For the past few weeks, I have been working on my channel and trying to build a following. The reason why I am doing this is because I am very passionate about what I do and want to be able to help as many people out there who are struggling with their weight loss goals by sharing some of the knowledge that has helped me achieve success so far. In this process, I have gathered a lot of experience on the right ways and methods to build a subscriber base on youtube. So in this article, I will share with you some of my favourite and most effective tips to help you get your first 1k subscribers on YouTube.
1) Post consistently
When it comes to posting videos regularly, I would say do it at least once every week (preferably twice or three times per week). If you’re serious about growing your subscriber base then make sure you post frequently enough. You don’t need to post daily but if you only post one video per month, then chances are most of your viewers won’t even watch them all. Think about it like this, when was the last time you watched an episode of Game Of Thrones? Probably never right! Well unless you were watching live during its airing. The same principle applies here. Most people will bookmark your videos after they’ve finished watching. If you really want to grow fast, try uploading new content everyday. Trust me; it works. There should always be something interesting happening in your life whether it’s work related, personal or anything else. You can use them to gather inspiration for new videos. That way you’ll keep those eyes glued to your screen regardless of whatever other things you might be doing.
2) Create good titles
This is absolutely crucial. People tend to judge a book by its cover and same goes for any form of media including movies, music etc. It doesn’t matter how great your show may be, if the title sucks, no one wants to check it out. Here are some tips:
- Create catchy titles that make sense to both your target audience and yourself. For instance, if you are promoting healthy eating tips, use words such as ‘healthier’ instead of ‘lose’.
- Another thing is using numbers whenever possible. People love numbers and hence it gives them more confidence that you know exactly what you are talking about. However, avoid overdoing it with too many numbers.
- Keep your title simple yet informative enough. Try to make people curious yet maintain some suspense.
- Use keywords. Just think about what people are going to type into Google search bar when searching for information regarding your niche. Then come up with a creative title which clearly describes what people are looking forward to finding out about.
3) Use compelling thumbnails
Thumbnails play a big part in attracting views from different sources of traffic because they enhance the first impression of the videos in the eyes of the viewers. They also add credibility to your account since thumbnails can represent your brand well. In order to attract clicks, you must ensure that your thumbnail image represents what your actual videos deal with. Therefore, choose relevant photos/images that relate to your topic. Make sure your photo captures the essence of your message and tells a story. And finally make sure that the picture isn’t too stuffed. Don’t overload your thumbnails with tons of colours and moving objects otherwise viewers may probably move away without giving your video another chance.
4) Add call-to-action buttons
Always include links to your blog in your description box. Try to place the link as close to the bottom of the page where the user will notice it easily. But make sure that the button you chose is still visible despite the rest of the text being covered by the video itself. Do this by making the button bigger than the others and placing it towards the centre of the frame.
Also remember to place your email address or website URL below the subscribe button and ask the viewer to signup and to follow you via your social accounts.
You can also ask them to enter their name & email details manually. What you are basically asking him to do is give you permission to send promotional emails directly to your inbox. However, you MUST HAVE AN AUTOMATED SITE IN ORDER TO DO THIS! Otherwise, nobody is going to fill out forms manually especially when the process involves entering sensitive data such as names and addresses. Nowadays, almost anyone prefers signing up online rather than filling out paper forms.
5) Provide memberships
Readers LOVE additional stuff. Especially if it’s valuable. To increase engagement rates among your followers, give them extra bonuses that aren’t available elsewhere. For example, offer exclusive access to memberships that come with stuff such as eBooks, reports, newsletters, training materials etc. Or maybe you could share your favourite recipe for FREE through emails. Whatever unique offers you choose to provide, just make sure that you deliver quality products or services. After all, we wouldn’t expect someone to pay money for our product if we haven’t provided adequate worthwhile service beforehand.
6) Be consistent
Maintain a proper video schedule for your viewers. For example, you can upload a video every Wednesday or on the 2nd, 12th and 22nd day of every month. In fact, you can do it in any way you want. But there should be a clear schedule of when your videos are going to come. This helps your viewers know in advance that your videos will be coming. It also communicates to them that you are serious about your work.
Furthermore, consistency is key but it should come with updates and fresh ideas! Always strive to improve. Whether it’s improving upon existing recipes or coming up with completely original ideas. Newer versions usually perform better than older ones simply because newer technologies are constantly evolving.
7) Share your content everywhere
Social Media Marketing is important nowadays. Not only does it drive targeted traffic to your site but it also helps spread awareness about your brand. Content marketing is also known as “Publishing Content Strategically.” Sharing your content across various platforms is definitely one way to reach wider audiences. Although social networks are generally used for business purposes, you should consider incorporating them into your overall strategy.
8 ) Build relationships with your community
One of the best ways to promote your content is to interact with your followers. Engage with them and reply to comments, questions and concerns raised by your viewers. Answer promptly and honestly. Treating your subscribers with dignity and respect shows you care for your clients. It builds trust between you and your audience. Moreover, interacting with your customers creates positive feedback loops that bring improved results.
9) Get involved in discussions
Whenever you engage in conversations on popular forums and blogs, take advantage of commenting sections and start engaging in debates. Commenting on topics relating to your field of expertise is easy to do and will surely boost your visibility. Plus, you can easily respond to other bloggers’ queries and opinions. Take note though, don’t spam! Instead, leave meaningful messages that actually contribute to the discussion.
10) Ask for reviews
Nothing gets people excited quite like getting compliments and testimonials. Providing consumers with incentives to review your product is a practice followed by successful entrepreneurs worldwide. A satisfied customer is a potential advocate for your company thus helping you gain more exposure in the market. Since most people today rely heavily on reviews before purchasing items, offering them a little incentive can help generate buzz amongst your loyalists.
11) Giveaways
Free giveaways are excellent ways of generating interest and excitement about your brand. Giving away free samples, books, magazines, subscriptions and other such goodies is a tried and tested method of gaining attention from prospective buyers. Besides, it’s a win-win situation for everybody. Winners get their hands on cool prizes whilst you receive lots of publicity that ultimately leads to increased sales.
13) Provide tutorials
Tutorials are a fantastic way of teaching your audience something new. Showcase step-by-step instructions on how to complete tasks successfully. Teaching others how to cook, clean, decorate, dress etc., will enable you to establish yourself as an expert in your own field. Additionally, providing detailed explanations and visual aids will greatly simplify complex subjects for your viewers and they will love to watch more of your video.
14) Write articles
Writing articles is another effective tool for increasing your authority and popularity. It acts as a teaser for larger projects and provides readers with additional helpful resources. Article writing is considered beneficial since it enables you to expand your network and connect with new prospects.
15) Offer consulting/training sessions
If you already run workshops, seminars or classes then perhaps you can incorporate your subscribers into them. Letting them attend your events gives them an opportunity to learn about your industry and potentially turn them into paying clients later down the line. Apart from boosting your profits, it also lets you showcase your skills and experience to potential employers.
16) Run contests
Running competitions is a brilliant idea for building hype and excitement. Hold weekly or monthly challenges where participants are required to submit innovative designs, pictures, songs, poems, stories etc. Winning entries are displayed prominently on your channels and shared widely on social networking sites. Contests are fun to participate in as well as highly rewarding. Depending on your niche, running contests can significantly increase your viewership.