How to create YouTube Shorts from existing videos easily

Are you sitting on a gold mine of long-form YouTube content and wondering how to reach more viewers with bite-sized snippets? Thanks to YouTube Shorts, reawakening your old videos is easier than ever before. YouTube Shorts, the latest addition to YouTube's repertoire, allows creators to share crisp, engaging, 60-second videos. This guide will walk you through the process of repurposing your existing videos into captivating Shorts.

Main takeaways from this article:

• Repurposing your existing YouTube videos into Shorts is a viable way of producing content rapidly, extending your reach, and securing more views and followers.
• Klap's AI-driven video editor simplifies the video repurposing process. By uploading your video to Klap, you can effectively choose a captivating segment for your Short and customize it further with cropping, dynamic captions, and emojis.
• After generating your Short from Klap, you must make necessary adjustments to ensure continuity with your brand message. Additional editing, such as adding video background music and filters, can be done within YouTube Studio.
• Crafting a catchy title and a detailed description equipped with appropriate keywords enhances the discoverability and engagement of your Short.
• After editing, you can publish the Short on your YouTube channel and inspire your subscribers and new viewers alike to watch, like, and share.
• With Klap, transitioning your videos into engaging YouTube Shorts becomes hassle-free. As a result, you can elevate your video content, reach a broader audience, and potentially drive increased views and subscribers.

Advantages of repurposing long-form videos into YouTube Shorts

Converting long-form videos into YouTube Shorts is a strategic move that allows you to repurpose the content you've already created and worked hard on, making the most out of your efforts. Besides, it's an excellent way to reach a wider audience and boost your visibility on YouTube. Let's dive deeper into the advantages:

1. Maximize content usage: By transforming your existing videos into Shorts, you're effectively maximizing the potential of your content and getting as much value out of it as possible.
2. Broaden audience reach: YouTube Shorts are popular among mobile users and those who prefer quick, snackable content, allowing you to reach a new and wider audience.
3. Boost channel engagement: Shorts evoke reactions and comments due to their concise format, which can lead to heightened engagement on your YouTube channel.
4. Increased visibility: Since YouTube heavily promotes its Shorts feature, your content may gain more exposure and attract new viewers and subscribers.
5. Optimized for mobile viewing: As YouTube Shorts are designed for vertical viewing on smartphones, they provide an optimal mobile viewing experience.
6. Efficient content creation: Repurposing existing videos into Shorts means you can produce new content without the time-consuming process of creating something from scratch.
7. Easy to create: Using specific tools like Klap, you can easily and quickly create appealing YouTube Shorts from existing video content. Klap allows you to further enhance your Shorts by cutting out silences, improving audio quality, and removing unwanted segments.

Step-by-step guide to creating YouTube Shorts

1. Create your YouTube Short

Repurposing existing video content into YouTube Shorts is a smart strategy for engaging with a larger audience. Here's an easy step-by-step process for transforming your long-form YouTube videos into captivating, 60-second Shorts that leverage the power of short-form storytelling.

Creating your Short directly on YouTube

Select the right video segment:

• Start by identifying a compelling segment within your existing long-form YouTube video. This step is crucial because you want to choose a part that will command viewer attention within the short time frame if cut out as a YouTube Short.
• Remember that Shorts are meant to catch viewers' attention instantly, so the selected segment needs to have a hook or a unique element to stand out.
• Ensure the chosen segment can stand alone and make sense without the full video context.
• Consider not only the content's interest but also the visual quality, ensuring it is constitutive and arresting in a short glimpse.
• Keep in mind the 60-second limit for shorts when choosing the segment.

Trim your video:

• Once you've selected the right segment, you can trim it using YouTube Studio’s video editor.
• YouTube Studio’s video editor is user-friendly and provides an intuitive trimming tool to help you efficiently crop your video.
• As you trim, focus on making your segment concise yet comprehensive, capturing the essence of the original video while adhering to the Shorts format.
• Remove any unnecessary parts to keep your audience hooked and reduce viewer drop-off.
• Depending on your video’s context, it could be helpful to start or end with a cliffhanger, encouraging viewers to watch the full video or more of your other content.

Transforming YouTube videos into shorts with Klap

• Upload your video to Klap: Start by uploading your existing YouTube video to Klap. You can paste the YouTube link or directly upload the video file.
• Customize your Short: Utilize Klap's AI-powered tools to select the best segment for your Short. Adjust the settings according to your preferences, including cropping, adding dynamic captions, removing unwanted segments, cutting out silences, enhancing audio quality, and inserting emojis.
• Generate your Short: With your preferences set, click "Generate" to let Klap's AI craft your Short, optimizing it for engagement and virality.

2. Review and refine your Short

Now that you've used Klap's AI to generate your Short, it's time to review it thoroughly. This can be seen as the step where you put your stamp of originality.

Here are some areas you might like to focus on:

• Assess the overall flow: Make sure the video segment chosen represents your brand and effectively delivers the intended message. Also, ensure the captions appear correctly on the video timeline.
• Check the initial impression: The first few seconds of your Short are crucial in grabbing the viewer's attention. Klap's AI should have done an impressive job, but take a moment to confirm that the start of your video is indeed captivating.

