Ever since it's launch in 2005, YouTube has been the greatest host to millions of video and thousands of video trends and different types of entertainment.

Speaking of video trends, the most popular website has jumped in on the short video trend that other social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram Reels are centred around. YouTube has done this by creating and branding their very on YouTube Shorts.

YouTube Shorts burst into the creator scene in 2020. Its climbing popularity enhances the significance of mastering the art of crafting YouTube Shorts, which can ultimately transform your channel's journey significantly.

Does this mean that it's time to say bye to 5 or 10-minute video creations? Not necessarily, no.

However, YouTube Shorts see about 50 billion views...a day! Which doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon, it appears to be heading towards expansion and enhancement.

Thus, it's crucial for businesses and content creators to to embrace this trend fully.

What are YouTube Shorts?

So... what exactly are YouTube Shorts?

Just like its name suggests, Shorts is the place for short videos on the YouTube app. If you're on the YouTube homepage, or if you click the Shorts Tab, you'll be find an endless flow of vertical videos. If you want to watch Shorts on desktop, scroll down the homepage until you see the Shorts shelf. These videos are ultimately designed to make you keep scrolling from one to the next.

YouTube Shorts initially allowed for the encouragement of on-the-go videos. Meaning, it let YouTubers record, edit, and share videos right from their mobile phones. More often than not, YouTube videos are editing horizontally on a desktop.

YouTube later made Shorts available on computers too. This way, you can upload both well-edited videos and more casual ones.

Keep in mind that unlike a regular YouTube video, YouTube Shorts are typically interesting, fast, and fun. This is because these Shorts need to keep an audience hooked otherwise they may move on to another video if they're not immediately engaged.

Benefits of Creating YouTube Shorts

There truly are only benefits to creating short form video content, and specifically if you create YouTube Shorts.

For starters, YouTube Shorts will inevitably expand your reach. With it's on space on the YouTube app homepage, Shorts enhance channel page discoverability, attract a broader audience and potential subscribers.

Then, Shorts amplify engagement. One would think that long-form content would keep an audience more engaged. However, short-form content tends to captivate viewers entirely, which fuels more likes and comments.

Now-a-days, with social media platforms being fast-paced, audiences need to be hooked immediately for a shorter period of time, and short-form videos can do just that. This will help

Moreover, Shorts fuel trending potential. That said, if your video content accumulates views, likes, and comments, it earns a spot on the Shorts tab, expanding content exposure to your YouTube channel and an overall larger viewership.

Lastly, creating Shorts is a distinct from creating longer videos. It leverages diverse styles, effects, and storytelling methods. Which, again, can all be facilitated by your smartphone and the YouTube mobile app.

How to Create Shorts and Upload Them:

Make YouTube Shorts and Upload on Mobile

1. Log in to your YouTube account using the YouTube app.

2. Press the plus button (+) and choose "Create a Short." You'll now see the record screen.

3. If your video exceeds 15 seconds, select the "15s" button located in the top right corner to switch to a 60-second duration.

4. Now you're ready! Begin recording by either holding down the record button or tapping the record button once to start recording and eventually tapping again to stop.

5. To the left of the record button, tap the square button outlined in white. This allows you to post videos from your camera roll rather than record something new.

6. Tap the checkmark button to preview your video and enhance it, if needed.

7. Once you're satisfied with your edits, tap "Next" to provide a title and customize your Short's settings.

8. Tap "Select audience" to specify whether the video is intended for a youthful audience or not.

9. Finally, when you're satisfied, tap "Upload Short" to share your video!

Upload YouTube Shorts to Desktop

Here is a Step-by-Step on how to upload YouTube Shorts from your desktop (it's much easier):

1. Log into YouTube Studio.

2. Click the "Create" button at the top right corner and choose "Upload videos."

3. Choose a video file with either a vertical or square aspect ratio from your existing videos, with a duration of up to 60 seconds.

4. Complete the necessary information and proceed with the publishing process, similar to how you would for a standard YouTube video; video descriptions, title, add music, video format, etc.

The only think about posting shorts videos from your desktop is that you need to make YouTube shorts (filmed and edited) in advanced and saved to your files. It's not as easy as filming and uploading right from your phone.

