If you have come to this article, it is probably because you are starting your YouTube channel or you are thinking about embarking on the adventure and starting one soon website.
As you already know, YouTube is the leading platform for distributing video content on the Internet. This is because producing content and distributing it through YouTube can make you earn money and you can even live off that income. These income are the way in which YouTube incentivizes its content generators, that is, you vloggers.
In this article, we will give you 20 tips that will help the beginner vlogger get more subscribers for their YouTube channel.
- Upload videos frequently
We know it is not easy. All the content you upload to your YouTube channel must be quality content, and achieving this takes time. Additionally, if, like most, vlogging is not your main occupation (whether because you have another job, are a full-time parent, or are a student), the time you have is limited.
But YouTube rewards those channels that are constant and upload new videos very frequently. Many experts say that by uploading one video a day (maintaining certain quality standards), your success is assured. We don’t dare to make such a categorical statement, but it is a fact that YouTube rewards consistency. If you generate more content, the chances of your videos ranking high in YouTube searches skyrocket.
Publish your videos punctually and in a structured way, whether one a day, one a week, two a month… It’s up to you, but be organized and consistent.
- Optimize your video titles
You have two weapons to attract the attention of YouTube users once your video appears in their search results: the title and the thumbnail (the preview image of the video).
Here are some tips to get a better degree:
Use keywords in the title. This had a greater impact on SEO previously, but is still very important. Please note that Google and YouTube search algorithms do not play the videos, so they are based on the title, description and comments.
Use Google Adwords and Google Trends to find out what people are searching on the web lately. Try to find topics for which there is a high search volume and little competition.
The title must not exceed 50 characters. Anything beyond this limit will not appear in search results.
Choose a descriptive title. Don’t choose a misleading title and try to give your audience clues about what they are going to see next.
Choose a title that attracts attention. You can choose a title that gives some suspense and makes users want to know what is happening. The more clicks you get, the higher your video will appear in search results . But we insist, avoid misleading titles , or you will be penalized sooner or later.
Don’t use the word “video” in the title. We know it’s a video, the users know it’s a video, your dog knows it’s a video, that’s why it’s on YouTube.
- Optimize the description of your videos
We talked in the previous point about the importance of titles in SEO. The second most important aspect to optimize the SEO of your videos is their description.
The description will not only help YouTube users find your videos, but it will also give them an idea about the topics your videos are about.
Use keywords in the description, but without exaggerating. Make your descriptions seem natural and authentic.
- Professionalize your channel as much as you can
If you want your audience to trust your brand, you will have to show a good image.
Your channel and your vlogs will say who you are. Take care of your profile photo, your cover photo and the description of your channel (be careful with spelling mistakes!) and take care of both the quality of the image , the quality of the sound , as well as the lighting of your videos.
- Customize the thumbnails of your videos
This is an accepted practice and followed by the majority of successful YouTubers. Create custom thumbnails for each video.
If you don’t know what a thumbnail is, it is nothing more than the preview image that appears in YouTube search results.
The thumbnail can be randomly and automatically generated by YouTube, but you can also create a custom thumbnail . It is common practice to use one of the best images from the video, accompanied by a short text (use the most important words related to the content of the vlog!) using a text font that attracts a lot of attention, such as the Impact font. .
- Create a trailer for your channel
YouTube offers a fantastic option that allows you to add a trailer for your channel. This trailer is nothing more than a video that should last between 30 and 60 seconds that will play automatically as soon as a user visits your channel.
The trailer will give you the opportunity to convince the user to subscribe, but don’t forget it. You only have 1 minute, be brief, get to the point, and show users a small sample of everything you can offer them, whether it’s entertainment or knowledge on a subject.
- Use YouTube annotations
Annotations are those annoying little messages in floating rectangles that you can find in many YouTube videos. If you use them properly, you can get a portion of the people who watch your video to subscribe to your channel.
There are many YouTubers who say they have managed to increase their subscriber metrics thanks to annotations , but annotations are something you should be careful with. They are annoying, intrusive and can prevent viewing the video. If you decide to use them, do it intelligently, at the right time, preferably at the beginning or end of the video, and configure them so that they are not visible for long.
If users find the annotations on your videos annoying, not only will they not subscribe to your channel, but they will probably never watch your video again.
- Use the right tools
There are a multitude of online tools that will help you promote your YouTube channel and increase views and subscriptions organically. - Let yourself be found
YouTube offers us the option to add a link to your official website. So if you have one, make sure you do it, and if you don’t, we recommend that you research the topic.
There are numerous articles on the internet that teach you how to create a website easily at a low price and even for free like about.me.
One of the advantages of adding a link to your official website on your YouTube channel is that you will be able to obtain verification on your channel, which will indicate that your channel is an official representation of your brand on YouTube.
Similarly, add a button on your website for people to subscribe to your YouTube channel.
- Make videos no longer than 5 minutes
Although you can find a huge number of very popular long-length videos on YouTube, this Buffer article states that the most successful videos in getting subscribers are videos that last less than 5 minutes.
We advise you to follow this basic rule especially at the beginning. Once you have a good base of subscribers, you can take more liberties and extend the length of your creations.
- Add an intro and outro to your videos
Giving your videos a recognizable structure will help you create an identity. Your videos will gain a personal touch and at the same time will appear more professional. - Interact with users
Interact with users who comment on your videos. Even if they are negative comments, always respond. Be polite and try to elicit sympathy from both the person you are responding to and the people who will read those comments in the future.
Remember that YouTube is still just another social network, and social networks are based on interaction between people.
- Do raffles among your subscribers
This is a very effective way to get subscribers for your channel, although keep in mind that there will be many people who subscribe just to participate in the giveaway only to unsubscribe right after, but it is still an interesting option.
The prize does not have to be something very expensive, everyone likes to be given something, even if the value of the prize is 5 euros.
- Promote your channel in other media
“Be everywhere ” is a phrase that podcaster Pat Flynn uses a lot to highlight the importance of being present on all possible platforms.
Create a Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat or any other social network account that can help you attract followers.
Have an aggressive marketing strategy, participate in debates and make yourself heard. Subscribers normally do not come to your channel on their own.