5 Tips to Grow on YouTube Shorts
Do you want to grow your YouTube Shorts business? Well, everyone does. But then you see people are posting videos like crazy, and the views are plummeting. Then someone comes along, uploads an unrelated video, and millions watch it. Annoying, right? Most of those "accidental" hits aren't actually accidental. There are a few simple rules to this business, but they're often overlooked. I'll cut to the chase and explain the much-sought-after 5 Tips to Grow on YouTube Shorts clearly and concisely. Think of it like a buddy tip, not an agency tip.
1. That First 2 Seconds (That's the Most Important!)
Look, let's be honest. You and I all scroll like maniacs on our phones. A video's fate is determined in those first 2, or at most 3, seconds. If you don't do something to stop the viewer's finger in that brief moment, good riddance. You're lost. So what do you do? Start with a shocking twist. I don't know, an unexpected image, a strange sound, a strange movement... For example, are you making a cooking video? Start with the moment you lift the pot's lid and the smoke rises. A repair video? Show the viewer the worst-case scenario of the broken piece. People should be saying, "What's going on?"
A friend of mine recently blew up his channel with just this tactic. He puts his cat's ridiculous meowing at the beginning of the video, then shows the cat in its normal state. That first sound is so weird that people are left wondering what happens next. Speaking of sound, those annoying songs that are trending aren't trending for nothing.
There's also the "loop" phenomenon. If the beginning and end of a video are the same, it feels like it's never-ending. Viewers may watch your video 3-4 times without realizing it.
2. Don't Copy Trends Like a Monkey, Adapt Yourself
Aren't you tired of seeing people everywhere doing the same dance and lip-syncing to the same song? Don't make that mistake. Just because a trend is popular doesn't mean you have to do the same. In fact, if you do, you'll get lost in thousands of copies. Be smart, take the trend and make it your own. For example, combine that popular "transition" effect with your own theme. Let's say they're changing clothes, and you show them the new version of an old item with that effect. Or the before and after of a tool you've repaired... You get the idea.
Being different is always one step ahead, remember. Take that popular sound, but add your own humor to it, add your own knowledge. Then people will see you not just as an imitator, but as a creator, and they'll start following you.
You don't need to be a prophet for these trends. Jump into your Shorts feed and spend half an hour. You'll instantly understand what songs, what sounds, and what jokes are trending. But the moment you see something, stick to it. After a week, that trend is outdated and stale. Speed is everything here. Being one of the first to do it gets you more views than the thousands of people who follow.
3. Keep the Video Short, God, Nobody Has Time
Just because YouTube gives you 60 seconds doesn't mean you have to use all of it. In fact, don't use it! People's attention spans are measured in seconds these days. The best Shorts videos are generally between 15 and 30 seconds. Don't beat around the bush; get straight to the point. Tell your story first, and end with a punchy conclusion.
A much more sensible approach is to split up a subject and create a series rather than explaining it for a considerable long time. For instance, instead of simply making one 60-second video called "5 Tips for Making Pizza at Home," give the tips in separate 15-second videos. This way, people get bored; thus, they will await your next video with zeal. Putting up a note such as, "Wait until tomorrow's video for the second trick!" could even win you subscribers.
Remember, every second counts. After you shoot your video, be ruthless in editing. Cut out any parts where you think, "This part is fine." Smooth and fast are always adjectives that will complement a videography, as opposed to slow and boring. As it achieves boredom even for a moment, the finger showers down straightaway, and the viewer is lost. Speak clearly, invariably stay to your point, and be brief. Make that your motto.
4. Ask for Comments, Dude! Don't Be Afraid!
Look, this is also crucial. You can't just throw the video away and step aside. You need to talk to people, get them talking. Comments mean engagement. Engagement is a way for YouTube to tell its brain, "There's action in this video; I want to show it to more people." The system works that simply.
Simply asking questions isn't enough. Respond to comments. Even if you can't keep up with them all, at least give a heart to the first, most interesting ones and write a reply. The person who wrote that comment will feel special and connect with you. They'll eagerly await your next video. Remember, 10 loyal followers who talk to you are much more valuable than 100 silent viewers. They'll be your backbone.
Sometimes the best video ideas come from those comments. Someone asks a question, and you say, "Oh yeah, I could explain that in a Shorts video." You'll be listening to your community and never lacking in content. In short, use the comments section to your advantage. Turn it into a conversational space, not just a notification box.
5. Patience, Brother, Patience (But No Letting Go!)
And here's the last point. Perhaps the most boring, but also the most crucial. It's all about patience. If you're thinking that you start a channel now and suddenly it hits that 1-million-followers mark tomorrow, don't start it. Consistency comes first. If you can't upload daily videos, just don't. Nobody expects you to. But set a schedule there. "I'll upload videos on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays," for instance. The moment the earth shakes, your video should be up. Let people know when to expect something new from you.
Initially, 10 people will watch it, and 5 will like it. Don't get discouraged. Pay attention to those 10 people. Then that number will become 20, 50, 100... That's how this business grows. 99% of those who explode overnight are people who patiently made videos that no one watched for months, even years, before their explosion. Don't forget this. Those "bad" videos are actually your training. You'll get better as you go.
And don't be afraid to try different things occasionally. If you see a format that isn't working, change it up. Focus on a different topic. Don't get too caught up in analytics at first, but observe which videos are doing a little better than others. This means people are liking that kind of stuff more. Keep going that way. In short, don't give up, keep creating, but don't blindly create intelligently. This isn't a marathon or a 100-meter dash. The one with the last breath wins.