Create Viral YouTube Shorts

(The last post is a personal perspective on YouTube shorts and how AI (Artificial Intelligence) video tools help enhance the platform content. This article gives some tips for creating the next viral shorts)

YouTube shorts found the right tool to match Tiktok. Now, the new platform has taken content creation by storm. With its popularity, there are YouTube shorts that have already reached 30 million views. It’s hard not to see how lucrative it can be to produce content using YouTube shorts.

And this is not just about the ability to use Artificial Intelligence for content creation. Getting a content reach virality in YouTube is not dependent on any tool only. While AI enhances content, it can only go as far as that. A content must have what it takes to engage the audience and the ability to provide a unique interaction with a worldwide audience. YouTube provides the platform, creators are left to utilize it by creating content that would wow the online world. How do this exactly? 

But, before we go to that, there are a few things that beginners might want to know about YouTube shorts.

Shorts? How short?

Shorts are bite-sized vertical videos—60 seconds or less—that captivate viewers with their straightforwardness. You have 60 seconds to tell your story and amaze your audience. Many content creators have the ingenuity to do this and millions watch their videos. Of course, they do not do it overnight. They have a solid following or subscribers to ensure a single video can go up a million or more views.

Create engaging shorts

I've been hanging around watching shorts almost every night and here's what I know that make those shorts click with their audience. 

Viral posts feature challenges or trends. Challenges go from the ridiculous to the dangerous stunts. Pick what you can catch on video. Many mockup videos also get millions of views so that's what audiences can mostly relate to. Find what will make you stand out because almost everyone has those challenge and mockup videos but not all those that you can find get millions of views. 

Make your thumbnail video and your title catchy enough to make them click and watch your video. Shoot your videos in good lighting condition and edit them if necessary. If you have the time, you can explore using other editing apps for YouTube shorts to improve the quality of your videos. Add captions, transitions, and other amazing effects that will glue your audience to your videos and will make them come back for more.

Put the right hashtag in your video uploads. If you are still new to this, you'll learn soon enough. Check the hashtags on those viral to have an idea of what to put in yours. Make sure your hashtag truly reflects your content.

Engage with your viewers. Be kind. Be nice. Reply to comments and build your following. Make your viewers subscribe and make them share your videos. 

When you have built enough subscribers, you can start hosting ads in your videos. YouTube is going to put a $100M fund for ads. You can have a piece from that fund if you get on the right track. Here's a tutorial to help you start an ad campaign on Google Ads for your videos. 

Remember, Artificial Intelligence is a helpful tool to advance your ideas. It can bring you the capacity to improve your content, put exceptional texture, audio or video effects that you may not be able to do with average video editing skills. But, you have to have the bright idea first Artificial Intelligence will not be able to give you that. Depend on your creative skills. Use AI to enhance and level-up.

AI and Youtube shorts

 

Short, but sweet. 

This is exactly the idea behind YouTube shorts. Videos that are direct and fun to watch. Youtube has its own built-in shorts video maker. It's a breeze. For content creators who want more variety and control for their content, they use their phones to record and edit videos. 

Improve Your YouTube Shorts with AI

But, for those who want more tricks and effects for their content, AI is the best tool for them. Canva. Clipchamp. There's Kapwing, too. It promises to give what YouTubers want - simple steps to make shorts and unlock the gateway to virality. Flixier is also another application that creates YouTube shorts. The online platform lets users upload videos online. It promises quick and easy steps to making videos. Netflix, Google, and Oracle also use the application. 

Everything is AI now. Where does that place content creators? Content creators used to familiarize themselves with old video editing platforms that take time to learn. They are for the tech-savvy. Yet, in a world of AI, imagination and creativity are just a few keypresses. In minutes, a video that might be YouTube's next sensation can be created. The only thing that creators need to do is to find what is the best YouTube video editing app. 

AI Video Editors as a Trend

Now, it seems that Adobe Premiere or Wondershare is aged. The new cool are AI video editors. And, in my observation, companies that hire video editors and content creators demand experience or knowledge in at least 3 platforms. Gone are the days when all it takes for video editors is expertise in Adobe Premiere or After Effects. Companies ask their applicants if they use the latest AI video editing tools. If the answer is negative, it would raise eyebrows. 

