10 Actionable Tips to get Youtube Subscribers in 2018 & 2019 | SMMSUMO
1. Increase Uploading Frequency and consistency
The key to any relationship is consistency. Same goes for you and your subscribers. You have to consistently nurture your subscribers with top class videos on a regular basis.
The math is simple. More videos mean more minutes consumed from your channel. This is a strong signal to Youtube that your channel is serious about video creation. It increases the possibility of your video appearing on the first page of search results.
Once it reaches the first page, you will get even more viewers and in turn subscribers. If your content is good, people will start sharing your videos leading to more subscribers.
This is why influencers like Gary Vaynerchuk upload a video every single day!
Pro Tip: The frequency entirely depends on the amount of time you have in mind. While daily vlogging can reap quicker results, make sure it doesn’t hamper your quality!
2. Create Video Thumbnails that are irresistible to click
Once upon a time, only Youtube partners could use custom thumbnails. But now everyone can do it just by verifying their phone numbers.
People brainstorm for hours to come up with magnificent blog titles but don’t put the same effort into creating video thumbnails. This is because they don’t realize that thumbnails are to video what headline is to blogs.
All the effort you put into creating your video will go to waste if people don’t click. Your Video thumbnail plays a significant role in making people click. Here are a few tips to create click-worthy video thumbnails:
- Make it consistent: It is better you choose a particular style and stick with it. This helps in making your videos more recognizable over time.
- Colors: It’s better you stick with your brand colors. Again, there is no hard and fast rule. Use the color wheel to decide which color suits a particular post more.
- Resolution: The last thing you want to do is create low-quality images that get pixelated! Also, getting the wrong dimension can make your thumbnails look awkward. Make sure your thumbnails are of the size ‘1280×720.’
- Put your face up there: The human eye is attracted to human faces rather than text or any other graphic. Neuroscience has proved this. This doesn’t mean that you crop in a fixed template of your face in every thumbnail! Use different expressions that suite the topic of your video.
- Size of the text: Remember, thumbnails are small. The text has to take a significant portion of the thumbnail’s real estate to be visible when it appears on Youtube. Many people, having created posters, make the mistake of using text that is way too small.
More people clicking your videos result in more reach and thus more subscribers!
Pro Tip: Experiment every once in awhile to see how people respond to a particular style. You can tweak your design based on insights you gain over time.
3. Never try to hit an ideal duration for your video
There are loads of advice out there about the perfect length of a youtube video. “Experts” often come up with contradictory statements. While some argue that longer videos result in more view time for channels, others argue small short videos result in more number of videos watched.
So which side should you pick? Neither!
The ideal duration of your Youtube Channel is unique to you. It depends on a lot of factors like the genre and even your style of presentation. Never listen to any of this advice. No one can ever tell you the ideal duration of your Youtube videos.
Set a time that you feel is ideal. Something which is not too long nor too short. You will be able to strike this balance once you create a lot of videos.
Pro Tip: Always check out your Youtube analytics to see if there is a correlation between the video duration and engagement levels. See if people are dropping out of long videos frequently. These insights will help you make an informed decision in future.
4. Use an Intro that keeps people interested
A cool intro and outro section for all your videos helps in branding your channel. If done right, this hack alone can reduce your bounce rates. However, it is vital that you don’t come up with something cliche.
Casey Neistat did an outstanding job doing this on his old channel where he shared his Snapchat stories:
Once you get people hooked on your video, you boost the chances of them subscribing!
Pro Tip: This is an excellent place to add ASMR sound effects that hook people. In Casey’s intro, he uses paper crunching sound.
5. Go Crazy and Edit like a Perfectionist
You might have a tight schedule because you are trying to upload frequently. But this doesn’t mean that you can compromise on the video quality. You have to spend a reasonable amount of time in post-production to alchemize your mediocre video cuts to a kickass vlog.
Also, take multiple takes of shots that you aren’t very confident about. Add effects wherever necessary. Do this in a way that makes you stand out.
Remember, the more creative your videos look, the more are the chances of getting subscribers!
Pro Tip: Don’t waste too much money buying expensive software you don’t even know to use. You can always use free stuff like iMovie or even DIY tools like Animaker to create your Youtube video.
6.Don’t believe the “experts” when it comes to the best upload time!
Some “experts” might tell you to upload your videos at a particular time to gain maximum reach. Following them is the stupidest thing you can do. Imagine that a 1000 people read this “case study.” Soon, everyone will be uploading videos at that exact time. Your video will drown in the sea of other videos!
These “best time to upload” hacks are basically based on some study. But as soon as the study is out, it becomes the worst time to upload – as everyone is doing it! Moreover, the results of that study might not apply to your channel’s genre and target audience.
The only way to find what works is to keep on experimenting. After a couple of months, you’ll start seeing trends and patterns. This is how you hack the best time to upload!
You can also use tools like Bird Song Analytics to spy on your competitors and get more Intel
This gives you an added advantage in gaining more reach and subscribers!
Pro Tip: The “ideal” upload time can change over time. Just because something is working for your now doesn’t mean it will remain the same always. So keep on experimenting every once in awhile, especially if you see a drop in viewership.
7. Translate your Video subtitles to other languages
Before you start translating, you need to know about your traffic sources. For example, after a couple of months, let’s say you find that a huge chunk of visitors is from Germany. It would make sense to translate the subtitles of your videos to German.
Pro Tip: You can either opt for paid translating services or choose to upload your own translations. You can use Google Translate to get free translations though it might contain some errors.
8. Collaborate with other YouTubers
A great way to increase subscribers is by appearing on other Youtube Channels. Try to pick channels which have subscribers who might be interested in your videos.
Make a list of Youtubers and then reach out to each one of them. Use a spreadsheet to document the whole process
Use this template while reaching out:
Hey (name)
I’m a huge fan of your Youtube Channel! I especially loved the (video name) video you uploaded last week. It was super (compliment).
I’m also into (your genre). I have a youtube channel with ‘x’ subscribers. I was thinking if we could collaborate on a video. How about we catch up for a cup of coffee?
Warm Regards,
(Your Name)
Pro Tip: Don’t expect everyone on your list to accept your offer. Once a few of them do, you can go ahead and talk to them. Make sure your offer is a win-win for both parties.
9. Leverage comments to gain SuperFans
Once your channel kicks off, people will start commenting. This is a very good metric which proves that whatever you’re doing is working. Sadly, many YouTubers make the mistake of not engaging with these folks.
You should use this opportunity to build up a conversation. Over time, you’ll start building relationships with many. This tactic can give superfans who’ll not just subscribe to your channel but also actively promote it!
Pro Tip: Create a spreadsheet and document comments that are valuable to your channel’s growth. These are genuine comments that tell you what’s working and what’s not. The comment section is also a goldmine full of ideas for your next vlog.
10. Give away contests!
Giveaways are a great way to get exposure. But avoid giving away random gift cards or iPads unless it is directly relevant to your target audience. With such giveaways, you will gain a lot of subscribers who are not even interested in your channel.
To get useful subscribers who watch your videos and engage, you should come up with giveaways that matter to your audience only.
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