How to Grow Your YouTube Channel from Scratch
Growing a YouTube channel from scratch can be a daunting task, but with the right strategies and techniques, it's definitely achievable. In this blog post, I'll share with you some proven methods to help you boost your channel's visibility and attract a larger audience.
One of the first steps in growing your YouTube channel is to optimize your videos for search. By conducting keyword research and incorporating relevant keywords into your video titles, descriptions, and tags, you can increase the chances of your videos appearing in search results. Additionally, creating eye-catching thumbnails and writing compelling titles can entice viewers to click on your videos.
Another important aspect to focus on is increasing watch time. YouTube's algorithm places a high emphasis on watch time, so it's crucial to create longer videos that keep viewers engaged. Cutting out unnecessary fluff from intros, incorporating pattern interrupts, and planning your videos in advance can all contribute to longer watch times.
Promoting your videos through social media, email lists, and collaborations with other channels can also help expose your content to a wider audience. Encouraging viewers to subscribe to your channel and engaging with your audience through comments and community-building activities can foster loyalty and turn viewers into dedicated subscribers.
By following these strategies and consistently publishing high-quality content, you can gradually grow your YouTube channel from scratch and establish a strong presence on the platform. Remember to monitor your analytics to gain insights into your channel's performance and make adjustments as needed. Happy YouTubing!
Finding Untapped Video Keywords
To grow your YouTube channel from scratch, one of the first steps is to find untapped video keywords. By targeting keywords that have lower competition, you can increase your chances of ranking higher in search results and attracting more viewers. In this section, I will discuss two effective strategies for finding untapped video keywords.
Create a List of Seed Keywords
The first step in finding untapped video keywords is to create a list of seed keywords. These are the main topics or themes that you want to create videos about. Brainstorm and come up with a list of relevant seed keywords that are specific to your niche or industry.
For example, if your channel is about fitness, some seed keywords could be "weight loss tips," "workout routines," or "healthy recipes." These seed keywords will serve as the foundation for generating long-tail keywords, which are more specific and targeted.
Use YouTube Suggest or KeywordTool.io to Generate Long-Tail Keywords
Once you have your list of seed keywords, you can use tools like YouTube Suggest or KeywordTool.io to generate long-tail keywords. Long-tail keywords are more specific phrases that people are searching for on YouTube. They often have lower competition and can help you target a more niche audience.
YouTube Suggest is a feature within the YouTube search bar that provides autocomplete suggestions as you type. Start by typing in one of your seed keywords and see what other suggestions come up. These suggestions can give you ideas for long-tail keywords that are related to your seed keyword.
Another useful tool is KeywordTool.io, which provides keyword suggestions based on a seed keyword. Simply enter your seed keyword into the tool, and it will generate a list of relevant long-tail keywords. You can filter the results by search volume, competition, and other factors to find the best keywords for your videos.
By creating a list of seed keywords and using YouTube Suggest or tools like KeywordTool.io, you can uncover untapped video keywords that have the potential to attract more viewers to your channel. Remember to choose keywords that are relevant to your content and have a reasonable amount of search volume. With these strategies, you can optimize your videos for discoverability and increase your chances of growing your YouTube channel from scratch.
2. Optimizing Videos for 'Watch Time'
Growing a YouTube channel from scratch can be a challenging task, but with the right strategies, you can increase your chances of success. One of the key metrics that YouTube considers when ranking videos is "Watch Time," which refers to the total amount of time viewers spend watching your videos. By optimizing your videos for Watch Time, you can improve your visibility and attract a larger audience. Here are some effective techniques to optimize your videos for Watch Time:
Focus on creating longer videos
When it comes to Watch Time, longer videos tend to perform better. YouTube rewards videos that keep viewers engaged for a longer duration, so aim to create content that provides value and keeps your audience hooked. However, it's important to strike a balance between length and quality. Avoid stretching your videos unnecessarily, as viewers may lose interest. Instead, focus on delivering valuable and engaging content that justifies a longer duration.
