How to Make Your YouTube Shorts Go Viral: A Step-by-Step Guide

So, you’ve got killer video podcasts, but how do you get more people to listen to them? The answer lies in short-form content.

You might have seen those multiple  YouTube shorts taken from one new episode, podcast shorts are all the rage right now. Whether it’s a teaser, highlight, or a snappy viral clip, these bite-sized snippets can hook your audience and drive them to the full episodes.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, understanding the podcast hosting platform can give you a leg up. Think of these platforms as your best buddies, helping you distribute your content across podcast directories like Apple Podcasts.

Plus, mastering your RSS feed can streamline the process, making it easier for your audience to find and enjoy your Shorts. So, let’s dive into this step-by-step guide and uncover how to make your YouTube Shorts go viral.

Why Podcast Shorts Are a Game-Changer

Orange paper airplane standing out from three crumpled white paper balls on a blue background.

First, let’s discuss why podcast shorts are so effective. Attention spans are shrinking faster than ever.

No one has time to sit down and listen to a whole episode unless they know it will be worth their while.

That’s where podcast shorts come in. They are the perfect teasers for new episodes, giving potential listeners a quick taste of what your podcast offers without demanding too much of their time. A great short can pique curiosity, drive engagement, and lead to more listens on full episodes.

Here are some reasons to start creating video podcast shorts:

  • Hook New Listeners: Shorts give a preview of the podcast, attracting those who might not commit to a full episode right away.
  • Cross-Platform Promotion: You can post shorts across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, amplifying your reach.
  • SEO Boost: Snappy clips with good keywords help in ranking across platforms, especially if they go viral.

Breaking Down a Viral Podcast Short

Hands holding a smartphone displaying a video with a play button and the word "SHARE."

Okay, now that you know why video podcast shorts are awesome, let’s break down what makes a podcast short go viral. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about luck.

Here’s a little formula for you:

Start Strong with an Engaging Hook

If you don’t grab attention within the first 3 seconds, you’ve lost them. The opening line of your podcast should be compelling enough to stop the scroll. Think of powerful quotes, shocking facts, or controversial statements.

You can use questions such as these to engage your viewers

“Did you know 90% of successful entrepreneurs have failed at least once?”

The goal here is to spark curiosity, create suspense, or trigger an emotional reaction.

Keep It Short and Sweet

When we say “short,” we mean short. A short video podcast should be anywhere between 15 to 60 seconds.

This is not the time to go in-depth; you just need to give them a teaser from your podcast episodes that’s strong enough to make them want more. Cut out any fluff.

Add Value

People share content when it resonates with them. For a video podcast short to go viral, it needs to deliver value in one form or another.

It could be educational, motivational, funny, or inspirational. Your audience should either learn or feel something by the end of it.

4. Include a Clear CTA (Call to Action)

Your short has one job: to get people to listen to your full episode. So, make sure you include a clear call to action at the end.

This could be as simple as, “Want more tips on crushing your goals? Listen to the full episode now!”

Choosing the Right Clips for Your Podcast Shorts

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Now comes the fun part: picking the right clips for your video podcast shorts. Not every moment of your podcast is gold, so finding short, punchy, and intriguing sections is crucial.

Here’s a guide to help you choose

Untitled spreadsheet - Sheet1 (11).csv
Type of Clip Description Example
Shock or Surprise Clips that reveal surprising facts or insights. ""Did you know you’re breathing wrong this whole time?""
Relatable Moments When you share a common struggle or thought that resonates with listeners. ""Raise your hand if you’ve ever hit snooze five times before getting out of bed.""
Emotional Stories A story that tugs at the heartstrings. ""I remember the day I lost my job. It felt like the world was falling apart.""
Actionable Tips Give a quick tip or hack that listeners can apply immediately. ""Here’s a trick to boost your productivity—take 5-minute breaks every 25 minutes.""
Humor/Light Moments Funny or lighthearted moments that make people laugh. ""So, I accidentally spilled coffee on my laptop… during a live interview!""

Editing Tips: How to Make Your Shorts Visually Engaging

Now that you’ve picked the perfect clips, let’s talk about editing. Here’s where the magic happens. Even if the content is great, poor editing can kill its potential to go viral.

Subtitles and Captions Are Non-Negotiable

Most people will watch your shorts with the sound off, especially if they’re on social media. That’s why it’s crucial to add captions.

