Continue with some other tips to grow Youtube subscribers for free…
7. Use YouTube’s clickable tools in your videos
YouTube killed annotations some years back, and great riddance. Pop-ups are one 90s throwback we are all better off without.
That said, YouTube has some other, less annoying, tools for you to use:
- End screens: these are still photos at the end of your video where you could remind people to subscribe or insert another call to action, before YouTube’s algorithm moves them on to the next video.
- Branding watermarks: that is an extra subscribe button that’ll hover over your video throughout, even in full screen. Like so:
8. Think when it comes to playlists
Playlists are a good way to get free Youtube subscribers and grow your channel’s watch time as well. They also encourage people to click on subscribe by lining up your best content in one place. (Or your related content, in several places.)
Epicurious, for example, treats their YouTube playlists like TV series. It is very binge-able and if, in the end, people want to be notified when there are new videos, they’ll subscribe.
Meanwhile, LEGO uses playlists more loosely, including videos to relevant playlists by topic (i.e., all of the Minecraft-inspired videos go in one; all of the Star Wars videos in another.)
9. Run a contest
If you need a short-term bump in engagement, or just feel like you have been languishing in a subscriber count plateau, take a look at our guide to running a YouTube contest.
Key steps include selecting a prize that matters to your audience and asking viewers to subscribe and turn on notifications to participate.
10. Celebrate your subscriber milestones
Everybody loves a round number. Celebrate them and thank the people who got you there.
For inspiration, here’s a video with reactions for every single milestone you can possibly ever hit to grow Youtube subscribers for free.
11. Update videos on a consistent schedule
Many experts confidently cite a rule-of-thumb as to how often creators should publish video to their channels. For example, one video per week to begin, growing to 3-4 weeks as your channel grows.
The theory is that more videos = more watch time from viewers. However, prioritizing quantity over quality has drawbacks.
In case your purpose is to convert viewers to subscribers, you should concentrate on quality first, and consistency next. (Then you can begin worrying about quantity.)
When you add videos consistently, then people know that more great content is coming, and they are more likely to tap subscribe.
12. Entice your audience over from other social media channels
This means cross-promoting on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Fb—wherever you have a group of fans established.
This could be as simple as encouraging people to take a look at your YouTube channel on your Instagram or Twitter bio.
Alternatively, you could take advantage of your investment in video production by cross-posting your content across channels.
Now that IGTV, as an example, accepts horizontal long-form video, it’s a simple step to upload your masterpiece over there, too.
That said, in case your ultimate purpose is to get more subscribers, you need to publish teaser snippets on social and ensure to link to your YouTube channel in order to drive your audience there.
13. Do your keyword research to title your videos and define your niche
This tip is essential for earning views, so it bears repeating.
Looking at the keywords related to your subject matter that people are already searching for on YouTube will assist you to title your new video and select your tags. However, it may also lend inspiration for your next video topic.
For instance, when you have a YouTube channel about creating kombucha at home, some preliminary keyword analysis may reveal a bunch of topics YouTube viewers are excited about on the same subject, like how to select the right brewing vessel, how to clean your brewing vessel or how to perform second fermentation. These topics can all be the subject of their own videos.
SEO tools like Google Keyword Planner could help you identify the words people are utilizing to search out the information you are offering. Your purpose is to find topics in a sweet spot: lower competition scores, however, higher search volume.
This allows you to keep away from making videos that nobody is searching for (see the next tip for that one.) Or videos with titles nobody could find.
Additionally, it will assist you to keep away from making content on a topic that is already highly competitive before you are ready.
14. Give people what they do not even know they want yet
80% of your videos need to be SEO-focused (see the previous tip) to bring in new eyeballs, however, that leaves 20% for the value-added content. By which we mean exclusive videos that nobody else could make, or nobody else has thought of.
Because to get people to click on that subscribe button, you should go beyond functionality and provide value outside of established search patterns.
As a plus: your blue ocean strategy (a.k.a. making videos in an uncontested market space) is where you get to be creative and do something new and original.
Like showing off your possum massage skills.
15. Create topical videos, as well as evergreen ones
Right here is another 80/20 rule for you. 80% evergreen, 20% topical.
Evergreen content is essential to bump up your watch time, yes. (Halloween videos aren’t so prevalent come February.) However, topical content is vital when you are trying to convince people to subscribe.
Why? Because topical content needs to be consumed right away, or close to it. So in case your hot takes on the newest political fiasco, NBA game, or red-carpet gala are can’t-miss additions to the internet discourse, then your followers will want to be notified. And they’ll subscribe.
16. Partner with other channels
This goes all the way back to Tip #3: Make Friends. Use your connections to partner with other YouTube creators and leverage each other’s audiences. Your audience trusts your recommendations, and their audiences trust theirs, so take benefit.
For example, Popsugar’s “Top That!” series invited guests to chat. It was like a daytime talk show, however, for viral video stars, like the psychic possum masseuse.
17. Partner with celebrities
This one’s listed last because it is definitely the toughest one.
Unless you are Anna Wintour, and you could make a bunch of videos where celebrities ask you questions. (Note: when you are Anna Wintour, please think about this Tip #1.)