Top Insider Tips for YouTube Success in 2024

Have you checked your YouTube channel lately?

Let me guess, your views are from either yourself or those within your inner circle… am I right?

Okay, maybe you are a bigger brand and you’re getting a few stragglers here and there, but let’s not be crazy and call this any sort of a success.

So, what makes a YouTube channel a success?

Let’s begin with the 8 steps to capturing 500,000 YouTube views in just 10 months.

Table of Contents

Let’s get started

1. Stalk your competition

Although this sounds slightly odd, it’s necessary. Subscribe to channels that will be competing with you for views, subscribers, and ultimately sales. The goal is to learn from their mistakes and generate success–quicker.

A few things to study include:

Posting Days & Times. (Find what day of the week they’re posting and time of day they’re posting and try them yourself. Chances are, if they’ve been at the game long enough, they know what days and times generate the most views.
We’ve also discussed this in detail later in the post.)
Posting Material. (Is their content generating positive comments or are people responding negatively to their videos? Find what they’re doing wrong, and do it right.)
Posting Frequency. (We found that our competition was posting once per week on average, so we immediately jumped to 3 times per week. This positioned us as a more informative resource and skyrocketed our views. People like channels that generate fresh content consistently.)

Once you’ve done your research, you can begin developing a solid Youtube marketing plan.

2. Get your setup

This is probably the biggest ‘stopper’ for most people.

Finding good cameras, editing software, and audio equipment can get quite expensive, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

Depending on what you’re filming, you can get a setup relatively cheap, though. For simple setups (such as speaking presentations,) you could use the standard webcam on your computer, a blue microphone (for crisp audio,) and a free editing program like iMovie.

For more complex and high-quality setups, get a Canon T3i camera or later, Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing, Logic Pro for audio editing, and an Audio Technica Wireless Mic for speaking.

3. Develop a theme

This step will make or break your Youtube success. It can be very easy to want to create a Youtube channel and post anything for views. Don’t do it.

Think about it, what do all the top Youtube channels have in common? They stick to a theme.

Tyler Ward sticks to music, Jenna Marbles sticks to humor, Epic Rap Battles of History sticks to remixes; the list goes on.

So, before you begin creating videos, find your common them and stick to it.

4. Be consistent

Just like content marketing, this is the step where most people goof up.

Consistency is hard. It takes time, energy and motivation–which is difficult to maintain when you have close to zero views and subscribers.

A great example of consistency is Ray William Johnson. He started his Youtube Video Blogging channel in 2007 and from his consistent posting of 3-4 videos per week, he has established one of the most well-known Youtube channels with more than 10.7 million subscribers and 2.6 billion views.

5. Add annotations to everything

Youtube has a great feature that allows you to have ‘annotations’ popup on a video while the viewer is watching. This is fantastic for building your subscriber base and letting people know of upcoming tours, product releases, free offers, etc.

When Flight Drummers went on tour, we added an annotation to every video that encouraged people to purchase tickets for our upcoming drum clinics and festival. When we decided to switch from paid memberships to free memberships, we did the same thing and added more than 1,000 people to our membership waiting list in the first 2 months–all from Youtube.

6. Host guests

If you’re looking to generate the maximum exposure possible, you absolutely need to host industry leaders as guests in videos.

Although guests can have an upfront cost, the ROI is incredible. Here are just a few reasons to have guest appearances on your channel:

Their fanbase becomes yours. (Now, obviously they don’t hand over their entire fanbase to you, but when they promote the videos they were hosted in, the traffic is astronomical–which typically does increase your subscriber count.)
Your daily view count is boosted. (Usually, the first released videos of them experiences a spike in views. Within a week, the hype usually whittles down, but the views don’t.)
You become more credible. (After you’ve hosted some name brand guests, your credibility within your industry increases. Flight Drummers has hosted some of the largest drummers in the industry for interviews, performances, lessons, etc. and since doing so, the we have been able to easily get massive sponsorships for our tour.)

7. Create playlists

Let’s face it, viewers like to spend as little time as possible searching for videos and more time watching them.

That’s where playlists come in. Typically, when somebody finds your channel, they like to easily find material that interests them. If you have a large quantity of videos and no playlists, finding the right video is like finding a needle in a hay stack. Very difficult.

Playlists allow you to categorize your videos into topics that act as a quick reference for viewers.

For example, if you had a channel that discussed business aspects and had 50 tutorials on marketing, social media, and blogging, then it would be beneficial to have playlists of relevant videos. (i.e. Content Marketing Tips, Social Media Marketing, etc.)

Pat Flynn does a great job with categorized playlists.

Overall, playlists provide several benefits:

More views
Expert Positioning

When a viewer is watching videos in a playlist, it usually encourages them to watch more videos, thus increasing view count. More importantly, playlists position your channel as an expert in it’s industry because they display your knowledge of relevancy in your videos.

