Like most YouTube content creators, your primary goal may be uploading quality and meaningful content. If your content is good, this will increase your YouTube subscriber count and, thus, monetize your channel. Your viewers and subscriber count will increase, leading to more refined earning potential.
However, uploading content isn't the end of your effort. As millions of channels do the same, you must be unique. You need to give your audiences something they cannot find elsewhere.
But how to get more subscribers on YouTube? How can you grow your channel without spending anything? There are various effective strategies, and following them will prove undoubtedly beneficial.
In this guide, I will discuss how to get more subscribers on YouTube. Ready to change your strategy and grow your YouTube channel? This blog post offers tips on increasing your subscribers on YouTube in 2024.
Current YouTube monetization requirements
Before moving forward with our discussion on how to get more subscribers on YouTube, let’s first look at what you must fulfill to earn from YouTube!Â
The following are the current monetization requirements:
You need to achieve these objectives to join the YouTube Partner Program. This way, you can become a partnered member and get paid for your YouTube videos. As per current data, there are 2 million content creators who have signed up for the YouTube Partner's Program.
Tips on How to Get More Subscribers on YouTube
Now, coming to the main part. Getting more subscribers on YouTube is harder than you can imagine. I had a YouTube channel, and trust me, you need to put in a lot of effort.
In my experience, gaining the first 1,000 subscribers is the hardest objective. Once you reach that goal, you will see that you're getting a steady flow of subscribers. But the process doesn't need to be that difficult.
Nowadays, you can gain YouTube subscribers fast. Seems great, right? Here are some effective tips you need to follow.
1. Craft an eye-catching logo and banner
When your visitors search your YouTube channel, they first see your round logo. Clicking on that will take them to your channel banner. Both of them should be visually appealing and convey what your channel is all about.
Let’s talk about your logo first. Your logo is the face of your brand and should be part of your channel art to attract more YouTube subscribers. Think of iconic logos like the Nike or the Apple – they are instantly recognizable and represent their brands perfectly.
This is why you need to create a logo that reflects your channel. Use it across all your social media platforms to maintain brand consistency and get more YouTube subscribers. Your logo should look good in various sizes, from the small watermark on your videos to the large profile picture on your channel page. If you’re unsure what is a watermark, it’s a subtle branding element, often used in videos and images, that helps protect content and promote your identity.
Now, what about your banner? Well, a visually appealing banner can capture attention immediately. Use bold colors and proper font style. Try to use colors that reflect your brand’s personality.
Also, choose a font style that is easy to read. Clear, bold fonts work best, particularly in your channel descriptions. Your text should be readable on all devices, from mobile screens to desktops.
For instance, you can use bright colors if you make fun, entertaining, or humorous content. While you can put up a more professional and serious theme if you upload factual and informational content.
2. Write a compelling About section
This section allows you to tell your potential viewers what your channel is all about. In general, it consists of the motto, slogan, or something that reflects the YT channel itself. Keep it concise but informative.
Keep your About section clear, concise, and informative. Include your partnership emails, contact information, personal emails, or other social media handles. Use keywords while writing your about us section. Don’t make these keywords look like force fit; maintain a natural flow.
However, there's one thing you need to know. You can also attach your social handles in the about section. But don't include any promotional links as they aren't long-lasting.
I recommend you don't over complicate things in the About section. Keep it simple ans easy to understand. This way, your audience will know what your goal is and what they can expect from your videos.
3. Focus on your niche
Choosing a particular niche is crucial for your YT channel. Pick your specialty and stay with it. Focusing on a certain area will help you draw in viewers who are truly interested in the kind of videos you upload. This results in higher engagement and more devoted subscribers.
Start by identifying your passions and strengths. Check which topics excite you the most, how much knowledge you have about the topic you select, and what you’re passionate about. This will keep you motivated to create content consistently.
Research your niche thoroughly. Look at what other successful channels in your niche are doing. Pay attention to the type of content they produce and how they engage with their audience.
Focusing on a specific niche helps you build a loyal audience and get more subscribers on YouTube. These viewers are more likely to engage with your content, leave comments, and share your videos. They become your community, eagerly waiting for your next upload.
4. Invest in good equipment
A decent piece of equipment can significantly improve your video quality. As a beginner, it is not advisable to make huge investments. However, when you gain expertise, you can get a high-quality lighting system, microphone, and camera.
