Nov 17, 2022 [[read-time]] minute read
As you heard from our Made on YouTube event earlier this year, we’re all about giving creators more options and flexibility to express their creativity. Creators can freely mix and match the formats that work for them and their channel, choosing from long form videos, live streams and YouTube Shorts.
Many have found success in various forms on their road to the coveted Creator Awards, which celebrates subscriber milestones whether it’s 100,000 subs or one million. We recently caught up with five creators from the APAC region who have been maximizing Shorts to entertain and connect with their audience on a whole new level. In fact, it’s even helped them grow their community and gave them a big boost on their road toward 10 million subscribers.
“Have a clear message for viewers, captivate them in the first three seconds of the video and make sure to keep the date and time of the uploads as a promise to subscribers!”
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your channel?
1-Min Cook Recipes is a channel that helps people who are still unfamiliar with cooking and think cooking is hard realize that cooking is not as hard as they may think it is but rather an enjoyable daily experience.
I love watching YouTube videos and it is the source of most of the knowledge and information I need in daily life. Therefore I have always wanted to use this platform to share any useful tips I have if I ever get a chance.
How did you get started on Shorts?
Many people would agree that platforms for short-form videos have this strong appeal that keeps you watching an endless feed of videos. I was also fascinated by YouTube Shorts and spent hours watching videos. Then I wanted to make and upload shorts myself, and share condensed messages and convey them to people all at once. That's how it all began.
How do you come up with ideas for your Shorts?
In three ways: first is from my experience having worked as a cook for many years, so I had skills and know-how and that's basically where I get most of my ideas from. From these cooking tips I have accumulated over the years, I select recipes that are really useful to people who aren't familiar with cooking and are practical in everyday life, and share them on my channel.
Secondly, I like cooking food based on my own recipes or adding a slight twist to existing recipes and serving them to my family and friends. I choose the ones that people liked the most and make videos on them.
Lastly, food is consumed based on the taste and choice of the general public so there's a trend. As a person working in the food service industry, I search for trending food ingredients or menus, and I also check comments or requests that are posted on my videos to get ideas.
You gained over two million subscribers in a very short amount of time! Can you tell us how you grew your channel?
I'm really making videos without thinking too much about numbers, like the number of subscribers and views. I have a clear message that I want to communicate with many people watching videos on my YouTube channel so I'm just doing my best to make content that I won't be ashamed of based on this philosophy.
When I watch videos from my earlier days, I see many things that I lacked so I get embarrassed. But I remember that excitement about starting my own YouTube channel and putting my best effort into it. I wouldn't have been able to come this far without those days of pushing myself to the limit so those videos mean a lot to me.
Any tips for other creators who are yet to or starting to explore Shorts?
I am a fan of YouTube Shorts and I thought the beginning of the video decides whether the viewer would continue watching the rest of the video or not. So I also thought hard about how I can captivate viewers in the first three seconds of the video, and I often put highlights within the first five seconds after the video starts. I also think the date and the time of the upload is a promise I must keep with my subscribers so I have continued uploading videos since I began the channel, and I believe this has contributed to the success of my channel.
“Just get started and play around with Shorts. But don’t just create for the sake of creating. Choose a topic that you are passionate about and create succinct, snappy, valuable content that grabs and retains people’s attention. You just need a smartphone and you’re good to go!”
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your channel?
I make storytelling or reaction videos for interesting movies and short films. I started on another platform first, but many of my viewers suggested that I create a YouTube channel. At first, I was not really interested because making long-form videos takes a lot of time and effort. But when I found out about YouTube Shorts, I started immediately and have been posting videos consistently since July 2021. It has been the best decision ever!
How did you get started on Shorts?
During the pandemic, short-form videos proved to be a great source of entertainment. That is why I try focusing on creating content that uplifts the spirit and mood of people. When I posted my first Shorts video, it received a very good response. It makes me excited to keep on posting one to three videos a day and do it every single day. Shorts really helps me reach a wider audience base.
How do you come up with ideas for your Shorts?
I love movies and I love to spend time watching them. It’s crucial to have an interest towards the subject you’re going to target. Since I enjoy it, it’s easier for me to deal with moments when I’m tired or running out of ideas. Sticking with the theme also makes creating content easier, because I already know what type of topics I’ll cover.
I also make time to connect with my audience as much as possible. I want them to know that they are being heard. By engaging with them, I have been able to adjust my content strategy to include topics they are interested in.
You have already gained more than five million subscribers! Can you tell us how you continue to grow your channel?
I am really thankful to have gathered five million subscribers on my YouTube channel. The feeling is really amazing, something I’ve never imagined before!
My focus now is on being consistent in creating attractive, engaging and entertaining videos especially on Shorts. It’s fantastic for getting exposure and growing subscribers, since it helps me grab the attention of the audience better.
I love that YouTube puts the Subscribe button on Shorts feeds, making it easy for people to subscribe if they like what they see. Shorts also plays a huge role in bridging my audience over to my long-form videos. Just by leaving a pinned comment, I can direct them to watch my long-form content as well.
Any tips for other creators who are yet to or starting to explore Shorts?
The best way to learn how to do Shorts is to just get started and play around with them. But don’t just post random content on your Shorts, and don’t just create for the sake of creating. There are tons of catchy videos out there. To stand out amidst all the competition, you have to produce great content consistently. Choose a topic that you are passionate about and create succinct, snappy, valuable content that grabs and retains people’s attention. YouTube Shorts is comparatively easier to create. You just need a smartphone and you’re good to go!
