How to Promote YouTube Channel for Free: 20 Ideas

New social media platforms, like TikTok, are blowing up proper now and revolutionizing the web house, however one video-sharing platform reigns supreme: YouTube.

YouTube is at present the second most visited website on the web, with over 2.2 billion customers worldwide.

If you wish to use YouTube to develop (and even to begin) your corporation, you have to discover ways to develop and promote your channel.

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Listed here are a few of our favourite methods to optimize your YouTube channel and broaden your attain. These strategies are easy, efficient and free.

Let’s get into it.

20 Methods to Promote Your YouTube Channel

1. Select Google-friendly key phrases

One of the best ways to advertise your YouTube channel is to prioritize search engine optimisation. And search engine optimisation is essentially about understanding what customers are in search of.

These days, folks don’t simply go straight to YouTube when in search of movies; they search on Google, too. Google now highlights movies in search outcomes for a lot of queries so it’s vital that you just optimize your movies with Google-friendly key phrases.

Right here’s easy methods to determine Google-friendly key phrases for any video:

  • Use instruments just like the Google Adverts Key phrase Planner to seek out doable key phrases. Should you’re utterly new to this, you may also simply begin by utilizing… frequent sense. Give you 5-15 key phrases that individuals may use to explain your corporation or the service you present.
  • After you have your record, Google the key phrases one after the other.
  • Analyze the Search Engine Outcomes Web page (SERP) for every key phrase. See if the top-ranking outcomes are movies or weblog posts.
  • Tweak your key phrase and Google it once more. Add phrases like “The right way to” or ‘Tutorial” when you’re discovering it exhausting to get key phrases with video outcomes.
  • Burn by your record of key phrases to seek out the one(s) that prioritize movies.

For instance, “oil portray tutorial” reveals video outcomes first, whereas “oil portray suggestions” first directs browsers to an online web page.

YouTube results in Google search

You too can use YouTube’s autocomplete characteristic to seek out standard key phrases. Begin by looking for a selected matter or there, and see what title YouTube suggests.

YouTube search - autosuggestions

2. Use concise, descriptive video titles

When viewers are looking out YouTube, your video title is the very first thing they see. And in case your title isn’t attention-grabbing, they’ll seemingly scroll proper previous your video.

Listed here are some suggestions for writing robust YouTube titles:

  • Be concise. Preserve your titles between 60 characters or much less, in any other case, a few of it might be reduce off when displayed.
  • Use brand-related key phrase(s) within the first half of the title so that you just gained’t lose priceless data.
  • Use a trending hashtag or one you’ve used on one other platform.
  • Don’t use clickbait-y titles.

3. Create customized thumbnails

Human brains are wired to note visuals first, so take note of your thumbnails. YouTube truly mechanically generates thumbnails for all movies, however they won’t be significantly eye-catching. So to extend views, create a customized thumbnail for each video you submit.

Listed here are some normal guidelines to observe when making a thumbnail:

  • Use easy, clear textual content that describes your video.
  • Be constant together with your model aesthetic. Stick to the identical format, font kind, and shade scheme in order that your movies might be simply recognizable.
  • Should you don’t have unique photographs, use high-quality inventory photographs.
  • Decision: 1280 x 720 px (however you need to use any 16:9 facet ratio, so long as the width is no less than 640 px)
  • Format: .JPG, .PNG, or .GIF
  • Dimension: The picture shouldn’t be greater than 2MB

An instance of a very good thumbnail is the one under from Ariel Hamilton’s channel.

YouTube thumbnail with text

4. Fill out your profile data

One of many first issues to do when making a YouTube channel is to fill out your profile part. A compelling profile is without doubt one of the finest methods to spice up your search engine optimisation and present your persona to newcomers to your channel.

Under are some nice practices for filling out your profile data:

  • Be constant. Use the identical shade palette, fonts and layouts because the one in your web site and different social media profiles.
  • Optimize your YouTube description. Add key phrases to your YouTube channel description to rank higher. However don’t stuff key phrases in order that YouTube gained’t penalize your channel.
  • Inform viewers your schedule. Decide when and the way usually you’ll submit new content material. Then, follow it in order that your viewers would know when to anticipate your movies.
  • Add your contact information in order that viewers and potential collaborators will know easy methods to attain you.

5. Optimize your video descriptions

When writing YouTube video descriptions:

  • Put your key phrases at the start of the outline and title.
  • There’s a 5,000-character restrict, however put essentially the most spectacular data within the first 100 – 150 phrases so that it’s going to seem above the “Present extra” immediate.
  • Make a “contents web page” with timestamps to assist your viewers discover what they’re in search of.
  • Embrace some related hashtags. Ensure you observe YouTube’s hashtag guidelines to keep away from being penalized.
  • Add hyperlinks to related playlists (see tip #12)
  • You’ll be able to point out key phrases within the video itself. However as a result of folks typically have low consideration span, point out them throughout the intro for finest outcomes.

See how Santrel Media provides timestamps within the descriptions of their how-to movies.

Timestamps in YouTube video description

Try this full information to writing nice YouTube descriptions for particular person movies and whole channels, full with free, customizable templates you need to use to get began.

