How content creators can benefit from $100m YouTube Shorts fund

YouTube recently announced a $100 million fund for content creators using YouTube Shorts, and like their counterparts across the world, Nigerian creators can get up to $10,000.

The fund, which is to be distributed over 2021-22, is described as a reward for creating exciting and engaging content on the platform. The fund will be distributed to thousands of eligible creators each month as bonus payment, based on their content’s performance in the previous month.

The $10,000 is to be based on viewership and engagement of Shorts content created. A statement by the company emphasised that to qualify, channels must meet the minimum eligibility requirements refreshed each month to give other creators the opportunity to receive a reward for their creative and unique Shorts.

YouTube shorts can be described as the company’s response to TikTok, which has grown in acceptance and utilisation especially over the past year. The Shorts Fund is according to the company, the first step in building a monetisation model for Shorts on YouTube and is a chance for creators to earn and build their growing businesses as the world focuses on economic recovery.

Creators in Nigeria looking to make their own Shorts videos and take advantage of the Shorts Fund, can try these six tips identified by YouTube in creating compelling and engaging content on the platform.

1. Spice up your video with music

Without music in the background, your YouTube Shorts video can appear boring. You can add music to your Shorts by tapping the Add Music icon at the top and selecting one of the preset songs. That way, you can then create lip sync and dancing videos using the song. You can also add audio from other YouTube videos into your YouTube Shorts video. To add music, click on the ‘Add Music’ tab and you’ll be taken to a library of music from famous artists that you can use. The page also shows which tracks are most often used in Shorts videos.

Read also: YouTube Shorts launched in Nigeria could boost content creation

2. Adjust the speed of your video to suit your idea

With YouTube Shorts, you have more freedom to experiment with the recording speed. Any of the five possible speeds can be used to produce slow-mo or sped-up effects. With the Speed button, you can slow down or speed up a video by 0.3 or 3 times.

3. Add text to your video

Would you want to spice up the Shorts video with various text styles and colours? You can add various text styles and modify them with varying colours, alignments, widths, and other options.

4. Import videos from your phone’s gallery

In certain instances, you might already have videos that you believe will be perfect for your YouTube Shorts video. No stress. Not only can you record your videos using the Shorts camera, but you can also upload videos from your gallery to create that next viral video. It’s as easy as clicking on the gallery button at the bottom left corner of the record screen, choosing a video, editing it to suit your requirements, adding commentary or music, and then uploading.

5. String multiple video clips together

In order to create the best video, you may need to pause and resume filming in between takes. With the multi-segment camera on YouTube Shorts, you can string multiple video clips together, removing the need for an external editor. Simply release the record button while shooting to pause the video and resume recording when you push the record button again.

6. Make your video eye-catching with video filters

Content creators will be able to switch to varying filters in the recording and editing screens within the Shorts camera. Filters enable users to colour correct footage or change the look & feel of a video.