Getting those first 1000 subscribers on YouTube is important and it isn’t just another vanity metric. Basically, the best way to maximize your organic reach on the platform is to get more subscribers.
And if like everyone, your goal is to actually earn money on YouTube, attaining that subscriber milestone is necessary to access other monetization features. For instance, you need at least 1,000 subscribers to become a YouTube Partner and start earning ad revenue. Also, the more subscribers you have, the higher you rise on YouTube’s benefit level ladder.
Even if your goal is not to earn money directly from the platform, maybe you are interested in increasing your brand’s digital presence. Even then, subscribers remain crucial. Why? Because 70% of the one billion hours of video that people watch on YouTube every day is decided by the YouTube algorithm. This means that to reach new audiences, you need more subscribers to help you increase your play counts, watch time, and engagement.
So, reaching 1,000 subscribers on YouTube gives you huge potentials. You start earning money with ads. Also, there is a boost in your views as more and more people trust your opinion. Many YouTubers have also been spurred on from reaching a thousand subscribers to further develop their channels.
How long does it take to reach 1,000 YouTube Subscribers?
Exactly just how long does it take to get to 1000 subscribers on YouTube? Truthfully, there is no one correct answer to this question. Over the years many YouTubers have attained this milestone in months while others have been at it for years.
We’ve seen YouTubers get over 800 subscribers with only working on their channel for less than 14 months. In the same light, we’ve seen others get stuck at 400- 500 subscribers with more than 27 months of posting videos.
But according to data from TubeFilter, it takes an average of 22 months for a channel to reach 1,000 subscribers on YouTube. Provided the channel is uploading videos consistently and ensuring some best practices is been used. Please note that the data is inconclusive as there is huge variation in the data and viewing the ‘average’ can be misleading.
Do You Need 1,000 Subscribers on YouTube to Make Money?
The major aim of every YouTuber is to earn money with the platform. To do that, you need views and one steady source of views is your subscriber base. Therefore, your number of subscribers is the most visible factor that leads to how many views you get and how much money you earn.
In reality, you only need 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours to join the YouTube partner program to earn money from ads on your videos. The more subscribers you get, the more people watching your videos quickly after posting. So yes you need your first 1000 subscribers to qualify for this monetization method.
But YouTube ads aren’t the only way to earn money on your videos. There are various other monetization methods. Asides from advertising, you can earn money without having a thousand subscribers on YouTube via corporate sponsorships from a major brand, affiliate marketing, fan funding, or merchandise sales.
The fact is you can make money on YouTube without ads and without 1,000 subscribers. So don’t limit yourself.
Why getting1000 subscribers on YouTube is crucial?
If it were all about getting your first thousand subscribers in other to monetize for the YouTube Partner Program, then it’s crucial. Although we’ve learned that you can earn money before hitting that milestone. But that’s just not all, there are other reasons why getting your first 1,000 subscribers is so critical to the success of your channel.
In a study by Fullscreen of one million channels, YouTubers with less than 1,000 subscribers were 90% of those studied but got just 7% of the views. Channels with more than 10,000 subscribers made up only two-in-ten of the one million studied but got 28% of the views!
Think about it this way; Small channels under a thousand subs are contributing 90% of the content on YouTube but are getting less than 10% of the total views. Most of the views on YouTube go to channels with more than 1,000 subscribers. This is just how YouTube works in search and suggested.
How to get 1000 subscribers
There are numerous ways of achieving your first 1000 subscriber goals on YouTube. Most require constant work on your end and others are just one-time efforts. Danielshustle will be examining some of the popular few ways in which you can drive the number of your subscribers up.
Create topical videos, as well as evergreen ones
Here is one secret weapon you won’t maximize its potentials. Evergreen content is important in helping you bump up your watch time. Similarly, topical content is crucial if you’re trying to convince people to subscribe.
This is because topical contents need to be consumed right away, or close to it. Contents around the latest soccer game, NBA game, or red-carpet gala are can’t-miss additions and your fans will want to be notified. They are more likely to subscribe.
