Path to Youtube Monetization

[logox]

I'm just thinking if this path to YouTube Monetization is visible.

I started a niche based YouTube channel a few weeks back, and after looking at my

channel analytics and the current monetization requirements, I’ve been thinking carefully about the best strategy moving forward.

Right now, my plan is to focus on YouTube Shorts for the first 1–2 months to build up subscribers and get more visibility. Based on what I’ve seen, Shorts seem to be the fastest way to reach new viewers and grow an audience early on.

Once I have a solid subscriber base, I’m planning to shift more toward longer-form videos to work on hitting the 4,000 watch hours requirement for monetization.

I know Shorts watch time doesn’t count toward the 4k hours, so this feels like a two-step approach:

1. Grow subs and reach with Shorts
2. Convert that audience into long-form viewers

For those who’ve already been monetized (or are close), does this strategy make sense?
Any tips, things you’d do differently, or mistakes to avoid early on?

Appreciate any advice

 

[washingtondc]

This is a smart plan, just don’t wait too long to start long videos so watch time grows sooner.

 

[TheSocialMediaGrowth]

In my experience, shorts definitely get you views and reach. So if you've got quality content that you can squeeze into a short, go for it. You'll reach more people and your quality content should convert some of them into subscribers. Mix in some longer regular videos here and there and increase the ratio of long-form to shorts as you grow.

 

[andreaissabel]

It's the way, but you should be achieving the 1k subs goal in 2/3 weeks

And then start with horizontal vídeos

Study how long are competitors videos and unless the niche requires very long videos start with 5 min videos and study your retention

Depending on the retention reduce to 3 minutes but two videos a day or go to 8+ minutes videos to gain more viewing hours

 

[TheSocialMediaGrowth]

It's the way, but you should be achieving the 1k subs goal in 2/3 weeks

And then start with horizontal vídeos

Study how long are competitors videos and unless the niche requires very long videos start with 5 min videos and study your retention

Depending on the retention reduce to 3 minutes but two videos a day or go to 8+ minutes videos to gain more viewing hours

Is 1k subs in 2 or 3 weeks really doable for most people? What are your tips for achieving that?

 

[logox]

This is a smart plan, just don’t wait too long to start long videos so watch time grows sooner.

Okay,
I would be uploading the first long video this week.

 

[logox]

It's the way, but you should be achieving the 1k subs goal in 2/3 weeks

And then start with horizontal vídeos

Study how long are competitors videos and unless the niche requires very long videos start with 5 min videos and study your retention

Depending on the retention reduce to 3 minutes but two videos a day or go to 8+ minutes videos to gain more viewing hours

thank you for this

 

[logox]

Is 1k subs in 2 or 3 weeks really doable for most people? What are your tips for achieving that?

It's over 2 weeks, I haven't reached 1k sub

 

[SproutGigsTeam]

For a beginner, this might sound amazing, but it really isn’t. This strategy can work, but only in very specific niches. Migrating subscribers from Shorts to long-form videos is very difficult—it's almost like starting a new channel from scratch. YouTube runs tests, and if your long-form videos don’t get views from your subscribers, the algorithm will basically treat it as a brand-new long-form channel.

From my own experience, I suggest not mixing Shorts with long-form videos. Or, if you do mix them, it’s better to start with long-form content first and then upload Shorts that are clipped from those videos.

 

[Admin SellYTB]

It seems you don’t fully understand this. You can gain subscribers through Shorts, but when you switch back to long-form videos, it will be very difficult to get views. In my opinion, you should either start with long-form videos from the beginning, or focus on Shorts and monetize through them directly. With 10 million views, you can get monetization enabled

 

[BLGProductions]

If you train the channel to send views to your shorts, the algo will respond with lower views to your long form videos when you transition, however there is nothing to worry, because once you completely stop shorts uploads after you have gained your 1k subs , you will consistently need to upload long form videos, it may take 4-5 months for the algo to reset its preference of sending views to your short form content and instead it will start sending on the new long form content.
So it depends on whether your ready to be consistent and go through this process.

Btw some channels do not face this issue, so if you fall into that lucky category then congrats.

 

[TheSocialMediaGrowth]

It's over 2 weeks, I haven't reached 1k sub

Yeah 1k in 2 weeks seems like a pretty tough number to hit for most people organically.

 

[Mrnewbie]

Okay,
I would be uploading the first long video this week.

thank you for this

It's over 2 weeks, I haven't reached 1k sub

Please use the multi-quote feature here How to Use the Multi-Quote Feature on BHW.

 

[RevovlverOcelot]

The best route is live streaming in your niche and one thing to note is that you must be talking in it.

 

[jaykarbanda]

The stats are enough to start pushing long videos as well. It will give you good watch time.

 

[iqiwucebug2010]

I think it's great that you're considering transitioning to long-form videos, logox. Since you haven't reached 1k subs yet, do you think live streaming could be a viable option to help boost your subscriber count, as mentioned earlier? It's also interesting to note that some channels don't face the issue of decreased views when switching from Shorts to long-form content - has anyone here had a similar experience? Additionally, what's your strategy for promoting your upcoming long-form video to maximize watch time and engagement?