We’ve compiled a list of the most efficient methods for promoting your YouTube channel. To increase your views and improve the ROI of your YouTube approach, use these suggestions.
TikTok and other newcomers are having a big impact on social media right now, but one video-sharing platform still reigns supreme: Youtube. With over 2.1 billion users globally, it is the second most-visited website on the internet. Learning how to advertise your channel is essential if you want to maximise the platform’s potential.
Here are some of our favourite tips for making your get more YouTube subscribers material more discoverable to new viewers. Each of these suggestions is straightforward, practical, and, best of all, completely free.
30 brilliant ideas for promoting your YouTube channel
- Select keywords that are Google-friendly.
- Use video titles that are succinct and descriptive.
- Make your own thumbnails
- Fill in the blanks on your profile.
- Make your video descriptions more effective.
- Don’t overlook metadata.
- Provide genuine value
- Produce high-definition videos
- Engage with your audience
- Try a question-and-answer session.
- Hold competitions
- Participate in community activities.
- Collaborate with (the appropriate) influencers
- Follow the community guidelines on YouTube.
- Come up with a sequence
- Create a playlist
- Go live at.
- Include a call-to-action button.
- Promote your channel on multiple platforms.
- Promote your channel as a whole, rather than simply your videos.
- Make the most of the festive season
- Create videos that are timeless.
- Figure out what works for you (and do more of it)
- Use TikTok to post teasers.
- Take part in Youtube challenges and trends.
- Make virtual reality videos.
- Distribute videos in segments.
- Obtain Youtube verification
- Make a community post on Youtube to promote your content.
- Follow in the footsteps of your favourite YouTubers.
30 effective ways to promote your YouTube channel
- Select keywords that are Google-friendly.
Great SEO is the foundation of a successful YouTube channel. And great SEO begins with a thorough understanding of what consumers are looking for.
People don’t simply use YouTube to find videos; they also use Google. In many searches, Google increasingly favours video over other material.
There is no hard and fast rule for determining which keywords can help your YouTube video rank higher. However, a little reverse engineering can help a lot.
Here’s how to find a video’s Google-friendly keyword:
Use a tool like the Google Ads Keyword Planner to find potential keywords.
One of your alternatives is to Google it.
Examine each keyword’s Search Engine Results Page (SERP). Are the first-placed results videos or written content?
Make some changes to your keyword and try again. If you’re having problems locating keywords with video results, try adding terms like “How to” or “Tutorial.”
Select a term that emphasises video and is relevant to your content.
- Use video titles that are succinct and descriptive.
When users come across your material, the title is the first thing they see. It might be the last if it isn’t punchy.
Here are some fundamental guidelines for creating effective YouTube titles.
Keep it brief and to the point. The names of the most popular YouTube videos are usually the shortest. If you don’t keep your title to 60 characters or less, some of it will be cut off when it’s displayed.
To prevent losing crucial information, include your keyword(s) in the first half of the title. The majority of internet readers concentrate on the first few words of a text and ignore the remainder.
Clickbait is not the same as engaging. The finest headlines either provide a clear benefit or elicit an emotional response. Clickbait is appealing, but it has the potential to harm your channel’s reputation in the long run.
- Make your own thumbnails
Thumbnails are important, perhaps even more so than titles. Because our brains are built to detect sights first, this is the case. According to one MIT research, we digest them in less than 13 milliseconds.
All videos on YouTube have automated thumbnails, although they can be fuzzy or out of focus. Create an eye-catching custom thumbnail for each video you submit to increase views.
For the greatest outcomes, we recommend following these simple “rules of thumb”:
1280 x 720 pixel resolution (but any 16:9 aspect ratio should work, as long as the width is at least 640 px)
JPG, GIF, or PNG format
Size: keep it around 2MB.
To increase clicks, use text and colours.
If possible, choose a close-up shot.
When in doubt, choose a stock photo.
Maintain consistency with the rest of your branding.
Which of these two thumbnails do you think you’ll pick? The first graphic has text that clearly indicates the video’s subject matter. It’s more appealing to the eye and more clickable!
- Fill in the blanks on your profile.
Many YouTubers skip over the profile area and jump right into creating content. However, one of the simplest methods to promote your YouTube channel—and improve your SEO—is to create an interesting profile.
Here are some pointers on how to make an excellent YouTube profile:
. Consistency is key. Use the same colour scheme, writing style, and layout as your website and other social media accounts.
. Improve the description of your YouTube channel. This is an excellent spot to insert keywords. “Tag stuffing” is frowned upon on YouTube, but a few keywords might go a long way.
