The Real Way to Get Free YouTube Subscribers (Part 2/2)

Get free youtube subscribers

In the previous part, we provide you with 5 tips to get free Youtube subscribers. Here are some more for you to raise the number of your channel’s audiences.

6. Embed your videos on your website or blog

This one is win-win, as a result of embedding video on your website might effectively help your website’s search rankings with the Google algorithm. And as far as YouTube subscribers go, you present your video right where the people most likely to care about it are already looking.

7. Use YouTube’s clickable tools in your videos

YouTube killed annotations a couple of years back, and good riddance. Pop-ups are one 90s throwback we’re all better off without.

That said, YouTube provides you with some other tools which are less annoying to use:

  • End screen: At the end of your video, before YouTube’s algorithm lead your viewers to the next video, these are still images when you can remind people to subscribe or insert another call to action.
  • Branding watermarks: that is an extra subscribe button that may hover over your video throughout, even in full screen. Like so:

small YouTube subscribe button that appears in bottom right corner of video

8. Think in terms of playlists

Playlists are an effective way to increase your channel’s watch time. Besides, they inspire individuals to click on subscribe by lining up your greatest content in one place. (Or your related content, in several places.)

For example, Epicurious treats their YouTube playlists like TV series. If in the end, people want to be notified when there are new videos, they will subscribe and become your YouTube subscribers.

Epicurious YouTube playlist
Source: Epicurious

Meanwhile, LEGO uses playlists more loosely, videos are categorized into relevant playlists by topic (for example, all the Minecraft-inspired videos go in one place; all the Star Wars videos in another.)

LEGO YouTube playlist
Source: LEGO

9. Run a contest

If you would like a short-term bump in engagement, or just feel like you’ve been languishing in a subscriber count plateau, take a look at our guide to running a YouTube contest.

Key steps are choosing a prize that matters to your viewer, and asking them to subscribe and turn on notifications to participate.

10. Celebrate your Youtube subscriber milestones

Everybody loves a round number. Celebrate it and give thanks to your audiences who got you there.

For inspiration, here’s a video with reactions for every single milestone you can ever hit.

screenshot of YouTube video by Pandrew Panz reaching 300 subscribers
Source: PandrewPanz

11. Release videos on a consistent schedule

Many experts confidently cite a rule-of-thumb as to how often creators should post a video to their channels. For example, one video a week to begin, increasing to 3-4 videos per week as your channel grows.

The theory is that more your videos means you have more watch time from your viewers. However, prioritizing quantity over quality has drawbacks.

In case your purpose is to transform viewers to YouTube subscribers, you should focus on quality first, then consistency.

When you consistently upload your videos, people will know that more good content is coming, and they are more likely to subscribe to your channel.

12. Entice your audience over from other social media channels

This means cross-promoting on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook — wherever you have a community of fans established.

This may be so simple as encouraging individuals to take a look at your YouTube channel in your Instagram or Twitter bio.

pedalboard_of_the_day Instagram bio
Source: @pedalboard_of_the_day

Alternately, you may make the most of your investment in video production by cross-posting your content across channels.

For example, IGTV now accepts horizontal long-form video, it’s also an easy step to upload your masterpiece over there.

That stated, in case your final purpose is to get more Youtube subscribers, you should post teaser snippets on social, and make sure to link to your YouTube channel to drive your viewers there.

13. Do your keyword research to title your videos and define your niche

This tip is essential for getting more views, so it bears repeating.

Having a look at the keywords which are related to your subject matter that subscribers are already searching for on YouTube will help you title your new video and choose your tags. But it might also lend inspiration for your next video idea.

For instance, in case that you create a YouTube channel about making kombucha at home, some preliminary keyword research might reveal a bunch of topics YouTube subscribers are curious about on the same topic, such as how to choose the best brewing vessel, easy methods to clean your brewing vessel, or the way to perform second fermentation. These topics may all be the subject of their videos.

SEO instruments like Google Keyword Planner might help you identify the words people are using to search out the information you’re providing. Your purpose is to find topics in a sweet spot: lower competition scores, but higher search volume.

This allows you to avoid making videos that nobody is looking for or videos with titles nobody can find.

Additionally, it also helps you avoid creating content on a topic that is already highly competitive before you’re ready.

14. Give people what they don’t even know they want yet

80% of your videos must be SEO-focused to bring in new eyeballs, however, that leaves 20% for value-added content. By which we mean unique videos that nobody else could make, or nobody else has considered.

If you want to get people to click to your channel’s 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 unique.

Like showing off your possum massage skills.

still of a video of a woman in a pink sweatsuit massaging a possum
Source: MEpearl

15. Create topical videos, as well as evergreen ones

Here’s another 80/20 rule for you. 80% evergreen, 20% topical.

Evergreen content is essential to bump up your watch time, sure. (Valentines videos aren’t so common to come July.) However, topical content is essential if you’re attempting to persuade individuals to subscribe.

Why? As a result of topical content needs to be consumed straight away, or close to it. So in case your hot takes on the latest 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 will subscribe.

16. Partner with other channels

This goes back to tip #3 in the previous post: Make Friends. You should use your connections to partner with other YouTube creators and leverage each other’s audiences. Your viewers trust your recommendations, and their audiences trust theirs, so take advantage.

For example, Popsugar’s “Top That!” series invited guests to chat. It was like a daytime talk show, but for viral video stars, like the psychic possum masseuse.

17. Partner with celebrities

This one’s listed last because it’s the toughest one.

Unless you’re Anna Wintour, and you may make a bunch of videos where celebrities ask you questions. (Note: if you’re Anna Wintour, please consider this Tip #1.)

 

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