Technology moves fast, and nothing remains the same for long. Last quarter’s content strategy may not be 100% applicable this quarter. This means you always have to be open to adapting. One recent feature to emerge in the world of content creation is YouTube Shorts—a video feature that’s pretty similar to Instagram Reels and TikTok. And it just might be something you may want to take a closer look at.
Test driving Youtube Shorts
Though YouTube launched the feature globally in the spring of 2021, it seems like many creators haven’t paid much attention to it. We know what you’re thinking…”not another platform for me to create content for and monitor,” but hear us out. The good thing about YouTube Shorts is that you can repurpose content you’ve already made for TikTok and Instagram Reels. Then you can decide if it’s worth creating original content for.
For the most part, YouTube Shorts works the same as other short, digestible vertical video platforms. Shorts can be up to 60 seconds long and include music as well as text. Though YouTube Shorts can be viewed from desktop, cast to TV, etc., like traditional YouTube videos, the most user-friendly way to enjoy the content is through the mobile app, which displays the Short in its full vertical orientation.
Aside from being an early adopter, which seems to be an open secret to success when it comes to new features on social apps, there are quite a few reasons why you should consider taking the plunge.
Zero subscribers needed
With YouTube being a subscriber-based platform, it may cross your mind why you’d want to post YouTube shorts to no audience (if you aren’t already active on the platform). Like Instagram Reels and TikTok, YouTube Shorts pushes content onto their version of an Explore page. So, even if you have a channel with zero subscribers, someone will see your content thanks to the algorithm.
2.3 billion monthly active users at your fingertips
Access to more eyes means more opportunities for you as a creator to put your product or service in front of more potential customers. YouTube is a huge platform, and if you’re not down for the production that traditionally comes with having a YouTube channel, YouTube Shorts may be your route.
Convert customers with clickable links
The downside of Instagram Reels and TikTok is that you can’t put clickable links in your caption or description, which means you have to find workarounds to get a user from your video to your course or wherever else you wish to direct them. On the other hand, YouTube Shorts allows you to put clickable links right in the description, meaning your audience will likely be more inclined to follow any CTA that you may present in the description. Fewer barriers between you and your audience mean a better ability to convert, which you already know is the secret to creator success.
Optimize content for SEO
Though YouTube is often looped in with social media platforms, it is video-based a search engine. In fact, YouTube is the second largest search engine after Google, of course. Though Instagram and TikTok are searchable and can help improve rankings on Google, they aren’t quite full-on search engines for short or longtail keywords like YouTube. This is more reason for you to give YouTube Shorts a chance.
Whether you choose to repurpose content for YouTube Shorts or create fresh content for the platform, it’s worth working the platform into your content strategy for the new year.
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