. Continue to entice viewers to return for more. When will you publish fresh information, and how often will you do so? Make your timetable known to your fans, and then stick to it.
. Include your contact information. You never know who might be trying to get in touch with you. If you make it simple for them, you might be able to land some amazing collaborations.
- Make your video descriptions more effective.
We’ve put up a comprehensive guide to creating excellent YouTube descriptions, packed with tips for both individual videos and channels, as well as free, editable templates.
In a nutshell, here are some things to think about while creating YouTube video descriptions:
. In the description and title, put your keywords first.
. Stick to the 5000-character restriction, but put the most vital information above the “SHOW MORE” button in the first 100 to 150 words.
. Make a “contents page” with timestamps to help viewers discover the information they need.
. Add links to playlists that are relevant (more on this later).
. Include a few hashtags that are relevant. Before you submit, make sure you follow YouTube’s hashtagging guidelines.
Keywords might also be mentioned in the video itself. However, just like with text, people’s attention spans are short. For optimum results, include a few of keywords in a brief introduction.
- Don’t overlook metadata.
When it comes to employing keywords, YouTube’s metadata rules highlight two things:
. Be truthful.
. Quality above quantity is the way to go.
These criteria apply to features such as tags and categories as well. Tags should be added to the “tags area” of your upload rather than the video description. Add one or two categories to assist YouTube figure out who your video should be recommended to.
- Provide genuine value
This may seem self-evident, but it bears repeating.
The best approach to keep viewers engaged—and the most effective strategy to rank well in YouTube search—is to provide great content. Because YouTube’s ranking methodology places a premium on the viewer’s experience, this is the case.
Before you post any video, ask yourself the following questions:
What problem is this video supposed to solve?
. Is it enjoyable to watch?
. Will it make a difference in the lives of viewers?
One of our most popular videos is “How to Use Hootsuite in 13 Minutes.” We helped viewers master a new tool by breaking things down step by step. If you provide genuine value, you will be rewarded with genuine engagement.
- Produce high-definition videos
Even the best information can be ruined by poor video quality. So, before you publish your article, make sure it looks professional. Use a good camera, pre-record a soundcheck, and master some fundamental editing abilities.
Of course, not everyone is born with the ability to make films. If you’re feeling rusty, brush up on these social video best practises.
- Engage with your audience
True involvement does not end with the development of content. The most successful YouTubers keep a close eye on their audience and engage with them on a regular basis.
Respond to all comments, positive or unfavourable, and “heart” your favourites. Make a video response. Use analytics to discover your most ardent supporters and lavish extra attention on them.
It will benefit both your viewers and your subscriber count.
Madylin Bailey, a musician, writes songs based on hate comments left on her videos. In reaction to his “worst hater,” she made this video. They’ve gotten her a lot of attention, and one of them even got her an audition on America’s Got Talent.
- Try a Q&A session with your audience. One of the most efficient ways to grow a YouTube community is through Q&As. Request questions from your subscribers through comment, email, or Twitter. Then make a video to respond to them.
You’ll increase watch duration, view counts, and engagement by demonstrating to your audience that they matter. Plus, when you’re out of new content ideas, Q&As can come in handy.
This Youtuber observed that many of her viewers referred to her as their “online big sister,” so she did a Q&A with some of her finest big sis advise, including relationship advice, how to make new friends, and how to avoid comparing yourself to others.
- Try a Question and answer session.
session with your audience. One of the most efficient ways to grow a YouTube community is through Q&As. Request questions from your subscribers through comment, email, or Twitter. Then make a video to respond to them.
You’ll increase watch duration, view counts, and engagement by demonstrating to your audience that they matter. Plus, when you’re out of new content ideas, Q&As can come in handy.
This Youtuber observed that many of her viewers referred to her as their “online big sister,” so she did a Q&A with some of her finest big sis advise, including relationship advice, how to make new friends, and how to avoid comparing yourself to others.
- Hold competitions
Another wonderful technique to engage your audience is to hold a contest. You may collect user statistics, encourage likes or comments, and gain subscribers with just one video.
We’ve written an entire blog post about how to make the most of YouTube contests. However, here are some quick takeaways:
. Begin with a specific aim in mind.
. Respect the contest’s rules and limits on YouTube.
. Choose a prize that your audience will appreciate.
. Use additional social media channels to expand your reach.
. For YouTube, use a programme like Hootsuite.
Blendtec’s “Will it Blend?” films are well-known. They were one of the first to use YouTube contests to grow their audience, and they’ve been doing it for over a decade.
- Participate in community activities.
Finding your specialty and growing a following within it is the key to success on YouTube.
