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How to Post Shorts The Right Way to Increase Your Views and Watch Hours

Introduction

Posting YouTube Shorts can be a double-edged sword for content creators. While Shorts can bring in views and subscribers, they can also negatively impact your channel if not done correctly. This article breaks down the best practices for posting Shorts effectively to maximize views, watch hours, and subscriber growth.

Understanding YouTube Shorts

When you upload Shorts, you may notice varying levels of monetization. For instance, a creator may gain significant views and watch time but earn relatively little from it. In this scenario, although the creator gained 16 million views and 98,000 hours of watch time, they only made around $ 104.99 through the traditional monetization route.

However, thanks to the YouTube Shorts Bonus program, creators can earn additional revenue. Despite the potential for earnings, it's crucial to understand that what works for one creator may not necessarily work for another. Audience preferences vary, so tracking your analytics on YouTube Studio is essential to determine what type of content resonates best with your viewers.

Avoiding Pitfalls

One common misconception among creators is that posting random trends or unrelated content will help their channels grow. This approach is misleading. If you create Shorts outside your niche, you may attract views, but these viewers are likely to be uninterested in your long-form content. For example, posting a Short about a celebrity may draw in fans who won’t stick around for your usual content, causing harm to your channel's overall engagement.

The aim should be to create content that aligns with your channel’s focus, ensuring that viewers who find your Shorts are naturally inclined to watch your longer videos as well.

Best Practices for Posting Shorts

  1. Post Clips from Your Long-Form Content: The best strategy is to create Shorts from the most engaging moments of your long-form videos. Highlight the key sections that showcase the value of your content.

  2. Include Related Content Links: After viewers watch your Short, they should be able to click on related content to view your full-length video. This strategy not only drives traffic to your long-form videos but also builds a consistent audience.

  3. Utilize YouTube’s Features: When you create a Short, make use of YouTube's tools, like tagging your videos appropriately so that viewers can find related content easily.

  4. Creating Engaging Clips: When selecting which part of your long video to turn into a Short, focus on the segments that are sure to hook viewers. A strong opening, engaging visuals, or compelling dialogue will encourage viewers to explore more of your content.

Step-by-Step Guide to Uploading a Short

  • Open the YouTube App: Click on the plus sign and select ‘Short’.
  • Record or Select Video: Use the camera to record or select an existing video.
  • Choose the Best Clips: Watch the video carefully and choose the most engaging segments.
  • Enhance Your Shorts: Add text, filters, or other enhancements to make the Short visually appealing.
  • Link Related Videos: After finishing your Short, ensure you include links to your full-length content so viewers can continue watching.

By following these steps, you can leverage YouTube Shorts to build engagement and a loyal audience for your channel.

Conclusion

The key to successfully utilizing YouTube Shorts lies in content strategy. Create Shorts that reflect your brand, engage your audience, and lead viewers to your long-form content. This approach will help you attract subscribers who value your content and contribute to your channel's growth.

Keywords

  • YouTube Shorts
  • Monetization
  • Views
  • Engagement
  • Content Strategy
  • Analytics
  • Audience Growth
  • Long-Form Content
  • Related Videos

FAQ

Q: Why are my YouTube Shorts not bringing in subscribers?
A: Posting Shorts outside of your niche can attract viewers who do not engage with your long-form content, leading to decreased subscriber growth.

Q: How can I ensure my Shorts help my channel grow?
A: Focus on creating Shorts from your long-form content. Highlight engaging sections and include links to related videos so that viewers can find more of your work.

Q: Is there a specific audience for YouTube Shorts?
A: Yes, Shorts can attract a different audience. However, aligning your Shorts with your existing content helps convert those viewers into subscribers.

Q: How can I track the success of my Shorts?
A: Use YouTube Studio to monitor analytics for your Shorts, such as views, watch time, and engagement metrics to better understand what content works.

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