A content creator should be quick to notice trends and changes. He must be able to understand the principles employed why these trends and changes happen. It is key to achieving engaging content. However, it is not only about having viral content that should define the motives of how a content creator should approach AI. AI must be approached with a kid's curiosity - a creator must unscrew all there is to it to find what works and what doesn't 

Welcome The Changes that AI Video Editors Provide

These days, a video editor or content creator must flow with the trends unless he/she wants to be left out. Content creation demands fluidity and creativity. Some may reason that AI makes instant editors or creators without the experience of those older in the field. But, then, our world is as dynamic as AI tools - ever-changing, re-shaping, and re-positioning to provide us the best experience. 

Instead of marking AI as a threat to creativity, AI should be treated as a friend which can help us optimize content creation and level up our creativity. Content creators should utilize it to create a more engaging and well-informed online audience. Of course, there are many content creators who are beginning to use AI to create misinformation but, these should not be blamed on AI. Human content creators use AI to create fake video content. We should hold human content creators for their lapse of judgment. And we can begin with it by using AI in the best possible way. That is, to create contents that further our creativity and engage our audience more. 

Change is inevitable and we should be as welcoming to those changes as the new neighbor who greets us on the first day with a bottle of red wine. Say hello to changes. 

The Race For AI Graphics Editing

 

I am a Photoshop user and while I was used to its artisanic features back when Artificial Intelligence tools were still out of the picture, I welcome the text-to-graphic editing features. The AI Photoshop beta version has been released. The world can now nurture more imaginative digital artists. Imagine 3-year-olds creating their Photoshop art before they can write their names. Upcoming artists can generate more artwork faster. Have you seen those magnificent digital artworks at DeviantArt's DreamUp? Imagine how much more digital artwork can be finished with just a few keypresses and clicks. In this direction, there would be a trend towards larger hardware needs for laptops and desktops and larger cloud hosting capacity. But, that topic is for another day.

There's a bigger question. How can Photoshop or other Adobe applications keep up with the competition? Remember how Kodak lost the advantage because it allowed digital photography to go into other people’s hands? Well, that’s a hard lesson to learn. That lesson took down a huge company and buried it fast so that today’s Gen Z doesn’t even know it existed. I hope Adobe does not pass up the chance to continue its graphics and video editing dominance by creating more dynamic AI-powered tools. 

Adobe vs. DreamUp and Pixlr

DeviantArt is taking art into a new dimension with its AI tools for free. Pixlr is also making the buzz. It is free, light and simple. No installations needed. All it takes is a single click to access its homepage. Wondershare Filmora 13 video editor  has also introduced AI-assisted tools. It is cheaper than Adobe Premiere. Newer and lighter graphics and video editing platforms are coming out armed with their awesome branding. 

Sure, Adobe applications have proven their efficiency. Adobe Firefly has stunning AI features that now power other Adobe applications including the AI Photoshop beta version. It is no wonder they remain on top. But, other platforms claim to have the same tools and offer those in cheaper packages. Who can say no to that? I used the text-to-image prompts of Pixlr, DeviantArt's DreamUp and Adobe Firefly AI image generators, and here is what came out: 

DeviantArt's DreamUp AI generated photo

Pixlr's AI-generated photo

Adobe Firefly's AI-generated photo

    Pixlr and DreamUp can seriously compete with images generated by Adobe Firefly. Maybe, you are asking why I choose DreamUp and Pixlr compared to other much more advanced AI tools which could be bigger competition for Adobe Generative AI features. I choose this platforms to make a point. These are small platforms. They're not as sleek and glamorous as Adobe but their features can compete. And if these smaller platforms can devise tools that are as good as Adobe's, imagine what other larger firms can come up with that can really hurt Adobe's dominance. 