Cut Out Dead Space

People love fast-paced content. Long pauses or moments of dead air will hurt the pacing of your short. Make sure to trim down any unnecessary pauses or slow moments to keep the energy high.

Use Jump Cuts

Jump cuts are great for making the video feel snappy and engaging. They eliminate any dead space between sentences and keep the viewer’s attention glued to the screen.

Add Engaging Visuals

You don’t need to go all out with crazy effects, but adding subtle visual cues can elevate your short. Think emoji reactions, zoom-ins on key moments, or animated text. These elements help highlight the most important parts of your clip.

Sound Effects and Background Music

Using sound effects and background music can take your content from meh to amazing! A catchy tune or a funny sound bite can grab viewers’ attention and keep them engaged, making it way more likely for your Shorts to go viral.

Where to Post Your Podcast Shorts

Posting on the right platforms can make or break your viral potential. It’s essential to optimize your content for each platform’s audience and algorithm.

Here are the key platforms for podcast shorts


Platform Ideal Length Key Tips
YouTube Shorts 15-60 seconds Use a click-worthy title and include relevant hashtags.
Instagram Reels 15-30 seconds Post during peak engagement times and add trending music or sound clips.
TikTok 10-30 seconds Capitalize on trending challenges or sounds. Also, interact with comments to boost engagement.

SEO and Hashtag Strategy for Podcast Shorts

Let’s not forget about SEO. Even if your video podcast short is pure gold, people need to find it. Other elements that are going to help you are keywords and hashtags.

Keyword Optimization

Make sure to use relevant keywords in your title, description, and captions. For example, if your podcast is about productivity, you can optimize your short by using keywords like:

  • How to boost productivity
  • Time management tips
  • Life hacks for busy people

Hashtag Best Practices

Each platform has its own hashtag strategy, but generally, it uses a mix of trending and niche hashtags. Tools like hashtags can help you identify which hashtags are gaining traction.

Example Hashtag Strategy

For a productivity podcast short, you could use a combo like:

  • #ProductivityHacks
  • #TimeManagementTips
  • #PodcastClips
  • #ViralShorts
  • #MotivationMonday

Measuring Success: How to Know If Your Podcast Short Is Going Viral

So, you’ve posted your short. Now what?

How do you know if it’s gaining traction or getting lost in the noise? Here are some key metrics to track


Platform Ideal Length Key Tips
YouTube Shorts 15-60 seconds Use a click-worthy title and include relevant hashtags.
Instagram Reels 15-30 seconds Post during peak engagement times and add trending music or sound clips.
TikTok 10-30 seconds Capitalize on trending challenges or sounds. Also, interact with comments to boost engagement.

Tools for Editing Podcast Shorts

Person typing on a laptop at a table outdoors with a coffee cup nearby.

Rizzle’s THCs (Teasers, Highlights, Clips, and shorts) feature is a game-changer for creators looking to turn their YouTube podcasts into viral shorts. It lets you quickly identify key moments from your podcast, transform them into bite-sized highlights, and package them into engaging shorts.

The best part? You don’t need advanced editing skills to use Rizzle's AI podcast generator, making it accessible for all creators.

THCs help streamline the short creation process, saving you time while ensuring you capture the most impactful moments of your podcast, making it perfect for grabbing attention on platforms like YouTube and Instagram.

Rizzle's THCs feature has a smart scene selection, so you can capture epic moments from your podcast videos and repurpose them for YouTube shorts without missing a beat.

Don't stress over format and optimization. Rizzle's got you covered

AI-Powered Clip Creation

Rizzle's video editing software effortlessly extracts the best moments from your video

Smart Scene Selection

Capture epic highlights with precision.

Multi-Platform Magic

Perfectly optimized videos for every social media platform.

Real-Time Preview

Get it right on the first try with instant feedback.

Your Path to Viral Podcast Shorts

In conclusion, creating viral podcast shorts is all about capturing attention and delivering value in bite-sized snippets. With the right clips, engaging edits, and a solid posting strategy, you can expand your audience and keep them coming back for more.

Don't forget to leverage tools like Rizzle's AI image generator for eye-catching visuals that can enhance your shorts. Remember, it's all about experimenting and finding what resonates with your audience. So, get out there, start creating, and watch those shorts take off.

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