8. Blast your release days

The final and most important step to creating a successful Youtube marketing strategy is to let everybody know your release dates.

At the end of videos, in annotations, on social media sites, or even in the description of your videos, let every viewer know the days of the week you release videos. (i.e. Mondays and Wednesdays)

Just like running a successful blog, it’s important to generate returning visitors because those are the people who turn into leads, and eventually sales. I recommend emailing your list and announcing a video release on your social sites at least 24-48 hours to maximize initial views, shares, and comments.

The diversity of YouTube’s content spectrum—from the educational depths of documentaries to the creative peaks of indie filmmaking—caters to every niche imaginable, making it a goldmine for creators and businesses alike.

For creators, YouTube is a canvas for passion, transforming hobbies into careers and ideas into viral sensations.

For businesses, it’s a dynamic marketing platform, enabling direct engagement with audiences and innovative branding strategies.

YouTube channels symbolize the digital age’s power to democratize media, amplify diverse voices, and connect the world in ways previously unimaginable.

Now that we’re done with our first set of tips, let’s dig a bit deeper and understand the ins and outs of YouTube.

Part 1: Starting a YouTube channel

Creating a YouTube channel is your first step into the world of digital storytelling, whether you’re aiming to share your knowledge, showcase your creativity, or boost your business online.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to get you started, covering everything from setting up your first channel to managing multiple channels, including private ones, and even creating a channel on the go using your phone.

How to create a YouTube channel

Steps to Create a New YouTube Channel:

Sign in to YouTube: Go to YouTube and sign in with your Google account. If you don’t have a Google account, you’ll need to create one.
Access your YouTube settings: Click on your profile icon in the top right corner, then select “Create a channel” or “Your channel”.
Create your channel: You’ll be prompted to create a new channel. Choose “Get Started” and decide if you want to create a personal channel or a channel with a business or other name. For a personal channel, your channel name will be your Google account name. For a business or other name, you can choose a custom channel name.
Customize your channel: Upload a profile picture, add a channel description, and input links to your social media or websites. This step is crucial for setting the tone and personality of your channel.
Verify your account: To access more YouTube features, like uploading longer videos or live streaming, verify your account by following YouTube’s prompts, which may include providing a phone number for verification.

How to create a second or multiple channels

Sign in to YouTube with your Google account: Ensure you’re logged into the account where your existing channel(s) are managed.
Go to your Channel list: Access this by clicking on your profile icon, then settings, and under “Your Channel,” select “See all my channels or create a new channel”.
Create a new channel: Click on “Create a new channel” and follow the on-screen instructions to set up a new channel under your Google account. You can manage multiple channels from a single Google account, keeping your content organized and tailored to different audiences.

Tips for creating a private YouTube channel

Adjust privacy settings: When uploading a new video, set the privacy to “Private” or “Unlisted” to control who sees your content. “Private” videos can only be seen by people you invite, while “Unlisted” videos won’t appear in search results or your channel but can be viewed by anyone with the link.
Manage your channel’s default settings: Go to your YouTube settings to set default privacy levels for new uploads, ensuring all content is private until you decide to make it public.

How to make a YouTube channel on a phone

Download the YouTube app: Ensure you have the YouTube app installed on your smartphone.
Sign in: Open the app and sign in with your Google account.
Access Your account settings: Tap on your profile icon, then tap on “Your channel”.
Create your channel: Follow the prompts to create a new channel. You can customize your channel name and add a profile picture directly from your phone.
Customize and verify: Just like on desktop, customize your channel with a description and links, and verify your account if necessary to unlock additional features.

Creating a YouTube channel, whether on desktop or mobile, opens up a world of possibilities. With these steps, you can start sharing your passions, connecting with audiences worldwide, and even growing your brand on one of the world’s largest video platforms.

Naming and branding your channel

Crafting a memorable and impactful YouTube channel begins with two critical elements: naming and branding. These foundational steps not only distinguish your channel but also communicate its essence and attract your target audience. Let’s dive into the strategies for naming your channel and designing its visual identity.

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Good YouTube channel names and how to generate them

A good YouTube channel name should be:

Memorable: Easy to recall.
Relevant: Reflects the content or theme of your channel.
Unique: Stands out in a crowded space.

To generate a compelling name, start with brainstorming sessions that focus on your channel’s niche, your personal brand, or any keywords related to your content.

Tools like name generators can spark creativity, combining your keywords in unique ways or suggesting new ones based on your input. Keep it short, easy to spell, and consider its availability as a URL or across social media platforms for a consistent online presence.

YouTube channel name ideas list

To get the creative juices flowing, here are a few thematic suggestions:

Tech Titans: For technology review channels.
Wanderlust Walks: For travel vlogs.
Epicurean Echoes: For cooking and food critique.
Zenith Zest: For motivational and self-improvement content.
Retro Reverb: For channels focused on vintage or retro themes.

