Social media platforms have taken over the world, and this is the place where people go to get information, entertainment and opinion. They have the unique ability to interact with content creators and, through their popularity, have produced famous influencers and content creators that people follow daily.
While most platforms allow you to build a following, few pay you to be a creator. The best of these monetized platforms is Youtube, and anyone can do it. You may think it’s too hard to start, but it can be done with the right niche and a tonne of hard work.
Are you looking to be the next YouTube superstar? Here is how to grow a YouTube channel.
1. Find Your Niche
There is an audience for almost anything, and no matter what you think of putting up on YouTube, something similar is already out there. Does that mean you should give up? Not. It means you must narrow it down and focus on what you can do best.
YouTube takes dedication, that’s for sure. To make a living at it, you are going to need 100’s videos and millions of views. Because it is time-consuming, you must create videos you enjoy because you must like what you do. Otherwise, you will give up. Focus on what you really like and dig into that niche hard. Do as much research as possible to develop steady content and then get started.
2. Have the Right Gear
YouTube takes a bit of an investment; you will need good-quality equipment, depending on where you shoot videos. That doesn’t mean you have to buy expensive gear, though. Some of the biggest YouTubers film on their smartphones.
The camera in your smartphone is high quality, so don’t spend extra money on a camera right away. That cash is better spent on lighting. Get a three-way light set up and learn how to use it. Then set your filming area up and capture the best content you can. As you make some money, you can slowly upgrade your gear.
3. YouTube Thumbnails
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but most people are attracted to what they see first. Once you upload your videos, you need a thumbnail to advertise them. This snapshot of your video gives your audience a quick peek at the content. Your thumbnail needs to grab your audience’s attention, so it has to be great otherwise, people will quickly scroll on by.
You shouldn’t rely on Youtube automatically generates a thumbnail for you. Take a still shot or capture an image from your video to use. Then put it into a photo editor, where you can enhance it to look appealing. Another excellent option is to use a YouTube thumbnail maker, which will help you generate stylish visuals.
4. Be Consistent
When you get subscribers, they will want to see more of your videos. This means you must have a regular uploading schedule consistent throughout the year. If you are sporadic, you may lose people and, more importantly, not attract new subscribers.
If you can, upload a video every day or two around the same time. This regular habit will keep you focused on building your channel and give your subs steady content to enjoy.
5. Use Keywords
Your content must attract followers, but it helps to include relevant and popular keywords in your titles and descriptions. Even when you name your video on your movie editing software, it should contain keywords.
Keywords can be single words or two- or three-word phrases that rank high in search engines. These are the things that people want to see on YouTube. Remember, YouTube is the second largest search engine, behind Google, and you want your video to come up when people search.
Make sure to only include keywords that pertain to your content. This goes the same for thumbnails, by the way. Clickbait is a form of false advertising where the thumbnail and description don’t match the content. It is used solely to attract users’ attention to get views. This is a fast way to lose followers and get demonetized, so stay honest and true to your content.
6. Connect With Your Audience
The most successful YouTubers are the ones that interact with their followers. This can be through making content from suggestions in comments, interacting in comments itself and shout-outs to fans. Remember, your content is for your followers; you must keep them returning. Regardless of your niche, connect with your audience and keep them satisfied.
7. Assess And Reassess
You want to grow your channel, so you must analyze what works and what doesn’t. YouTube has incredibly detailed analytics; you should study them for what you do right and wrong.
Assess your content daily and make adjustments to what you put out. Follow up with your most successful videos since and repeat.
YouTube takes time and energy to find success, and you can’t step off the gas if you want to make it big. Use these tips for growing your YouTube channel and then enjoy the monetary spoils of your hard work.