“Watch as many videos as possible to catch trends and incorporate them into your Shorts to get better responses from viewers. You have your own ideas, skills, and characters – utilize them to stand out!”
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your channel?
I share videos of me cooking and eating what I want to eat on my channel, Bayashi TV, to give viewers a sense of satisfaction and appetite.
How did you get started on Shorts?
I started posting long-form Mukbang videos on YouTube about three years ago. Back then, not a lot of people watched my videos, so I naturally started short-form videos on and off platform to draw attention to my longer ones.
How do you come up with ideas for your Shorts?
I prioritize two things: having longevity and getting results quickly. My videos had to be about something I liked, so I chose food and eating — I'm really happy when I'm eating lots of delicious food! I was also a personal trainer and I used to cook low-sugar meals for myself every day, so I decided to also share cooking videos regularly.
To get results quickly, I watched popular cooking and eating videos on YouTube. I learned that a lot of the videos were for horizontal screens and were with ASMR and non-verbal to help it easily go global. I followed the exact style thinking my videos will also trend globally, but they did not do so well.
From then, I have been evolving my style through trial and error, and got to where I am now!
You passed eight million and are on the road to 10 million YouTube subscribers. Tell us about your journey!
It’s my big goal. When my video creates buzz, the number of subscribers will increase — it’s what I’m focusing on now. However, it is difficult to do so with the same videos all the time, so I think about combining innovative ideas with cooking.
There are times when I can't think of any ideas, but I still try to make and post videos every day if possible. I also try to catch trends by watching as many videos as possible from all genres, not limited to cooking . By incorporating trends, viewers will respond better.
Any tips for other creators who are yet to or starting to explore Shorts?
It goes without saying, but Shorts is short. They have to stand out from the rest in a very short time. You have your own ideas, skills and characters that you can utilize to stand out. Please use what you’re good at, and share your wonderful Shorts videos!
“Make your original content and keep your identity unique. Keep it consistent and always follow up the trends by spending time doing research on news, trends on and off the platform, popular song and sound bites, and more.”
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your channel?
I’m Priyal Kukreja, and I started my YouTube journey with my brother, Dushyant Kukreja, a year ago in 2021. We make entertainment & comedy videos on our YouTube Channel, which now has over nine million subscribers.
How did you get started on Shorts?
We started by making longer comical & skit videos, but they weren’t gaining that much subscribers. I then started uploading a few Shorts videos and got very good responses. Many of my Shorts were getting over 50 million views and were appearing in the trending section as well. My first Shorts video which got 116 million views accelerated my channel’s growth, and I hit one million subscribers in January 2022.
How do you come up with ideas for your Shorts?
I started making relatable, everyday content with a comical twist. The more the content was shareable, the more views and subscribers I started gaining. That inspired me to upload a Shorts video daily. I also spend time doing research on news, trends on and off the platform, popular song and sound bites, and more.
You are on the road to reach 10 million YouTube subscribers soon! Tell us about your journey.
I started my channel in late April 2021, and by uploading on Shorts consistently, I hit one million subscribers in Jan 2022. Many of my Shorts videos appeared in the trending section, which made me feel motivated to upload a Shorts video daily. With the love and support of my family and my audience, I am charting my road to 10M.
Any tips for other creators who are yet to or starting to explore Shorts?
Make your original content and keep your identity unique. Keep it consistent and always follow up the trends.
“Always listen to your audience, and keep your content original and evolve them constantly. Making a simple mental model of your content and implementation idea on a piece of paper will also help with creating it exactly the way you envisioned it.”
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your channel?
I’m Salman from Pakistan, and I make YouTube Shorts videos that turn everyday situations into comedy. My YouTube channel now has more than 10 million subscribers. I’ve actually been on YouTube for a long time but didn't make content actively until Shorts was launched, after which I made content regularly and have seen a lot of success with it too.
How did you get started on Shorts?
Before YouTube, I used to make the same style of videos on other short-form platforms and saw reasonable success. But I realized that other platforms had a ceiling to creator growth. Then YouTube introduced Shorts, which for me has no boundaries and makes the world your oasis. YouTube helped me grow my audience globally and I gained recognition because of my Shorts videos. I am so thankful for YouTube Shorts and having the platform to grow my audience.
How do you come up with ideas for your Shorts?
I spend about 30 minutes every day on my balcony observing the street below, often getting inspiration for my next video by adding my own spin on everyday situations. I also love talking to different people and getting different perspectives on life. This inspires me and gives me a new point of view every time.
You just reached 10 million YouTube subscribers! What an achievement! Tell us about your journey.
I have learned that the audience asks for something new and unique – you can't use stale ideas. New content types, new types of comedy always helped me grow. I have to keep my content original; the key to success is new originality and to constantly evolve. All of my subscribers are like my family; they are my strength and they made me who I am today. I love them all so much and would forever be thankful for their support.
Any tips for other creators who are yet to or starting to explore Shorts?
Always listen to your audience, or even actively seek their feedback. I engage with my audience in the comments or through the Community tab and I try to do it as regularly as possible. Based on those interactions, you can adjust your content strategy.
Another tip: write out your idea and think about how you would implement it. Making a simple mental model of your idea on a piece of paper helps with creating it exactly the way you envisioned it.
Are you inspired to know more? Read more about how to get started on YouTube Shorts: