YouTube has over 2.7 billion monthly active users, making it one of the largest platforms for advertisers.
90% of people say they discover new brands or products on YouTube.
70% of YouTube viewers report purchasing from a brand after seeing it on YouTube.
YouTube doesn’t get the love it deserves, and growing your YouTube channel can be easier than you think. While strategies like optimizing for SEO and consistent posting matter, the real key lies in balancing creativity, authenticity, and audience engagement. Here’s a breakdown of some practical yet flexible approaches that can help you grow your channel without losing your unique voice. If you’re busy and aren’t ready to read this all – #5 is key!
1. Be Real and Post Relevant Content
Niche vs. Broad Appeal: Focusing on a niche can attract a loyal, targeted audience, but don’t hesitate to step outside your usual topics when relevant trends emerge. Sometimes broader content can help you reach a larger audience.
Educational vs. Entertainment: Educational content like how-tos and tutorials can bring in subscribers, but entertainment or storytelling may create a deeper emotional connection, keeping viewers engaged longer
Consistency Without Rigidity: Posting regularly helps build anticipation, but don’t sacrifice creativity or originality to maintain a rigid schedule. Quality trumps quantity, and audiences (or your partner) notice when you’re being thoughtful and engaging.
2. SEO Matters- Create Titles Without Losing the Hook
Balance Keywords with Curiosity: While it’s essential to use SEO-friendly keywords, your titles also need to spark joy. A title that is both optimized for search and grabs attention will perform better than one overloaded with keywords.
Short vs. Long Titles: Titles under 60 characters often work well for search, but don’t be afraid to experiment with longer, descriptive titles that tell a compelling story or ask an intriguing question.
3. Descriptions: Balance SEO But Be Human
While SEO Matters, Keyword Optimization Isn’t Everything: Including keywords in your description is useful, but most viewers only read the first few lines. Focus on making that opening concise and engaging while keeping the rest of the description natural and helpful.
Context Over Length: While longer descriptions can help with SEO, don’t add extra words just to increase length because it isn’t always better. Instead, use the space to provide clear context about your video’s content.
4. Tags: Useful but Less Critical
Tags Play a Minor Role: Tags are still part of YouTube’s algorithm, but their influence has diminished over time. Rather than stressing over the perfect set of tags, focus more on creating videos that engage your audience.
Competitor Tags as Inspiration: Tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ can provide insight into the tags used by top channels in your niche. However, don’t let this data dictate your entire strategy — creative content that does a great job of promoting your brand can perform just as well, if not better.
5. Thumbnails: Eye-Catching But Not Deceptive
Bold Without Clickbait: This is so important. Bright, bold thumbnails can attract attention, but make sure they accurately represent your video. Misleading thumbnails can frustrate viewers and damage trust.
Faces and Simplicity: Thumbnails featuring faces or emotions tend to perform well, but sometimes a more minimalist or unique design stands out even more. It’s worth testing different approaches.
6. Audience Engagement: Focus on Quality Interactions
Engage Strategically: Interacting with your audience is important, but you don’t need to respond to every comment. Focus on building meaningful conversations and connections rather than trying to respond to everyone.
Use Community Features Thoughtfully: Polls, Q&A sessions, and YouTube’s Community tab can help keep your audience engaged between videos. Just ensure your engagement feels authentic and not forced.
Youtube Is Giving Longer “Shorts” Vibes: Take advantage of the sixty-seconds if you need to, but don’t make it mandatory if your content is only interesting for fifteen seconds.
7. You’re Just Like My Favourite Song - Playlists: Helpful, But Not a Must-Have
Improving Retention with Playlists: Playlists can help keep viewers watching longer by guiding them to related content. However, they aren’t the only way to boost watch time. Engaging, stand-alone videos often work just as well.
SEO for Playlists: Just like videos, playlists can benefit from optimized titles and descriptions but focus more on creating binge-worthy content that keeps viewers hooked.
8. Make Real not Fake Friends
Collaboration vs. Organic Growth: Collaborating with other YouTubers can help you reach new audiences, but forced partnerships can come off as inauthentic. Organic growth through genuinely resonant content often has a more lasting impact.
9. Maximize Retention but Watch You Aren’t Over-Manipulating
Hook Viewers with Substance: Starting your video with a strong hook is important, but it shouldn’t feel like a gimmick. Focus on delivering valuable content right from the start to keep viewers engaged without relying on flashy tricks.
Use End Screens Wisely: End screens can direct viewers to other videos or playlists, but don’t overwhelm them with too many options. A clean, focused call-to-action can naturally guide viewers to the next piece of content.
10. Use Analytics Without Stifling Creativity
Don’t Overthink the Numbers: Analytics can provide useful insights into your audience’s behaviour, but don’t let data dictate every creative decision. Focus on trends and broad patterns, but leave room for experimentation.
Trust Your Creative Instincts: Sometimes, a bold, creative idea doesn’t fit neatly into what the data suggests, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work. Successful content often breaks from the usual formulas.
11. Captions and Translations: Make It Easy
Accessibility Matters: Captions and translations can help make your content more accessible, especially for non-native speakers or hearing-impaired viewers. However, if your audience is primarily local or English-speaking, it may not be as necessary.
12. Video Length: Let Content Guide Duration
No One-Size-Fits-All: There’s no perfect video length — some topics need depth and detail, while others are better suited to shorter, more concise formats. Let the subject matter dictate the length of each video.
For the People in the Back – Length Isn’t Always Better: While YouTube values watch time, dragging out videos unnecessarily can lead to viewer fatigue. Focus on pacing and content that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.
13. Encourage Subscriptions: Don’t Overdo It
Be Subtle with CTAs: Encouraging viewers to subscribe is important, but constant reminders can feel pushy. A simple call-to-action at the end of your video, after delivering value, often works better than frequent interruptions.
Less is More: Sometimes, a single, well-placed request to subscribe is more effective than repeatedly asking throughout the video.
Final Thoughts
Growing your YouTube channel and improving SEO isn’t just about following a checklist of best practices. The key to long-term success lies in staying flexible, experimenting with your content, and genuinely connecting with your audience. By striking the right balance between strategy and creativity, you can grow your channel in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.
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