How to Win on YouTube Shorts in 2025
YouTube Shorts is one of the most in powerful tools for creators and businesses in 2025, and here's why. YouTube isn't just another social platform—it's becoming your go-to entertainment hub, almost like a modern-day TV network. Thanks to smart TVs, viewers aren't just watching YouTube on their phones anymore; they're streaming content on the big screen, making it accessible to everyone in the household.
Plus, YouTube's diverse audience is one of its biggest strengths. According to SproutSocial, the majority of viewers are between 25 and 34 years old—a demographic that's ideal for business owners, marketers, and creators looking to build an audience.
When I started posting YouTube Shorts consistently, I noticed two things: an increase in subscribers and more watch time for my long-form videos. Here's a trick I use that many creators overlook: I post short snippets of my long-form videos as Shorts, and I always include a direct link back to the full video. This way, if someone gets hooked on the short clip, they can click through to watch the entire thing. This strategy has been a game-changer for driving more views and engagement.
Step 1: Create Thumb-Stopping Content
Let's get real: You only have three seconds to capture someone's attention on YouTube Shorts. That's it. If you don't hook them immediately, they'll scroll past.
How to Create a Great Hook:
Start with a strong one-liner that sparks curiosity:
"I bet you didn't know this marketing trick!"
"This mistake cost me $5,000—don't let it happen to you!"
“Here’s how I saved hours on content creation with one tool.”
When it comes to reels, you don't get a second chance; your video needs to hit within the first few seconds. Your goal is to grab the viewer's attention instantly by either surprising them, teasing valuable information, or creating an emotional connection.
Pro tip: When it comes to YouTube shorts, I try to work smartly. Most reels I post are short-form snippets from my longer-form videos that I edit with Vizard.Ai. Here and there, I sprinkle in some humorous content or a trend I found.
Visual Elements Matter:
Add closed captions and headlines. People often watch Shorts on mute, so captions ensure your message still lands.
Use emojis and dynamic text colors (e.g., red for mistakes, green for success) to highlight key points.
Incorporate B-roll footage or quick cuts to keep things visually engaging. For example, if you're explaining a tool, overlay a clip showing how the tool works in real-time.
Step 2: Focus on Trends That Align with Your Niche
Trends can be a goldmine for expanding your reach—but only if you use them strategically. It's the same as identifying trending content on Tiktik. If it hits on TikTok, it most likely hits on YouTube. Nowadays, people cross-post where they can. The best way to find trends or trending audio is by simply consuming content.
How to Spot Trends:
Watch Content: Spend time-consuming content on YouTube Shorts and TikTok. If something is trending on TikTok, there's a good chance it'll work on YouTube Shorts, too.
Search Trending Audios or Hashtags: Platforms often highlight what's trending—use these tools to identify themes that align with your niche.
Stay Playful, But True to Your Brand:
Here's the thing: A lot of brands get stuck on rigid guidelines that stifle creativity. Yes, consistency is important, but letting loose—just a little—can help you connect with a broader audience.
For example, if you're a B2B brand, you can still jump on a fun trend while tying it back to your expertise. Think of Shorts as a way to show the more human, approachable side of your brand.
You have to understand your audience, and you have to understand why your audience is turning to certain networks. For YouTube, you either go there with the intent to learn something or catch up with your favorite creator. But you also go there to take a break, to mindlessly scroll through shorts to get an endorphin high.
Step 3: Consistency Is Key
To win on YouTube Shorts, consistency is non-negotiable. Ideally, you should post daily, especially if you're trying to grow your channel. I saw the most uptick in engagement and new subscribers when I was posting daily. While growing an account and achieving milestones are a goal of many creators, the real goal should be expanding your reach by creating content that resonates with your ideal audience. YouTube, like TikTok, has shifted to an interest-based algorithm. This means your Shorts are shown to people based on their viewing behavior, not just your subscriber count.
Step 4: Optimize for Engagement
Engagement is the name of the game. Without it, your Shorts won't gain traction in the algorithm.
