Well, my first ever YT short (on the channel I use for my stream VODs) seems to have "done the numbers" (2,300 views and 83% likes), which is impressive considering it's just a slightly panning shot of my purple tiefling makeup (link to it, for the sake of my vanity).

I figured there must be something in the back end of YT that boosts first videos or something, but my other streamer friends reported otherwise, so I guess I was just lucky(?).