Apply subscription string to your Channel URL
This is one smart way to get your first 1000 subscribers on YouTube. And it’s simple, all you have to do is add your channel link with “?sub_confirmation=1”.
So if your channel link is initially: https://www.youtube.com/user/danielshustle. Once you add a subscription string, it becomes https://www.youtube.com/user/danielshustle?sub_confirmation=1.
Once a viewer clicks on your link that contains the subscription string, they immediately get a pop-up to quickly subscribe to your YouTube channel. It is advisable to use a YouTube subscription string when promoting your content on blogs, social media, or any other place.
Optimize your video descriptions
Video descriptions on YouTube should not be neglected. YouTube’s search algorithm often relies on video descriptions in other to understand what the video is all about.
So, your description will not only let your videos be found in search engines, but they’ll also explain to potential viewers what your video is about. Optimize your description but don’t overdo it. Keep it short and only include important information as well as your keyword.
Keep it simple, precise, and authentic.
Use enough Meta tags
Metadata plays a major role in getting your videos displayed in search results. Simply research some well-converting videos, see what Meta tags they are using and use that to formulate Meta tag ideas for your own videos.
Tools like the Google Keyword Planner can help you generate ideas on relevant keywords for your videos. Add all of those relevant keywords to your Meta tags. This will help you become more discoverable in both Google and YouTube search engines.
A low video count should not always be attributed to poor content; it could also indicate poor visibility caused by wrong keyword usage. Overdoing keywords actually hurt you more, but a few well-positioned keywords can perform miracles for your rankings.
Release videos on a consistent schedule
Again, there are no standard rules for this. But many experts suggest the rule-of-thumb as to how often creators should post videos to their channel. For instance, you can start with one video a week and then increase it to 3 or 4 per week as your channel grows.
The idea behind this is that more videos equal more watch time from viewers. But prioritizing quantity over quality will definitely hurt you and your YouTube business.
If your goal is to convert viewers to subscribers, you need to focus on quality first then consistency before quantity. Uploading quality videos consistently creates awareness for subscribers that more awesome content is on the way. And they’re more likely to tap on the subscribe button.
Ask your viewers to subscribe
A simple ask request can’t hurt to try and sometimes, your audience just needs to be reminded. The subscribe button is conspicuous enough and you might also want to remind them to use the bell beside it. It sounds easy, right? The truth is you are simply making it easy for them to keep up with the awesome content you create.
Many YouTubers are using this and if you’re one, always remember to showcase why your channel is worth subscribing to. And make sure you do it right when they love you the most. For instance, right after you’ve provided new and useful information, or you’ve made them laugh.
Another way to directly appeal to your audience for a subscription is to write a comment and then pin it to your videos. When you do this, that pinned comment appears at the top of the comments list.
Drop hints about your next video
While it’s not good to sing one’s praise, you can actually do here but moderately. Talk about your next video, and making it clear why it’s not to be missed. This way, you are encouraging people to click the subscribe button.
Subscribing to a YouTube channel is an act of anticipation. Viewers who’ve just seen what your brand is about are primed to want more. That is if you’ve provided value for them. This certainly requires having a good handle on your content creation and schedule.
Interact with your audience
Forming relationships with your viewers can help you keep them and attract new ones as well.
By creating a bond with your audience, they can provide you with plenty of free content ideas for your next video. You don’t have to take all the ideas but you sure can get valuable reviews and opinions from them.
Improve your YouTube channel homepage art
Nothing is more inviting than a well-laid-out channel homepage. With a good description about what your channel does including a good channel banner and plenty of playlists that show the viewer what your channel is about.
Your YouTube banner is like the gate of your house. It welcomes everyone who clicks over to check out your channel. Maybe they just watched a video and are looking for more. Maybe they’re a potential subscriber. Use clean, compelling, and on-brand banners. And ensure to optimize for all devices. You don’t want important details covered up by your social media buttons or whatnot.
Brand your thumbnails
We discussed extensively how to use thumbnails comprehensively, click here to read up on it. A thumbnail is simply a 1280 x 720px image that acts as a cover for your video. They are also your first chance of persuading viewers to click on your video.
