Newcomers to the social media sites, such as TikTok, are having a big influence right now, but one video-sharing site still rules all: YouTube. With over 2.1 billion users globally, it is the second most-visited website on the internet. Learning how to grow your YouTube channel is essential if you want to maximize the platform’s potential.
Here are some of our key factor in successful to grow your YouTube channel so that more people may find it. Each of these suggestions is easy, practical, and, best of all, completely free.
1. Choose Google-friendly keywords
Great SEO is the foundation of a great YouTube channel. And successful SEO begins with knowing what consumers are looking for.
People do not only browse for videos on YouTube; they also utilize Google. In addition, for many searches, Google now prioritizes video than other content.
There is no strict rule for determining which keywords can grow your YouTube channel rank. However, a little reverse engineering may go a long way.
Here’s how to get a video-friendly keyword on Google:
- Using a tool like the Google Ads Keyword Planner, identify potential keywords.
- One of your options can be found by Googling it.
- Examine each keyword’s Search Engine Results Page (SERP). Is the top-ranking results videos or written content?
- Try again and tweak your keyword. If you’re having problems in finding keywords with video results, try adding terms like “How to” or “Tutorial.”
- Choose a keyword that emphasizes video and is relevant to your content.
For instance, “Photoshop Tutorial” gives video results first, but “Photoshop Tips” gives a web page first.
Another wonderful technique to identify popular terms is to use YouTube’s autocomplete feature. Begin by searching for a certain theme or topic and seeing what titles YouTube provides.
2. Use concise, descriptive video titles
When users find your content, the title is the first thing they see. And if it doesn’t attractive, it might be the last.
Here are some general guidelines for creating good YouTube titles:
- Keep it brief and to the point. The names of the most popular YouTube videos are usually the shortest. Keep your title to 60 characters or fewer, otherwise it may be cut off when shown.
- To prevent losing crucial information, include your keyword(s) in the first half of the title. Most internet readers focus on the first few words of a phrase and skip the remainder.
- Clickbait is not synonymous with engaging. The good headlines provide a clear benefit or evoke an emotional reaction. Clickbait is appealing, but it might harm your channel’s image in the longterm.
3. Create custom thumbnails
Thumbnails are important, perhaps even more so than titles. This is due to the fact that our brains are programmed to notice images first. According to one MIT research, we process them in less than 13 milliseconds.
YouTube generates thumbnails for all videos automatically, however they might be blurry or out of focus. Create an eye-catching unique thumbnail for each video you submit to increase views.
For the greatest outcomes, we recommend following these basic “rules of thumb”:
- 1280 x 720 px is the resolution (but any 16:9 aspect ratio should work, as long as the width is at least 640 px)
- Format:.JPG,.GIF, or.PNG Size: no more than 2MB
- Add text and colors to encourage people to click.
- If possible, select a close-up image.
- When in doubt, choose a stock photo.
- Maintain consistency with your existing brands.
Which of these two thumbnails do you think you’ll pick? The first graphic has text that clearly describes the topic of the film. It’s more appealing and clickable!
4. Fill out your profile information
Many YouTubers ignore the profile area entirely and instead focus on video production. A fascinating biography, on the other hand, is one of the simplest methods to grow your YouTube channel—and increase your SEO.
Here are some excellent practices for developing a successful YouTube profile:
- Maintain consistency. Use a color palette, writing style, and layout that is consistent with your website and other social media.
- Improve the description of your YouTube channel. This is an excellent place to include keywords. YouTube penalizes “tag stuffing,” yet a few keywords may go a long way.
- Continue to attract viewers to return for more. When and how frequently will you publish fresh content? Make your timetable known to fans, and then stick to it.
- Include your contact information. You never know who could wish to get in touch with you. Make it simple for them, and you may be able to land some amazing collaborations.
5. Optimize your video descriptions
We have offered a comprehensive guide on creating excellent YouTube descriptions, including tips for individual video descriptions as well as channels, and free, customizable templates.
In a summary, here’s what you should keep in mind while creating YouTube video descriptions:
- Put your keywords first in the description and title.
- Stick to the 5000-character restriction, but provide the most vital information in the first 100 to 150 words above the “SHOW MORE” button.
