Until fairly recently, I admit that YouTube Shorts weren’t a priority in my social media mix. Then I scheduled a YouTube Short for a Buffer blog I was writing, and happened to check the analytics.

1,436 views in just a few days — that’s more than all my other videos combined. Taking a deeper look at my analytics, it’s clear that YouTube Shorts are doing all the heavy lifting:

This power performance of these bite-sized videos is not just anecdotal. According to Buffer’s data, engagement on YouTube Shorts is on the rise (from 3.95% to 4.71%), with usage skyrocketing from 5.6K to 147K in just 18 months. 

YouTube Shorts offer a unique opportunity for creators to reach a wider audience, promote longer videos, and even increase subscribers. Now, the question becomes: what should I post?

In this blog, I’ve rounded up 25 YouTube Shorts ideas so that you’re never short (see what I did there?) of content.

25 YouTube Shorts ideas to boost views

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next short-form video, here are 25 creative ideas and content suggestions to help your content stand out and engage viewers in bite-sized bursts.

Repurpose content from your Instagram Reels

If you’re already posting on TikTok or Instagram Reels, you’ve got a head start because you can repurpose existing videos and your best-performing clips to your YouTube channel. Just be sure to adapt your captions, pacing, or audio to fit the YouTube audience and platform best practices. 

Pro tip: Buffer makes it super easy to cross-post from one convenient dashboard. 

Here’s the Buffer team celebrating 22 million ARR: 

On Tiktok

On YouTube Shorts

Share short clips from your existing YouTube channel videos 

This one has my name all over it. My shorts strategy is to take short clips from podcast episodes and turn them into shorts.

If you’re creating long-form video, extract your most engaging or thought-provoking moments and repackage them as bite-sized teasers. A bonus is that these videos stand alone and encourage viewers to check out the full-length version. 

Short: 

Highlight engaging sections from your other long-form content 

Other long-form videos like podcasts, webinars, and livestreams often contain powerful moments that are worth turning into shorts. And, let’s be honest, not everyone is going to watch the full video of the existing content, so giving your audience quick, digestible takeaways means you can reach more people. 

Share a typical day in your life 

Viewers love authenticity. A short “day in the life” gives people a glimpse behind the curtain — the wins, the chaos, the little details that make you human. It’s relatable content that builds trust and a deeper connection with your audience. 

⚡️ Pro tip: Hop on the “Imma Be” trend by pairing your content with Black Eyed Peas’ song and a flip transition. 

Create previews of paid, exclusive content 

If you offer premium videos, memberships, or courses, use shorts to share quick previews. Tease a key moment or lesson to show the value your paid content delivers.

Share behind-the-scenes content 

Behind-the-scenes moments show the heart of your work and who you are — the process, the bloopers, the not-so-Instagram-worthy efforts behind the final product.

Businesses and creators use this format to humanize their brands and give viewers a reason to feel personally connected.

Create product showcase and review videos 

Short, snappy product showcases or reviews work best when you focus on honest impressions and quick takeaways. Show products in action, highlight key features, and share what you genuinely think. 

Creating content that pays

When done right, promotional shorts shouldn’t feel like ads, but recommendations from a trusted friend. Use them to highlight what makes your product or partnership genuinely valuable. Better yet, if you’re a brand, partner with a creator who would be a natural fit. 

Show off your workspace 

Your workspace says a lot about your personality and process — and people want to see that. A quick tour or update on your setup can inspire others, offer practical ideas, and pique people’s curiosity. As someone who works from home, I’m a sucker for a little workspace sneak peek. 

Share a how-to video 

Quick tutorials are among the most-watched shorts formats, so it’s worth seeing if you have a helpful hack to share as a how-to video. 

• Choose one simple topic
• Explain it clearly
• Keep your steps tight and visual

Share user-generated content

Feature your fans, followers, or customers in a short. User-generated content celebrates your community and encourages others to join in. It builds a cycle of engagement, authenticity, and trust that algorithms and audiences love.

Research by Massive found that 81% of consumers find user-generated content more trustworthy than professionally created branded content or content from influencers.

Show a before and after 

Transformation videos are just so satisfying, am I right? Best of all, before-and-after content can fit almost any niche, from renovations to design projects, fashion, makeup looks, art projects, fitness journeys, or a skill you’ve been practicing. 