Designing YouTube channel art, banner, and logo

Your channel’s visual branding, including the art, banner, and logo, sets the tone for viewers about what to expect. It’s your channel’s first impression and a crucial part of attracting and retaining viewers.

Channel art and banner: Should be eye-catching and representative of your channel’s content. Use high-quality images and ensure your design is responsive, looking good on all devices.
Logo: This is your channel’s icon and appears in search results, so it should be clear and recognizable even at smaller sizes.

There are many online tools and software available, from Adobe Photoshop to Canva, offering YouTube channel art templates and design elements to help you create professional-looking visuals without needing a background in graphic design.

YouTube channel art template

When designing your channel art, it’s important to follow YouTube’s recommended dimensions to ensure your banner looks great on all devices. At the time of writing, the ideal size is:

YouTube channel banner size: 2560 x 1440 pixels, with a minimum area for text and logos (the “safe area”): 1546 x 423 pixels, centered.

Many design tools offer templates specifically sized for YouTube’s requirements, making it easier to start with the right dimensions and ensure your design elements are visible across different devices.

By carefully selecting a channel name and crafting a cohesive visual identity, you’re laying a solid foundation for your YouTube channel’s success.

Remember, your channel’s name and branding are not just about aesthetics; they’re about making a connection with your audience and setting the stage for the content you’ll share.

Canva

Channel configuration

Configuring your YouTube channel properly is crucial for discoverability, providing clarity to your audience about what your channel offers, and aligning with YouTube’s search and recommendation algorithms. This section will guide you through finding your YouTube channel ID and setting up your channel for success.

How to find your YouTube Channel ID

Your YouTube channel ID is a unique identifier that represents your channel on YouTube. It’s used in various API calls and can be necessary for certain integrations or customizations. Here’s how to find it:

Sign in to YouTube: Go to YouTube and sign in with the account associated with your channel.
Access YouTube Studio: Click on your profile picture at the top right corner and select “YouTube Studio.”
Open settings: On the left sidebar, find and click on “Settings.”
Navigate to channel information: In the settings menu, click on “Channel,” then “Advanced settings.”
Find your channel ID: Here, you’ll see your YouTube channel ID listed under “Channel ID.”

Setting up your channel for success

Optimizing your channel’s setup involves several key elements, from your channel description to the tags and keywords you use. Here’s how to maximize your channel’s potential:

Channel description: This is a brief overview of what viewers can expect from your channel. Include relevant keywords naturally, describe the type of content you produce, and, if applicable, your upload schedule. It’s also a good place to add links to your social media or any other sites.
Tags: Use channel tags wisely to improve your channel’s searchability. Include keywords related to your channel’s niche, content themes, and any variations viewers might use to search for your content.
Channel keywords: Similar to tags, these are used to help YouTube understand the content and focus of your channel. Select keywords that accurately represent your channel’s theme and content.
Branding: Make sure your channel’s visual elements (profile picture, banner, and thumbnails) are consistent and high quality. This visual consistency helps with brand recognition among your viewers.
About Section: In addition to a compelling description, your channel’s “About” section should include contact information for business inquiries and any other important links that you want to share with your audience.
Custom URL: Once eligible (your channel needs to have 100 or more subscribers), claim a custom URL that reflects your channel’s name or content focus, making it easier for viewers to remember and find your channel.
Playlists: We said this before and we’re saying it again: Organize your videos into playlists based on topics, series, or any other categorization that makes sense for your content. This not only improves the viewer experience by making your content more navigable but also boosts engagement by encouraging longer viewing sessions.

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Part 2: Content strategy

Developing content ideas is a dynamic and ongoing process that sits at the heart of a successful YouTube channel. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to diversify your existing content, the ideation phase is crucial for keeping your channel fresh, relevant, and engaging.

Here’s how to brainstorm YouTube channel ideas, explore the concept of faceless YouTube channels, and understand potential earnings with a YouTube earnings calculator.

YouTube video ideas and how to brainstorm them

Brainstorming content ideas requires a mix of creativity, market research, and an understanding of your own passions and expertise.

Start by identifying your interests and areas where you can provide unique value or perspectives. Then, research current trends on YouTube and in your area of interest.

Tools like Google Trends, YouTube’s “Trending” page, and social media platforms can provide insights into what content is resonating with audiences.

Consider the following strategies for brainstorming:

Mind mapping: Start with a broad theme and branch out into specific content ideas or topics.
Audience feedback: Engage with your current audience or potential viewers on social media or forums to see what questions they have or what content they’re seeking.
Competitor analysis: Look at what similar channels are doing, and think about how you can differentiate your content or cover gaps they might be leaving.
Collaborations: Brainstorming with other creators can spark new ideas and offer opportunities for cross-promotion.