Cut out fluff from intros
To maximize Watch Time, it's crucial to grab viewers' attention right from the start. Avoid lengthy and unnecessary introductions that may cause viewers to click away. Instead, get straight to the point and deliver your key message in a concise and engaging manner. By trimming the fluff from your intros, you can capture viewers' interest and encourage them to watch the entire video.
Incorporate pattern interrupts
Pattern interrupts are techniques used to break the monotony and surprise viewers, thereby increasing their engagement. Introducing unexpected elements, such as visual effects, sound effects, or changes in pacing, can help retain viewers' attention and prevent them from getting bored. By incorporating pattern interrupts strategically throughout your videos, you can create a more dynamic and captivating viewing experience.
Plan videos in advance
To optimize your videos for Watch Time, it's essential to plan your content in advance. By having a clear outline and structure for your videos, you can ensure that they flow smoothly and deliver value to your audience. Planning also enables you to organize your thoughts, eliminate unnecessary tangents, and maintain a cohesive narrative. Additionally, planning ahead allows you to anticipate any potential roadblocks or technical issues, ensuring a seamless viewing experience for your audience.
Incorporating these strategies into your video creation process can significantly enhance your chances of growing your YouTube channel from scratch. By focusing on creating longer videos, cutting out fluff from intros, incorporating pattern interrupts, and planning your content in advance, you can optimize your videos for Watch Time and attract a larger and more engaged audience.
To learn more about growing your YouTube channel, you can refer to this article on Foundr.com.
3. Keyword-Optimizing Video Titles and Descriptions
In order to grow your YouTube channel from scratch, it's important to optimize your video titles and descriptions with relevant keywords. This will help improve your visibility in search results and attract more viewers. In this section, we'll explore two key strategies for keyword optimization: maximizing click-through rate (CTR) with catchy titles and writing SEO-friendly video descriptions.
Maximize click-through rate (CTR) with catchy titles
The title of your YouTube video plays a crucial role in enticing viewers to click and watch. To maximize your CTR, it's important to create catchy titles that grab attention and pique curiosity. Here are some tips to help you craft compelling titles:
Use attention-grabbing words: Incorporate power words and phrases that evoke emotions or spark curiosity. For example, words like "ultimate," "unbelievable," or "secret" can captivate viewers' interest.
Include keywords strategically: While it's important to include relevant keywords in your title, make sure they flow naturally and don't sound forced. Aim for a balance between optimization and readability.
Keep it concise and clear: Avoid lengthy titles that may get cut off in search results. Be concise and use clear language to convey the main topic or benefit of your video.
Test and iterate: Experiment with different title variations to see which ones resonate best with your audience. Monitor your YouTube Analytics to gain insights into which titles are driving the most clicks and engagement.
By optimizing your video titles, you can increase the likelihood of attracting clicks and driving more traffic to your channel.
Write SEO-friendly video descriptions
In addition to catchy titles, well-crafted video descriptions can also improve your search visibility and click-through rate. Here are some tips for writing SEO-friendly video descriptions:
Include relevant keywords: Incorporate targeted keywords naturally throughout your description to help search engines understand the content of your video. However, avoid keyword stuffing, as it can negatively impact your rankings.
Provide a summary: Use the first few lines of your description to provide a concise summary of your video's content. This will give viewers a clear idea of what to expect and entice them to watch.
Add timestamps: If your video covers multiple topics or sections, consider adding timestamps in the description. This allows viewers to easily navigate to specific parts of the video, improving user experience.
Include relevant links: If you mention any resources, websites, or related content in your video, include links in the description. This not only provides additional value to viewers but also improves the likelihood of engagement and click-throughs.
Engage with your audience: Encourage viewers to leave comments, ask questions, or share their thoughts in the description. Engaging with your audience can foster a sense of community and increase overall engagement.
Remember to optimize your video descriptions with relevant keywords, provide valuable information, and engage with your audience to maximize the impact of your YouTube channel.
To learn more about growing your YouTube channel from scratch, check out this comprehensive guide on Foundr.com.
Note: The content above is based on research conducted on 2023-10-13. Please keep in mind that strategies and best practices for YouTube optimization may evolve over time. Stay up to date with the latest trends and algorithm changes to ensure the continued growth of your channel.