Initially, focus on getting a decent camera. Smartphones with good cameras can produce impressive results. Make sure your videos are clear and well-lit. Good lighting is crucial for high-quality videos. Natural light works wonders, but if you’re shooting indoors, consider using affordable ring lights or softboxes.
Sound quality is just as important as video quality. Viewers will never watch your video if they can’t hear you clearly. Even an affordable lapel mic can make a big difference. Clear audio keeps your audience engaged and makes your content more professional.
5. Plan your content
Always remember this one thing- as a YouTuber, you must be consistent. So, plan your content beforehand and stick to a regular upload schedule. This helps you build anticipation and keeps your audience engaged.
Think about what your audience wants to see. Consider trending topics in your niche, common questions from viewers, and content gaps you can fill. Make a list of these ideas to refer to when planning your schedule.
Using a content calendar is a great way to stay organized. It helps you visualize your upload schedule. You can see what videos are coming up, what you need to shoot, and when each video will be published.
6. Make captivating thumbnails
These are like the cover of your book; they need to be attractive enough to make your audience click. Use bold writing, bright colors, and high-quality pictures to create eye-catching thumbnails. These thumbnails will undoubtedly raise your click-through rate.
First of all, your pictures must be of high-quality. This is one of the best youtube practices to attract and retain viewers. Your thumbnail should be crisp and clear. It should give your viewers a quick preview of what to expect in your video.
The text on your thumbnail should be easy to read, even on small screens. You can use large, bold fonts to highlight key points or intriguing questions. This text should complement your video title and add extra appeal.
If possible, show your face in your thumbnail since studies show that thumbnails with faces get more clicks. Expressive and engaging facial expressions can convey emotions and draw viewers in.
7. Write engaging titles
This should be clear, concise, and intriguing. You can make it searchable by using keywords. Your title should tell your audience what to expect from your video.
Ambiguous titles confuse readers. So, be straightforward about your content. Clarity builds trust with your audience, and a clear title sets the right expectations.
You can also frame your title in question format since curious titles drive clicks. Give enough information to attract without revealing everything. This will make your audience want to learn more.
While clickbaity words may get initial clicks, they damage trust in your audience. Ensure your title matches your content. You can also use action words like “Discover,” “Learn,” “Boost,” and “Transform” as they prompt your readers to do something.
8. Use keywords strategically
Keywords are essential for improving your search engine ranking. Start by identifying popular keywords in your niche. You can look for tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs for the same. Try to look for high-volume and low-competition keywords. Focus on terms relevant to your content.
Once you research the best keywords, try to fit them naturally into your content. Forced keywords can make your content awkward. So, place keywords where they fit smoothly for effective YouTube SEO.
Use primary keywords in your titles and when you generate the tags. This helps with your search engine ranking and makes your content easy to find. Maintain a proper balance between keyword use and readability. An optimized title attracts both search engines and viewers.
Use primary and secondary keywords in your descriptions. This provides more context for your content. They also offer additional opportunities for keyword use. So, write it clearly and concisely and ensure your description is informative and engaging.
9. Optimize video descriptions
Begin your video description with a strong, engaging introduction. This should summarize the content of your video. Make it interesting to capture your viewer's interest. Use relevant keywords to improve searchability.
Use a clear and direct call to action in your description to encourage viewers to take the next step. Common CTAs include subscribing to your channel, liking the video, sharing it, or leaving a comment.
You can also provide links to additional content related to your videos, playlists, website, or notes, if any. Providing these links keeps viewers engaged with your content. You can also give other necessary details related to the video such as equipment used, sources cited, or background information.
Apart from these things, you can also put your email address or contact form link in your descriptions. This is useful for business inquiries or collaborations and makes things easier for your viewers to reach out to you.
10. Respond to comments
Engagement is crucial for building a community, so try replying to the comments you get on your videos. This shows viewers that you value their input and encourage them to become subscribers.
When you respond to your viewers’ comments, you show that you appreciate and respect their opinions. This simple act can build a stronger connection with your audience.
When viewers see you responding to their comments, they will feel like leaving more comments. This way, they feel more connected to your channel. Thus, you can turn casual viewers into loyal subscribers.
