Look, I get it. You wanna jump on the YouTube Shorts bandwagon because everyone says it's blowing up. But when I first tried making YouTube Shorts last year, mine flopped hard. Like, 50-views flop. Turns out I was doing everything wrong – wrong length, wrong hooks, even wrong hashtags. Now? Some of my Shorts hit half a million views. Not bragging, just saying it's possible if you skip the fluff and focus on what works.
Why Bother With YouTube Shorts Anyway?
Remember when YouTube felt impossible to crack unless you had Hollywood gear? Shorts changed that. I've seen accounts with 200 subscribers get 10K views overnight because the algorithm pushes vertical videos like crazy right now. But here's the thing most guides won't tell you: YouTube favors Shorts that keep people glued within the first second. If your intro sucks, game over.
What Makes Shorts Different From Regular Videos
Vertical format only – no landscape stuff. You get 60 seconds max, but honestly? The best performing ones I've made are under 15 seconds. Sound matters more than you think too. That trending song might feel overused to you, but if it's blowing up on TikTok, use it. YouTube scans audio to recommend your content.
Pro tip I learned the hard way: YouTube won't push your Short unless you include #shorts in the title or description. Forgot this once and lost a week's work.
Planning Stuff That Doesn't Flop
My early mistake was filming random clips hoping they'd go viral. Bad plan. Now I spend more time planning than filming. Here’s what works:
Stealing Ideas (The Right Way)
Open TikTok and Instagram Reels. See that viral dance or cooking hack? Recreate it with your twist. I made a "3-second omelette" Short that got 200K views by hopping on a food trend. Tools like VidIQ ($9/month) show trending Shorts topics in your niche.
Scripting For Attention Spans
Write like you're texting a bored teenager:
- Hook in 0.5 seconds (e.g., flashing text: "YOU'RE DOING THIS WRONG")
- Problem + solution in 5 seconds
- Punchy closer (ask a question or use CALL TO ACTION text overlay)
My dog training channel script example:
[HOOK: Golden Retriever shredding sofa]
TEXT: "STOP PUNISHING YOUR DOG"
[Me holding chew toy]: "Give them THIS instead ($14 Amazon)"
CTA: "Follow for more fixes"
Gear That Doesn't Cost a Fortune
Don't buy a fancy camera yet. My iPhone 12 works fine. But these helped:
Essential Kit Under $150
- Smartphone tripod: UBeesize ($25) – prevents shaky disasters
- Ring light: Neewer 10" ($40) – no more shadowy face
- Lavalier mic: Fifine ($18) – cuts background noise
- Backdrop: Walamart blackout curtain ($12) – hides messy rooms
That time I filmed without a mic? Comments were just "WHAT IS SHE SAYING?" Never again.
Free Filming Hacks
- Film in 1080p at minimum (phone settings)
- Lock exposure by long-pressing your screen
- Use rear camera – front cam quality sucks
Editing Secrets Nobody Talks About
You don't need fancy software. I use free apps that export directly to YouTube:
| App | Best For | Price | Why I Use It |
|---|---|---|---|
| CapCut | Templates & auto-captions | Free | One-click trend templates (saves hours) |
| InShot | Text overlays | Free (watermark removal: $3/month) | Best fonts for vertical videos |
| Premiere Rush | Color correction | $9.99/month | Pro-level lighting fixes |
Editing Tricks That Skyrocket Retention
- Cut on the beat: Sync actions to music (use trending tracks!)
- Zoom ins: Pinch zoom on key moments (free in CapCut)
- Text EVERYTHING: 85% watch without sound
I resisted text overlays for months thinking they looked cheap. Wrong. Retention jumped 40% when I added them.
Uploading Without Killing Your Reach
Got your Short ready? Slow down. Mess up these settings and YouTube ignores you:
Title & Description Formulas That Work
- Title: "Problem ➞ Solution" (e.g., "Dry Cake? Try This Baker's Trick")
- Description: First line repeats title + target keyword. Then:
#shorts #bakinghacks #cake
Music: Trending sound name
[Links to products used]
I tested posting times for 3 weeks. For my niche (fitness), 7-9 AM EST weekdays tripled initial views. Your audience differs though.
Tags That Actually Matter
Forget stuffing 50 tags. YouTube Shorts algorithm cares about:
- 1-2 broad niche tags (#gardeningtips)
- 1 specific action tag (#propagateplants)
- 1 trending tag if relevant (#planttok)
Promoting Without Being Annoying
Uploading is half the battle. Here’s how I get traction:
- Pin to channel homepage: New viewers see your best Short first
- Use Shorts in replies: Someone asks about skincare? Reply with a 15-second Short demo
- Collab swaps: Trade shoutouts with creators in your niche (I gained 1K subs doing this)
Paid promotion? Tried it. Wasted $100 boosting a Short. Organic reach works better if your content hooks fast.
Fixing Common Shorts Mistakes
Most creators sabotage themselves. Here's what to avoid:
| Mistake | Why It Kills Views | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| First frame is boring | 90% swipe away immediately | Start with movement/text/shock |
| No captioning | Lose sound-off viewers | Use auto-captions (edit errors) |
| Posting inconsistently | Algorithm forgets you | Schedule 3x/week minimum |
My biggest fail? Copying TikTok trends verbatim. YouTube audiences want faster payoff. Trim filler.
Your Top YouTube Shorts Questions Answered
Got DMs daily about this stuff. Here’s the real talk:
How long does it take for a Short to go viral?
48-72 hours typically. If it hasn't popped by day 4, reshoot the hook and repost.
Can I monetize YouTube Shorts?
Yes, but differently. You need 10M+ Shorts views in 90 days for YPP eligibility. RPMs are lower too ($0.03-$0.08 vs $3-$5 for long-form). Affiliate links in descriptions work better.
Why do my Shorts get low views suddenly?
Algorithm shifts happen. Last month, my views dipped 70% because I ignored new templates. Check YouTube Creators blog weekly.
Best tools for making YouTube Shorts?
CapCut for editing, Canva for thumbnails (yes, Shorts need thumbnails too!), TubeBuddy for tags. All have free tiers.
How many hashtags should I use?
3-5 max. More looks spammy. #shorts is non-negotiable.
Final Reality Check
YouTube Shorts ain't magic. My first 10 videos bombed. But once you nail the formula – killer hook in 0.5 seconds, value packed in 15 seconds, trending audio – it clicks. Track analytics religiously. If retention drops at 3 seconds, tweak your opener. If people quit at 12 seconds, tighten the ending.
Last thing: Don't delete "failed" Shorts. I have one with 200 views that randomly gained 50K after 3 months. Algorithm works in mysterious ways.
Ready to make YouTube Shorts that don't suck? Grab your phone and shoot something today. Perfection is the enemy of views.
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