Hey there, digital wanderers and short-form video junkies! If you're here, you're either curious like a cat in a digital wonderland or just asking, "What the BOBUTAH do?" Whichever is the case, I’ve been diving deep into YouTube Shorts for the past year —HARD—like two-day-old dookie—experimenting and over-learning the Remix feature specifically.
Now, I'm slamming on the brakes to spill the beans for all you future Shorts bandits, or just documenting it for my own future reference (sup, future Bob!).
Here's the deal: we'll cover the highs of creating, the lows of remixing, and those times when you don't quite go super-ultra-mega-greasy-viral. But hey, I'm always here, watching, tweaking, and mastering this wild ride. Let's get into it!
What the Short are YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts, for those of you living under a human-sized chunk of fent, are vertical, bite-sized videos that max out at 60 seconds (or up to 3 minutes now, for some reason). They're the snackable content you can't resist, perfect for grabbing eyeballs and earholes for your brand, or just for a good laugh. Done right, they're amusing; done wrong, they might just be epic.
Why Shorts and not Longs?
Listen up, according to some greasy YouTube gurus, diving into Shorts is a no no if you're aiming for a traditionally engaged, long-form loving, zombie-like audience. They'll tell you that fans who subscribe for your Shorts are just doom-scroll junkies, ignoring your long videos while craving more quick hits. Although, this sounds like it could have basic merit, I tend to look at them with distrustful side-eye too, because I think shorts can also be a viable vector, and an audience that enjoys both long and shorts can be gained.
Pros of Shorts:
Instant Gratification: Like a meme or a quick fix, Shorts hit the spot fast. You're in, you're out, you're laughing—no time for a coffee break.
Algorithm Love: YouTube's algorithm, in general seems to have a crush on these quick clips, boosting your visibility quicker than say, like unchaining the sweater puppies, on stage at a music festival. But just like flashing bazookas, its not guaranteed to succeed, they can be massive hits or little sagging disappointments.
Accessibility: Anyone can make a Short, even if your editing skills are as basic as Raising Cane's chicken finger seasoning. Also, if you are low on time, Shorts inherently can take much less time to produce than longer formats.
Cons of Shorts:
Depth Deficit: Trying to squeeze complex ideas into 60 seconds? You'll sound like a hyped-up over caffeinated car salesman. Could be entertaining, though, if you play it right.
Monetization Mayhem: I hear Shorts won't make it rain Benjamins because Shorts views are worth less for monetization. But remember, internet fame is a currency too, right?
Bipolar Algorithm: The algorithm's a fickle beast, very little transparency on what it loves or hates. Some Shorts skyrocket while others get zilch, left undelivered to the feed like a last-minute pizza order. We're left feeling like scorned exes, obsessing over every detail. I’ll dish out examples and moan about this messed-up digital romance later.
Remix Your Way to Fame or Infamy
The Shorts Remix feature? It's where creativity gets freaky with opportunity in the YouTube app. Here’s a peek at the remix options; “Use this sound” (you can just use the videos sound), “Collab” (Appear side by side with a video, good for duets, reactions or skits), “Green Screen” (Appear as a floating head where the video is a background), and “Cut this video” (use a 5 second clip and add your part afterward).
For me the 'Green Screen’ remix unlocked a way to do freestyles reactions that I have never seen before.
Green Screen Galore: Any remix-enabled video can be a backdrop with this option. I found, good lighting helps, but even my decrepit iPhone 10's selfie cam can work magic. The YouTube app does some voodoo, cutting out the background without needing a real green screen—just make sure your background is solid and lit, like white. It's like having a superpower where you can be anywhere your dumbass can imagine.
My first experiments? Slapping my green-screened mug on the bottom left, freestyling reactions with my massive balls out. Later, I learned you can move your face around by dragging it around the screen with your fingers while recording—game changer. Check this banger out:
And yeah, did you notice, I wire in external audio, recording my microphone live mixed with my Traktor DJ mixer into an interface, then into my iPhone via a USB to Lightning kit. YouTube's app handles this like a pro. More on that later sometime.
Cut This Video: Want to be the star of someone else's show? With 'Cut This Video', you can snag a 5-second snippet from any remix-enabled video and make it your own. I've had a blast reacting to or commenting on viral clips in my Shorts. Here's one of my fun experiments:
Get ready to remix like a boss or a total clown. Either way, you're in for a wild ride.
The Algorithm Dance
The algorithm, that enigmatic beast that can either crown or crush your content. Here's what I've learned from my own dance with the devil:
From Zero to Hero: I've had Shorts sit at zero views, ignored by the algorithm, only to wake up to a popularity surge the next day. Patience, my friends, is key. See the screenshot for proof.
Optimization Tips:
Avoid the Nasty: Don't remix anything too controversial or disturbing. My Collab freestyle on a video of someone about to feast on boiled guts? The algorithm was not amused.
Take a look at the screenshot, it’s been over a month and the guts freestyle barely has ~20 views. And it is surrounded by other videos that got my normal about 400 views.
Keep it Clean: The algorithm shuns explicit content, fights, accidents, or curse words. Keep it family-friendly, or at least, YouTube-friendly.
Hashtags, Titles, Tags, Oh My! Use humor or intrigue in your titles and descriptions but stick to dictionary words and no typos. Hashtags and tags? Use them strategically, not excessively. More on this later, but do your homework.
Consistency is King: Posting regularly is the secret sauce. When I started, I barely got views, but consistent uploads made a difference. There's some sort of probation phase, feels tiered, but it's mysterious.
Uploading often isn't just about visibility; it's your practice ground. Find your sweet spot—daily posts, but not more than three, or you risk looking spammy.
Batch recording and scheduling posts in the app? Genius.
Playlist Power: Here's a playlist of my Shorts journey, from epic fails to triumphant remixes.
Wrapping Up with a Call to Action:
You've laughed, you've learned, now go out and remix your way to glory. But before you do:
Spread the Love: Share this post on your socials.
Fuel Me Up: Like and subscribe on YouTube; it's like buying me a digital coffee.
Support the Hustle: If you're feeling generous, hit me with a donation via [PayPal or Stripe], or better yet, some gold, silver, or quality meat cuts—Wagyu beef and silver coins are in vogue.
Now, go forth and remix, my friends. May the algorithm gods smile upon you, and remember, in the wild world of YouTube Shorts, creativity is your currency!