“Now, I’m working hard to entertain my audience, and they love this: I need no further validation.”
Strategy isn’t something which made much sense to me, but now it’s what dominates most of my thoughts. One needs tactics; one needs more subscribers and needs them now. But subscribers aren’t just something about numbers. There also has to be an attraction factor for the right audience so that they come back for more.
Image Source: https://www.tubekarma.com/how-to-get-more-subscribers-on-youtube/
Your YouTube channel is your brand personality. Every video, every thumbnail, and every playlist is your handshake with potential subscribers. So, how do you shake that in as a connection to them? Let’s take a look at some strategies you can start using right away to garner more YouTube subscribers and turn those casual viewers into fans.
1. Make Irresistible, Eye-Catching Thumbnails
Never underestimate the power of a thumbnail. Imagine that a thumbnail is what potential viewers see before they view your video. And if the thumbnail is not inviting, then you are waiting in an empty town with your video.
But this is not it. A thumbnail is not just dabbing text on an image. You pop with bold colors, strong contrast, and concise text. Design a thumbnail that tells the story of your video. If the viewers don’t know what they’re in for by merely glancing through the thumbnail, then they’re unlikely to click.
Pro Tip: Use the very best pictures. Steer clear of using too many words, and stay away from overusing the face or picture of the central subject.
| Comparison Table: Thumbnail Do’s vs. Don’ts | |
| Thumbnail Do’s | Thumbnail Don’ts |
| Use bold, contrasting colors | Overload with too much text |
| Apply hi-resolution, sharp pictures and highlight focal points | Leave readers perplexed by using too many cluttered elements |
2. Consistency Is Key
Your videos need to go live with a level of consistency. Would you watch a serialized TV show whose episodes air at odd, spur-of-the-moment times? Neither will your viewers. Consistency breeds trust, and trust breeds subscribers. Even if you’re posting every week or even every two weeks, make sure you create a content calendar and stick to it. Your viewers will now be looking for new content to come off your channel, and YouTube loves consistency.
How often do you post? It depends on your niche. You cannot overdo, but you cannot be too low, either; then they’ll forget about you. Posting too much means they will unsubscribe due to being overwhelmed.
3. Optimize Title Without Being A Clickbait
Titles on YouTube are little bit tricky to articulate. They need to get attention but should never be misleading to a viewer. Clickbait can ensure you get a view, but it will surely not promise you a subscriber. So try to optimize your titles and maintain the fascination level but also retain the truth factor.
A good title for YouTube is chock-full of keywords for good search engine visibility but, at the same time, sounds like it’s coming from a human being.
The golden rule of thumb is that your title ought to represent precisely what your video delivers yet pique enough interest to bring in people.
Here are some optimized title examples:
- “10 Shocking Hacks That Help You Grow Your YouTube Subscribers (This Actually Works)”
- “Thumbnails That Convert: How to Make Thumbnails That Boost Clicks Without Design Skills “
- Don’t use “Titles like “THIS VIDEO WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!” unless it really does.
4. Correct Use of Calls to Action (CTA)
You never ask people to like, comment, and subscribe. So, here’s what you should know: timing and discretion do matter. Next time, instead of repeating obvious reminders right there at the beginning of your video, you can integrate your calls-to-action sensibly within your video:
For example, “If this helped you out, go ahead and subscribe for more tips,” or “Remember to click the bell icon if you want to see more content like this!” Keep it very conversational and it must just flow from your content instead of being an interruption.
Also, use the main reason why viewers should subscribe. Instead of putting up a generic “Subscribe to my channel,” have something that describes what the benefits will be: “Subscribe and get fresh tips on how you can grow your business every week.”
5. Use Playlists to Keep Bingeing Viewers
The idea is to hook them once and keep them watching. A playlist is like the Netflix of YouTube: make some, and the chances are that your content is going to fall down a binge-worthy rabbit hole. A playlist keeps the viewer around you for a longer period of time. This also helps YouTube understand that your content is relevant and worth promoting.
Organize videos into playlists under common themes or series. For example, being a digital marketer, organize a “YouTube Growth Strategies” playlist so that all your best videos on the topic are in one place. That way, if someone finds one useful, they will more likely watch the rest.
6. Collaborate With Other YouTubers
That’s the YouTube version of networking. You’re tapping into their audience as they tap into yours in a symbiotic way. So you’re looking for YouTubers whose audience is also your audience, but you are never in competition with them.
For example, if your niche is technology, you may want to partner with a content creator that does gadget reviews, and find topics on software to create related content. While sitting back, watch subscriber count increase for you both.
Pro Tip: It’s not a ‘guest appear only’ situation, though. Go ahead and create content that utilizes your mutual expertise so that way, both of you are creating value for each others audiences.
7. Engage With Your Community
I repeat: Your subscribers are not just numbers-they are your community! Engage with them! Ask questions, comment on comments and produce content from their ideas. The more you can make viewers feel heard, the more they’ll keep watching and remain subscribed.
Subscribers’ shout-outs can be a special, unique section in the videos. Or have some fun, host a poll of what people want to see next in the channel. The more you interact with your audience, the more they will show loyalty towards you, and you get organic growth through word-of-mouth.
8. Optimize Your Channel for SEO
Well, yeah. SEO isn’t just for Google. It can actually prove pretty useful for YouTube’s search engine, too. On that note, channel optimization can help future subscribers find your content. Step one: Research what types of keywords would be relevant to your niche and include them in the video title, description, and tags.
Do not overdo keyword stuffing. Your keywords should flow nice and smooth in your content. Remember, you are writing for people first and not for search engines. You can use TubeBuddy or VidIQ to find good keywords that you’ll put in your channel.
| SEO BEST PRACTICES | |
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Use relevant keywords in titles | Stuff your description with keywords |
| Include keywords in your descriptions | Over-specify your video tags |
| Add relevant hashtags | Ignore YouTube’s “suggest tags.” |
9. Use YouTube Analytics To Fine-Tune Your Strategy
Analytics is your friend. YouTube natively gives you a really deep insight into what works and what does not for particular videos, where people are falling away, and what is driving new subscriptions. Use all this data to tighten up your content strategy.
If viewers begin to start sleeping in at specific parts of your videos, then it is probably time to mix things up and do something different. Once you discover the type of content that is going to be best for your channel, you will want to continue making content in the same manner. The more you create what does work, the larger your channel can become.
10. Host Contests and Giveaways
Everyone loves freebies. Running a quick contest or distributing giveaways might create some momentum and attract new subscribers to your channel. The important thing, however, is that the prize itself should be related to your audience. So, for example, if your channel reviews the latest technology, giving away the latest gadget would more likely make an impact compared to a generic gift card.
Use your giveaway to encourage people to like and share and, most importantly, subscribe. As you can see above, it can get a bit complicated as, yes, they do need to fit within YouTube guidelines. Still, it may take a few ideas before getting it just right.
Final Thoughts: Building an Authentic Community of Subscribers
More YouTube subscribers don’t happen overnight with shortcuts or hacks-it’s about building something people want to subscribe to. Be a channel generating content worth the follow, in touch with your audience, and builds long-term growth rather than vanity metrics. Every subscriber is a potential spokesperson for your brand, so treat them well.
Pro Tip: Time to Experiment. Of course, you can apply the above measures but what works well for you? Slog on experimenting until you come up with that perfect formula for your channel.