How to Increase Your YouTube Followers

Last updated on August 30th, 2023 at 08:14 am

YouTube has become a powerhouse platform for content creators, and building a large subscriber base is key to success in the YouTube ecosystem. Having more subscribers means more views, engagement, and ultimately, a wider reach for your videos. While consistent video uploads play a significant role in growing your subscriber count, there are some additional strategies you can implement to increase your YouTube following.

However, in this article, we will explore highly effective tips and tricks that can help you gain more subscribers on YouTube.

Well, starting a YouTube channel has indeed become more accessible than ever before. With just a camera, a PC or a laptop, and a reliable internet connection, you have the basic tools needed to start on your YouTube journey. Moreover, a reliable ISP like CenturyLink provides fast internet speeds and a seamless online experience because such a connection is crucial for uploading, streaming, and engaging with your audience on YouTube.

So, if you wish to start your own YouTube channel then you must read this article till the end.

1. Produce Compelling and Unique Videos

To stand out in the crowded YouTube landscape, it’s essential to create high-quality and unique videos. However, “high quality” goes beyond having top-notch equipment; it involves understanding your audience and mastering the art of YouTube storytelling.

Also, engaging videos evoke emotions in viewers, leaving a lasting impression. Do the following:

• Hook viewers with a brief, punchy intro.

• Use pattern interrupters like text, music, images, and multiple camera angles to hold viewers’ attention.

• Develop an interesting storyline, borrowing plot devices from movies and TV shows.

By creating emotionally resonant videos, you can build a loyal and engaged subscriber base.

2. Optimize Your Content for Maximum Reach

YouTube is the second-largest search engine globally, making content optimization crucial for visibility. To improve your YouTube SEO, follow these steps:

• Choose a target keyword for each video and incorporate it into your title and description.

• Create a custom thumbnail that reinforces the title and attracts viewers’ attention.

• Use appropriate hashtags after research.

• Add captions and subtitles for the diversified audience.

• Arrange similar videos into playlists for convenience.

• Promote your videos using cards and end screens to encourage viewers to watch more of your content.

• Optimizing your videos increases the chances of ranking higher in search results and gaining more exposure.

3. Design Eye-Catching Thumbnails

Custom thumbnails can significantly impact viewer clicks. Ensure your thumbnails are visually appealing and engaging. Follow these tips when designing them:

• Use the recommended thumbnail dimensions (16:9 aspect ratio, 1280×720 pixels).

• Take clear and high-resolution photos for the background or other elements.

• Keep the design simple and uncluttered.

• Use bright and inviting colors.

• Add text when necessary to convey the video’s topic or key message.

• Thumbnails act as billboards for your videos, so make them compelling to attract viewers.

4. Craft Engaging Titles and Descriptions

YouTube titles and descriptions play a crucial role in attracting viewers. Instead of merely describing the video, focus on evoking emotions and capturing attention. Consider these tips:

• Tap into viewers’ fears and desires by promising to solve a problem or provide valuable information.

• Use compelling language and powerful words to create a sense of urgency.

• Incorporate relevant keywords to improve searchability.

• Keep titles concise and attention-grabbing.

• Describe videos accurately in the description, providing additional context and information.

• Well-crafted titles and descriptions can capture viewers’ interest and increase clicks on your videos.

5. Utilize Hashtags to Expand Your Reach

Using hashtags can boost your video’s discoverability on YouTube. They help categorize your content and make it easier for viewers to find videos on specific topics. Hashtags can be tricky, follow these tips to use them effectively:

• Choose hashtags with a good balance of popularity and competition.

• Avoid using too many hashtags in a single video to maintain readability.

• Use targeted hashtags to reach specific audiences.

• Incorporating hashtags strategically can expand your reach and attract more viewers.

6. Encourage Engagement with a Call to Action

Engaging with your audience is vital for building a loyal fanbase and growing your YouTube channel. You can encourage viewers to take specific actions by using a call to action (CTA) in your videos. Make sure to ask viewers to subscribe and share their thoughts via comments at the end of each video. Make sure you do this in a subtle way, don’t sound needy.

Moreover, you can also prompt them to share the video with their friends or follow you on other social media platforms. By actively engaging with your audience, you foster a sense of community and encourage viewers to become active participants in your channel.

7. Develop a Strong Relationship with Your Audience

Building a strong relationship with your audience is crucial for long-term channel growth. Take the time to interact with your viewers by responding to comments, hosting live stream Q&A sessions, or conducting polls to understand their preferences and interests.

Engaging with your audience is similar to building a friendship – it requires genuine interest, active listening, and consistent communication. By nurturing this relationship, you create a loyal and supportive community around your channel.

8. Collaborate with Other YouTubers

Collaborating with other YouTubers is a fantastic way to expand your audience and gain exposure to new viewers. Look for creators in your niche who have a similar target audience and reach out to them for potential collaboration opportunities.

By working together, you can create unique and compelling content that appeals to both of your audiences. Collaborations can take various forms, such as joint videos, guest appearances, or even cross-promotion on each other’s channels. The key is to find ways to provide value to each other’s audiences while showcasing your individual strengths and expertise.

9. Stay Informed About YouTube Trends and Challenges

To keep your channel relevant and attract new viewers, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest YouTube trends and challenges. Your channel’s engagement and visibility can be improved by participating in popular trends & challenges.

However, it’s crucial to choose trends that align with your channel’s focus and values. Avoid trends that may be harmful, dangerous, or not in line with your brand. Remember, your long-term growth is more important than chasing short-lived trends. Use tools and resources to find trending topics that align with your content and resonate with your audience.

10. Take Advantage of YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts is a relatively new feature that allows creators to upload short, vertical videos directly to YouTube. This format has gained significant popularity, and millions of viewers are consuming Shorts daily. By creating compelling and engaging Shorts, you can attract new viewers and potentially redirect them to your long-form content.

YouTube’s algorithm recognizes the value of Shorts and may recommend your long-form videos to viewers who have shown interest in your Shorts. Take advantage of this feature by incorporating Shorts into your content strategy and experimenting with different types of short-form videos.

11. Leverage YouTube Analytics for Insights

YouTube Analytics is a powerful tool to benefit from. Regularly review your analytics to understand which videos are resonating with your audience, how viewers are discovering your content, and what factors contribute to engagement and retention.

Furthermore, pay attention to metrics such as click-through rate, audience retention, traffic from recommended videos, subscribers gained, and overall engagement. By analyzing these metrics, you can identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to optimize your content strategy.

Conclusion

The key to success on YouTube lies in creating valuable and engaging content, building a community around your channel, and providing consistent value to your subscribers. With passion, dedication, and a focus on delivering quality content, you can grow your YouTube channel and increase your subscriber count over time. Best of Luck!