has never been an easier time in history to create content in as many various methods as can exist right now. Think about taking one bit of audio and turn it into multiple short vertical videos on different channels like Facebook Reels. A few simple changes in text-to-video AI services could create amazing content from things you once tried.
Mastering your very own YouTube Shorts tutorial, it gives you a strong sense of personal and business confidence. Keep things simple by being authentic and true, not following someone else to gain fame. Also make sure your information will make viewers think, maybe see a new way or an interesting concept that creates buzz.
