YouTube is not just for gamers and casual streaming. Did you know that this video streaming network is the second most visited website on the internet? YouTube has over 1.9 billion active monthly users.
You read that right. 1.9 million active monthly users are on YouTube. Therefore, mastering YouTube marketing is vital to digital marketers.
How can you get the most out of YouTube’s fast-growing and evolving social media network? Paid advertising is one way to get your channel(s) noticed, but that is not the only way.
Here are a few intelligent tactics you can use to optimize your YouTube content. Every tip here is easy, effective, efficient, and 100 percent free to use.
1. Using Keywords Properly
The best way to utilize SEO for YouTube is to understand what its users are looking for. People search Google as well as YouTube for videos and Google prioritizes video over all other types of content in searches.
It is essential to find the right keywords for your YouTube content. Resources like Google Ads Keyword Planner make this an easier process for you. Select keywords that match your content and prioritizes your videos.
Quick tip: Tweaking your keyword with added phrases like “tutorial” or “how to” help you find ideal keywords.
2. Utilize Your Profile
One mistake some YouTubers make is skipping over their profile section of their channel and videos. Compelling profiles boost SEO and is an efficient way to promote your YouTube channel.
Profile best practices include these elements:
- Consistency – Use a similar tone, writing style, color palette, and layout as is used on your other social media profiles
- Input your contact information – Make sure your fans know how to contact you and give them hours and days when you are available.
- Optimize your descriptions – Using two or three keywords in your channel’s description goes a long way to optimization.
- Keep them coming back – Create a consistent schedule for creating content.
Quick tip: Be careful not to overuse keywords or tags as YouTube does not accept “stuffing”.
3. Use Clear and Descriptive Titles
When you are writing a title for your video, try to make it stand out. This is the first thing people see on your content. If you are not unique, they are not likely to return.
Tips for Clear Titles:
- KISS – Keep it short and simple. Popular videos on YouTube and feature short, simple, and concise descriptive titles.
- Keywords – Use keywords in the first half of the title so people see the most important information.
- Avoid clickbait titles – While headlines that offer a great benefit or prompt an emotional reaction are ideal, be careful not to damage your credibility with clickbait practices.
Quick tip: YouTube has an autocomplete feature to research your keywords.
4. Use Custom Thumbnails
Every video needs its own thumbnail. These may be even more important than your titles since visuals are noticed first. YouTube will automatically generate a thumbnail from your video for you, but these are often blurry.
Video thumbnails for optimal results:
- Format – .GIF, .JPG, .PNG, or .BMP
- Size – Limit to 2MB
- Resolution – Any 16:9 ratio works and 1280 x 720 px is recommended
- Images – High-contrast
- Stock images – Use stock images if necessary
- Consistency – Be consistent with your branding making everything uniform across your social media
- Aesthetics – Use text and colors that encourage clicks
Quick tip: Brighter and eye-catching thumbnails are the most clickable.
5. Make High-Quality Videos
Poor quality videos will adversely affect your credibility as a YouTuber. The goal is to make it look as professional as possible. A good smartphone camera or standalone camera are good investments.
Not everyone is great at video creation, so there are other methods of making videos besides having to create them.
Quick tip: Take a little time to learn basic video editing to hone your skills.
Final Thoughts
Other things you can do to enhance your YouTube channel as well as your overall social media presence include the following:
- Interact with your fans
- Host Q&As
- Run contests or have a giveaway
- Be active in the online community
- Partner with brands or influencers
- Follow community guidelines
- Create a series of videos
- Create playlists
- Go live with updates and information
- Create a call-to-action (CTA)
- Embed your videos and posts on your blog
- Get people to subscribe to your channel and use email marketing
- Make the most of holiday content
- Balance your videos between evergreen and trending content related to your niche
- Monitor your analytics and learn what works and change what does not
- Share across social media channels – cross-promotion
- If you have trouble growing your YouTube network of followers, try UseViral to give your channel and videos a little boost. It is a safe and effective service.
These are all tactics that will work to promote your YouTube channel and videos.