4. Stand-Out Thumbnails
In order to grow your YouTube channel from scratch, it is important to create thumbnails that stand out and grab the attention of viewers. Thumbnails serve as the first impression of your video and can greatly impact whether or not someone decides to click and watch. Here are two key strategies to make your thumbnails stand out:
Use lots of contrast
One effective way to make your thumbnails stand out is by using lots of contrast. Contrast helps to make elements in your thumbnail pop and catch the eye. By combining light and dark colors or contrasting colors on your thumbnail, you can create a visually appealing and attention-grabbing image. This can be achieved by using bold text on a contrasting background, incorporating vibrant colors, or juxtaposing different elements in the thumbnail.
For example, if your video is about a recipe for a delicious dessert, you could use a thumbnail with a vibrant image of the dessert against a dark or contrasting background. This will make the dessert visually stand out and entice viewers to click on the video to learn more.
Utilize colors that stand out on YouTube
Another way to make your thumbnails stand out is by utilizing colors that stand out on YouTube. YouTube's platform has a predominantly white and red color scheme, so using colors that contrast with these hues can help your thumbnail catch the attention of viewers as they scroll through their feed.
Consider using colors such as bright blues, greens, or oranges that contrast with the white and red elements on YouTube. These colors will make your thumbnail stand out and increase the likelihood of viewers clicking on your video.
Remember to also consider the psychology of colors when designing your thumbnails. Different colors evoke different emotions and can influence how viewers perceive your content. For example, using warm colors like red or orange can create a sense of excitement or urgency, while cooler colors like blue or green can evoke a feeling of calmness or trust.
In conclusion, creating stand-out thumbnails is essential for growing your YouTube channel from scratch. By utilizing lots of contrast and incorporating colors that stand out on YouTube, you can increase the visibility and click-through rate of your videos. Remember to experiment with different thumbnail designs and monitor your YouTube Analytics to see which thumbnails perform the best. With attention-grabbing thumbnails, you can attract more viewers and ultimately grow your YouTube channel.
To learn more about growing your YouTube channel, check out this resource for additional insights and tips.
5. Optimized Playlists for Increased Engagement
In order to grow your YouTube channel from scratch, it's important to create and promote optimized playlists. These playlists not only help increase session time, but also improve your ranking on YouTube. By organizing your videos into playlists, you provide viewers with a curated selection of content that keeps them engaged and encourages them to watch more of your videos.
Create and Promote Optimized Playlists
To create optimized playlists, start by grouping your videos into relevant categories or themes. This helps viewers easily navigate through your content and find videos that interest them. For example, if you have a cooking channel, you can create playlists for different types of recipes such as desserts, vegetarian dishes, or quick and easy meals.
When naming your playlists, use descriptive and keyword-rich titles that accurately represent the content within. This helps your playlists appear in search results when viewers are searching for specific topics. Additionally, write engaging and informative descriptions for each playlist, highlighting the benefits of watching the videos within the playlist.
Promoting your playlists is equally important to maximize their impact. Share links to your playlists on your social media platforms, in your email newsletters, and even in relevant blog posts. Encourage your audience to check out your playlists and share them with others who may be interested. By actively promoting your playlists, you increase their visibility and attract more viewers to your channel.
Increase Session Time and Improve Ranking on YouTube
One of the key benefits of creating optimized playlists is that they help increase session time on your YouTube channel. Session time refers to the total amount of time viewers spend watching videos on your channel in a single session. The longer viewers stay on your channel, the more likely they are to engage with your content, subscribe to your channel, and become loyal fans.
YouTube's algorithm takes session time into consideration when ranking videos. If viewers spend more time watching your videos and exploring your playlists, it signals to YouTube that your content is valuable and engaging. As a result, your videos are more likely to rank higher in search results and gain more visibility.
By creating playlists that flow seamlessly from one video to another, you can encourage viewers to continue watching your content without interruption. This creates a binge-watching experience that keeps viewers engaged and invested in your channel.
In conclusion, optimized playlists are a powerful tool for increasing engagement and growing your YouTube channel. By organizing your videos into themed playlists, promoting them effectively, and focusing on increasing session time, you can improve your ranking on YouTube and attract more viewers to your channel.
