YouTube Shorts are brief, entertaining videos designed for mobile that can boost your YouTube presence. Shorts are taking over YouTube. However, you can’t take 20 minutes out of your busy schedule a few times a day to create entertaining content and post it on YouTube. The best way to counter this is by scheduling YouTube Shorts.
We keep getting asked one question repeatedly
Can you schedule YouTube shorts?
The good news is that you can schedule YouTube Shorts in advance. By learning how to schedule YouTube Shorts, you can plan your content in advance, ensuring your business stays in the spotlight even on your busiest days.
Let’s explore how making and scheduling these YouTube shorts can be a game-changer for keeping your viewers hooked and your content strategy on track. With proper planning, Shorts can work for you rather than becoming another task on your to-do list.
How YouTube Shorts Differ from TikTok Videos and Instagram Reels
Unlike the casual, trend-driven TikTok, YouTube Shorts tap into an existing base of YouTube users looking for entertaining videos. The algorithm also differs, recommending Shorts based on viewers’ interests and channel subscriptions.
YouTube also provides more monetization options for Shorts creators compared to TikTok. Instagram and Facebook Reels prioritize visual aesthetics, while Shorts focus more on the strength of the content itself.
The key is optimizing Shorts based on YouTube’s algorithm and audience while playing to the format’s strengths. Trends matter less than relevance to subscribers and searchability.
How to Schedule YouTube Shorts on the Phone
Here’s how to schedule YouTube Shorts directly on the YouTube app.
Firstly, verify your channel.
Channel verification is crucial for any YouTube creator looking to enhance their channel’s credibility and unlock valuable features. Verification grants access to important tools and functionalities, such as custom thumbnails, live streaming, and the ability to schedule videos, including YouTube Shorts.
By verifying your channel, you not only improve its authenticity and reliability but also gain the resources needed to streamline your content creation process and maximize your channel’s potential for growth.
Step 1: Sign in to your Account
Begin by logging in to your YouTube account. Go to YouTube Studio on your computer or open the YouTube app and sign in to your channel.
Step 2: Upload a Short Video
When you are logged in, click on the CREATE button at the top-right corner of the page. From there, go to Upload Videos and select the video file you wish to schedule. Ensure your video meets the required video resolution and aspect ratios. You can also upload images and set the thumbnail image for your short.
Managing bulk uploads and scheduling YouTube Shorts within YouTube Studio is essential for efficiently organizing your content. Using a third-party tool like Recurpost makes this process much easier and more manageable.
Step 3: Add Video Elements
Use cards and an end screen to show viewers related videos, websites, and calls to action. You can Add Related Videos and Subtitles to your Short videos.
Step 4: Fill out the Details
After you make the selection of the video, it’s high time you proceed to enter the required details. Insert necessary details for your video, for example, title, description, and tags or categories you want to relate to. This step makes sure that your short video on YouTube is identified and can be searched through.
As a social media marketing expert, it’s important to be aware that if your YouTube account receives a Community Guidelines strike, any scheduled videos won’t be published during the penalty period. Instead, these videos will be set to “private” for the duration of the penalty. You’ll need to reschedule them once the freeze period ends. For more details on Community Guidelines strikes, you can learn more here.
Step 5: Schedule YouTube Shorts
For this, firstly go to the “Visibility” tab. Click “Schedule” within the tab options. This will allow you to assign a specific publish date, time, and time zone to your video on YouTube.
For more tips on creating an effective upload schedule, check out Upload Schedule Tips.
To attract more viewers and boost engagement with your YouTube Shorts, check out our in-depth guide on the best times to post for your target audience here.
How to Schedule YouTube Shorts from YouTube Studio (Desktop)
Here’s how to schedule YouTube Shorts directly on the YouTube platform using your desktop computer:
Step 1: Access YouTube Studio
Head over to studio.youtube.com and sign in to your YouTube account.
Step 2: Upload Your Short
Click the “Create” button in the top right corner and select “Upload videos“. Choose your pre-created Short video file from your computer.
Step 3: Add Video Details
Add a catchy title and a descriptive caption for your Short. Consider including relevant hashtags (including #Shorts) to improve discoverability. You can also add a custom thumbnail image.
Step 4: Schedule Your YouTube Short
Navigate to the “Visibility” tab on the video upload page. Under “Visibility,” select “Schedule” instead of “Public” or “Private.”
Step 5: Set Publish Date and Time
Click on the calendar icon to choose the specific date you want your Short to be published. Use the dropdown menus to set the desired time and time zone for publication.
Step 6: Double-check and Schedule
Review all the details of your Short, including the title, description, thumbnail, and scheduled publish date and time. Once satisfied, click the “Schedule” button to finalize the process.
Your Short will now be uploaded to YouTube and published at the designated time. You can access your scheduled videos within YouTube Studio under the “Content” section for further management.
Using Third-Party Tools for Scheduling YouTube Shorts
While YouTube Studio offers basic scheduling functionality, for creators seeking advanced features and a streamlined workflow, third-party tools like RecurPost can be game-changers.
RecurPost stands out as the top choice for scheduling YouTube Shorts, boasting a stellar 4.7 rating overall. With its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface, RecurPost simplifies the scheduling process, making it the go-to solution for content creators, whether you’re a brand, agency, or freelancer.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to schedule YouTube Shorts using third-party tools like RecurPost:
Step 1: Sign Up or Log In
Start by creating an account with RecurPost or logging into your existing account.