Subscribing to channels with a comparable audience to you is a good idea. Their stuff is worth watching, like, and sharing. Leave helpful comments on their videos or mention them in your own.
This will not only offer you a better idea of what your competitors are up to, but it will also help you reach out to new audiences.
Learn how to use Hootsuite to plan your YouTube videos and engage your audience from a simple, user-friendly dashboard:
- Collaborate with (the appropriate) influencers
Another strategy to expand your audience is to collaborate with influencers. YouTube stars can assist you in reaching out to already-existing, highly engaged audiences. When you’re stuck for ideas, they can also assist you in creating new content.
Any effective collaboration, however, must follow one golden rule: Be true to yourself.
Identify influencers that represent values that are similar to yours. Is it logical to collaborate with them? Will it be useful to your audience?
If you don’t find what you’re looking for, keep looking. Inauthentic content has the potential to cause more harm than good.
This partnership between Jackie Aina and Anastasia Beverly Hills, for example, makes sense—a makeup artist collaborating with a makeup brand.
- Follow the community guidelines on YouTube.
Due to an increase in the number of underage users, YouTube is cracking down hard on unsuitable content.
Don’t put anything on the internet that you wouldn’t want your younger brother to view. Your video will be flagged and removed from YouTube’s recommendation feature if this does not happen. According to a Statista analysis, automated flagging alone eliminated tens of millions of Youtube videos in 2021. Check the community guidelines first if you’re ever unsure.
- Come up with a sequence
Consistency pays dividends in the long run. Post videos on a frequent basis to keep your visitors coming back to your channel.
For maximum results, name your series with a catchy, keyword-friendly name. Create a unique thumbnail for each video in the series to give it a consistent appearance and feel.
- Create a playlist
Playlists are a terrific method to attract more people to watch your material all at once. This is due to the fact that these collections are rather addictive. The next video starts as soon as the previous one finishes.
Discoverability is also aided by playlists. A playlist’s videos are more likely to show up in YouTube’s Suggested Videos section. Furthermore, playlist titles are an excellent spot to include keywords.
There are two approaches to make effective playlists:
. Group previous videos under a common theme on your channel page. This keeps viewers on your channel rather than on the channel of your competition.
. Collect films from other influential people or partners who can help you. This shows your audience that you’re “in the know” and encourages them to share your playlists with their friends.
The “Lineup” playlist on The Cut is a touch too addictive.
- Go live at number seventeen.
YouTube is one of the most popular live-streaming sites on the internet, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person activities were cancelled. Use this to your advantage by providing content that truly engages viewers.
Live webinars, Q&A sessions, and events all work well. Another fantastic method to get motivated is to watch YouTube Live.
- Include a call-to-action button.
To make the most of your hard-earned audience, include a captivating CTA in your video.
Perhaps you want to encourage your audience to like or share your video. Perhaps you’d like them to visit your website. The strongest CTAs are always clear, engaging, and urgent, regardless of the “ask.”
In-stream adverts on YouTube have a call-to-action extension. However, there are a slew of free options for including CTAs in videos:
. Direct host mentions: Look the camera in the eyes and tell the audience exactly what you want them to do.
. In the description of your video, invite visitors to leave a remark, share it, or like it.
. Cards toward the end: Add a custom screenshot to the video’s beginning, middle, or finish. Your CTA will have more impact with these effective visual signals.
- Promote your channel on multiple platforms.
To establish a community around your channel, reach out to those who aren’t on YouTube. Consider include videos in your blog, email newsletter, and other social media channels.
There are a variety of innovative techniques to cross-promote a YouTube channel that don’t involve repeating messages. However, here are a few basic suggestions to get you started:
Use of social media
For different platforms, different social methods work well. Tools like Hootsuite can make this process go faster, especially if you have a lot of social media accounts.
Review the video specifications for each social media platform. Then, according to your needs, optimise your video. Make sure your brand’s overall appearance and feel is similar across all platforms. Also, make sure that each time you post, you use a different caption.
Blogging
Is there a blog on your website? Include videos and searchable transcriptions in your posts. Both video and website views will grow as a result of this.
Your blog can also be used to come up with new content ideas for your channel. To determine which posts receive the most traffic, use Google Analytics. Is it possible to make a video on that subject?
Incorporate the final product into the post. This will increase the value of your blog while also enticing visitors to visit your YouTube channel.
Marketing via email
Email is a bit of a dinosaur, but it’s still useful. The global email marketing market was estimated to be worth 7.5 billion dollars in 2020.
Create a YouTube subscriber email list. Then, whenever you publish fresh content, let them know. It’s a simple approach to boost your video’s view count right away. As a result, YouTube’s recommendation algorithm will get a boost.
