YouTube Shorts VS Longs (My new strategy for growth)

Summary

In this video, Sean Cannell offers a comprehensive guide on YouTube content strategies. He emphasizes the importance of balancing both short-form and long-form videos, especially as you scale your YouTube efforts. Key tips include creating one high-quality long-form video per week, using video podcasts strategically, and focusing on native content creation for shorts. Sean also discusses the significance of repurposing content within YouTube before branching out to other platforms. His approach is designed to help creators maximize their impact on YouTube while staying focused and efficient.

Takeaways

• 😀 Be consistent with your branding between YouTube Shorts and Longform content to ensure a smooth transition for viewers.
• 😀 It's important to understand that some audiences prefer Shorts while others prefer Longform content. Find the right balance for your channel.
• 😀 Be platform-agnostic and focus on getting your message across through various platforms, but tailor your approach depending on your stage (side hustle, solopreneur, or scale season).
• 😀 If you’re creating a video podcast, using both Longform and Shorts is a strategic way to maximize content reach and engagement.
• 😀 Native content, created specifically for Shorts or Longform, works better than repurposed content. Focus on crafting content suited for the platform's format.
• 😀 When starting a YouTube channel, prioritize high-quality Longform videos over producing low-effort, low-quality content.
• 😀 Longform content has long-term potential due to its ability to rank in search, get suggested by YouTube, and accumulate views over time.
• 😀 Don’t get distracted by social media early on. Focus on YouTube and strategically repurpose your content within the platform to build momentum.
• 😀 Once your Longform content is established, start repurposing it for Shorts, and then consider extending to other platforms for broader reach.
• 😀 The key to success is focus. Avoid spreading yourself too thin. Focus on one course of action (content creation) until it succeeds before moving to the next step.

Q & A

What is the main challenge when using both YouTube Shorts and long-form content?

The main challenge is ensuring that both formats are consistent in terms of branding and content. If the Shorts are too different from the long-form content, it can confuse the audience and make it harder for viewers to transition between the two formats.

Why is it important to maintain visual branding consistency across Shorts and long-form content?

Visual branding consistency helps create a seamless experience for viewers. When the look and feel of Shorts and long-form content align, it’s easier for audiences to recognize and engage with your content, making the transition between formats smoother.

What should a creator prioritize when starting on YouTube with limited resources?

Creators should prioritize producing one high-quality, high-effort long-form video per week. This allows for the creation of content that has long-term potential for search rankings and YouTube recommendations, maximizing its reach and impact.

What is the advantage of using native content for Shorts?

Native content is designed specifically for Shorts, ensuring that it is optimized for the platform. Unlike repurposed content, which might not fully engage viewers, native Shorts are crafted with the format in mind, making them more effective in terms of engagement and reach.

What does 'platform agnostic' mean in the context of content creation?

Being 'platform agnostic' means being open to using different platforms and content formats to reach your audience. It’s about choosing the right tool for the job, whether it's Shorts, long-form videos, podcasts, or other formats, without being overly fixated on one platform.

How can creators effectively manage their energy when producing content across multiple formats?

Creators should understand the season they’re in—whether it’s a side hustle, solo entrepreneur, or scaling phase—and adjust their content strategy accordingly. In the side hustle season, focus on a narrower approach, while in the scale season, leveraging a team can help manage the demands of multiple content formats.

Why should creators not focus too much on social media early on in their YouTube journey?

In the early stages, creators should focus on building their core YouTube content and avoid getting distracted by social media. This allows them to concentrate on creating high-quality, high-value videos that can rank and be suggested by YouTube, rather than spreading themselves too thin across multiple platforms.

What is the ideal strategy for creating content if a creator has limited time and resources?

The ideal strategy is to focus on producing high-quality long-form content, ideally one video per week. This approach provides a strong foundation for ranking in search, building momentum, and driving consistent viewership over time.

How does the video podcast strategy benefit creators?

The video podcast strategy works well because it allows creators to produce long-form content (the full podcast episode) and then repurpose it into shorter clips and Shorts. This maximizes the value of each piece of content, reaching different audience preferences and consumption habits.

What does the speaker mean by 'Focus' in terms of YouTube strategy?

'Focus' stands for 'Follow One Course Until Successful.' This means that creators should concentrate their energy on one platform (YouTube) and one content format (long-form videos) before expanding to other platforms or content types. This helps build momentum and avoid distractions in the early stages of growth.