How to Create YouTube Shorts #Shorts

It would seem that there is very little information at the moment on how to properly create and then upload YouTube Shorts videos. It would seem that it is not just a simple record and then upload to YouTube for your shorts video to work properly. Some people are creating YouTube Shorts videos, and not getting much success from them. Other than the fact that your video may be dead boring. There are a number of technical things that need to be put in place, to maximise the power of YouTube Shorts.

Free To Use Sound Clips

Before we get into the main topic of this blog post, you may be interested in the selection of free audio clips that I have gathered over time. These free sound bites are totally free for you to use, in any way that you want. The only thing that I do ask, is either give this site a mention or the Monotony TV YouTube channel. Here is a link to the Free to Use Sound Clips.

What are YouTube Shorts?

In simple terms, a YouTube Shorts video is a as it says, a short video that is recorded in Portrait Format, The video is 58 seconds or less and also the hashtag Shorts is used in the title or description when uploading the video. This is a brief guide on how to create and upload YouTube Shorts.

How Often Should I Upload YouTube Shorts?

You can upload YouTube Shorts as often as you want. What you do need to be concerned about, is how many YouTube Shorts do your current subscribers want to see? Only you know your own YouTube channel. However, you can still upload lots of Shorts without annoying your current subscribers. Whilst you are uploading your YouTube Shorts, just click on Other Options on the upload screen and Turn off Notifications to Subscribers. Now you can still upload your YouTube Shorts, get your videos in-front of a larger audience and not put off current subscribers.

What are the Advantages of Creating YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts it still relatively new, and as I write this I am not yet aware of all the pro’s and con’s of using YouTube Shorts. However, for me, they have proven to give me more views on my channel. Also as a result of this additional exposure, my Subscription count has also increased. So for me and my channel, I would say that YouTube #Shorts has proven to be a very useful addition!
Below there is a graph on one of my first YouTube Shorts video and how well it did compared to the rest of my videos. The blue line on the graph is one of my Shorts videos. The grey area, is my channel’s video average. As you can see on the first 2 days, the video bimbles along at about the same rate as my channel average. Then on day 3 we start to see some lift off!

In the next image, you will see what traffic sources drove up my YouTube Statistics. As you will see 77% of the traffic came from YouTube Shorts video:

So, it would see to me, that YouTube shorts is good for your YouTube Channel!

How to Create YouTube Shorts from a PC

For all of my video work, I use a PC. However, I am sure that this guide will also be easy enough to do on another device? Let me know in the comments below if this is true or not?

Filming a YouTube Shorts Video

For those who are used to filming for YouTube, the golden rule was always to Film in Landscape. However with YouTube #Shorts videos you will need to film in Portrait. I personally use a Sony RX100 for my filming and this camera is setup to film in Landscape. I am sure there is a setting within the camera to film in Portrait mode. I do not use in camera settings, I just rotate my camera 90 degrees and start filming. This in itself creates it’s own little problem as the format is still in Landscape. However, this is where my video editor comes into force, I use Shotcut, it is Free and does far more than I can cope with.

Editing a YouTube Shorts Video

In my video editing suite, before I do anything I set it up for Portrait Mode. You will see from the settings that I click on Settings> None-Broadcast> Vertical HD 30 fps. Having done that, I then drag and drop my video into the play list for editing.

I then drag and drop my video into the time-line, I then rotate and scale it to fit the Vertical HD settings.

How Long Should a YouTube Shorts Video Be?

According to Google Support, they say that a video should be 60 second or less. I have found though that it is best to create a Shorts video that is a maximum of 58 seconds. If you create a 60 second video, it seems to not be recognised as a shorts video???

How to Upload a Shorts Video

The procedure of uploading a YouTube Shorts video is the same as you would upload any other YouTube Video. In the process of uploading the video, as usual I give my video a good catchy title, but I also include the Hashtag #Shorts in that title. I then go to the Description section and write a nice description of what the video is about. Once again, I use the Hashtag #Shorts in that section. I have heard that you only need to put it in the title or the description, but I do both. So now your video is uploaded, you need to complete one more Step. I did also create a Playlist for all my shorts to reside, Once again, I used the #Shorts in the title and description of that playlist (not sure if it helps?).

Should I be Using a Thumbnail for a Shorts Video?

In some of the groups that I am in, there is much talk about whether or not to use a custom thumbnail. I have now created a few Shorts videos, the best performing ones did not have a custom thumbnail. On one video, I created a Portrait Thumbnail and that video was not even picked up as being a Shorts video in analytics. So for me personally, I am shying away from including custom thumbnails, well, till I am proved wrong!

How to Turn Off YouTube Upload Notification to Subscribers

Whilst you are uploading your Shorts Video to YouTube, you will be confronted with the main screen, where you can enter the title and description of your YouTube Video. A little way down that screen you will see More Options. Click on that and you will come to the area where you can add tags etc to your Shorts video. Part of the way down on that page, You will see the option, Publish to subscriptions feed and notify subscribers. Make sure that you untick this box, so that subscribers are not notified.

Customise Your YouTube Channel to Show YouTube Shorts

This step you only need to be done the once. You will need to access YouTube Studio, then go down to Customisation. The on the right side of your screen you will see + ADD SECTION. You will then be presented with a drop-down menu. From that Drop-down menu, will will need to click on Short Videos. Then Press Publish on the top right of your screen.
If everything is correct, give your video a couple of days to gain some traction and you should see YouTube Shorts in your stats as per the image near the top of this post.

If you have any tips and tricks that you would like to share about YouTube Shorts, then do leave me a comment below.

Free Video Sound Effects

Perhaps you are also looking for some Royalty Free video sound effects. Over the years I have gained a small collection of sound clips, which you are free to use. If you do use one of the sound clips in your videos, then please let me know. I make a post on the Monotony TV Channel, giving a shout out to your channel. Royalty and Copyright Free Sounds

My First Ever YouTube Shorts Video

For anyone that is interested, this is my first ever YouTube Shorts video. It was actually made from and existing video and then created into a short, as per the instructions above. Paparazzi Cameras Flash #Shorts Video.