Adobe Must Step Up Its Use Of Artificial Intelligence

I have complete respect for Adobe's tools. I have been using Adobe Photoshop since college. I am a fan and user of AfterEffects. I may not have the talent of a great artist but I can also make something work with Adobe Illustrator. I have not become a full-fledged artist or a graphics artist as I have wanted to be but Adobe tools were there for me during the times when I felt like I was going to be one damn good artist in 2000s. 

I am now back to reality that Adobe tools are necessary tools to fulfill my tasks and settle my finances, and not really to become a full-fledge artist. Yet, even on this note, I am aware of how other graphics design and video editing tools are doing their absolute best to break Adobe's dominance. 

If Adobe does not want to be another Kodak, it must take action. Artificial Intelligence is a powerful tool and Adobe seems to be missing some important potentialities. It needs to offer more if it wants its applications to remain on top. In this fast-changing world where the future of technology seems to lean on Artificial Intelligence, it is hard to act complacent. Act fierce. Act fast. 

Photoshop and Art

 

Whenever I do editing in Photoshop, I remember when I first used it as a college student many years ago. Back then, it was still Photoshop 7—a version that now feels almost quaint in the face of its modern descendants. Yet, it was this application that nurtured my burgeoning creative inclinations, providing a playground for my imagination. It allowed me to experiment freely, to learn and re-learn the craft of visual creation, each new project a chance to birth something unique and innovative. As a young college student in the 2000s, I was driven by a desire for the avant-garde, a common inclination among artists of that time who sought to push boundaries and claim their own slice of originality.

The 2000s was a time when the digital revolution was gaining momentum, and Photoshop became a catalyst for many creative minds, including mine. Its endless possibilities were a canvas for my youthful ambition, fueling a passion to create works that were not just new, but groundbreaking. This period in my life was marked by a fervent pursuit of innovation, a yearning to create something that had never been seen before. Each edit, each manipulation of pixels, was a step toward defining my artistic voice. And even now, with years of experience behind me, that same sense of wonder and excitement persists every time I open Photoshop, reminding me of the endless potential within the realm of digital art.The application nurtured my creative inclinations. It made me do what comes to my imagination, allowing me to experiment, learn and re-learn the whole process of coming up with something new and unique. My younger self wanted something avant-garde. It was the 2000s. Artists tend to have this kind of inclination, of wanting to own up something innovative.

Creativity Reflects How We Live Our Lives

Fast forward to now, I have learned that art is not just a mere reflection of life, but a re-creation that transcends reality. Through art, we convey emotions and thoughts in ways that words alone cannot capture. Art always imitates life, but it also amplifies and transforms it. When we look around, we see art in the most unexpected places. The fallen mango on the shoulder of the road beside a thrown bottle of Pepsi becomes a powerful statement about the clash between the natural and the artificial. Even something as simple as horn-rimmed glasses perched atop a stack of folders can evoke countless interpretations, inspiring us to craft our own narratives and poetry.

Our experiences in life serve as the wellspring of our creativity. The more we immerse ourselves in the world, the richer our artistic expressions become. Each encounter, each moment lived, adds layers of depth to our creative process. We draw from our personal journeys, transforming ordinary scenes into extraordinary works of art. Life, with all its complexity and beauty, fuels our imagination, allowing us to continuously create and re-create, capturing the essence of our existence through various mediums. The cycle of experiencing and creating becomes a testament to the ever-evolving relationship between life and art.

We Choose How We Create Art

But, the choice is ours. We chose our experiences. We chose what we create. We chose what to ignore. So, I made mine because I believe in better things. I believe in the ordinary stories, in the practical day-to-day life. I see art in the ordinary lives of people. Because with them, only the truth stands out. They never try so hard to please. They never show to impress. They simply struggle to live. And that's where the best stories are - ordinary people with extraordinary stories. 

I have wandered many places and met many people. And, always, I see wonder in watered rice fields. I see inspiration in the calloused hands of those who till the lands. I see horrors in the eyes of old folks who survived the war. I stop and take in the laughter of kids running around in wet slippers and muddy clothes. Each of these moments fuels my belief that the best stories are born from the ordinary, capturing the essence of life in its rawest form.