6. Don’t skip the metadata

YouTube has particular pointers relating to writing metadata (together with video titles, descriptions, and tags).On a excessive stage, they arrive down to 2 issues:

  • Be sincere. Write what your video is definitely about. Don’t add issues which can be fashionable simply to drive the video to go viral.
  • Select high quality over amount.

These guidelines are particularly vital when choosing classes and tags on your content material. Put tags solely within the “Tag” part of your add, not the video description. Then, add one or two classes to assist YouTube determine what your video is about and who to advocate your video to.

7. Supply actual worth

This may look like a no brainer, nevertheless it nonetheless needs to be stated.

Posting nice content material is the easiest way to maintain present viewers engaged, broaden your attain, and rank effectively in YouTube search. It’s because YouTube’s rating algorithm prioritizes the viewers’ expertise.

Earlier than you submit a video, ask your self these questions:

  • What drawback(s) will this video clear up for my viewers?
  • Is the video entertaining?
  • Will it make my viewers’ lives higher in any approach?

8. Create high-quality movies

Good concepts and unhealthy execution is a recipe for catastrophe. So you probably have nice, skilled content material concepts on your YouTube channel, you must also make high-quality movies too.

Get a pleasant digicam (new telephones have cameras which can be ok!), do a soundcheck earlier than you click on “File”, and be taught some fundamental enhancing.

You don’t need to be knowledgeable filmmaker or perhaps a pure at this, however your movies ought to be watchable.

9. Interact together with your viewers

If you would like viewers to have interaction with you, you must have interaction with them. It’s a give-and-take scenario. Should you look intently, you’ll discover that essentially the most profitable YouTubers consistently work together with their viewers.

Listed here are some methods to work together together with your followers:

  • Reply to viewers’ feedback, even unfavorable ones
  • “Coronary heart” your favourite feedback
  • Subscribe to different customers’ channels
  • Create response movies
  • Give your high viewers shoutouts
  • Run contests for viewers
  • Arrange a Q&A or “Ask me something” session
  • Collaborate with different manufacturers

Partaking straight with viewers will encourage them to maintain coming again (model loyalty) and expose your movies to a brand new viewers.

10. Partnering with influencers

Partnering with influencers is an effective way to develop your YouTube channels.

Attain out to content material creators or corporations in the identical area of interest as you on social media to debate the potential for collaboration on one another’s YouTube channels. YouTube creators may also help you faucet into engaged communities, broaden your attain, and give you new content material concepts while you’re caught.

Keep in mind: When collaborating with influencers, you must be genuine and keep true to your model. Collaborate solely with folks whose values align with yours. Inauthentic content material can harm your model.

For instance, the Buzzfeed-owned cooking channel About to Eat made a video evaluating costly cast-iron skillets. The hosts are clear concerning the video being a part of an affiliate take care of the manufacturers they characteristic, however the content material remains to be entertaining, partaking, and genuine as a result of it matches effectively with the channel’s general theme and high quality.

11. Create a collection

If you wish to construct a loyal and engaged viewers on YouTube, you have to get them enthusiastic about your new movies. And there’s no higher approach to do that than by making a collection.

A YouTube collection comes right down to releasing a sequence of themed movies to viewers, normally on the identical time each week, month, or on an in any other case mounted schedule. It will have your viewers eagerly anticipating your movies. Or they may binge-watch the whole collection suddenly.

Both approach, it’s a win-win scenario. Individuals get nice content material. You get views.

A fantastic instance of a collection is Vogue’s “73 Questions” with celebrities.

Vogue's 73 Questions playlist

12. Create playlists

Playlists are one other nice method to get viewers hooked in your YouTube content material. By design, when one playlist video ends, the subsequent one mechanically begins. This encourages viewers to binge-watch your content material, which may flip them into followers.

Playlists work effectively when you make movies on just a few totally different subjects and also you wish to make it straightforward for viewers to navigate your channel. Movies in a playlist are additionally extra prone to seem in YouTube’s Advised Movies column, so they assist folks uncover your content material.

Listed here are two methods to create efficient playlists:

  • In your channel, group present movies collectively underneath a standard theme. This hooks viewers to your content material, moderately than your competitor’s.
  • Gather movies from different related companions or influencers. This reveals your viewers that you just’re updated on the newest traits, and encourages them to share your playlists.

Cosmopolitan’s “Costly Style Take a look at” playlist could be a bit addicting.

Cosmopolitan Magazine's YouTube playlist

13. Go reside

Regardless that YouTube is primarily for watching pre-recorded movies, it’s truly additionally one of the vital standard reside stream platforms. The recognition of YouTube reside streams considerably elevated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person occasions have been canceled.

Going reside on YouTube is an effective way to extend your attain and get extra viewer engagement.

You should use reside movies to execute Q&A periods, webinars, podcast-style interviews, and occasions.

14. Use calls-to-action

Have you ever ever questioned why most profitable YouTubers say one thing like this of their movies: “Ensure you like, subscribe and activate the notification bell to get notified about new movies!”?

