It can be very difficult to get a new YouTube channel off its feet. You post your latest web series video or monologue and wait and wait and wait for the likes, comments and subscribers to come pouring in. Instead….crickets. But don’t worry, in the next few minutes you’ll learn 10 quick tips to will help you get your first 100 YouTube subscribers on your channel.
1. Narrow your audience
A lot of novice content creators create random videos that they think everyone will like. What usually happens is because they’re trying desperately to appeal to everyone, they end up appealing to no one. Think hard about who you’re creating content for. Are they actors, Game of Thrones fans, Harry Potter fans or horror film lovers? Be specific. Before you create any content do some research on youtube to see what kind of content they like. What keywords are in this content. Then you can create content you know your audience will enjoy.
2. Create a Trailer for your Channel
You can upload a Trailer for your channel that will only autoplay for people who are not subscribed to your channel. Keep your trailer short, exciting and end with a call to action to subscribe.
3. Create an Interesting Profile
Don’t ignore your YouTube account’s ‘About’ section. This is where you can sell your channel to potential subscribers. Tell the viewer what they will gain by watching your channel and why they should subscribe. The keywords in your ‘About’ section will also help your channel rank higher in search results.
4. Choose Searchable Titles
When choosing a title for your videos, think about what your audience would actually type in search to find your content. #SocialRockstar Tip: Only the first 45 characters of your title are viewable in search so keep your keywords toward the front.
5. Create Better Thumbnails
Your thumbnail is like a mini movie poster for your content. It’s only job is to get people to watch! Your video can come up in search, but if your thumbnail is boring no one will click on it (and, obviously, never subscribe). Remember, people are visual and you need to stand out from your competition. Bright, high-resolution, compelling thumbnails (containing the title) usually perform very well.
6. Add a Watermark!
YouTube allows you to add a branding watermark to your videos that allows non-subscribers to become subscribers with one click. The watermark can be easily uploaded in your Channel Settings.
7. Use YouTube’s Free Analytics
Find the Audience Retention Graphs in your YouTube analytics. These will teach you what your audience likes. People could be leaving at the same time. Maybe your intro is too long or maybe your video is too long and many people leave after 5 minutes. Keep them watching! The longer they watch the better you’ll show up in search and the more subscribers you’ll get.
8. Create Consistent Content
If your goal is channel growth create a schedule for your content. Decide whether you’ll publish weekly, bi-weekly, etc. and what days you’ll publish. Viewers like structure and will be more likely to subscribe if they know how often they’ll be getting a video.
9. Create Playlists
Playlists (like this one) are one of the most underutilized growth hacks on YouTube. Most people don't realize that YouTube playlists show up in search results just like videos do. If you have a web series, for instance, playlists are a great way to ensure your audience will watch them the way you intended. If you don’t have a lot of your own content yet, you can curate other people’s content in playlists that your targeted audience will also enjoy.
10. Just Ask!
Don’t assume that if someone liked your video they’re going to subscribe. You need to tell them what you want them to do. Invite your users to subscribe at the end of your video so they can receive even more awesome videos like the one they just watched.
Try these 10 tips and let me know how it goes!
If you want step-by-step video tutorials for how to do 1-10 above, YouTube Essentials for Actors will breeze you through all the confusing (but-oh-so-necessary) techie stuff so you can start growing your channel Faster!
See you on Social!
1 Response to "How to Get Your First 100 YouTube Subscribers"
Alrighta!