The truth about thumbnails is there is no one solution for all. Eye-catching designs with screaming colors will work for some channels while a more subtle approach will work for others. Know the best fit for your channel and create awesome thumbnails for it.
Simply create professional, consistent branding in all your thumbnails. Use the same font, the same color palette, or even the same frame composition. This can stand as a form of brand recognition to viewers both old and new. Check out YouTuber John Plant who has built his survivalist Primitive Technology channel up to 9.9 million subscribers with understated, minimalist thumbnails. They aren’t screaming with bright colors, but they are consistent. And most importantly, they’re clickable.
Embed your videos on your website or blog
This is important for YouTubers who own blogs or websites. It serves as a win-win method. This is because embedding video on your website can actually help your site’s search rankings with the Google algorithm.
And with regards to YouTube subscribers, you’re more likely presenting your video right where the people most likely interested in it are already looking. This is your blog and site.
Use other social media platforms
This refers to you actively cross-promoting on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook even WhatsApp. Basically just about anywhere you have a community of fans established.
You can use other social media platforms to reach your first 1000 subscribers by simply encouraging viewers to check out your YouTube channel in your Instagram or Twitter bio. That is one way.
Another way of utilizing social media is to cross-post your content across all platforms you are present on.
If your goal is to reach your first 1000 subscribers and more, you should consider posting teaser snippets on social media. Then ensure to link to your YouTube channel in order to drive your audience there.
Use YouTube’s clickable tools
Using clickable tools where applicable will make it easier for new audiences to subscribe to your channel. And since YouTube removed annotations a few years back, clickable tools are the way to go. Simply use these tools:
End screens: these are still images at the end of your video where you can remind people to subscribe. You can place another call to action here before YouTube’s algorithm moves them on to the next video.
Branding watermarks: this is an extra subscribe button that will hover over your video throughout, even in full screen.
Think in terms of playlists
One way to reach your goal of the first 1000 subscribers is to use playlists. Playlists are an incredible way to increase your channel’s watch time. They can also entice viewers to click on subscribe by lining up your best content in one place.
Think of YouTube playlists as how TV series sequence their videos. It makes binge-watching easy and if viewers wish to be notified of new videos, they will simply subscribe.
Consider giveaways and video challenges
To reach your first 1000 subscribers faster, you can just consider doing giveaways or hosting a contest. This is dimply you playing to the human traits of liking freebies and who doesn’t love giveaways? Offer your audience something in return for all of their engagement on your YouTube channel.
Hosting a YouTube giveaway or contest will reward your current subscribers, and help attract new ones. One thing to keep in mind here is that whatever you are giving away must be relevant to your channel’s niche. And since people love getting things for free, you are sure that they will inform their friends about it. Especially if the prize is worth it! Talk about free viral promotion.
For a giveaway to be effective, many YouTubers require audiences to follow all of their social media profiles to enter into the contest. We strongly suggest using this approach.
Why you shouldn’t buy YouTube subscribers
Whatever you do, never ever buy YouTube subscribers in hope of reaching your first 1000 subscribers goal faster. Sure cutting corners sounds much easier and faster, but in reality, you will end up harming your business.
In most cases, you end up getting:
- Bot subscribers that can engage your videos.
- A bad look for your real audience, who are probably quite keen on authenticity
- The risk of running afoul of YouTube’s fake engagement policy can result in banning.
- Potential loss of any brand looking to partner with you
In the end, you lose a lot than you gain. So avoid it by all means.
Conclusion
YouTube is great and earning money on it even makes it more interesting. You don’t necessarily need to have your first 1000 subscribers before earning can begin but doing so has many perks.
That said; getting your first 1000 subscribers won’t be an easy task and oftentimes, many YouTubers quit before reaching this milestone. It takes lots of handwork dedication time and commitment to stay focused on accomplishing this task. But with these few tips we just shared with you, the job becomes easier.
Although it’s good to state that there is no one fit all solution. So what works for you might not work for another person. But by experimenting with various methods above, you are sure to reach your first 1000 subscribers sooner than you can realize.
