On September 20, YouTube published a blog post detailing new ways that it would reward creativity on the platform. One of the major points detailed in said post was YouTube Shorts monetization; to be more specific, more direct ways to make money using the short-form video platform. While users on the platform have been able to financially benefit in different ways, up until now, YouTube offered few opportunities for direct rewards. This seems to be changing next year, which should grab the attention of aspiring entrepreneurs, established business owners, and tech-savvy social media marketing agencies alike. YouTube offered the following statement,
“Starting in early 2023, Shorts-focused creators can apply to the YouTube Partner Program by meeting a threshold of 1,000 subscribers and 10 million Shorts views over 90 days. These new partners will enjoy all the benefits our program offers, including the various ways to make money like ads on long-form and Fan Funding.”
How to Leverage YouTube Shorts Monetization
Since its global launch in the summer of 2021, YouTube Shorts quickly established itself as one of the biggest competitors to TikTok. Shorts allow users to record and publish content up to 60 seconds a piece, offering editing tools, a dislike button, and other features to make the platform as social as possible. It’s worth noting that, from a user standpoint, there is overlap between short-form video platforms. In other words, if you’re a fan of a user on TikTok, there is a strong likelihood that their content can also be found on YouTube via shorts.
In regard to YouTube Shorts monetization, there were specific details shared in the aforementioned blog post. Within one’s Shorts feed, ads will run between videos. The revenue generated from these ads is calculated and rewarded to content creators on the platform. One of the major factors that determine how much a user receives is their total Shorts views. What this means is that there will be a multi-tier method used to financially compensate Shorts content creators, incentivizing them to not only continually use the platform but create higher-quality content over time.
If your business relies on video marketing, YouTube, including its Shorts platform, should be a no-brainer. You may also be interested in this video sharing website’s opportunities to generate additional revenue. Keep in mind that this process may not be entirely straightforward, which means that you’d benefit from working alongside a seasoned content marketing company, specifically one with experience in video. Prior to the launch of YouTube Shorts monetization, here’s how you can best leverage the opportunity at hand.
Build a following on YouTube Shorts
To ensure that you can effectively monetize YouTube Shorts, build a solid following on the platform. As YouTube stated, the monetization feature will be made available to users that have at least 1,000 subscribers and 10 million Shorts views over 90 days. From there, users will be able to enjoy the monetization benefits that come with the platform. Keep in mind, however, that creating a following may be a challenge, especially if your business has yet to establish itself in the digital space. Consider this a long-term venture that, with the right strategy, will yield long-term results.
Create high-quality content
Ultimately, one’s success in the YouTube Shorts monetization sphere hinges on content quality. Simply put, if your content fails to grab the attention of users, you won’t be able to make money. Shorts are successful based on their brevity, not to mention overall value. For example, if a user would like to research Shorts for food recipes, those videos should outline each step, keeping instructions as brief and easy to follow as possible. As you build a catalog of engaging short-form content, your presence on the Shorts platform will grow, making monetization that much easier to achieve.
Optimize the content you create
Even if you create content that should, in theory, grab the attention of your target audience, it may not matter unless it’s properly optimized. YouTube Shorts are no different, so ensure that your short-form content is discoverable. This can be done by using keywords relevant to your content, implementing them in titles and captions. Furthermore, use hashtags, as these will help YouTube recommend your Shorts to other users. These are just a few ways that you can optimize your content, inching yourself that much closer to the YouTube Shorts monetization threshold.
About fishbat: fishbat is a full-service SEO, branding, and B2B digital marketing company that takes a holistic business approach to their clients’ digital marketing programs. The fishbat team understands the importance of business principles just as well as the nuances of the latest digital technologies. fishbat offers every digital marketing service available from digital marketing research and planning to brand development to website and asset creation through social media management and search engine optimization programs – all custom calibrated for both B2B and B2C businesses.
