Gaining popularity on YouTube is a goal many aspiring creators dream of achieving. After all, who doesn’t want to be recognized and celebrated for their work? The excitement of earning admiration and building a substantial follower base is something that drives many to pursue this path.
In this guide, you'll discover effective strategies to help you gain that coveted recognition and position yourself alongside the successful YouTubers of tomorrow.
Step 1: Refine Your Channel Profile
Imagine you already have a channel profile or you're about to set one up. Your profile's appearance plays a big role in your success and how many subscribers you attract. To stand out, make your profile unforgettable and appealing—something that makes users want to engage with you immediately.Here's how to make it happen:
1. Design an Eye-Catching Cover
To make a name for yourself on YouTube, start by asking yourself these key questions:- Does your cover image capture attention right away?
- Does it include your face, a memorable tagline, and a clear call-to-action?
2. Let people know more about you
When you’re aiming to shine on YouTube, don’t hold back your personality. This platform is all about showcasing who you are, so make sure you stand out.Start by enriching your "About" section with engaging details about both yourself and your channel. Share what makes you unique and why people should tune in. Describe the type of content you create—whether it’s music, tutorials, or something else—and let viewers know how frequently you upload new videos.
Don’t forget to highlight what sets you apart, whether it’s your unique style, your sense of humor, or the value you provide. This helps viewers understand why your channel is worth subscribing to.
Also, include links to your other social media profiles and any personal websites you might have. This way, viewers can easily follow you across different platforms and stay connected.
3. Add a Captivating Welcome Video
A well-crafted Welcome video can be a great way to gain more followers. Create a video that is brief and engaging, ideally under two minutes.Consider creating a fun and entertaining montage of your best content or a concise introduction that explains what your channel offers. Highlight what makes your channel unique and why viewers should hit the subscribe button.
Don’t forget to include an appealing text description to complement your video. This helps to give viewers a clear idea of what to expect and why they should stay tuned.
4. Organize Your Video Content
If you have a growing library of videos, it's essential to arrange them into well-defined playlists and display them on your profile page. This organization helps new visitors navigate your content effortlessly and prevents them from feeling overwhelmed.For example, if your channel focuses on makeup, consider creating playlists such as:
- Evening Makeup Tutorials
- Summer Makeup Looks
- Beauty Hacks and Tips
Remember, you only have a few seconds to catch a viewer’s eye and make them want to explore more of your content.
Step 2: Use Smart Tech Strategies
Just like Google, YouTube has a system for ranking videos. This system decides which videos appear at the top of search results and which ones get overlooked. It also influences which related videos show up on the side of your screen.If you’re finding it tough to build an audience at the beginning, there are some straightforward tricks you can use to make YouTube’s algorithm work in your favor. Here’s how:
1. Create Longer Videos
For better visibility on YouTube, shoot videos that are longer than 5 minutes. Short clips are better suited for platforms like Instagram or Vine. Longer videos tend to perform better in search results and recommendations.2. Include Keywords in Your Video Filename
Keywords are crucial in making your video discoverable. These are the specific words or phrases that people search for to find content like yours.Incorporate your primary keyword into the filename of your video. For instance, if your video is about drawing a cartoon cat, save it as “how_to_draw_cartoon_cat_video.mp4”.
3. Use Attention-Grabbing titles
Your video title is key to attracting viewers. Aim for titles that:- Contain at least 5 words
- Include your main keyword
- Are catchy and compelling
4. Write Detailed Descriptions
Since YouTube can't watch or listen to your video, it relies on your description to understand the content. Here’s how to write a good description:- Include your main keyword within the first 25 words
- Make the description at least 250 words long
- Use your keyword 2-3 times throughout
5. Use Tags Wisely
Tags help improve your video’s reach. They let YouTube understand and categorize your content.Use variations of your keyword and related keywords that people might use to find videos like yours. Additionally, check out similar videos and use some of their tags to increase your chances of appearing in the “related videos” section.
6. Understand YouTube Ranking Factors
YouTube evaluates your video based on several factors:- Video Retention: How long viewers stay and watch your video.
- Comments: More comments usually indicate that viewers liked your video.
- Subscriptions: If viewers subscribe to your channel after watching, it’s a strong signal of quality.
- Social Shares: The number of times your video is shared on social media.
- Favorites: The number of times people add your video to their Watch Later list.
- Likes and Dislikes: The ratio of thumbs up to thumbs down.
Step 3: Create Better Video Content
When it comes to creating video content that stands out, you don’t need to invest in expensive cameras or professional studio setups. The key to becoming successful on YouTube lies in the quality and appeal of your content.To capture and maintain your audience's attention, focus on making videos that resonate with viewers. These are the types of videos that people enjoy watching, feel compelled to share with friends, want to like, comment on, and even save to their watchlists.
So, what can you do to create this kind of content? Here are some actionable steps:
1. Develop Your Ritual
Think of something distinct that you always include in your videos—a ritual that sets you apart. This could be a special greeting, a memorable phrase, or any small, catchy detail that your audience will come to expect and enjoy.Take Jenna Marbles, for example. At the end of each of her videos, she engages in a playful ritual where she talks gibberish to her two adorable dogs. It’s a simple, personal touch that makes her content more relatable and enjoyable. Little moments like these don’t take much effort to produce but can significantly enhance the connection between you and your viewers.
2. Start a series
Imagine your subscribers eagerly waiting for Wednesdays, knowing they'll find something special from you—a Q&A video, perhaps, or another unique type of content. Starting a regular series gives them a reason to look forward to a specific day each week.3. Stay Current with Trends
There was a time when everyone was buzzing about Pumpkin Spice Latte. It was all over social media, and many YouTubers took advantage of that craze to create content that resonated with viewers. You can do the same.Keep an eye on the latest breaking news, pop culture, and social media trends. When you spot something that's gaining widespread attention, don't hesitate to create content around it. Jumping on trends early can help you reach a broader audience.
Step 4: Promote your videos
When you create a fantastic video, your work isn't finished once the editing is done. It's essential to go beyond just producing high-quality content. You need to make sure people see it. Therefore, you need to promote your videos because even the best videos can get lost in the vast sea of content online. So, after you've put in the effort to create something special, be prepared to invest time and energy into getting it in front of your audience.Promotion isn't a one-time task, either. It requires consistent effort across various platforms to ensure your video reaches as many people as possible.
Here are various ways in which you can promote your videos:
1. YouTube
Engaging with the YouTube community is key to building a successful YouTube channel. When you actively contribute to the community, they will reciprocate with loyalty and support.2. Watch and subscribe to similar channels
If you're aiming to grow your presence on YouTube, one effective strategy is to engage with channels that create content similar to yours. Subscribe to these channels and watch their videos regularly—you will start watching your subscribers grow.Take the time to leave thoughtful comments when you find videos that resonate with you. Engage with the content by upvoting or liking the videos and adding them to your favorites. These actions can catch the attention of the content creator, who may, in turn, visit your channel and engage with your content.
3. Engage with Your Audience
Have you noticed how important comments are on YouTube? They really matter!Make it a point to respond to every comment you receive. A simple “thank you” can go a long way. When someone asks a question, take the time to provide a thoughtful answer. This not only shows you care but also encourages more people to join the conversation.
If you’re open to it, don’t shy away from expressing some bold opinions. Being a little controversial can spark lively discussions. Just remember, it’s essential to be respectful. You can share your unique views without putting anyone down.