Buzz
There are numerous methods to increase video views, gain more subscribers, and expand your follower count. With a combination of luck and skill, you might even achieve fame. Consider the suggestions below to identify which ones align with your specific situation.
Steps
Create Your YouTube Channel
Create an account. Simply visit https://www.youtube.com and click on the "create account" tab. Choose a username and password to set up your account.
- When selecting a username, aim for something memorable, easy to pronounce, and reflective of your personality or the main topic you plan to discuss on YouTube.
- While you won’t be able to change your username later, you can always create a new channel under the same account for similar purposes.
Shoot your first video. Pick a topic to discuss or create an artistic, creative video. Your first video should introduce your channel and give viewers a sense of the content you’ll be offering.
- An introductory video can help outline the main goals of your channel. Why do you want to create your own YouTube channel? What will you be doing on it?
- You can also preview future topics, let viewers know when to expect the next upload, and encourage them to subscribe.
Timothy Linetsky
Music Producer and Educator
Music Producer and Educator
What makes you stand out? Timmy Linetsky, a renowned musician and DJ on YouTube, says: "Don’t just follow someone else’s path. Learn from the success of others online, but ultimately, you need to carve your own path."
Plan your videos early. Start planning months in advance. Create a schedule and stick to it as closely as possible, while remaining flexible to meet viewer demands and handle unexpected issues. Leave room for times when you’re too busy, over budget, or dealing with personal matters that might prevent you from filming.
- If you know you won’t have time to film or upload later, do it now and schedule the upload for the appropriate date.
- Prioritize quality over quantity.
Brainstorm new ideas. If you’re stuck on what to create or talk about, watch other videos for inspiration. After viewing a few, you might feel motivated to make a response video or even parody the original.
- Avoid copying others’ ideas. Parodying humorously is fine, as it’s a popular art form and not considered copying. However, replicating someone else’s script and pretending it’s your own is plagiarism.
- Some successful ideas include prank videos, product reviews, tutorials, emotional expressions, gaming guides, makeup and shopping hauls, unboxing new products, and meme-related content.
- If you want to create a video with minimal editing, like playing the latest video game in real-time, consider live streaming. It’s a great way to engage with viewers and build your audience. Plus, YouTube favors live streams and ranks them higher in search results while they’re active.
Make your channel timely and relevant
Respond to trending topics. Create videos that align with popular or viral content. Certain topics are currently being heavily searched on YouTube and Google, and producing videos related to these can increase your chances of being discovered.
- You can find the latest trends by checking Google News or the trending section on Twitter.
Create adorable videos to gain more visibility. Kittens, puppies, babies, laughing infants, kids doing funny things, or heartwarming moments are universally loved. There’s always room for more! Identify what your audience enjoys and consistently deliver it.
- Cute videos are highly shareable on social media platforms, as people love seeing them in their newsfeeds. Always share these types of videos on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to maximize their reach.
Stay true to your core idea. Once you’ve found success with a particular concept, avoid straying too far from it. Your subscribers expect a certain style or brand when they follow your channel, and they’ll continue to anticipate similar content. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t improve or evolve, but avoid abrupt shifts, like going from a rebellious style to a formal one—unless that’s the essence of your channel!
Grow your YouTube channel
Upgrade your filming techniques. Natural lighting is the best setup for YouTube videos. Successful YouTubers often use studio lights or white lighting, but natural light remains superior. Ensure the light is in front of you, not behind, and watch for shadows that might obscure the focus of your video.
- Using a backdrop is also a great option. You can buy or create one yourself. For affordable backdrops, check eBay or similar sites for simple white backgrounds. Alternatively, film outdoors at locations like beaches, parks, or even your backyard.
- Consider purchasing a green screen to create custom backgrounds for your videos.
Invest in a quality camera or use a smartphone. Webcams are not suitable for YouTube videos due to poor image and sound quality. You don’t need to spend a fortune; even a budget-friendly camera or a modern smartphone can produce excellent results.
- Many digital cameras offer great video quality.
- Look for used equipment on platforms like eBay or Craigslist if you’re on a tight budget.
- Modern smartphones can also record high-quality videos.
- Consider using a tripod to eliminate shaky footage.
Use high-quality screen recording software. This applies if your videos involve screen recording. Since HD videos are now standard, ensure your software can record at 720p or higher.
- Purchasing software is better than using free trials, as the latter often leave watermarks like "Free Trial" or "Demo" on your videos.
- If your screen recording software lacks audio recording features, invest in a good microphone or use separate software. Popular choices among YouTubers include the Blue Snowball or Blue Yeti, but any affordable, high-quality microphone will work.
Tag your videos appropriately. Choosing the right tags is crucial during the upload process. Popular tags can make your video harder to find, while unique but accurate tags can boost views.
- Use concise titles, descriptions, and tags. YouTube categorizes videos based on these elements.
- Think about the search terms you want your video to appear under and incorporate them into your title, description, and tags.
- Including tags in the description can increase your video’s visibility.
- For example, if you’re uploading a video about Lil Wayne’s music career, don’t just tag "Lil Wayne." Instead, use tags like Lil Wayne, income, music, career, and history to narrow down search results and attract more views.
Describe your YouTube channel in the about section. Every YouTube channel has an about section where viewers can learn more about you. Use this space to hint at future videos or share a bit about yourself. This is a great way to grow your subscriber base.
- You can also encourage viewers to subscribe at the end of each video.
Upload consistently to retain subscribers. If you promise to release the next video on Friday, make sure it’s uploaded by Friday. Subscribers expect you to keep your word.
Avoid spamming on others’ accounts. While it might seem like a quick way to gain followers, it often deters people from engaging with your content. Spam includes repetitive comments on others’ videos with the same message or unrelated content.
Stay confident despite negativity. YouTube can be both amazing and discouraging. The best way to handle rude comments is to delete them, block the user, and never respond. Keep your head high and don’t let anyone discourage you.
- Decide whether to keep comments enabled on your videos.
- Don’t take selfish comments personally. Politeness is just a form of expression.
- Focus more on positive feedback and ignore the negative ones.
Review relevant products. If you want to review products on your channel, choose the latest ones. Keep the video design simple to retain viewers longer.
- Try comparing the product with similar alternatives.
- Highlight the differences and what you like or dislike about the product.
- If your review videos gain traction, consider asking the brand for new or unreleased products to review. This can add freshness to your content.
- Encourage viewer interaction by asking for their opinions on the reviewed product.
Tips
- Regularly check feedback. Respond promptly to impress viewers and encourage them to return.
- Decorate your YouTube channel. Add a profile picture and some artwork. This makes your channel look more professional and keeps viewers engaged longer.
- Provide multiple opportunities for viewers to subscribe, such as buttons, links, and calls to action.
- Don’t be afraid to start your own YouTube channel. Do what you love as long as it makes you happy!
- For your first video, consider creating an introduction to let people get to know you.
- Act age-appropriate. Parents don’t want their children watching videos filled with swearing or inappropriate content.
- Don’t forget social media! If you’re a vlogger, share your social media accounts. If you have a channel name, create new accounts for it.
- Avoid excessive swearing (or none at all) in your videos. Show viewers you’re a respectable person.
- Keep videos short. For longer topics, break them into parts like "Part 1, Part 2," etc.
- If splitting a topic into multiple videos, create a short central video linking to the others.
Warnings
- Don’t copy other YouTubers. If your audience notices, they may unsubscribe, seeing your content as unoriginal and a waste of time. Be careful!
- If you want to monetize your videos, avoid using licensed or copyrighted music.
- Avoid clickbait to trick people into watching your videos; it leads to negative comments and frustration on your channel.
