5 YouTube Shorts Mistakes You’re Making (And How to Fix Them!)
Relying soley on trends
Posting trends such as YouTube shorts can be a fun way for viewers to get to know you better and to increase the number of eyeballs on your video. While trends are great for short term success for views they shouldnt be the core part of your YouTube Shorts strategy.
YouTube is a search engine which means that your core strategy should lie in posting evergreen content. Evergreen content can be edcuational, motivational or inspiring cotnent. Content that does not go out of style and makes sense when finidnng it on Google.
Posting trends on YouTube shorts can be a fun way for viewers to get to know you better and boost your visibility in the short-term views. Solely posting trends shouldn't be the core of your YouTube Shorts strategy.
Here's why:
YouTube is a search engine. Unlike platforms like TikTok, where trends dominate, YouTube's real power lies in evergreen content that's searchable and still relevant in a week, month or even a year from now. Evergreen content can be educational, motivational, or inspiring and continues to attract views long after it's posted.
What You Should Do Instead:
Focus on evergreen topics. Think of Shorts that answer common questions, solve problems, or teach valuable skills your audience is searching for.
Use trends sparingly to complement your strategy, not replace it.
2. Not optimizing your titles for search
When writing captions for your YouTube shorts, keep them simple, concise, and straight to the point. Ideally, pose the caption as a question because that's what people mostly type into Google or Youtube.
What Works:
Keep titles short, clear, and specific. A good rule of thumb is to think about what people might type into YouTube or Google.
Pose your title as a question. For example: "Why Aren't Your Facebook Ads Working?" Questions align with how people search, increasing the likelihood your Shorts will be discovered.
3. Using Incorrect structure
You have to understand how short videos behave online. Viewers consume shorts to get quick digestable information or a tip within seconds. Unlike a traditional YouTube video where the viewer is prepared to spend the next ten, twenty, or thirty minutes with you to consume your content.
Here's the winning structure:
Hook
"The meat"
[Optional] CTA
The Hook
Your opening line should grab attention immediately. Start with a bold question, a surprising fact, or an urgent statement like:
“What if I told you most marketing advice is wrong?”
"Don’t miss this one tip that saved me hours!”
Avoid wasting these precious first seconds introducing yourself or your brand. Hook the viewer first - introductions can come later if needed.
The Meat
The meat is the main section of your shorts. This is where you deliver value. Ideally stick to one piece of information per Short.
Why?
Trying to pack too much into one Short can overwhelm your audience. They’re there for a quick takeaway, not a comprehensive breakdown.
Overloading your content can lead to rushing or rambling, which weakens your delivery and reduces retention.
Shorts have a maximum runtime of 60 seconds. By focusing on one point, you’ll avoid exceeding the time limit and ensure your message lands effectively.
How to Approach It:
If you’re discussing a topic like Facebook ad mistakes, dedicate one Short to each mistake and elaborate on it clearly.
On the other hand, if you’re simply listing mistakes without diving deep, it’s fine to include multiple points in a single Short. Just ensure the pacing is easy to follow.
By breaking down your content into bite-sized pieces, you’ll not only make your Shorts more engaging but also create multiple pieces of content from one idea.
Optional CTA
Not every short needs a CTA, although I strongly encourage a call out. If you post a short with a purpose your call-to-action (CTA) needs to direct viewers toward that goal.
A few CTA that work great are "Follow if you want weekly tips like this!", "Click the link now before it's gone!"
Pro tip: Pair your CTA with on-screen text or animation to reinforce the message visually.
4. Neglecting your analytics:
Analytics are your roadmap to success on YouTube Shorts. They tell you what’s working, what isn’t, and how to improve.
Key Metrics to Watch:
Audience Retention: Pay attention to when viewers drop off during your Shorts. If they’re leaving within the first few seconds, your hook might need improvement.
Click-Through Rate (CTR): This tells you how effective your titles and thumbnails are at attracting viewers.
Engagement: Look at likes, comments, and shares to see if your content is resonating.
What to Do with This Information:
If viewers are dropping off early, test different hooks or jump straight into the value.
Use high-retention Shorts as templates for future content.
5. Post and Ghost:
Hitting the “publish” button isn’t the end of your job—it’s just the beginning.
Why Engagement Matters:
YouTube rewards creators who actively engage with their audience. The more you reply to comments, the more likely the algorithm is to favor your content.
Engaging with your audience builds connections, fosters loyalty, and encourages repeat viewers.
Pro Tip:
After publishing, stick around for at least 30 minutes to reply to early comments. This signals to the algorithm that your video is generating interaction, which can help boost visibility.