Does creating YouTube shorts seem like a hassle for you?

Don't worry! Just go to spivo.com and we'll create them for you!

Tips for Making Great YouTube Shorts

Since YouTube videos, specifically the YouTube Short field, is so competitive, here are tips and tricks that may help you stand out.

Firstly, opt for 9:16 vertical videos. While square videos are accepted on YouTube Shorts, they'll display with unattractive black bars above and below your content. This can be unappealing. Make sure you maximize the mobile viewing experience by editing and uploading correctly, as most Shorts are consumed on smartphones.

There's also no harm in utilizing pinned comments. If anything they enhance your audience's exploration by pinning a comment containing a link to your channel!

I know you've heard of a thumbnail... make sure you have on! Your YouTube Shorts will be showcased alongside your other videos, so maintain a neat channel appearance and entice viewers to watch YouTube shorts on your channel by incorporating a straightforward, enticing thumbnail.

Don't forget to loop your video. This is a clever and important strategy to keep viewer engagement. Trust us, just leverage the automatic looping feature of YouTube Shorts.

Raw edits or polished productions? How about both! The flexibility of YouTube Shorts allows creators to explore various approaches. Whether you opt for quickly filmed spur of the moment, highly polished productions, or anything in between, there's a place for your short form content.

Next is to select your music thoughtfully. Given its concise format, the choice of music is more important than ever in making your video stand out.

Lastly, YouTube will automatically designate any YouTube content with a duration of 60 seconds or less as a Short, rather than as regular videos or YouTube stories.

How Long are YouTube Shorts?

That last tip brings me into the length of YouTube Shorts. YouTube shorts allow for brief videos with a maximum duration of 60 seconds. However, the default length is 15 seconds. Not every video will be 15 or even the full 60 seconds.

Creators have the freedom to make YouTube Shorts with a different video timeline, each time. The primary idea behind YouTube Shorts is to enable creators to share concise, quick, and catchy videos!

It should be noted that YouTube Shorts must be 60 seconds or less. Anything you upload that’s over a minute will be considered a long-form video and will be uploaded as full length video instead.

Should I Post YouTube Shorts on my Main Channel?

While some creators choose to do so, others may decide otherwise. Really, it is up to you.

If your Shorts content complements the theme of your main channel, sharing them there can improve how often people watch your content. Leverage YouTube Shorts as a means to boost and expand your primary channel!

However, if they don't align with your main channel's theme, you might consider establishing a separate channel dedicated exclusively to your Shorts.

The subscription box remains readily accessible when you publish a Short, simplifying the process for viewers to subscribe if they find your content appealing.

How to Monetize YouTube Shorts

Alright, what about benefiting financially from your YouTube Shorts journey? Well, it's no secret that content creators make money on other platforms, but specifically YouTube.

They have the option to generate income through advertisements displayed alongside their Shorts, as long as they are enrolled in the YouTube Partner Program and have activated Shorts monetization within YouTube Studio's Earn section.

The Partner Program serves as a motivation to direct your short-form video toward the YouTube app. If you successfully grow an audience on this platform, substantial earnings could be within your reach.

It's almost self-evident, but failing to enable monetization settings in YouTube Studio might result in missed earnings from your video content. Know that you will receive a share of the ad revenue generated by YouTube for Shorts, which is distributed among all monetized creators and YouTube's music partners.

Just an FYI, content creators can also make money from other short form video platforms such as TikTok and Instagram Reels as well! It may be worth looking into if you're already starting to post content on YouTube... might as well!

Final Thoughts

Now that you're done reading our guide on how to create a Short, we hope you'll venture off in confidence!

We want to note that filming and editing any form of video, long or short, can be overwhelming and difficult.

Spivo Video is a trusted video editing service that specializes in making these types of videos. Their professional video editors are pros in creating 60 second Reels, TikTok's and Shorts for their clients and pride themselves on customer satisfaction guaranteed.

Simply receive a quote, purchase the edit, and use the Dropbox provided to effortlessly upload your content files. For examples of customer videos, make sure to check us out on TikTok and Instagram!