- Make a “contents page” with timestamps to help readers in finding what they’re searching for.
- Include links to relevant playlists (more on this later).
- Include a few hashtags that are relevant.
- Before you upload, make sure you follow YouTube’s hashtagging guidelines.
Keywords might also be mentioned in the video. However, much as with text, people’s attention is quickly lost. For optimal outcomes, use a couple of keywords within a brief introduction.
In their how-to videos, Henry Media Group’s descriptions make extensive use of timestamps.
6. Don’t forget about metadata
When it comes to using keywords, YouTube’s metadata rules highlight two things:
- Be truthful.
- Select quality over quantity.
These criteria apply to features such as tags and categories as well. Tags should only be included in the “tags section” of your upload, not in the video description. Add one or two categories to help YouTube determine who your video should be recommended to.
7. Offer real value
This may seem apparent, but it needs to be repeated.
Great content is the most effective strategy to keep people engaged—and to rank well in YouTube search. This is due to the fact that YouTube’s ranking system prioritizes the viewer’s experience.
Before you post any video, consider the following:
- What issue does this video address?
- Is it entertaining?
- Will it make a difference in the lives of the viewers?
8. Create high-quality videos
Even the best material may be undermined by poor video quality. So, before you submit anything, make sure it appears professional. Use a good camera, perform a soundcheck before filming, and learn some basic editing techniques.
9. Interact with your fans
True engagement does not end at creation of content. The most popular YouTubers are continuously monitoring and interacting with their fans.
Respond to viewers’ comments, even if they are unfavorable, and “heart” your favorites. Post videos of your responses. Analytical tools can help you discover your top followers and deliver them some extra love.
Your viewers – and subscriber count – will thank you.
Madylin Bailey, a musician, creates songs based on hate comments left on her YouTube videos. She made this video in response to his “biggest hater.” They get a lot of attention, and one of them earned her an audition on America’s Got Talent.
10. Try a Q&A
Audience Q&As are one of the most successful methods to grow your YouTube channel. Ask that your subscribers give you questions by comment, email, or twitter. Then make a video in which you answer them.
You will increase watch time, view counts, and engagement by showing to your fans that they matter. In addition, Q&As might come in handy when you’re running low on content ideas.
11. Run contests
Contests are another excellent approach to engage your audience. You may collect viewing statistics, promote likes or comments, and get subscribers all with a single video.
We have a whole blog article about how to make YouTube contests. However, here are some simple takeaways:
- Begin with a specific aim in mind.
- Follow YouTube’s contest rules and limits.
- Choose a prize that your audience will love.
- Increase your reach by using additional social media networks.
Blendtec’s “Will it blend?” videos are well-known. They were an early user of the YouTube contest, and have used giveaways to grow their Youtube channel for over a decade.
12. Be active in the community
It’s all about identifying your niche and growing your audience inside it on YouTube.
Subscribe to channels that appeal to a similar demographic as you. Watch , like, and share their material. Leave helpful comments on their videos or mention them in your own videos.
This will not only offer you a better understanding of what your competitors are up to, but it will also help you reach new viewers.
13. Work with (the right) influencers
Collaboration with influencers is another approach to expand your reach. YouTube personalities can assist you in connecting with pre-existing, highly engaged groups. When you’re stuck for ideas, they can also assist you come up with new content.
However, there is one golden guideline to any successful partnership: Be honest.
Identify influencers that reflect ideals that are compatible with your brand’s. Is it a good idea to collaborate with them? Will it be beneficial to your audience?
If not, continue your search. Inauthentic content might cause more harm than good.
14. Respect YouTube’s community guidelines
Due to an increase in the number of underage users, YouTube is cracking down hard on unsuitable content.
Don’t post anything up that you wouldn’t want your younger brother to see. Otherwise, your video will be marked as inappropriate and deleted from YouTube’s recommendation feature. According to this Statista report, tens of millions of YouTube videos will be eliminated by automatic flagging alone by 2021. If you have any doubts, double-check the community guidelines first.
Above are 14 ways, we hope it is helpful to grow your YouTube channel. In the next article we will go into the remaining techniques.
Stay tuned for more beneficial ways!