Answer FAQs

Short-form frequently asked questions (FAQs) help you connect directly with whatever’s on your audience’s mind. This is a great way to provide value quickly and show you’re actually listening to your community.

Brands can also use FAQs to counter common objections and provide more information about their products and services.  

⚡️ Pro tip: Pick one question at a time and answer it conversationally. 

You can also have some fun with your FAQs. The short video below answers a couple of questions, but it made me smile, so I had to share. 

Share bite-sized information and fun facts about your niche

People love learning something new, especially when it’s quick and surprising. Share fun facts, insights, or myths about your industry to spark curiosity and start conversations in the comments.

(You have to watch this one. Science is fun!)

Participate in a viral trend and make it specific to your niche 

Trends move fast, but the trick is to make them yours. Use viral sounds, challenges, or memes, then layer in your unique angle. And don’t just tap into a trend for the sake of it. Make sure it aligns with your brand and content strategy. 

⚡️ Pro tip: Trending video formats (like the “daily lives” short video below) often start on TikTok and Instagram, so keep an eye on those platforms to see what you can repurpose for shorts. 

Create a video series 

Just like with your favorite TV programme (Survivor, anyone?), consistency + continuity = viewer engagement and anticipation.

Video series offer a structured narrative or theme, encouraging viewers to return for each new installment. Turn your Shorts into a consistent series, like “One-Minute Marketing Tips” or “Weekly Design Fix.” 

Share mini vlogs 

Mini vlogs are a trending way to tell your story (often in under 60 seconds). All you need to do is capture real-life snippets — a morning routine, a quick project update, an idea, or a day on location — and share them in a relaxed, natural way.

Buffer’s Kirsti Lang loves vlogging. Here’s how she does it on YouTube:

Share a personal or business story 

Your personal journey is powerful and engaging content. Share a quick story about an idea, challenge, lesson learned, or moment of growth. Being open about your experiences humanizes your brand and can inspire others with similar aspirations.

Bust a common myth or misconception in your niche 

Short myth-busting videos are highly shareable because they often surprise people.

As an example, start with a bold statement (“You don’t actually need X to do Y”) and then explain the truth clearly and confidently. You can also include on-screen text that spells out “Myth” vs. “Reality.”

Complete a challenge or task against the clock 

Give yourself 30 or 60 seconds to complete a task that’s relevant to your niche. It adds tension and fun, making your video more watchable from start to finish (and we know the YouTube Shorts algorithm loves to see viewers watch to the end). 

Create a transformation timelapse 

Timelapses work beautifully in shorts, showing change, motion, and creativity all at once. They’re meant to condense a lot of footage into a short space of time, which makes for great short-form content.  

If you spend any time in the comments section of YouTube Shorts, you’ll know how hilarious and on-point audiences can be. As a creator or brand, why not showcase your best comments in a comedy skit?

Share your YouTube analytics insights in a Short

Transparency is magnetic, so don’t be shy to share what’s working for you — growth tips, view milestones, or lessons learned from your analytics.

Conduct street-style interviews with strangers, colleagues, or your audience

Ask one interesting question relevant to your niche and audience, and capture short, spontaneous responses. Of course, always ask for consent before filming or posting anything.

Ask a simple, engaging question as a flash poll 

Pose a one-line question that invites instant participation and encourages comments. When the comment section is alive, it tells the algorithm that people are engaging, which boosts your visibility.

What kind of content performs best on YouTube Shorts?

Let’s be honest, even goldfish now probably have better attention spans than humans. Here are the five key characteristics that set high-performing short-form videos apart and keep people watching. 

If you need help with your opener (the most important part), this comprehensive guide to scroll-stopping hooks can help.

Engaging video storytelling

Yes, it’s possible to tell an entire story in just a few seconds. Think of your short like a tiny blockbuster: you need a hook that grabs attention, a quick middle that keeps it fun or surprising, and a satisfying ending. 

High-quality visuals and audio

If you’re anything like me, blurry footage and muffled sound often leads to a hard swipe. The good news is that you don’t need a Hollywood setup to create decent YouTube Shorts. Natural light, a steady hand (or tripod), and a quick cleanup in your favorite editing app can make your Shorts look *chef’s kiss*. 