You can also use your email signature to your advantage. A non-obtrusive technique to get subscribers is to include a link to your YouTube channel underneath your name.
- Promote your channel as a whole, rather than simply your videos.
Are you aware of the relationship between domain authority and page authority in SEO? The same may be said about videos.
Make the most of it by marketing both your channel as a whole and your individual videos. Encourage people to sign up for your newsletter and link to your account whenever you can. Your films will rank higher in YouTube and Google searches as a result of this.
- Make the most of the festive season
Anticipate what people are looking for to gain some extra attention. Use holidays, popular films, and current events to create relevant material. You’d be shocked at how effective this method is!
For example, Nikki of At Home With Nikki created this “How to Decorate a Christmas Tree” video a month before Christmas—near enough to the holidays to be topical, but not so close to the 25th that many would have already finished their decorations.
- Create videos that are timeless.
Upload a few classic videos that your viewers will want to watch again and over again. How-to manuals, tool and resource lists, stat collections, tip roundups, and other types of evergreen content are all popular.
This type of evergreen content can rank well for years, resulting in increased visitors and SEO.
- Figure out what works for you (and do more of it)
The metrics on YouTube are really useful. Make good use of them!
Take a deeper look at your statistics to have a better understanding of your audience. What are their ages? What languages do they communicate in? What types of videos do they prefer? Use this data to produce material that reflects their true passions.
Rob Kenney’s “Dad, How Do I?” videos have recently gone viral on YouTube. He discovered his niche: nonjudgmental “Dad” how-tos for people who need help jump-starting a car, using a camping stove, installing a ceiling fan, and other traditional Dad tasks.
- Use TikTok to post teasers.
Although TikTok is sweeping the globe (here are some statistics to back it up), the video-sharing app’s 3-minute limit pales in comparison to Youtube’s 15-minute limit for non-confirmed users and up to 12 hours for verified users.
You may use TikTok to promote your Youtube channel by publishing a teaser video or the first three minutes (or 15 seconds, or 60 seconds) of the video and encourage your viewers to watch the rest on your Youtube channel. Make sure your TikTok bio includes a link to your channel.
- Take part in Youtube challenges and trends.
Check out what’s trending on Youtube—the explore page is a great location to check what’s new and popular. Trends and difficulties provide rapid inspiration for new material, and they tend to stay longer on YouTube than on other platforms (for example, the Boyfriend Does My Makeup Challenge that first popped up around 2006 is somehow still going). Morning and night routine videos will be popular in 2022.
- 26. Make virtual reality videos (item).
Virtual reality and 360o videos provide a unique video experience, and the tremendous surge in VR gear sales indicates that viewers are hungry for 3D material. Youtube VR180 and Youtube 360o are two alternative formats available. To get you started, there are tutorials for each, including what kind of equipment you’ll need, how to film, and how the videos are put together.
- Distribute videos in segments.
Posting videos in numerous parts, similar to a cliffhanger on a TV show, will keep people coming back to your channel (as long as they’re not too long).
The key is to avoid posting videos in numerous parts simply because you have to–for example, this late-night piece with Jeff Goldblum was split into two sections (each 7 minutes long), despite the fact that they are only slightly more than 15 minutes.
Users are more likely to click on your video, where you can gently direct them to Part 2, if you post in more digestible portions.
- Obtain Youtube verification
You can apply to get verified on Youtube if you have 100,000 or more subscribers. ( And if you need some assistance getting there, here are 15 ways to increase your subscription count. In addition, we’ve compiled a tutorial to Youtube’s verification process.
You don’t need to be verified to be successful on YouTube, but it will only help your channel expand if you are.
- Make a community post on Youtube to promote your content.
You’ll also need a particular amount of followers to receive the Youtube Community tab on your channel—but unlike the 100k required for verification, only 1000 subscribers are required for Community access.
Your Youtube Community tab contains a feed that looks like Facebook or Twitter, where you may share video announcements, polls, questions, and other media with your audience. (Warning: in the following video, they pronounce GIF as “jif.”)
- Follow in the footsteps of your favourite YouTubers.
Most likely, you began your YouTube adventure as a fan. Youtube has been active since 2006, and every day, over a billion hours of video are seen on the platform. Your favourite YouTubers aren’t just a source for funny sketches, cosmetics tutorials, and vlogs—they’re also a great marketing and promotion case study.
Look for successful channels that are comparable to yours and see how they operate. Then give it your own unique spin. You have access to a massive library that is always expanding (500 hours of new videos are uploaded every minute). The school year has begun.
