How to Make YouTube Shorts: Crafting Viral Vertical Videos

By
Teleprompter Team
October 20, 2023
·
8
minutes
How to Make YouTube Shorts: Crafting Viral Vertical Videos

Are you ready to create YouTube Shorts? As social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok continue to gain popularity, YouTube has introduced its own short-form video feature to keep up with the trend. Let’s talk about the process of creating YouTube Shorts that are not only engaging but have the potential to go viral.

What Are YouTube Shorts?

YouTube shorts on smartphone

YouTube Shorts represent the future of short-form video content on the platform. These bite-sized, vertical videos are crafted to capture your audience's attention quickly and keep them engaged. Unlike some other short-form video apps, YouTube Shorts videos don't disappear after 24 hours. Instead, they remain on your channel, giving your content a more enduring presence.

One of the standout features of YouTube Shorts is its user-friendly creation tools. With the YouTube app on your smartphone, you can easily shoot, edit, and enhance your Shorts right from your device. 

Why YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts offers an array of compelling reasons for both content creators and viewers to embrace this innovative short-form video format. For content creators, YouTube Shorts represents an excellent opportunity to tap into a massive and diverse audience base. With over 2 billion monthly logged-in users, YouTube provides a vast stage for your Shorts to shine. It's a platform where your creativity can find a global audience and potentially go viral, all within a 60-second time frame.

Moreover, the unique set of creation tools available within the YouTube app makes it incredibly convenient to produce high-quality vertical videos. You can seamlessly edit your Shorts, add music from major labels, incorporate animated text, and control the pacing, all from the palm of your hand. This accessibility empowers creators to bring their visions to life with ease and agility.

For viewers, YouTube Shorts brings a fresh and captivating way to consume content. The short duration of Shorts is perfectly suited to our fast-paced digital lifestyles, allowing users to discover new, entertaining, and informative videos in seconds. The ability to engage with creators through likes, comments, shares, and subscriptions fosters a dynamic sense of community, where viewers can actively participate in shaping the content they love.

How to Make YouTube Shorts: Getting Started

YouTube app

1. Download the YouTube App

The first step to creating YouTube Shorts is to ensure you have the YouTube app installed on your smartphone. This is where you'll find all the tools you need to create and upload your shorts.

2. Video Specs and Length

YouTube Shorts specs are important to make your content look professional. YouTube Shorts are vertical videos, which means they have a 9:16 aspect ratio. To make your content look professional, aim for a resolution of at least 1080x1920 pixels. As for the length, YouTube Shorts can be up to 60 seconds long, but shorter videos often perform better.

3. Video Creation

Now, let's dive into the creative process:

  • Content Ideas: Brainstorm unique and engaging content ideas that resonate with your audience. Whether it's a quick tutorial, a comedy sketch, a snippet of your day, or a catchy dance, choose a theme that aligns with your niche or interests.
  • Storyboard: Plan your video by creating a rough storyboard. This will help you visualize your shots and transitions before you start filming.
  • Filming: Use your phone's camera to shoot your video. Ensure good lighting, stable framing, and clear audio. Experiment with different angles and styles to make your video stand out.
  • Editing: Edit your video using the YouTube app's built-in editing tools. You can add music, text, filters, and more to enhance your video's appeal.

4. Uploading Your YouTube Shorts

Once your YouTube Short is ready, follow these steps to upload it:

  • Open the YouTube app and tap the '+' button at the bottom of the screen.
  • Select "Create a Short."
  • Choose the video from your camera roll that you want to upload as a YouTube Short.
  • Trim your video to make it fit the 60-second duration limit, if necessary.
  • Add a title, description, and relevant hashtags to make your video discoverable.

5. Optimizing for Virality

To increase the chances of your YouTube Short going viral, consider these tips:

  • Use trending hashtags: Research popular hashtags within your niche and include them in your video description.
  • Engage with comments: Reply to comments on your video to foster a sense of community.
  • Promote on other social media platforms: Share your YouTube Shorts on Instagram, TikTok, and other social media channels to cross-promote your content.

Enhancing Your Shorts with Captivating Thumbnails

A compelling thumbnail can significantly increase the click-through rate of your YouTube Shorts. Here’s how to create effective thumbnails:

  1. Keep It Simple: Use a clean and clear design that is easy to understand at a glance.
  2. Use High-Quality Images: Ensure your thumbnail is high-resolution and visually appealing.
  3. Add Text: Incorporate short, bold text to convey the video’s content quickly.
  4. Show Faces: Thumbnails with human faces tend to attract more views as they create a personal connection.
  5. Consistent Branding: Use consistent colors and styles that align with your channel’s branding.