Nicely, it’s as a result of the easiest way to get folks to subscribe to your channel (or do something in any respect) is to easily ask them. A compelling call-to-action (CTA) helps you get essentially the most out of the viewers you’ve garnered.

Your CTA may very well be something. Possibly you need your viewers to love and share your video. Or you may want them to click on by to your web site. No matter you want viewers to do, make it clear in your video.

Whereas YouTube has a CTA extension for in-stream adverts, there are a lot of free methods so as to add CTA to movies:

  • Video descriptions: Ask viewers to love, remark, and share your video within the description field itself.
  • Direct mentions: Verbally inform viewers what you need them to do.
  • Finish playing cards: Add a customizable screenshot to the start, center, or finish of your video. These visible cues add extra gravitas to your CTA.

On this video titled, “The REAL method to get free YouTube subscribers“, the workforce at Hootsuite used this finish display screen to spice up subscriptions.

YouTube video end screen with CTA

15. Cross-promote your channel

Should you’re lively on different social platforms or use different advertising and marketing channels (weblog, electronic mail, and so on.), it’s best to promote your YouTube movies there too.

There are a lot of methods to cross-promote your movies, however listed below are some easy concepts:

Social media

Earlier than utilizing social media to cross-promote your movies, be taught the really useful video specs for every social platform. Then, optimize your movies accordingly.

Ensure you preserve your model aesthetic and voice, and use totally different captions each time you submit a video.

Totally different social media platforms require totally different social methods. Instruments like Hootsuite may also help you streamline your content material ideation and publishing course of, particularly when you’re utilizing a number of social media accounts.

Running a blog

Posting your video on the weblog part of your web site is an superior method to enhance the attain of your content material.

You are able to do this by transcribing your movies and publishing it verbatim, or by writing a brief abstract of the video and embedding it proper into the submit for viewers to look at. This technique will enhance each video and web page views.

You too can use Google Analytics to seek out the posts that get essentially the most site visitors in your weblog, and make a video on that matter. Then, embed the video into the submit itself.

It will add worth to your weblog, whereas encouraging guests to take a look at your YouTube channel.

Electronic mail advertising and marketing

Electronic mail advertising and marketing may look like a factor of the previous, nevertheless it’s nonetheless efficient. In 2022, the worldwide electronic mail advertising and marketing market is predicted to be valued at $9.6 billion.

Construct an electronic mail record of simply your YouTube subscribers. Then you need to use electronic mail to inform them each time you submit new movies. It will enhance your movies’ view rely early and, in flip, jumpstart YouTube’s advice algorithm.

To get subscribers with out seeming pushy, you may also add a hyperlink to your YouTube channel underneath your electronic mail signature. However as a substitute of a protracted, unattractive URL, use a easy icon.

16. Create seasonal content material

That is when holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween truly profit you (simply kidding. We all know you like spending time with the fam!).

Anticipating what individuals are in search of throughout these seasons is an effective way to get new eyeballs hovering over your content material. That’s why folks submit about the very best Christmas films, the scariest Halloween costumes, and thrilling Thanksgiving turkey recipes.

Use the vacations, standard films, and traits as inspiration for brand new content material. You’d be shocked at how effectively this works.

17. Make evergreen movies

Whereas seasonal content material will spike your viewership in sure months, don’t underestimate the ability of evergreen movies.

Add just a few movies that your viewers will preserve coming again to. Well-liked evergreen movies embrace how-to guides, assets and instruments lists, suggestions roundups, and extra.

This sort of evergreen content material can rank effectively in YouTube seek for years, boosting search engine optimisation and rising site visitors.

18. Research your analytics

YouTube’s analytics maintain many insights that may aid you perceive your viewers deeply and develop your channel. So take a while to review your information.

As you do, ask (and reply) vital questions like:

  • Viewers pursuits: How outdated are they? What languages do they communicate? The place do they reside? What video codecs do they like?
  • What kind of content material will get essentially the most traction?
  • What days of the week is your viewers most lively?
  • What time of day is your viewers most engaged?

Realizing your analytics will aid you submit content material with intention, as a substitute of posting content material just because they’ve the potential to development.

Learn extra about easy methods to use YouTube analytics to develop your channel.

19. Publish teasers on TikTok

TikTok’s blowing up like loopy lately (the workforce at Hootsuite compiled some stats that show it), however the app’s 3-minute max. restrict has nothing on YouTube’s limits—quarter-hour for non-verified customers and 12 hours for verified customers.

However you. can benefit from TikTok’s recognition by posting teasers of your YouTube video. You could possibly submit the primary 15, 60, or 180 seconds of the video and encourage viewers to go to your YouTube channel to look at the remaining. Be sure to place the hyperlink to your channel in your TikTok bio.

20. Take part in YouTube traits and challenges

Taking over YouTube traits and challenges may also help your movies go viral. You’ll be able to verify on the Discover web page to seek out traits and challenges that immediately encourage new content material concepts.

As an example, movies that present your morning and evening routines or “A day within the lifetime of (insert occupation right here) are massive in 2022.

 

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