The major aim of every YouTuber is to earn money with the platform but how to grow a YouTube channel is the first question that comes to mind. This is because the size of a channel is the most visible factor that leads to how many views you get and how much money you earn.
Another reason for utilizing the YouTube platform can as well be to increase your digital presence. And at that, you still need to grow your channel to become effective. 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 to grow your channel to help increase your play counts, watch time and engagement.
Therefore growing your YouTube channel from zero to any figure you desire is an important metric that must be taken seriously. Basically, the best way to maximize your organic reach on the platform is to get more subscribers.
In this article here on danielshustle, we are going to examine how to grow a YouTube channel to help newcomers’ jumpstart their business.
How to grow a YouTube channel
If you are thinking of how to grow a YouTube channel fast, there are numerous ways of achieving this. Most require constant work on your end and others are just one-time efforts. We will be examining some of the popular few ways in which you can grow a YouTube channel.
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 on how to grow a YouTube channel. 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, 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
On how to grow a YouTube channel, a user can leverage 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 it 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
While every other means on how to grow a YouTube channel will help you grow, this will also help you maintain that growth. 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
A thumbnail is simply a 1280 x 720px image that acts as a cover for your video and is one of the ways on how to grow a YouTube channel fast. 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 and if you are wondering how to grow a YouTube channel, utilize this 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 grow your YouTube channel 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 a new audiences to subscribe to your channel and help you grow. 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 on full screen.
Think in terms of playlists
Another way to grow a YouTube channel 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 grow a YouTube channel fast, 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.
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, growing a YouTube channel won’t be an easy task and oftentimes, many YouTubers quit after few trials. It takes lots of handwork dedication time and commitment to stay focused on accomplishing this task.