Step 2: Connect Your YouTube Account
Follow the prompts to connect your YouTube channel to RecurPost. Most of the YouTube Shorts scheduler allows you to connect multiple YouTube channels.
Step 3: Create Your Short
Upload your YouTube Shorts video file directly into RecurPost.
Recurpost offers tools for easy management of bulk uploading and scheduling YouTube Shorts.
Step 4: Add Details
Fill in the title, write descriptions, and any tags to help your Short get discovered. Categorize your Short correctly to ensure it reaches the target audience.
Step 5: Schedule Your Short
Start scheduling YouTube Shorts by choosing the specific date and video’s publication time you want your Short to go live. You can plan this based on the best engagement times for your audience.
Step 6: Review and Confirm
Double-check all the details about your video content, then confirm to schedule videos. RecurPost will take the scheduled video and automatically publish it at the scheduled time.
Remember, using tools like RecurPost not only helps in scheduling YouTube videos but also provides analytics to understand your video performance, aiding in refining your video content strategy.
YouTube Shorts Criteria
When creating YouTube Short, follow YouTube’s recommendations for optimal delivery:
- File size
Keep YouTube Short under 10MB for faster uploading and streaming. Short-form content tends to have better engagement.
- Aspect ratio
Use a 9:16 vertical orientation. The resolution should be 1080 x 1920 pixels for a full-screen mobile experience.
- Music
If using tracks from YouTube’s audio library, your Short will be limited to 15 seconds. Use original audio to go up to 60 seconds.
- Monetization
To monetize full YouTube Short, you must have 1,000 subscribers and 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days or 4,000 watch hours of long-form video in the past year.
Optimizing your Shorts based on these criteria ensures the best experience for viewers and positions you for monetization approval. Stay organized, stay consistent, and focus on high-quality original content tailored to the Shorts format for ideal results.
Best Practices and Advanced Strategies for YouTube Shorts
Creating engaging Shorts involves both understanding your audience and leveraging YouTube’s algorithm. Follow these best practices:
- Analyze Audience Insights – Study age demographics, content preferences, and viewing habits. Produce Shorts that appeal specifically to your subscribers and viewers.
- Identify Peak Times – Use YouTube Analytics to determine when your audience is most active and receptive. Schedule Shorts to publish during these windows.
- Balance Trends and Originality – Experiment with trending sounds and hashtags, but maintain your brand identity. Don’t just copy viral content. Add your unique touch.
- Collaborate with Influencers – Work with creators in your niche to co-produce Shorts and cross-promote. This expands your reach.
- Repurpose Top Content – Re-edit long-form videos and snippets from other platforms to develop Quick Shorts without starting from scratch.
- Consistent Posting – Start scheduling YouTube Videos or Shorts regularly to keep the audience engaged. Set a cadence for releasing new content.
Continuously optimize your strategy based on performance data. Tailor content, collaborations, and scheduling to resonate with your unique audience. YouTube will recommend your Shorts if they satisfy viewers.
Top Ideas for YouTube Shorts to Schedule
When planning your Shorts content calendar, consider these engaging formats for video scheduling:
- Tutorials – Create quick “how-to” shorts to attract viewers looking to learn. Teach them a skill related to your niche in under 60 seconds.
- Behind-the-scenes – Give a backstage look at your business processes. These inside peeks build rapport with your audience.
- Challenges – Ride trends with popular social media challenges. Add your own brand twist rather than just following the formula.
- Interviews – Feature your employees, clients, or interesting figures in your industry. Short Q&As make engaging content.
- Product Teasers – Share sneak peeks, demos, and previews of upcoming products and services to generate excitement.
- Time-Lapses – Condense longer processes like product assembly or food preparation into easily digestible time-lapses.
The goal is to provide value and entertainment to make viewers want to see more of your video content. Experiment across formats to discover which performs best. Generate fresh video ideas or use these proven ideas as inspiration to get started with Shorts.
Conclusion
As we wrap up, remember that YouTube Shorts are a powerful tool for connecting with your audience in a fun and engaging way. By understanding the platform, utilizing YouTube scheduling tools, and exploring creative content ideas, you can effectively grow your presence and reach on YouTube. Don’t forget to analyze your performance and adjust your strategy as needed. It’s time to start creating, scheduling, and sharing your Shorts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Focus on simple, direct content that showcases your business’s value. Start with a short-form video, by repurposing snippets of existing content into quick 15-30 second Shorts. Use in-app editing tools for quick, quality videos. This saves production time initially.
Scheduling YouTube Shorts can positively affect views. By strategically timing your uploads, you can reach your audience when they are most active, increasing the likelihood of higher engagement and more views. Consistent scheduling also helps maintain a regular presence on your channel, which can boost overall viewer retention and growth.
For now, you can’t change the thumbnail on your YouTube Shorts. If you encounter an error trying to do so, it’s because YouTube currently doesn’t allow custom thumbnails for Shorts.
Use YouTube’s built-in analytics to track views, engagement, and audience growth. Customize content based on these insights.
Absolutely, repurpose more content like clips, images, and quotes from other platforms as Shorts. This saves ideation and creation time. Ensure it aligns with YouTube’s vertical video format.
Aim to post 2-3 Shorts per week minimum, and ideally 1 per day. Analyze competitor frequency and experiment to see what rhythm works best for engagement for your video content. Do not post the video immediately.
Saurabh Chaturvedi is a content writer at RecurPost. Specializing in social media management and marketing, Saurabh is dedicated to crafting engaging and informative articles. His passion for clear, exciting content keeps readers eager for more.