We tend to think that as people's attention spans get shorter, they're more likely to watch short-form content. But that's not the whole story. The main reason people are hooked on bite-sized content is that it gives them instant gratification by triggering the release of dopamine. So, no wonder that the number of YouTube Shorts daily views doubled since 2021, and has reached 70 billion!
If you’re a creator and you haven’t yet jumped on the bandwagon, now is the perfect time to do that. YouTube Shorts can help you boost visibility and reach new audiences. By the way, it’s also an awesome way to experiment with new content styles.
Don’t know where to get started? Or, perhaps, you’re already an experienced Shorts creator who is simply looking for some inspiration? We’ve got your back!
In this article, we'll look at a range of YouTube Shorts video ideas and talk about what works well on the platform. You'll also learn some tips for creating engaging short-form content that will leave the viewers wanting more.
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What Makes YouTube Shorts So Unique?
Short videos are usually between 15 and 60 seconds long and are designed for quick content consumption on mobile devices.
The format allows creators to be creative, spontaneous, and experimental, which makes it a great platform for both established creators and newcomers.
Which Topic Is Best for YouTube Shorts?
The reality is that almost any subject you're enthusiastic about has the potential to attract millions of views. Regardless of the topic you choose, there are a few key elements you need to consider:
- Engaging hooks: Get people's attention within the first few seconds.
- Visual appeal: Use high-quality visuals and interesting transitions to keep things engaging.
- Concise storytelling: Make sure your message gets across in the best way possible, and don't beat around the bush.
- Trendy content: Take on some popular challenges or use trending audio.
- Educational value: Serve up some quick tips, facts, or tutorials.
- Entertainment factor: Try adding a dash of humor, some music, or an element that surprises your audience.
Top Ideas for YouTube Shorts
Now, let's explore some of the best YouTube Shorts ideas!
1. Behind-the-Scenes Glimpses
Show your followers a bit of the creative process or your day-to-day. This could be anything from a quick sketch to a photo of your workspace or even a behind-the-scenes look at your workflow.
- Setting up for a longer video shoot
- Quick tours of your workspace
- Showing off new equipment or tools
2. Quick Tips and Hacks
Give your audience little bits of useful info that they can put to use right away. Some ideas:
- Productivity hacks
- Quick recipes
- Tech tips
- Fitness routines
3. Before and After Transformations
Highlight how things can change dramatically in a short time frame. For example:
- Home renovations
- Makeup transformations
- Fitness progress
- Art creations
4. Trending Challenges and Memes
Get involved in trending challenges or create content inspired by current memes. This helps your content stand out and feel more relatable.
- Put your own spin on trends
- Use relevant hashtags
- Stay up-to-date with the latest viral content
5. Quick Tutorials
If you still have no idea what to post on YouTube Shorts, think about putting your know-how into bite-sized tutorials that are simple to follow. You could cover:
- DIY projects
- Software tips
- Art techniques
- Cooking shortcuts
Focus each video around one specific skill or technique to keep it short and sweet and packed with useful info.
6. Day in the Life
Show viewers a little bit about what you do day to day, or focus on one particular area of your life.
- Morning routines
- Workday highlights
- Evening wind-down rituals
- Doing chores
7. Product Reviews and Unboxings
Give your quick and honest opinions on products that matter to your audience. Here's what you can do:
- Highlight key features
- Show the product in action
- Share your overall impression
8. Question and Answer Sessions
Answer your audience's most pressing questions in a quick, efficient manner. This could include:
- Answering one question per Short
- Creating a themed Q&A series
- Encouraging viewers to ask questions for future Shorts
9. Inspirational Quotes and Motivational Messages
Share some feel-good content that your audience is going to love.
- Combining quotes with relevant visuals
- Adding your own commentary or interpretation
- Creating themed series (for example, Monday Motivation)
These YouTube Shorts ideas can provide a quick boost of positivity and inspiration to your viewers.
10. Reaction Videos
Give your real thoughts on the latest news, videos, and topics that people are talking about. Don’t forget to:
- Be authentic and expressive
- Choose topics relevant to your audience
- Add value through your unique perspective
Curious about successful faceless creators? Check out Top 6 Faceless YouTube Channels and What Makes Them So Great for examples
Tailoring Content to Your Niche
Need even more good YouTube Shorts ideas? The ones we've talked about so far can work in different areas, but it's important to adapt them to your specific audience and area of expertise.
Here are some examples of how different niches can help you make the most of YouTube Shorts:
For Gamers:
- Showcase impressive gameplay moments
- Share quick gaming tips or tricks
- React to new game trailers or announcements
For Fitness Lovers:
- Demonstrate proper form for exercises
- Share quick workout routines
- Offer nutrition tips or healthy recipe ideas
For Musicians:
- Perform short covers or original snippets
- Teach quick instrument techniques
- Share behind-the-scenes of songwriting or recording
For Educators:
- Explain complex concepts in simple terms
- Share interesting facts or trivia
- Offer study tips or memory techniques
For Beauty and Fashion Creators:
- Showcase quick makeup looks
- Share styling tips for different occasions
- Highlight current trends or seasonal must-haves
A Few Things to Remember
To make the most of your best YouTube Shorts ideas, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure you post regularly so your audience knows when to expect new content.
- Just a heads-up: most people will be watching on their phones - about 90% of visits to the platform are made from mobile devices. So, it's important to make sure your content looks good and is easy to understand on smaller screens.
- Add captions or text to make your content accessible and engaging even without sound. This will make it easier for your audience to follow along, even if they don't have sound on.
- Add some popular tunes or sounds to help people find you more easily.
- Spread the word about your videos on other social media platforms to get more eyes on your YouTube channel.
- Reply to comments and use viewer feedback to help you create better content in the future.
- Try different types of content and see which one your audience responds to most positively.
- Ask the viewers to like, comment, and subscribe (yes, this trick still works).
- Check out YouTube Analytics to see which YouTube Shorts video ideas are getting the most views and why.
Learn how to apply these principles to faceless channels by exploring 20 Faceless YouTube Channel Ideas
Is There a Way to Overcome Creative Blocks?
Even those who know what works well on YouTube Shorts might sometimes face creative blocks.
Hopefully, these quick tips will help you overcome those:
- Browse trends for inspiration
- Invite other creators to collaborate
- Simply ask your audience what they would like to see
- Make a few Shorts out of your long-form content
It's worth noting that not every Shorts needs to be a work of art. Sometimes, simple and genuine content can be just as effective. At one point, the video that you have been working on for weeks might end up getting only a few views, while the most random clip of you making an avocado toast will skyrocket. And that’s totally fine!
To Sum Up
Hope you got at least a few good YouTube Shorts ideas. Simply remember that the key to success on any platform is consistency, creativity, and being flexible enough to adapt to your audience's preferences.
However, creating engaging YouTube Shorts consistently can be time-consuming and challenging. And that's where BigMotion comes in.
If you're looking for an AI-powered video creation platform that'll make your life easier when producing YouTube Shorts content, look no further than BigMotion!
With this platform, you can:
- Automatically generate scripts on a chosen topic
- Create gorgeous AI-generated images
- Add high-quality AI voiceovers powered by ElevenLabs
- Take advantage of auto-generated captions and background music
- Create videos in various popular formats, including those ideal for bringing your YouTube Shorts ideas to life
No matter where you are with your creative journey, BigMotion can support you in generating professional-quality YouTube shorts at a pace that works for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shorts can be up to a minute long, but you might want to aim for 15-30 seconds.
Anywhere between 3-5 Shorts per week and 2-3 videos per day. Now that you have plenty of ideas for YouTube Shorts it shouldn’t be too challenging.
YouTube has a great selection of royalty-free music for Shorts. Bear in mind that using copyrighted music without permission could result in your video being muted or removed (you might not want to learn that the hard way).
Yes, you can earn money from ads. Here is everything you need to know.
Sure! Just remember to optimize each video for the specific platform.
Tip: you might want to repurpose even your least popular clips as the same videos can perform differently across various platforms.