Relatability and authenticity

You know that creator who feels like they could be your funny coworker or your brutally honest bestie? That’s the vibe we’re going for. Viewers love it when you show up as you — in all your unfiltered, imperfect, and totally human glory. There’s no perfect formula for authenticity, so just tell your story, your way. You’ll see this is a common thread in the YouTube Shorts ideas above. 

Clear call-to-action (CTA)

If you don’t tell people what to do next, they’ll just keep scrolling. It’s up to you to guide your audience to take that next step, like: “Hit that like button,” “drop your thoughts below,” or “check out the link for the full story.” 

Optimization for platform and audience

Each platform’s algorithm is unique, so use your analytics to pay attention to what works: the ideal video length, trending sounds, or how your audience engages. Sprinkle in strong keywords, snappy captions, and a thumbnail that stands out. 

Quick tips to help you grow your target audience

Keep your YouTube Shorts ideas in Buffer’s Create Space

There’s nothing worse than having an amazing content brainwave and then forgetting it because you didn’t write it down.

If you have great ideas for YouTube Shorts but aren’t ready to film and schedule them just yet, you can save your video ideas in your Create Space on your Buffer dashboard.

Save time and stress by scheduling your Shorts in advance

As I mentioned earlier, I’m fairly new to sharing YouTube Shorts. What’s made it manageable for me is batch-scheduling in advance (thanks, Buffer).

After recording a podcast series, I normally have four shorts to share (one for each episode). As soon as they’re available, I schedule one to go out per week with a link to the full episode.

Sure, I’m not exactly flooding the feed with content, but scheduling one YouTube Short per week keeps me consistent and helps get more eyes on the podcast. 

Post when your target audience is most likely to be online

Posting your YouTube videos and YouTube Shorts when you’re most likely to get views could give your content the boost it deserves. According to our data, the best time to post YouTube Shorts is Wednesday at 4 p.m., followed by 4 p.m. on Thursday and 4 p.m. on Monday.

Keep growing your channel and reaching new audiences with these YouTube Shorts ideas

YouTube Shorts are one of the fastest ways to get your content in front of new eyes, and with these 25 ideas for YouTube Shorts at your fingertips, you’ll never run out of inspiration (be sure to bookmark this blog). 

The real magic, though, comes from showing up consistently. Scheduling shorts is one of the easiest ways to stay on track and grow your channel — and tools like Buffer make it even easier by helping you plan, post, and keep your content flowing and your audience growing. 

In my previous blog on scheduling YouTube Shorts, I committed to scheduling one piece of short-form content per week, and I’m proud to say that I batch-created and scheduled two months’ worth of Shorts last night. Here’s to more 1,000+ impressions! 

More YouTube resources 

FAQ on YouTube Shorts ideas

What is the best topic for YouTube Shorts?

There’s no one answer to this question because the best topic is one that genuinely connects with your audience. If you’re stuck for video ideas, educational how-tos, quick tips, relatable humor, and behind-the-scenes moments all perform well. When in doubt, just focus on what your viewers care about. 

How many views on shorts to make $1000?

It varies widely. Shorts monetization depends on factors like watch time, audience location, and engagement. Because YouTube shares revenue from Shorts ads across all creators, you typically need millions of views to earn around $1,000. 

Here’s a guide on how to monetize YouTube Shorts. 

What kind of content performs best on YouTube Shorts?

The YouTube Shorts algorithm looks at average video watch time, overall engagement, and the percentage of viewers who watch instead of swiping away. With this in mind, it’s important to grab your audience’s attention early and keep it. 

What is the best niche for YouTube Shorts?

The best niche is one you can stay consistent with and truly enjoy. Successful content creators often find a sweet spot between what they love, what they know, and what people search for. For example, I’m a freelancer who’s passionate about helping fellow freelancers, so that’s my content niche. 

What’s trending on YouTube Shorts?

Trends change fast, so keep an eye on trending audio clips, challenges, and remixable content. Whatever trend train you hop on, make sure it fits your brand, and be sure to add your own content to stand out.

https://buffer.com/resources/youtube-shorts-ideas/