We Tell Our Stories Through Our Works of Art

It is true, we share a part of ourselves everytime we create a work of art. The final work is a reflection of our experiences and our intentions. Each brushstroke, each pixel, each captured moment is infused with our unique perspective, our personal history, and our emotional state at that time. A photo taken while walking on a deserted street might encapsulate feelings of solitude or contemplation, while an image enhanced in Photoshop could reveal our quest for perfection or our vision of how the world should look. 

Art becomes a mirror, reflecting back our experiences and intentions. The final piece is not just an aesthetic object; it is a narrative that speaks to our journey, our struggles, and our aspirations. It serves as a witness to the moments we've lived. In this way, every creation, no matter how small, becomes a meaningful expression of who we are and what we value. It captures a slice of our existence and offers it up for the world to see, to interpret, and to connect with. 

Art Should Tell Stories That Truly Matter

There are many stories to tell. In this fast-paced world where every clicks and every word we see online is paid for, it is a relief when we create something that tell stories that truly matter. Most of what we see now is art fueled by consumerism. Artists are told to create graphics that should sell. Creators are told to create something that should earn million views. And the pressure to create what sells is what's driving everyone around. 

So, it would be a nice to create something that tells a different story. Something that genuinely makes you happy. Happiness often resides in the small, everyday moments—like the satisfaction of creating a cartoonized image of your fur baby in Photoshop. These little pleasures cut through the noise, grounding us in what truly matters.

Stories that explore these fundamental sources of happiness are vital. They shed light on the essentials, steering us back to the core question of what truly fulfills us. In a world so focused on the next big thing, it's the ordinary, heartfelt experiences that often bring the most profound sense of joy and contentment. So, let's savor those moments of creativity and comfort—they’re the real treasures in our daily lives.

So next time, you open Photoshop, create something that makes you happy. Something that revisits the feeling you have as a kid everytime your mother buys you an ice cream. It does not only revives our lost sense of creativity. It also reminds us that life is living the moments that money cannot buy. It is reliving the memories before we are too old to remember what those are.

Here's to Art. Here's to Photoshop. 

Working with a New Laptop

Three days ago, I bought a new laptop, an AcerAspire 3 15. It has a decent memory capacity and large screen in a relatively affordable price compared to other laptops. I will not be doing any memory consuming work like HD video editing or 3D simulation so the modest specifications of the laptop are just right for me.

I have had no problems with the laptop usage at first. I easily navigated its installed browser and its Office application. I was advised to wait for 5 days before I activate the Office applications online but I forgot and I activated it this morning.  I was also able to set up the 5G wi-fi connection in just 10 seconds. Downloading of applications I need for work was a breeze.

Chrome Privacy Settings Mistaken as an Acer Aspire Hardware Problem

But, what caused me a problem and took me quite sometime to resolve was my video recording in Skype. I needed to send a video introduction for a job I was applying to and I keep having video recordings without audio. I tried and tried for around 30 minutes. I had an early conclusion that it must be a hardware problem. I was already thinking of travelling back to the Acer store to return the laptop or claim my laptop’s warranty. It was a good thing that I first tried to search online about the problem I was encountering. Thankfully, Microsoft Support has the answer. It's just not a good start to be troubleshooting so soon.

Another inconvenience I experienced is not an Acer issue. It is Microsoft OS built-in protection. While I appreciate the threat protection that Microsoft 11 has, I actually had to turn off real-time protection and its firewall to be able to install non-Microsoft applications. It wasn’t a hard chore but still, it delayed some application installation.

Acer Aspire Delivers

There are reviews that claim short battery life for Acer Aspire 3 15 but I was able to use this for almost 11 hours before I was notified of a low-battery status. Charging time took around 2 hours.

I have been an Acer user since 2005. Of course, my experience with their laptops weren’t all good. But, I also do not have horror stories to tell. I think that my previous Acer laptops just reached their time and have served their purpose.

It is just a 3-day old laptop so there’s still much to be seen. For now, it feels great to start work with a new laptop.