What Are YouTube Shorts and Should You Be Using Them?
By Alesha Faulkner | June 25, 2024
Calling all business owners, social media enthusiasts, and content creators!
If you’re still wondering whether or not you want to give YouTube Shorts a try, it's time to change that and get up to speed. This new-ish feature from YouTube is making waves, and AMR Digital is here to break it down for you. So, what are YouTube Shorts, and should you hop on this trend? Let's get into it!
In “short” (get it?) YouTube Shorts is YouTube's answer to TikTok and Instagram Reels. Think of it as YouTube's cool, Gen Z sibling who loves quick, engaging videos in place of long-form videos. Launched in September 2020, YouTube Shorts lets you create videos up to 60 seconds long and features creative tools like a multi-segment camera, speed controls, timers, and a massive music library to make your videos more compelling.
So now that we know what it is, let’s talk about some of the key features.
KEY FEATURES
1. Short, concise video - Videos up to 60 seconds - perfect for those quick bursts of creativity.
2. Tons of music options - A huge music library to make your Shorts more fun, engaging, and on-trend.
3. In-house creative tools - Text and font options, filters, visual effects - you name it, Shorts has it.
YouTube Shorts is accessible on desktop and mobile devices. (Image: Licked)
Another thing to note is the placement of Shorts across the YouTube platform. Shorts has a dedicated tab that can be accessed by tapping the "Shorts" button at the bottom of the mobile app screen.
On the YouTube website, the Shorts tab can be found in the left-hand panel, providing easy access for desktop users. This placement makes it easy for viewers to access Shorts, which means increased discoverability and an attractive means of reaching viewers who aren't subscribed to your channel.
So now that we’ve talked about the what, let’s get into the why of it all; more specifically, why you should incorporate YouTube Shorts into your content strategy.
You can either upload a video to YouTube or film within the app. (Image: Google Help)
WHY YOU SHOULD BE USING YOUTUBE SHORTS
First, Shorts can boost your reach and visibility, allowing you to tap into a younger, trend-loving crowd with short-form content. Shorts have also been thought to have their own spotlight on the YouTube app, making it easier for the right people to find you. It can also help you learn to deliver your message fast and keep viewers hooked, which can be helpful for other short-form video platforms.
Shorts also give you another cost-effective way to market yourself or your business. Shorts are free to create, and the potential boost in reach can open your content up to a brand-new audience. You can even repurpose and reuse your content from TikTok and Instagram Reels to increase brand visibility without a large increase in effort.
You can re-purpose your TikTok or Reels content onto Shorts. (Image: Fast Company)
YOUTUBE SHORTS CAN BE A GAME CHANGER
YouTube Shorts is your new best friend for boosting reach, engaging with a broader audience, and showing off your brand’s fun side, all without breaking the bank or adding too much more work to your content creation workload. By adding Shorts to your marketing mix, you can stay ahead of the curve and get even more out of the short-form video wave.
So, should your business be using YouTube Shorts? Definitely! Start playing around with this dynamic platform today and watch your engagement skyrocket. Jumping on the YouTube Shorts bandwagon could be a total game-changer for your business. Get creative, have fun, and start making those short-form videos that will captivate your audience and drive your brand’s growth. Have fun, and Happy Short-ing!
Have you jumped into the YouTube Shorts game yet? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the platform and if you think it’s here to stay or just a trend. Send us a DM on our Instagram and let us know your thoughts! @AMR_Digital
ALESHA FAULKNER
Alesha is a Nashville-based mama of two, entrepreneur, and one of Instagram’s OG influencers. When she's not busy slaying the content game, you can find her spending time outdoors with her beautiful family, exploring Nashville's foodie scene, or curled up with a good book.