How to Make YouTube Shorts That Get Views (Complete Guide)

If you’re looking for a quick way to reach new audiences and grow your YouTube account, Shorts is definitely the place to be. With an average of 70 billion daily views (yes, billion), YouTube Shorts has become the go-to for creators looking to build communities and for brands looking to enhance product awareness.

It can be a gateway to success on the platform for you as well. However, you first need to know how to make videos that capture people’s attention and put you on the right side of the YouTube algorithm — precisely what we’re here to help you with.

This guide breaks down how to create YouTube Shorts, from idea generation through posting and optimization.

Why Make YouTube Shorts?

Some creators on YouTube are yet to jump on the Shorts bandwagon, understandably so. YouTube is best known for long-form videos, so it makes sense to focus on this content type. However, overlooking Shorts is a mistake. Here’s why:

• Large audience: As mentioned earlier, YouTube Shorts registers billions of daily views. This makes it one of the best ways to reach potential subscribers and even customers (for brands).
• High engagement: With the human attention span down to 47 seconds, short videos have become most people’s preferred content format. YouTube Shorts, therefore, generate significant views and engagements.
• Increased discoverability: YouTube features Shorts not only in the Shorts tab but also on the homepage and in search results. As such, these videos can help you boost your channel’s visibility on the platform.
• Limited effort: Compared to lengthy YouTube videos, Shorts are low-effort. They require less production and editing time as well as fewer resources, making them well-suited for experimentation. If you’re still trying to figure out what type of content resonates best with your target audience, they’re a fast and cost-effective way to get your answer.
• Content repurposing: YouTube Shorts lets you capitalize on successful videos from other platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram. Tip: Remove watermarks from other platforms before uploading videos to Shorts to prevent deprioritization.
• Monetization: YouTube shares ad revenue from the Shorts Feed with creators through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Granted, Shorts earn less per view than long-form videos. But they can still hold their own in earnings, since they have massive views.

Read also:Need Clean TikTok Videos? Use TikTok Watermark Removers

How to Make YouTube Shorts

Convinced about the value of making YouTube Shorts? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Define Your Niche

The first step is to determine what type of content to create. This is pretty easy if you already have an active YouTube account. Just focus on what you’ve been creating, but make it shorter. For example, if you post 40-minute product reviews on your channel, do the same on your Shorts account, but make the reviews a few seconds or minutes long.

If you don’t have an active account, start by identifying what you’re good at or what your target audience enjoys. Are you good at cooking? Food content may be a good idea. Does your target audience enjoy lifestyle content? Quick glimpses into your life could be a great addition to your Shorts account.

2. Record Your Video

You don’t need Hollywood production-level equipment for this step. Nonetheless, ensure your chosen recording devices produce clear audio and video — quality is non-negotiable if you want people to stop scrolling and watch your videos.

There are two ways to record YouTube Shorts: in the YouTube app itself or with an external app or camera.

If you’re more concerned about speed than polish, the YouTube app option is great. YouTube automatically formats content to meet platform specifications, making your work easier. Further, you don’t need to worry about exporting your video. The only downside is that you’ll have limited control over your editing.

1. To record YouTube Shorts on the app:
2. Sign in to your account.
3. Tap the plus icon and select Short.
4. Click the capture button to start recording.

The second option, using an external camera or app, may be a good fit if you want greater control over your editing. It’s also great if you want to use Shorts as a teaser for long-form content. Just record standard videos as you usually do, and take some snippets for your Shorts content.

Whether you use YouTube’s built-in feature or an external camera, keep these best practices in mind when recording Shorts content:

• Set your camera to vertical.
• Keep your subject or face centered.
• Make sure there’s sufficient lighting.
• Get straight to the point when speaking. Shorts are limited to three minutes, so you don’t have much time.

3. Edit the Video

Again, you can use YouTube’s built-in features or opt for external tools like CapCut. With YouTube, you can:

• Use filters.
• Add your preferred sound and music.
• Include a text overlay.
• Auto-generate captions.
• Add stickers.
• Record a voice-over.
• Trim your video.

External editing tools allow you to do this and more. For example, you can edit your background, add unique transitions, and include advanced visual effects, such as text animations. However, you often need a subscription to access these features.

4. Post the Video

This is straightforward if you use YouTube to record and edit your video. You simply need to:

1. Tap Next after you’re done editing.
2. Add your caption.
3. Select your Privacy, Location, and Audience settings.
4. Verify your settings and tap Upload Short.

If you use an external app like Capcut:

1. Save the video to your gallery.
2. Sign in to your YouTube account.
3. Click the plus icon.
4. Tap Add to upload the video from your gallery.
5. Tap Next.
6. Use YouTube’s editing tool for last-minute edits (if necessary).
7. Tap Next, then select your Privacy, Location, and Audience settings.
8. Click Upload Short.

Read also: Mastering How to Make Shorts and Reels Quickly

How to Optimize YouTube Shorts for More Views

Making videos is just one piece of the puzzle; you also need to optimize them to drive greater viewer engagement. The more people watch and engage, the more your videos get pushed to new audiences.

Here are our top optimization tips:

Use Attention-Grabbing Titles

Some creators overlook the importance of titles because Shorts autoplay in the feed. However, that’s not the only place they appear.

Potential viewers may also encounter your videos in search results and on the homepage. To get them to click from these sources, you need to capture their attention. That’s where compelling titles come in.

Ideally, video titles should be:

• Short
• Curiosity-driven
• SEO-optimized — use keywords that align with your content

Your title can be something as simple as “$50 vs. $200 Makeup: Which is better?” or “Quick X dish recipe.”