You can also create positive interactions when you reply to your comments. You can address the questions and concerns of your audience directly. This helps clear up any confusion and provides additional value.
11. Use calls to action
Calls to action (CTAs) are essential for guiding your viewers and subscribers. They prompt your audience to take specific actions, such as subscribing, liking, or sharing. CTAs can significantly boost engagement and grow your audience.
So, always include a proper CTA in your video descriptions, and don't hesitate to ask for a subscription. Just saying, “Don't forget to subscribe!” is enough to draw in more audience.
Besides including CTA’s in your videos, include them in your video descriptions, too. A well-placed CTA in your description can reach viewers who read it before or after watching. You can express urgency or benefits in your CTA, else, you can also be direct and clear with what you want.
For example, “Subscribe now!” or “Don't miss out!” creates a sense of urgency. “Subscribe for weekly tips and tutorials” shows the benefit of taking this action. “Like this video if you found it helpful!” sounds more clear and direct.
12. Host giveaways
Giveaways in the form of freebies or contests are an excellent way to increase your subscribers. Make sure the rules require participants to subscribe to your channel. This will not only boost your count but also increase engagement.
Before hosting a giveaway, define your goals. Are you looking to boost subscribers, increase video views, or enhance social media engagement? Clear goals help in designing an effective giveaway strategy.
Select a prize that appeals to your target audience. It should be relevant to your niche. For example, if your channel focuses on cooking, consider giving away food packets, chocolate hampers, etc.
You can also promote and announce about your giveaways across all platforms. Use video announcements, social media posts, and your website to spread the word. The more you promote, the higher the participation.
Create a unique hashtag for your giveaway. This makes it easy to track entries and promote your contest across social media. Encourage participants to use the hashtag when sharing their entries.
13. Share on social media
Post your videos on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms to promote your YouTube channel. Each platform has its audience, increasing the visibility of your content.
Interact with your followers on social media and respond to comments, messages, and mentions. You can also use relevant hashtags in your social media posts to increase traffic. This makes your content discoverable to users interested in your specific topics.
Tailor your video content and captions to suit each social media platform. Instagram, for example, favors visual content and short captions. On the other hand, Twitter allows for concise updates with links.
Social media platforms can help you encourage your followers to share your content with their network. You can also collaborate with influencers or creators in your niche. Cross-promotion will help you tap into their followers and vice versa.
14. Collaborate with other YouTubers
Partner with content creators in your niche to create videos together and reach new audiences. This promotes the growth of your channel by exposing it to their subscribers and vice versa.
Before you select YouTubers, make sure their content aligns well with yours. Try and look for creators with a similar audience demographic and content style. A relevant collaboration ensures mutual benefit and engagement from both sets of subscribers.
You can sit and brainstorm ideas with your collaborator to create compelling content. Choose topics that resonate with both of your audiences. Showcase each other's strengths and expertise in the video. This adds value for viewers and enhances credibility.
Build genuine relationships with collaborators to increase your views and subscribers. Networking within your niche can lead to future collaborations and opportunities. Support each other's growth by sharing tips, promoting each other's content, and celebrating milestones together.
15. Participate in communities
Join online communities and forums related to your niche. Share your videos when relevant and engage in discussions. This networking can lead to valuable connections and support for your channel.
Share your YouTube videos when they are relevant to ongoing discussions or questions within the community. Avoid spamming or self-promotion without contributing value. Focus on providing helpful content that addresses community interests and needs.
Active participation in discussions demonstrates your expertise and knowledge in your niche. Offer valuable advice, answer questions, and share tips related to your content. Establishing yourself as an authority allows community members to view your channel for more in-depth insights.
Communities are great platforms to gather feedback on your videos. Seek constructive criticism, suggestions for improvement, or ideas for future content. This feedback can help you refine your content strategy and better meet your audience's expectations.
16. Make use of YouTube analytics
YouTube Analytics provides valuable insights into your audience demographics, including age, gender, and geographic location. Understanding your audience helps you tailor content that resonates with them. This increases viewer engagement and retention.
Open your YouTube studio and keep a check on your metrics, such as watch time, views, and average view duration for each video. These metrics indicate how well your content is performing. Identify videos with high engagement to replicate successful content strategies.
