Growing a YouTube channel
I started a weekly tech YouTube series [1] two months ago and have gotten around 100 new subs since starting the series. When I upload a new episode I usually post it to various Facebook groups and subreddits as well as Hackernews. However, I can't help but wonder if there isn't something more I can do to grow the channel after seeing some exponential growth in other channels, while mine appears to be linear.
It might just be because it's only been 2 months? I've thought about maybe running some ads to drive more traffic. Are there any tips people have around here for growing a channel? Influencers you recommend following? Other places to discuss growing a YouTube channel?
Basically, I'm wondering if I'm on the right track and just need to continue to consistently put out content, or if I need to alter my strategy in some way. I would also be interested in hearing from other's who've grown channels and what strategies they used to achieve the growth.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXo6kUXIhKxqhV6jBrQiE5i25znAzYKjT
Some ideas:
https://www.youtube.com/CathrinManning/ was a good channel to watch just to see what the algorithm is looking for
Cathrin's channel is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks @mtthlbg!
Awesome! thanks for the channel @mtthlbg, I'll definitely check it out!
100% on the thumbnails. Using a tool like Canva, you can create much better thumbnails than what you have now.
I also agree with item three. The YouTube search engine is vastly underrated as a source of new viewers.
Also, from my own experience (I've had a youtube channel for years), people aren't crazy about the background music in tech tutorials. I think they like watching it sped up, and that speed ruins the melody of the music. Just gets annoying to listen to.
keep experimenting. there isn't really a "right" formula. and, it takes time to figure it out for oneself.
don't stop uploading.
YT is basically a search engine like Google. All the tips and tricks for growing your blog could be applied to YouTube as well.
Do proper keyword research, SEO optimization.
Apart from that don't forget to interact with the audience on the video, ask for comments.
Check the average watch time and make changes accordingly.
Also, YT is a marathon so be patient. And slow organic growth is better than viral popularity.
I'll probably go to repeat a little, but looking at your channel, I would start by making custom thumbnails. This is SUPER important in order for you to grow.
Next, I would look into Youtube SEO and make the titles and videos based on what people search for.
This strategy has helped me a lot and although I am still growing, I can see in my analytics that making videos based on what people actually search for is a key.
You can check out my channel here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/c/BenasDigital/videos
Yeah, I think that's my biggest takeaway from this post so far.
This was my understanding from Cathrin's channel as well. I'm still debating as to whether I want to go that route or not though. Even though I know it's detrimental to the growth of my channel, I'd prefer to let my personal interests drive the content such that I continue to put out content far into the future, rather than letting SEO drive the content, which I know I'll end up burning out from.
I think you can have best of both worlds - make something you are interested in, but do check the keywords for that topic as well. You may find that people search for the topic you are making video about, but the wording the title needs a little correction to be found on Youtube search
Fair enough! I would think that the view duration would be low if the content isn't directly relevant to the search, but maybe not. I suppose it can't hurt to title the episodes more relevantly to keywords.
Check out that guys channel. He gives away advise for free of how to build a huge community, not sure if it´s working in your niche though. It´s not in mine unfortunately - https://www.youtube.com/c/Lazyassstonerdotcom/videos
Awesome! I'll give it a look, thanks!