So, you’ve just started a podcast or your content on youtube.com. Exciting times Right! Then get ready to get disappointed. Any seasoned content creator knows, Growing an audience on YouTube takes time, dedication, and a strategic approach, And if you can’t trust the process, We are done.
Now you can do some incredibly exceptional stuffs and that might blow the internet by itself, but the rest 99% are not them. So Welcome. For the others like you and me, The question isn’t can you build an audience on YouTube, the question is… is it worth it?
I have a marketing background and believe me that I know all the benefits of having an audience. But, in my opinion, if you focus on building an audience you’re probably going to spend a lot of time and energy working on it.
The problem is that it takes time. And to be honest, once you start to get better at your craft, you see that people with relatively big audiences don’t know that much. And the ones who do know are busy doing the work. (I’m aware there are exceptions, and I follow their work.)
In this guide, we’ll explore some tried-and-true methods to help you grow your YouTube audience, regardless of your niche. Let’s dive in!
Understanding the Landscape
Before diving headfirst into growing your YouTube audience, it’s essential to understand the current landscape and what strategies are yielding results. Let’s take a look at some insights:
Leveraging Communities: NewTubers
Communities like r/NewTubers on reddit can be goldmines for budding content creators. Engaging with like-minded individuals, sharing experiences, and learning from others’ successes and failures can provide invaluable insights into growing your audience.
Embracing Shorts
Don’t miss the chance to use YouTube Shorts. These short, snappy videos are perfect for capturing viewers’ attention.
Creating content for shorts isn’t just about repackaging existing videos—it’s about creating experiences that cater to short-form consumption habits.
The Short-Specific Approach:
- Repurposed videos may fall flat in the shorts arena. You should Invest time and effort into creating content specifically designed for short-format platforms.
- Short videos thrive on authenticity and immediacy. Embrace the raw and unfiltered, even if it means sacrificing production quality.
The Importance of Adaptation:
- What works for long-form content may not necessarily translate to shorts. Understand the nuances of short-form storytelling and adapt your approach accordingly.
- Experimentation is key. Don’t be afraid to try new formats, styles, and techniques until you find what resonates with your audience.
Authenticity Over Everything
While it’s tempting to chase trends and algorithms, authenticity remains king on YouTube. Audiences crave genuine connections with creators, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Remember, being yourself is your greatest asset.
Proven Strategies for Growth
Now that we’ve gained some insights into the YouTube landscape, let’s delve into actionable strategies for growing your audience:
1. Leverage Guest Collaborations
Collaborating with known guests can significantly boost engagement and credibility for your channel. Whether it’s inviting industry experts, celebrities, or fellow creators onto your show, guest appearances can attract new viewers and enhance your content’s value.
2. Optimize The First Impression
Thumbnails
Your thumbnail and title are your first impressions on YouTube. Make sure they accurately represent your content and entice viewers to click. Clearly indicating that your content is a podcast in the thumbnail can help manage viewer expectations and reduce drop-off rates.
Thumbnails should “pop out” with high contrast and bright colors. Thumbnails don’t need to repeat what is already said in the title. Text in thumbnails should be minimal. If it takes longer than half a second to read, its too much text. They already read the title, they don’t need to read another one. However a small amount of text (no more than 3-4 words) can help tell the story of your thumbnail.
Human faces in thumbnails are always good, especially if they are making expressive faces. Use up as much space in the thumbnail as you can, but don’t make it “busy”. It should very easy to instantly tell what is going on in the thumbnail. Keep in mind people usually see thumbnails at very small sizes, so they should still be clear at that size. My personal way of thinking about thumbnails is “Here is a visual example or representation of what I mentioned in the title.” But that’s just one way of looking at it. But, it’s an art just as much as it is a science.
Titles
Titles should be short, simple, and accessible. It shouldn’t be too specific/esoteric, but still should be something interesting that someone will click on. “Dark Souls Playthrough Part 1” is a bad title–there are a million Dark Souls playthroughs, why would anybody click on that? But something like “I Beat Dark Souls with Only a Shield” is both a better idea and a better title. It is an intriguing topic that people might actually want to see. “Why Greg Oden Didn’t Make it in the NBA” is an ok title, but a lot of people don’t know who Greg Oden is, even people that are NBA fans. A better title is something like “The Biggest NBA Draft Bust of All Time.” People don’t have to know anything specific to find that interesting.
The title should send the message “There is something really interesting/informative/funny/awesome in this video that you should watch!”
3. Craft nice Introductions
The initial few seconds of your video are crucial for capturing viewers’ attention. Craft engaging introductions that hook your audience from the get-go. Whether it’s a captivating question, intriguing statement, or compelling visual, make sure to grab viewers’ interest early on.
4. Focus on Coherent Descriptions
In addition to captivating thumbnails and titles, pay close attention to your video descriptions. Keywords. Use them wisely in your titles and tags to help the right viewers find you.
Don’t forget to share your work across other platforms, too. Each social media space has its own vibe, so tailor those teasers to fit. I’ve been using Boost App Social to nail down content ideas that hit the mark.
The first few seconds of your video are crucial, too. You gotta give viewers a reason to stick around.
Ensure they provide context, keywords, and relevant information about your content. Coherent descriptions can improve searchability and attract organic traffic to your videos.
5. Embrace Authentic Engagement
Building a loyal audience requires genuine engagement with your viewers. Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and foster a sense of community around your channel. Authentic interactions can turn casual viewers into dedicated fans who eagerly await your next upload.
Navigating Challenges and Pitfalls
Despite your best efforts, growing a YouTube audience isn’t without its challenges. Let’s address some common hurdles and how to overcome them:
1. Avoid Shadow Bans
Getting shadow banned can set your channel back significantly. To prevent this, adhere to YouTube’s community guidelines, avoid spammy tactics, and focus on creating quality content that resonates with your audience.
2. Stay Consistent with Shorts
While Shorts can be powerful tools for audience growth, consistency is key. Regularly uploading Shorts keeps your channel active and increases your chances of appearing in viewers’ feeds. Experiment with different formats and topics to keep your audience engaged.
3. Navigate Viewer Expectations
Managing viewer expectations is essential for maintaining audience trust and loyalty. Avoid clickbait tactics that may lead to disappointment and disengagement. Instead, deliver on the promises made in your thumbnails, titles, and descriptions to build credibility over time.
Get the full Blue Print on How to succeed on Youtube in 2024 and unlock more tactics
Conclusion
Growing an audience on YouTube is a journey filled with twists, turns, and valuable lessons. By leveraging proven strategies, embracing authenticity, and navigating challenges with resilience, you can steadily build a dedicated following for your content or podcast. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, but with dedication and strategic effort, your YouTube channel can become a thriving hub for sports enthusiasts worldwide. Here’s to your continued success on YouTube!
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