With the potential TikTok band looming in the US, YouTube might be the platform many users and creators are moving to. Some reasons why you should start to invest into YouTube shorts:
- Reuse your TikTok Content: If you've already created content for TikTok, you can repurpose it and upload to YouTube Shorts. This allows you to quickly build a library of content and reach a new audience.
- Wider reach: YouTube has a massive, diverse, and established user base of over 2.5 billion monthly active users. This means your Shorts have the potential to reach a much broader audience than on TikTok (over 1 billion monthly active users), especially if you already have a YouTube channel with subscribers.
- Youtube Short is huge already: YouTube Shorts now gets over 50 billion daily views.
- Better discoverability: With Google, YouTube's search engine is a powerful tool for discoverability. People actively search for content on YouTube, increasing the chances of your Shorts being found even after the initial hype has died down. 70% of YouTube viewers say they use the platform to help them learn how to do something new. This suggests an audience actively seeking information, which your Shorts could provide.
- Monetization opportunities: YouTube has a well-established monetization system. While Shorts monetization is still evolving, it's likely to offer more long-term earning potential than TikTok's Creator Fund, especially as your channel grows. YouTube paid out over $30 billion to creators, artists, and media companies over the last three years.
- Use your existing long content: If you already have longer videos, pulling some short frames from those long videos to create your shorts. This will be the fastest content creation route.
So with that in mind, how do we start to invest in YouTube shorts?
- Create a Youtube Channel: It takes less than 10 mins to kick start a YouTube channel.
- Trendjacking: Identify trending sounds, challenges, or hashtags on YouTube Shorts and create content that aligns with them. Head to YouTube's homepage and click on "Trending" in the left sidebar. Note down the trend especially on keywords and hashtags of those trending videos.
- Similar to Google SEO: Use relevant keywords and hashtags you found in trendjacking in your Shorts titles and descriptions to improve their searchability.
- Interactive Elements: Use YouTube Shorts' interactive features like polls, quizzes, and stickers to encourage viewer participation and boost engagement.
- Respond to Comments: Engage with viewers who comment on your Shorts. Respond to questions, acknowledge feedback, and foster a sense of community.
- Run Contests and Giveaways: Host contests or giveaways that encourage viewers to create and share Shorts featuring your brand or products. This can generate excitement and user-generated content.
- Integrate with Longer Videos: If you already have longer videos, pulling some short frames from those long videos to create your shorts. This will be the fastest content creation route.
- Run paid ads: Full guide on how to kick start running YouTube shorts paid ads.
Hope this have been useful!
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