Incorporate Hashtags

Hashtags help the YouTube algorithm understand and categorize your content. This could result in more appearances in search results and targeted audiences’ feeds, leading to more views.

For optimal results, only use hashtags that relate to your content. For example, if you create a product review, use options like #review and #Xreview. Avoid irrelevant hashtags, even if they’re trending, as they can confuse the algorithm.

Keep Videos Short

YouTube Shorts can now be up to three minutes long. However, because they can doesn’t mean they should be.

As human attention spans decline, shorter videos tend to have higher completion rates than longer ones. So, YouTube pushes them more aggressively toward new audiences.

This isn’t to say that you should never create three-minute videos. You can, but only if it’s necessary to deliver value. If you can shorten them, do so.

To make YouTube Shorts concise, avoid deviating from your focus topic. Also, shorten your intro (get straight to the point), get rid of pauses, and remove fillers like “uhm” during editing.

Read also: YouTube Shorts Strategy: From Zero to Pro

Hook Viewers Quickly

The first few seconds of your videos will determine whether viewers scroll away or stay to watch. So, make them interesting. Hook your audience in the first three seconds by asking a question, stating a surprising fact, or making a bold statement that makes them want to engage.

The YouTube algorithm assesses viewer behavior when determining whether to recommend Shorts. If people stay and watch your video, YouTube will recommend it to more users, boosting your views. However, if viewers swipe away, the algorithm may limit its distribution.

Add Captions

According to Verizon Media, 69% of US consumers watch videos with sound off in public places, and 25% even when in private places. So, captions aren’t just great for accessibility; they can also boost your video views and engagement.

Luckily, adding captions to YouTube Shorts is easy: simply tap the captions icon when editing your video on the platform. YouTube will then generate the captions for you. However, there may be some mistakes. So, be sure to review and correct them before uploading your video.

Use Compelling Thumbnails

We know what you’re thinking: why spend time creating thumbnails when Shorts start playing automatically when users scroll? Well, that only happens in the Shorts feed.

If Shorts appear in search results, on your channel page, or on the homepage, YouTube users do get to see your thumbnails. If they’re compelling enough, viewers will click your videos, resulting in more engagements.

Cross-Promote Videos

Don’t limit your Shorts to just YouTube; share them across other platforms, like your website, Threads, and X. Some excellent ways to cross-promote Shorts include:

• Embed them in blog content on your website.
• Share their links on Instagram Stories.
• Use them on text-based platforms like X to add context to your posts.

Cross-promotion drives more people to your YouTube Shorts account, which can increase views. However, you have to make sure potential viewers have a seamless transition for this to happen. So, confirm that all your links work beforehand.

Engage With Your Community

Regular engagement can build loyalty and encourage viewers to return to your videos. It’s also a positive signal to the algorithm and can therefore help boost your visibility among new audiences.

To boost community engagement:

• Pose questions that prompt viewers to comment on your videos.
• Like and reply to their comments.
• Listen to your audience. For example, you could implement suggested video ideas to show them you value their feedback.

Post Consistently

As with many social media platforms, YouTube prioritizes accounts that maintain a regular posting schedule when recommending content. The more feeds and search results you appear in, the more your views will be.

However, maintaining a consistent schedule on Shorts, especially if you have multiple accounts or an active YouTube channel, can be challenging — when done manually.

With automation solutions like GeeLark’s posting templates, maintaining consistency becomes easier. GeeLark is primarily an antidetect solution provider that helps isolate accounts via antidetect browsers and cloud phones. Beyond that, it offers automation tools to streamline account management.

Here’s how to use GeeLark for automated Shorts publishing:

1. Download the GeeLark app and create your account.
2. Set up your cloud phone profiles (create multiple profiles if you have different Shorts accounts to isolate them). To set up the profiles, go to New profile and fill out the required details, including each profile’s proxy information.
3. Head to Applications, search for YouTube, and install the app.
4. Sign in to your accounts.
5. Navigate to Automation to access GeeLark’s Marketplace.
6. Search for the “Publish YouTube Shorts” template.
7. Open the template and select “Create a regular task.”
8. Choose the YouTube accounts (cloud profiles) you want to automate posting for.
9. Upload your Shorts (and relevant details, such as titles) and select your preferred publishing date.
10. Click Confirm publication.

GeeLark will then publish your videos on the set dates across all selected accounts.

Can I make YouTube Shorts for a New Account?

Yes. However, it helps to warm up your account by browsing the platform and engaging with other creators before you start posting. Warm up shows YouTube that there’s a real, active participant behind your account, helping build algorithmic trust. This can increase visibility when you post your first Shorts video.

GeeLark can automate account warm up for you as well. This is especially handy if you have multiple YouTube accounts, as it allows you to keep up with each one without taking up too much of your time.

To automate account warm up with GeeLark:

1. Search for the “YouTube account warmup” template.
2. Select Create a regular task.
3. Set up your warm up parameters (which niche to focus on, how many videos to view, and when to start warm up).
4. Confirm your settings and let GeeLark handle the rest.

Make Optimized YouTube Shorts

Shorts can be an excellent way to make a name for yourself on YouTube. The platform prominently features these videos, allowing you to reach new audiences relatively quickly.

Of course, this only happens when the algorithm receives positive signals about your content. So, be sure to optimize it for maximum views and engagement: use compelling titles, add captions, keep videos short, incorporate hashtags, and maintain a consistent posting schedule.

With GeeLark, you can easily maintain consistency, even when operating multiple accounts. The platform offers AI-powered templates that automate Shorts posting, reducing your manual workload. What’s more, it also automates YouTube video posting, helping you maintain consistency beyond Shorts.

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