For more tips and strategies on growing your YouTube channel, check out this helpful article that provides insights into YouTube optimization and audience engagement.
6. Effective Promotion Strategies
Growing a YouTube channel from scratch requires more than just creating great content. It also involves implementing effective promotion strategies to reach a wider audience and attract more viewers. In this section, we will discuss two key promotion strategies that can help you grow your YouTube channel: promoting videos through social media and email lists, and engaging in email outreach.
Promote Videos Through Social Media and Email Lists
One of the most powerful ways to promote your YouTube videos is by leveraging the power of social media. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn provide excellent opportunities to share your videos with your followers and engage with a larger audience. You can create engaging posts that feature snippets or teasers of your videos, along with a link to the full video on YouTube. Be sure to include captivating captions and eye-catching thumbnails to grab the attention of your audience.
Another effective promotion strategy is to utilize your email list. If you have an existing email list, you can send out regular newsletters or updates to your subscribers, featuring links to your latest YouTube videos. This allows you to directly reach out to your dedicated audience and keep them informed about your new content. Make sure to craft compelling subject lines and provide a brief description of the video to entice your subscribers to click through and watch.
Engage in Email Outreach
In addition to promoting your videos through your own social media channels and email lists, you can also engage in email outreach to reach a wider audience. Identify influencers, bloggers, or other content creators in your niche who have a large following or a similar target audience. Reach out to them via email and introduce yourself, expressing your interest in collaborating or sharing each other's content.
When reaching out via email, make sure to personalize your message and explain why you believe a collaboration or content sharing would be beneficial for both parties. Be polite, concise, and clear about your intentions. Remember, building relationships and networking with other creators can help you tap into their audience and gain exposure for your YouTube channel.
Conclusion
Effectively promoting your YouTube channel is essential for its growth and success. By leveraging the power of social media, email lists, and engaging in email outreach, you can reach a larger audience and attract more viewers to your videos. Remember to create engaging and captivating content, optimize your video titles and descriptions with relevant keywords, and always include a call to action to encourage viewers to subscribe and engage with your channel.
Research citation: https://backlinko.com/grow-youtube-channel
7. Turning Viewers into Subscribers
Building a successful YouTube channel from scratch requires more than just creating great content. To truly grow your channel, you need to turn your viewers into loyal subscribers. In this section, we will explore two effective strategies to help you achieve this goal.
Add a subscribe button to the end screen
One simple yet effective way to encourage viewers to subscribe to your channel is by adding a subscribe button to your end screen. The end screen is the final segment of your video where you can promote additional content or call-to-action buttons. By including a subscribe button in this prime real estate, you make it easy for viewers to take the next step and become subscribers.
To add a subscribe button to your end screen, navigate to the YouTube Studio and select the video you want to edit. Click on the "End screen & Annotations" tab and choose the layout that best suits your needs. Then, click on the "Add element" button and select the "Subscribe" option. You can customize the appearance and duration of the subscribe button to align with your branding and video style.
Encourage subscriptions through calls to action
Another effective strategy to turn viewers into subscribers is by incorporating calls to action (CTAs) throughout your videos. CTAs prompt viewers to take a specific action, such as subscribing to your channel, liking the video, or leaving a comment. By strategically placing CTAs, you can guide your viewers towards subscribing and engaging further with your content.
When incorporating CTAs, it's important to be clear and compelling. Clearly state the benefits of subscribing to your channel and explain why viewers should take this action. Use persuasive language and rhetorical questions to pique their interest and make them feel like they are missing out if they don't subscribe.
Additionally, consider using visual cues, such as arrows or text overlays, to draw attention to your CTAs. Place them at key moments in your videos when viewers are most likely to be engaged and receptive to taking action.
Remember, turning viewers into subscribers is not just about asking them to subscribe. It's about building a connection, providing value, and creating a sense of community. Engage with your audience by responding to comments, fostering a positive and inclusive environment, and creating video series that keep viewers coming back for more.
By implementing these strategies and consistently delivering high-quality content, you can effectively grow your YouTube channel from scratch and build a loyal subscriber base.
Research citation: Backlinko - H
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