Strategies to Boost Engagement:
Include a Strong CTA:
Every Short should have a clear call-to-action. For example:
"Watch the full video—link in the description!"
"Comment below if you've ever tried this strategy."
"Tag a friend who needs to see this!"
Encourage Comments:
Ask open-ended questions that spark conversation. For instance: "What's one tool you can't live without?"
Design for Sharing:
Make your Shorts so valuable or entertaining that viewers want to share them with their friends.
Pro Tip: Engagement signals—likes, comments, and shares—tell YouTube's algorithm that your content is worth pushing out to a larger audience.
Useful Tips:
Start with a hook
The first few seconds are critical - viewers decide almost instantly whether to keep watching or scroll. Think of your hook as your virtual handshake, where you make your first impression.
Pose a Bold Question: Start with something that challenges the viewer. For example: “What if I told you that most marketing advice is wrong?”
Show, Don’t Tell: Begin your Short with an action or visual that grabs attention - like demonstrating a quick result before explaining how you achieved it.
Create Urgency: Use phrases like “Don’t miss this!” or “You need this now!” to make the viewer feel like they can’t skip your content.
Eyecatching thumbnails
Thumbnails don’t play a role when someone is scrolling (the video auto-plays), but they’re crucial when viewers visit your profile. A strong thumbnail can encourage binge-watching, keeping viewers on your page longer.
Bold Callouts: Use phrases like “Top Tip” or “Avoid This Mistake!” to immediately convey the value of the video.
Contrast Colors: Make your text and visuals pop by using high-contrast colors that stand out against the platform’s background.
Add a Human Element: Thumbnails with a person’s face (especially expressing strong emotions) perform better because they feel relatable.
Trending music
Trending music isn’t just for TikTok - it’s a growth hack for YouTube Shorts too. Using trending sounds gives your content a better chance of being featured in algorithms designed to push popular content.
Adjust Volume: If the trending audio doesn’t align perfectly with your brand, keep it at a low volume and overlay your voice or other sounds.
Stay Relevant: Use sounds that complement your video’s tone. A trending upbeat track works for humor or inspiration, while calmer music is better for educational content.
Include CTA
Every Short needs a purpose, and your call-to-action (CTA) directs viewers toward that goal.
Instead of a generic “Follow for more,” try: “Follow if you want weekly tips like this!”
Add urgency with CTAs like: “Click the link now before it’s gone!”
Pair your CTA with on-screen text or animation to reinforce the message visually.
Responding to comments
YouTube loves creators who engage with their audience. Responding to comments shows that you’re active, which can help your Shorts gain more visibility.
Ask Questions in Comments: Reply to comments with follow-up questions to encourage a conversation.
Pin Top Comments: Pin a comment that sparks discussion or highlights a key point from the video.
Turn Comments into Content: If someone asks a great question, create a new Short answering it. Mention the commenter for a personal touch!
Utilize Trends
Jumping on trends is a fantastic way to increase visibility, but it’s important to make the trend work for your niche.
Customize the Trend: Don’t just copy what everyone else is doing—add your own spin. For example, if a dance trend is popular, incorporate it into a tip or product showcase.
Keep Your Message Front and Center: Tie the trend back to your expertise. For instance, if you’re using trending audio, sync it with text or visuals that deliver valuable insights.
Set a Time Limit: Trends fade fast. If you notice a trend is losing steam, pivot to something fresh to avoid appearing outdated.
Repurpose Wisely:
If you’re turning long-form content into Shorts, avoid simply chopping up your videos. Extract the most engaging moments—questions, punchlines, or emotional points—and use them to hook viewers.
Closed captions are non-negotiable, but go a step further:
Use bold text colors (like red or green) to emphasize key points.
Add movement or animations to keep the captions visually appealing.
Step 5: Track the Right Metrics
While views are a common focus, pay attention to average view duration and click-through rate (CTR) on links. A high average view duration signals that your content is engaging, while CTR tells you if your CTA is effective.
Experiment with different times to find when your audience is most active. Posting when your audience is online can dramatically improve your video’s initial performance, which is critical for Shorts.
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