How to make and post YouTube Shorts

10 tips to get more engagement on YouTube Shorts

With millions of YouTube Shorts being uploaded every day, standing out and increasing engagement can be challenging.

Here are 10 tips YouTube creators should know when uploading Shorts:

1. Create vertical videos
2. Start with a hook
3. Promise clear value
4. Choose catchy thumbnails
5. Incorporate engaging sounds
6. Interact with comments
7. Include a call-to-action
8. Follow current trends
9. Maintain high video quality
10. Post consistently

1. Create vertical videos

Using YouTube Shorts means adapting to a new style where vertical video reigns supreme. This format resonates with the smartphone generation, your primary audience for Shorts. 

Think about a travel vlogger’s channel: their Shorts might feature the dizzying heights of city skyscrapers or the majestic rise of natural cliffs, all filling the viewer’s screen and providing a window to distant horizons. 

This approach acknowledges and embraces the mobile audience, especially on a platform like YouTube where until recently you could only watch long-form videos built for viewing on larger screens.

2. Start with a hook

Imagine your Short as the opening sentence of a story; it should be as compelling as the first line of your favorite book.

The hook is your virtual handshake, your first impression. Whether it’s a funny comment, a shocking statement, or a breathtaking visual, your opening should feel like a wave that pulls viewers from the shores of their feed into the depths of your content. 

Here is an example of a YouTube Short that starts with a good hook:

Source

This kind of opening can captivate new audiences and compel them to hit that subscribe button, hungry for more content that starts with a bang.

3. Promise clear value

What will your viewer gain from your minute-long journey? This question should be at the heart of every Short you create. It’s not just about what you’re presenting, but how you’re presenting it. 

For instance, a personal development coach could open with, “Transform your mindset in less than 60 seconds.” It’s a bold claim, and when followed by a powerful, insightful message, it fulfills a promise that makes those 60 seconds a worthwhile investment. 

It’s consistency in delivering value that transforms viewers into a community of loyal followers and, ultimately, into more subscribers.

4. Choose catchy thumbnails

Your thumbnail is more than just a preview image, it’s a gateway to viewer engagement. Think of it as the cover of a book; it needs to grab attention and make a promise about the exciting content awaiting viewers. 

Crafting a thumbnail that pops requires a few key elements: bold colors, clear messaging, and an intriguing snapshot of what viewers can expect from your video. You want to create a sense of curiosity that compels viewers to click through and watch your Short.

Designing these magnetic thumbnails has been made simpler with tools like Canva, which offers a myriad of customizable templates, graphics, and fonts, enabling creators to produce eye-catching designs without needing a background in graphic design. 

5. Incorporate engaging sounds

The auditory layer of your YouTube Short can captivate just as powerfully as its visuals. Imagine the impact of an energetic audio clip in a fitness Short that aligns with the tempo of the exercise. 

It’s this blend of audio-visual video elements that makes your content stand out, ensuring it’s not only memorable but also more likely to be shared. Sounds can often be trending and go viral on all video platforms, so using an audio that is already proven to boost views is always a good move.

6. Interact with comments

All of the viewer interaction on YouTube takes place in the comments section. Engaging with comments will help you build a community. Reply to comments with personalized responses, or even better, pin a question to spark a conversation. 

This interaction shows that there’s a real person behind the content, someone who values viewer input. Such engagement can make viewers feel a part of your channel’s story, encouraging them to return and interact more, boosting your video’s activity and visibility in the process.

7. Include a call-to-action

A call-to-action (CTA) is a strategic tool that guides your viewers on what to do next, leading to continued engagement. 

Here are a few benefits of incorporating a CTA in your YouTube Shorts:

• It prompts viewers to like, comment, or share your video, significantly boosting engagement metrics.
• It can encourage viewers to subscribe to your channel and can accelerate your channel’s growth.
• You can direct viewers to other content, your merchandise store, or any other link that is beneficial to your brand.
• You can better measure the effectiveness of your content by the actions viewers take.

Always ensure your call-to-action is clear, compelling, and relevant to the content of your Short. It could be as simple as asking viewers to ‘like and subscribe’ or guiding them to a related video or playlist.

8. Follow current trends

Staying ahead of current trends is important if you want to retain relevance and capture attention. 

Here are some of the advantages of hopping on trends:

• Relevancy: Leveraging trends can position your content as current and relevant, which is appealing to viewers.
• Reach: Trending topics have a higher search volume, which can help your content be discovered by a broader audience.
• Community building: Participating in trends creates a sense of community among viewers who are tracking or enjoying the trend.
• Algorithm advantage: YouTube’s algorithm often favors content that is trending, which means your Shorts are more likely to appear in suggested and recommended feeds.

Always tailor trends to your brand and content style to remain authentic.

9. Maintain high video quality

The quality of your video is a testament to your professionalism and respect for your audience. 

The benefits of maintaining high video quality in your Shorts include:

• Viewer retention: High-quality videos are more engaging and can keep viewers watching longer, which is a key metric for the YouTube algorithm.
• Positive brand perception: A consistent level of quality in your videos reflects well on your brand, presenting you as a serious and professional content creator.
• Competitive edge: In a saturated market, superior video quality can set you apart from competitors.
• Encourages shares: Aesthetically pleasing and high-resolution videos are more likely to be shared by viewers, increasing your reach.

To ensure high video quality, pay attention to both the visual elements (resolution, framing, lighting) and audio quality. It’s not always about having the most expensive equipment but rather using what you have to its fullest potential.

10. Post consistently

The benefits of posting consistently on YouTube cannot be overstated, particularly when it comes to the platform’s Shorts feature. Establishing a regular posting rhythm does more than just satisfy the algorithm’s preferences, it builds a rapport with your audience. 

They learn when to expect new content from you, creating a cycle of anticipation and satisfaction that can greatly boost your channel’s engagement and viewership.

Viewers are creatures of habit, and if they know they can look forward to your engaging Shorts at a set time, they’re more likely to keep coming back. This kind of predictability is comforting and can forge a strong viewer-creator bond.