Engaging with Your Audience Through Shorts

Building a community is crucial for sustained success on YouTube. Here are ways to engage with your audience through Shorts:

  1. Call to Action: Include a clear call to action in your videos, encouraging viewers to like, comment, share, and subscribe.
  2. Interactive Elements: Use YouTube’s features like polls, questions, and challenges to interact with your audience.
  3. Respond to Comments: Take the time to reply to comments on your Shorts to foster a sense of community.
  4. Collaborate with Other Creators: Partner with other YouTubers to create collaborative Shorts, expanding your reach and audience.

Ways to Use YouTube Shorts

content creator making  short form video

Now that you've learned how to create YouTube Shorts, let's explore various creative ways to utilize this exciting format:

1. Educational Shorts

Educational content is highly sought after on YouTube, and Shorts can be a great to share quick tips, fun facts, or short tutorials. Whether you're teaching a language, explaining scientific concepts, or providing study hacks, educational Shorts can grab your audience’s attention in seconds.

2. Behind-the-Scenes Peeks

People love to see what happens behind the scenes of their favorite creators, whether it's a day in the life, a sneak peek into your creative process, or the making of your latest project. These behind-the-scenes Shorts can build a stronger connection with your audience.

3. Showcasing Products or Services

If you're a business owner or marketer, Shorts can serve as an effective way to showcase your products or services in a concise and visually engaging manner. Highlight key features, demonstrate how to use your products, or share customer testimonials in a short and snappy format.

4. Quick Q&A Sessions

Answer your audience’s questions or common questions with Short Q&A sessions. Short videos allow you to answer multiple questions in one video so your viewers can get the info they need fast.

5. Mini Comedy Sketches

Humor has a universal appeal, and YouTube Shorts is a great platform to share bite sized comedy sketches. Whether it’s a funny situation, a one-liner or a humorous take on life, a well-done comedy Short can go viral in no time.

6. Highlighting User-Generated Content

Get your audience to create and share their own Shorts about your content or brand. You can highlight the best user-generated content in a compilation Short, fostering a sense of community and engagement.

7. Teasers and Trailers

If you have a longer video or upcoming project, create teaser Shorts to generate anticipation and excitement among your audience. Teasers can provide a sneak peek into what's coming next on your channel.

8. Music and Dance Shorts

YouTube Shorts has become a popular platform for music and dance creators. Whether you're a musician, dancer, or simply love to groove, you can create catchy music or dance Shorts to showcase your talent or choreography skills.

9. Travel and Exploration

If you're an adventurer or traveler, capture your breathtaking moments in short, visually stunning clips. Share quick travel tips or glimpses of exotic destinations to inspire wanderlust in your viewers.

10. News and Updates

Stay connected with your audience by delivering quick news updates or sharing the latest developments in your field. Timely and informative Shorts can establish you as an authority within your niche.

Teleprompter Apps: Elevating Your YouTube Shorts

teleprompter.com app store icon

Creating engaging and seamless YouTube Shorts can be challenging, especially when you need to remember your script while staying on camera.

The Teleprompter allows you to display your script right on your smartphone, ensuring you deliver your lines flawlessly while maintaining eye contact with your audience. With the help of the teleprompter app, YouTube Shorts creators can improve their delivery, maintain a natural flow, and keep viewers captivated. 

You can create polished and professional Shorts that stand out in the crowded world of short-form video content by effortlessly scrolling through your script as you record. Consider integrating a teleprompter app into your YouTube Shorts workflow to elevate your video quality and boost viewer engagement.

Sign up now, to start creating polished and professional content that stands out in the crowded world of short-form video.

In conclusion, YouTube Shorts offers a promising platform for both content creators and viewers in the world of short-form videos. With its vast user base and lasting video presence, it provides creators with the opportunity to showcase their creativity and potentially achieve viral success.

The user-friendly creation tools make it easy to craft engaging vertical videos, while viewers can enjoy quick, interactive content. Whether you're an educator, entertainer, or entrepreneur, YouTube Shorts offers a canvas for storytelling. To make the most of this dynamic platform, creators should stay innovative, experiment with diverse content ideas, and keep an eye on trends.

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