YouTube is rolling out the Shorts Fund and making the social media scene even more interesting. Each new feature gives creators more power, while increasing the platform’s competition with TikTok.

To make the most of the YouTube Shorts Fund, you need to take a few steps. They involve getting to know the platform, your content, and the scheme as a whole.

Here are the top six things you need to consider.

1. Decide if YouTube Shorts Is for You

If you’re an avid TikToker, you already have a great place to share every fun moment in your life. What YouTube offers is an alternative that’s constantly improving for new and existing users.

Factors of Video Creation

Monetization is the latest perk for Shorts creators, who can earn their share of the $100 million set aside just for them. As YouTube elaborates in a blog post on the Shorts Fund, other tools to look forward to include filters, captions, infinite audio, and the ability to add images from your device.

YouTube Shorts and its Fund are all still works in progress, so they’ll need time and your help to settle into a good pattern.

2. Learn to Use YouTube Shorts

After its success in India and the US, YouTube Shorts is branching out to the rest of the world. If you have access to the feature, dig right in and learn everything you can.

Learn how to use YouTube Shorts and make the platform your own. For example, these mini videos always have to be vertical in layout, so prepare your smartphone too as your main recording and editing device.

However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t explore how your computer can help the process. You could capture high-quality footage with your webcam and then adjust it to fit the requirements.

Once again, YouTube’s gradual upgrades determine what you’ll be able to do. This makes learning the system extra important.

3. Learn How to Attract Viewers

Based on YouTube’s policies, it’ll be rewarding the most popular Shorts. In other words, you need to make sure your videos draw viewers’ attention and the best way to do that is through research and practice.

YouTube Channel Subscribers

New YouTubers should start with the basics, from planning videos to setting up all their components smoothly. Shorts can be no more than 60 seconds long, so find a good balance between visuals and audio to drive your message home fast and effectively.

Even experienced creators need to stay on top of trends and best practices. How to become a virtual YouTuber, for example, is a growing interest and will definitely influence Shorts too. Applying this and other popular methods can boost your visibility.

4. Build and Maintain Your Audience

A key point to remember is that you don’t have to be in the YouTube Partner Program to be eligible for the Fund. This means that, at the time of writing, there are no set thresholds to worry about—like 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours.

Nonetheless, building a fanbase can get you lots of views and positive impressions quickly. If hundreds of users immediately respond to each video you post, it will surely grab YouTube’s interest too.

In terms of the Shorts Fund, it’s a good idea to have your channel’s many subscribers ready and waiting. This way, when the scheme officially launches, you can hit the ground running.

5. Pay Attention to Functionality

As you master YouTube Shorts, make a note of features you like and dislike. Is there something you would do differently with the software? Are there functions other apps have that would work well here?

Related: What Are Social Media Stories and Why Are They Everywhere?

YouTube will go through a lot of trial and error before Shorts and its Fund are remotely ready for consumers. The best part is that you have a say in what works or doesn't.

If and when you can use Shorts, expect requests for feedback—which you shouldn’t ignore. Without user insights, the tool’s developers won’t know what to improve.

At the same time, the experience can boost your knowledge of the platform and even inform the content you share. All in all, the time leading up to the Fund’s launch is an opportunity for your channel to flourish.

6. Stay Updated With New Details

If you’re excited about the YouTube Shorts Fund, make sure you stay informed. You’ll see many changes in the coming months, both regarding the tool and its monetization.

Taking an active interest in the whole process means you can jump on each new feature. No matter how long it sticks around, it can still benefit you, your subscribers, and your potential income.

At the very least, it’s exciting to watch a new technology find its place in such a competitive landscape. If the scheme succeeds, social media will have a whole new trend to play with and creators another handy platform to work their trade.

Be Smart With Your YouTube Shorts

The rules are still up in the air in terms of what channels will count as most popular and eligible for the YouTube Shorts Fund. Even so, you should be careful when it comes to designing your videos.

Knowing your way around trends and regulations can affect how far up the ranks your channel goes. Factors like swearing, posting shocking content, and flashing images may compromise your viewership, so avoid them while shining a positive light on your brand.