If you’re new to YouTube or have been at it for a while but aren’t seeing the growth on YouTube that you’ve been hoping for, this is the article for you.
As YouTubers we’re often told to simply “be consistent”. But what does that even mean? There are so many other factors to take into consideration if you truly want to see growth, especially sustainable growth, on the platform.
Here are 5 things to implement, that go beyond consistency, to take your YouTube channel to new heights.
1. use long form and short form content to your advantage
There has been talk about how posting YouTube Shorts can negatively affect the performance of your long form videos. However, this is not necessarily true.
With a good strategy, posting both types of content can actually help you reach a wider audience and in turn help you see growth on YouTube.
The algorithms of standard YouTube videos and YouTube Shorts are different. The behaviors of viewers, the way they interact with content, and how YouTube pushes short form vs. long form videos is separate from each other.
However, you can encourage viewers to engage with both.
One strategy would be to use long form content to go in depth about your topic of choice and use YouTube Shorts as “teasers” of that content.
Since you are able to link related videos in your Shorts, there is potential for those viewers to click the link and watch the long form video.
Be sure to make your short form content engaging by implementing elements that will stop the scroll.
2. develop a sustainable YouTube posting schedule and schedule videos ahead of time
While one YouTuber may post long form videos 3 times a week, another may only post once a week. The frequency in which you post is dependent on your situation and what’s realistic for you.
We don’t all have the time to record videos everyday.
Batch recording, setting aside specific times to focus only on editing, and scheduling your videos in advance will help take the pressure off of creating. It will also help prevent burnout as a content creator.
Having a sustainable (and consistent) schedule can lead to growth on YouTube because your audience will know when to expect a video from you and it signals to YouTube itself that you are active on the platform.
For example, I’m a stay at home mom and full-time content creator. I have to be very strategic with my routine for recording, editing, and uploading videos.
No matter what though, I’m sure to post my long form videos on the same day of the week and at the same time.
After months of figuring out what day and time works best for my channel, I found out that my target audience is most likely to watch long form videos on Saturday evenings. Since posting at the same time every week, my views have significantly increased. Many of my video views are over TEN times higher than what they used to be.
3. Post about things people are actually searching for and make it your own
I know, it seems that YouTube is saturated and everything has already been covered. It is and it kind of has. But what’s still missing from the platform is YOUR voice.
If you truly want to grow on YouTube, find ways that will set your content apart from the rest and speak directly to your target audience.
Take this video as an example. I recently bought a hair brush that’s viral on TikTok. I created a review on it but made sure to include some key aspects about my hair that would make it different from a typical review.
Including the fact that I have 3c/4a, low porosity, medium density, and medium/coarse hair and occasionally suffer from puffy roots made it more relatable to those who have the same hair type as me.
There were already a ton of videos on this brush, that’s why it’s viral. However, none of them were THIS specific or as honest as my video.
4. Learn search engine optimization on youtube
Search engine optimization (SEO) is basically how you make the best or most effective use of keywords to help your content reach more people and rank higher.
It’s important to understand that YouTube is a search engine. People use it to get information, learn how to do something, or get reviews on products and/or services.
Whatever it is that you’re posting about, make sure that you use keywords in your title, description, thumbnail, and tags.
The Youtube system processes all of this information. It then categorizes your content and pushes it to those who will find it useful.
Always do research on your video topic and figure out how you can make your video easier to be found.
A way you can do this is by going to the YouTube search bar and seeing what others are posting about your topic. Study their thumbnail layout, how they’ve titled their video, and what tags they’ve used.
NEVER COPY. This is simply for inspiration.
Once you have done this, tweak these things to align with your personal brand and make it your own.
Let’s use the viral brush video as an example again. “Bounce curl” is the first thing to pop up when you search for the brush I used. Instead of using that I titled it “NEW Viral Bounce Curl Brush! Does it work on 3c/4a, low porosity hair?”.
See how it still uses the keyword I want but goes a step further to reach my target audience? Adding in those two elements gave more context. It also made it easier for those who have similar hair to mine to find a video they can actually relate to.
These keywords can be found on my thumbnail, video description, and tags as well.
5. post the video, seriously.
Sounds simple, right?
In order to see growth on YouTube (or any platform) you have to post.
Many of us struggle with having a fear mindset or the idea that things have to be perfect before we hit publish. Honestly, you’re wasting time by doing this.
What’s worse? You’re potentially missing out on opportunities that are meant for you in this moment.
it takes more than consistency to see growth on youtube
While consistency is important, it’s even more important to have a strategy. Incorporating the things mentioned above will help get you there.
You can easily post videos everyday. However, if they don’t make sense for your brand, don’t align with your goals, and don’t reach the people you want them to, then what’s the point?
Implementing these 5 things while building your YouTube channel will surely help you start seeing the growth you’re looking for.
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