Once you're satisfied with the overall flow and initial impression, it's time to finalize your short. But the process doesn't stop here. Make your Short even more appealing by adding the perfect finishing touches in YouTube Studio. Here's what you can do:

• Export your Short from Klap: This step is fairly simple. Once you've made all necessary adjustments, simply export your finished Short from Klap.
• Add soundtracks and filters: Use YouTube Studio to add these elements to your Short, ensuring they harmonize with your content and amplify the intended mood.

3. Add a title and description

The next step in this easy journey to repurposing your old YouTube videos into YouTube Shorts is creating a powerful title and description. Through this crucial step, you'll shape the first impression viewers get of your Short.

Key elements of a catchy title:

• Keep it short and sweet: Titles that are too long can sometimes be cut off, so make sure your title embodies the content of your Short in just a few words.
• Utilize persuasive language: Using strong, action-driven language can inspire potential viewers to click on your Short.
• Optimize for SEO: Include keywords relevant to your Short's content. This will increase the likelihood of your video being found in YouTube searches.

Creating an effective description:

• Overview: Start by giving viewers a brief overview of what they will watch in the Short.
• Include keywords: Incorporate keywords that mirror those used in the title. This reinforces those SEO benefits and affirms to viewers that your video aligns with what they’re seeking.
• Call-to-action: Invite your audience to like, comment, share, or subscribe. This helps increase engagement with your Short.

4. Publish your Short

You're almost at the finish line. Now it's time to introduce your impressive Short to the world. Here’s the play-by-play on how to publish your YouTube Short:

• Preview your Short: Before you hit upload, take a moment to preview your Short. Make sure everything is just the way you want it. This is your final chance to spot any errors or tweaks that need your attention.
• Upload your Short: Navigate to the upload section on YouTube. Select the file of your Short, which is ready to be introduced to your audience. Remember, your final video should be in vertical format (9:16) to qualify as a Short.
• Include hashtag #Shorts: When setting up your upload, ensure that you include "#Shorts" in the title or description of your video. This tagging is crucial for YouTube to recognize and categorize your video as a Short.
• Add an eye-catching thumbnail: Add a visually engaging thumbnail that gives a snapshot of what your Short is about. Thumbnails often play a pivotal role in enticing viewers to click and watch your video.
• Select a suitable category: Be sure to select a category that accurately reflects your content to aid YouTube's algorithm in suggesting your Short to the correct audience.
• Publish your Short: After everything is set, hit publish. Your YouTube Short is now live and ready to entertain your subscribers and new viewers alike.
• Engage with your audience: Encourage viewers to watch, like, and share your Short. Responding to comments and interacting with your audience can also cultivate a sense of community and boost engagement, increasing the chances of your Short being recommended to others.

Turn your videos into YouTube Shorts seamlessly

The transformation of your existing long-form YouTube videos into engaging Shorts has never been more straightforward. With a user-friendly interface and AI capabilities aiding you in every step, Klap breathes fresh life into your content, reformatting it for a new era of short, punchy, and viral videos. Whether you're a new creator looking to make your mark or an experienced YouTuber tapping into Shorts’ growing fanbase, Klap streamlines content creation like never before.

Get started now with Klap - Try for free!

Creating YouTube Shorts: FAQs

What are the format and technical requirements for YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts must be:

• 60 seconds or less in length, with 15 seconds or less being ideal for maximum engagement.
• Vertical (9:16 aspect ratio) or square (1:1 aspect ratio) – though vertical is preferred to match the viewing habits on mobile devices.
• High resolution, ideally 1080p or higher, to ensure good quality on various devices.
• Accompanied by clear audio, especially if your video clip relies on spoken content or music.

How can I convert my existing videos into the YouTube Shorts format?

To convert existing videos into YouTube Shorts:

• Use Klap's video editing tools to crop your video to the vertical 9:16 aspect ratio.
• Trim the video to ensure it is 60 seconds or shorter.
• Enhance the video with engaging elements like text, stickers, or filters to grab attention.
• Consider adding a catchy music track or sound effects while ensuring you have the right to use them.
• Adjust the video's speed if necessary to fit more content into the shorter format.

Can I use any video as a YouTube Short, or are there restrictions?

While you can repurpose most types of content as YouTube Shorts, there are restrictions:

• The content must adhere to YouTube's Community Guidelines.
• Copyrighted material (including music, video clips, and images) cannot be used unless you have permission or it falls under fair use.
• Videos that are too promotional or lack engagement may not perform as well as Shorts.
• Content should be tailored or edited to fit the short-form format, ensuring it delivers value or entertainment in a brief period.

What are some tips for making my YouTube Shorts stand out?

To make your short-form video stand out:

• Start with a hook: Capture viewers' attention in the first few seconds.
• Use bright, eye-catching thumbnails.
• Incorporate trending music, challenges, or hashtags to increase visibility.
• Engage with your audience by asking questions or encouraging comments.
• Experiment with creative editing techniques to make your Shorts unique and memorable.

How do I upload and optimize YouTube Shorts for better visibility?

To upload and optimize Shorts for better visibility on the YouTube homepage:

• Upload your Short directly through the YouTube app or website, ensuring the video is vertical and less than 60 seconds.
• Include #Shorts in your title and description to help YouTube categorize it correctly.
• Use relevant keywords in your title, description, and tags to improve discoverability.
• Create an engaging thumbnail; even though Shorts are often played automatically, a compelling thumbnail can attract viewers browsing your channel.
• Engage with your viewers by responding to comments to boost community interaction and visibility of your short videos.