Globally, there are more than a billion users in over 88 countries using 76 different language formats on YouTube, whilst more than half of the YouTube users are accessing the content using a mobile device. The daily viewership of YouTube videos exceeds the viewership of the most popular global cable television channels.
Although it is possible to pay for YouTube views, we do not advise it. Having an actual, authentic community of people viewing your videos will feel more special than a bunch of bots. If it was as simple as just buying a few million views, then everyone would be a YouTube star. Buying views will also result in your channel being either terminated or suspended.
While YouTubers like PewDiePie and BuzzFeed make getting millions of views look easy, it is more of the opposite. There is a range of things you have to take into consideration when making a video in the hopes of it getting a lot of views. In this article we will be presenting the best tips and tricks to increase your YouTube Views.
If you have not yet set up a YouTube channel, then check out our tutorial on how to make a YouTube Channel.
Tip 1: Know Your Audience
When starting out have a plan on the type of videos you want to be making. Keeping within your niche will entice people who are into that topic. These people will be interested in this specific type of videos and will be more inclined to subscribe. Once they have subscribed, they will continue to get notifications about your new videos and may check them out.
As the subscribers and views grow you could maybe branch out on what kind of videos you make to engage new types of viewers. Although, it is important to not lose the bulk of your viewers because you decided to change what type of content you make.
Tip 2: Make Relevant Videos
Starting out, it is tough to gain more YouTube views. It is important to look at what types of videos are trending, if you see a recurring type then make similar videos. Remember to put your own spin on the trends as people will not be willing to watch the same video twice.
Tip 3: Engaging Titles
When someone searches for a video one of the first things they will look at is the title. It is essential to entice the viewer. Avoid using click-bait titles, as it is exceedingly rare that you will deliver on what the title says. It is also unlikely that the viewer will watch another one of your videos if you have essentially lied to them.
Search Engine Optimisation is just as relevant on YouTube as it is on Google. Therefore, using short but relevant titles is important. Including keywords that people are searching for will mean your video is more likely to appear. As many people use YouTube as a visual guide, using keywords like “how to” and “what is” are great titles for videos.
ALSO SEE: YouTube SEO Tips and Tricks
Tip 4: Eye-Catching Thumbnails
Just like the title, the thumbnail has to be something that catches the viewer’s eye straight away. If someone is looking up a video on how to tie a shoelace, it is a good idea to show someone doing it.
Here’s some tips to get you started:
- Include text on the thumbnail
- Make it colourful
- Close ups of your face
- Design the thumbnail as the quality will be better
Tip 9 once again shows how having an eye-catching thumbnail is vital.
Tip 5: Relevant Descriptions
The description of the video is another way to entice the viewer. Although unlikely, some people may read the description before they watch the video. It is important to be clear of the benefits of watching this video, to let them know what they are in for.
You can also include additional information that did not make it in the video, an example of this could be a name of a product you used in the video in case the viewer wants to purchase it.
For example, you can:
- Include a link to subscribe to your channel or any other relevant videos
- Include timestamps in your descriptions that will let viewers skip to the information they need
- Link your social media pages as a way for you to engage with your audience
- Keep the description short
Tip 6: Encourage Engagement
Asking viewers to like and subscribe throughout the video is pivotal. If someone finds your video entertaining or helpful, they will engage with the video as a way to say thank you. Increased engagement will lead to the possibility of your videos coming up on the recommended section, or higher up when someone searches.
People subscribing will mean your videos appear in more peoples suboxes which in turn will mean more viewers. You should encourage people to turn on the bell notification once they have subscribed as it will alert them when you upload a new video.
Check out our tutorial on how to gain more subscribers on YouTube.
Tip 7: Social Media is Key
Having social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram is a good way to promote your videos. Social media will allow you to engage more with viewers, this could be through asking questions or just them complementing your videos.
If the viewers have a more personal connection they are more likely to stick around and continue to watch you. When you upload a video posting it to all your social media accounts will encourage viewers to check it out earlier.
Releasing snippets of videos and posting it to your socials is a good way to excite viewers before you have actually released the full video, almost like a trailer to a blockbuster movie.
Tip 8: Create Playlists
Creating a playlist of relevant videos means YouTube will suggest it when the video ends. It is similar to the way Netflix continues to play the next episode when you are binge watching a series.
Having playlists will keep viewers on your channel and convince them to check out more of your videos. Playlists usually show up first compared to single videos when people are searching, meaning the videos in the playlist are more likely to be viewed.
Tip 9: Endscreens
Endscreens show the thumbnails of some of your other videos and if the viewer clicks on the endscreen, the video will begin to play. Once again, this will encourage viewers to stick around and watch another video.
This is another reason as to why thumbnails have to be well made, as they could be the difference between clicking on another video or not.
Tip 10: Peak Times
It is important to know when the best time is to upload. Knowing where your videos are being watched from can allow you to upload at a time that suits the majority of your viewers. For example, if a large portion of viewers are from the UK, then uploading at a time like six when people are finishing school or work is a good idea.
YouTube Analytics is the best way to look at this information. It will also show you the average age of your audience and their gender. This allows you to make your videos to suit the people who are actually watching them.
Summary
Unfortunately, it is hard to be an overnight sensation. Growing on YouTube will take a lot of hard work and growth can be slow sometimes. Consistent uploading and engaging to your audience will be essential in gaining more views on YouTube. Some people just need one video for their views to shoot up and then the subscribers start to roll in.