Also, look at your audience retention data to see where viewers drop off within your videos. Using this information, you can optimize content pacing, improve video structure, and maintain viewer interest throughout your video. Higher retention rates contribute to better video rankings on YouTube.
All these data offer insightful information on your channel's performance. So, monitor them carefully and use these analytics to determine what is effective and what requires improvement.
17. Experiment with content
You should try out several content formats to find out what appeals to your audience. This is one of the best ways to get more views and subscribers and grow your channel. Refine your strategy and continuously enhance your channel with the help of statistics and user feedback.
Don't hesitate to explore new content ideas and formats. Experiment with different styles, topics, and presentation methods to keep your channel fresh and engaging. Creativity sparks your viewer interest and encourages subscribers to return for more diverse content.
You can also try out various video lengths, from shorts to long-form content like vlogs or tutorials. Test different storytelling techniques, such as narratives, lists, or interviews.
Stay current with industry trends and viewer interests. Experiment with trending topics, challenges, or collaborations with other creators. Leveraging trends increases the discoverability of your videos and attracts new subscribers interested in popular content.
18. Keep learning
You should always learn new things and keep yourself updated. For this you must know the current trends, tools, and recommendations concerning YouTube. You can also take online classes, watch/attend webinars, and read blogs to enhance your skills.
YouTube regularly introduces new tools and features for creators. You must stay proactive in exploring these tools, such as analytics enhancements, editing software updates, or community engagement features. You can explore these tools, optimize your content strategy, and enhance your viewer experience.
As you gain expertise in your field, start sharing your knowledge and experiences with aspiring creators. Mentorship and collaboration enrich the creator community and contribute to collective growth and success.
19. Create playlists
This keeps people on your channel for longer and helps you arrange your content to get more views and subscribers. Organize similar videos into playlists to to create binge-watching content. Watch time and the possibility of acquiring new subscribers on YouTube both rise as a result.
Additionally, make sure you organize your videos by themes or topics. This increases your watch time and boosts chances of gaining new subscribers. It also makes navigation simpler, enhancing your overall viewer experience.
Playlists ensure viewers discover more of your content, promoting engagement and channel growth by strategically grouping your videos. This makes it easier for users to access the content they are looking for.
20. Use end screens and cards
These interactive features can promote other videos, playlists, or channels. You can use them to attract subscribers and connect people directly to your content. These features boost the likelihood that viewers will become your subscribers.
End screens appear in the final seconds of your video, attracting viewers to watch more content by promoting other videos, playlists, or even channels. They serve as a direct gateway to engage your viewers beyond your current video, encouraging them to explore related content.
You should strategically place your end screens to guide your viewers towards subscribing or visiting other parts of your channel. This enhances your viewer retention and channel growth.
Similarly, cards are interactive elements that appear during the video. They offer opportunities to link viewers to relevant content or external websites. You can use cards to direct viewers to specific videos mentioned in your current content.
End screens and cards can create a seamless viewing experience for your audience. This can encourage longer watch times and foster a loyal subscriber base.
21. Maintain regularity
Consistency builds trust with your audience. When viewers know when to expect new content, they are more likely to subscribe and return for future videos. If you are a fresher, this can help you get your first 100 subscribers. A regular upload schedule with at least one video a week shows reliability and commitment to your channel.
Developing a devoted fan base requires consistency. Maintain a regular upload schedule and continue creating excellent content. Your efforts will eventually pay you off, and your subscribers will increase steadily.
Regular uploads also improve your channel's visibility within YouTube. YouTube algorithms prioritize active channels that consistently upload new content. This increases your videos' chances of getting subscribers and being recommended to new viewers.
A steady upload schedule encourages subscriber growth over time. As viewers find value in your consistent content, they are more likely to subscribe and become dedicated fans, which is crucial for your YouTube channel growth and success.
Ready to boost your YouTube subscribers?
Using such tactics, you can increase the audience that subscribes to your YouTube channels. Keep in mind that success on this streaming platform requires time. Therefore, learn new things, be persistent, and, finally, enjoy your work.
This will reflect your passion and enthusiasm, drawing in more subscribers and creating a vibrant YouTube community. Have fun while creating content!
If you have been creating content for a while or if you are a newbie, I hope you have got enough value after reading this guide on how to get more subscribers on YouTube. Feel free to leave your queries or opinions in the comments section below.