Faceless YouTube channel ideas

Faceless YouTube channels are an interesting niche for creators who prefer to remain anonymous or put the focus solely on their content rather than on themselves. These channels can focus on:

Narrative content: Such as storytelling, mystery narrations, or animated stories.
Educational content: Including tutorials, how-to guides, or explainer videos using voiceover and visuals.
Compilation videos: Such as funny clips, interesting facts, or themed compilations.
Music and soundscapes: Channels focusing on relaxing music, sound effects, or ASMR content.

The key to a successful faceless channel is high-quality audio and engaging visuals or animations that can carry the content without a personal presence.

YouTube earnings calculator by channel name: Understanding potential earnings

Understanding potential earnings is important for setting realistic expectations and goals for your YouTube channel.

While specific earnings can vary widely based on factors like niche, audience location, and engagement rates, a YouTube earnings calculator can provide a rough estimate based on average CPM (cost per thousand views) and viewer engagement metrics.

Keep in mind that earnings from YouTube also come from various sources, including ad revenue, sponsorships, merchandise sales, and memberships. To get a more accurate idea of potential earnings, consider:

Entering your channel name or a similar channel’s name into a YouTube earnings calculator.
Exploring case studies or reports from channels within your niche.
Diversifying your revenue streams to not solely rely on ad revenue.

Developing content ideas is an evolving process that mirrors the dynamic nature of YouTube itself. By staying creative, engaged with trends, and responsive to your audience, you can continue to generate compelling content that grows your channel and potentially your earnings.

Socialblade

Strategies for creating engaging content

Engaging content is what keeps viewers coming back for more. Here are some strategies to ensure your content captivates your audience:

Tell a story: Whether you’re making educational content or vlogs, storytelling can help keep viewers engaged and make your content more relatable.
Know your audience: Tailor your content to the interests, needs, and preferences of your target audience. Use analytics to understand what works and refine your strategy accordingly.
Be authentic: Authenticity resonates with viewers. Be genuine in your videos, and don’t try to be someone you’re not.
Keep it visual: Use engaging visuals, animations, or on-screen graphics to complement your narration and keep viewers interested.

Tips for filming, editing, and publishing

The technical aspects of creating YouTube content—filming, editing, and publishing—play a crucial role in the quality and engagement of your videos. Here are some tips:

Filming: Ensure good lighting and clear audio. Consider investing in a decent microphone and lighting equipment. Use a tripod or stabilizer to keep your footage steady.
Editing: Use editing software to cut out unnecessary parts, add music, effects, and transitions to make your video more dynamic. Don’t overdo effects; keep the focus on the content.
Publishing: When publishing your video, choose a catchy title, an eye-catching thumbnail, and use a detailed description with keywords. Select the best time to upload based on your audience’s timezone and activity patterns.

Creating and managing content on YouTube is an ongoing learning process. By consistently producing high-quality, engaging content and optimizing your channel for growth, you can build a loyal audience and start making money from your YouTube channel.

Write kickass video titles

Every video needs a title, just like every website needs a title tag, or every story needs a headline. The title needs to be searchable both from a bot standpoint and from a user standpoint. One without the other just won’t work.

Consider it this way. If you make a click-worthy title that gets people to open your video but is not tied to the appropriate content, you are going to:

Lose people fast (Google/YouTube values those videos/channels that attain longer viewership of each video)
Annoy people (you may want to turn off those comments)

Both of which should not be your primary goal. On the other hand, if you were to keyword stuff a title, you may get top SERP (search engine results page) rankings but the end user may think the title doesn’t make sense so they don’t click on the title.

Here are a few things to consider when creating your video titles:

Maximum Length = 100 characters

Primary keyword should be placed towards the front of the title.
Consider including the year in the title if applicable and if people may be looking for current videos.

Example Video Title 1:

Primary Keyword: Rogue One Trailer

Video Content: The released trailer for Star Wars: Rogue One

Title: ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story TRAILER (2016)

Example Video Title 2:

Primary Keyword: Rogue One Leaked Trailer

Video Content: In-depth look at a leaked trailer from Star Wars: Rogue One

Title: ROGUE ONE LEAKED TRAILER 2 Breakdown! Darth Vader Details! A Star Wars Story Movie (2016)

Write razor-sharp video descriptions

Creating a thorough and accurate description of each video you create is as important as correctly crafting the title. YouTube allows enough space to achieve two important tasks:

Optimize your video for better rankings.
Drive viewers to your other properties (social, website, other videos, etc..).

I look at a lot of YouTube channels both for work and for pleasure, and you know what one of the easiest yet poorly implemented section is? That’s right, the video descriptions.

Below are a few things that I consider as must haves:

Maximum Length ~ 1000 words

Start with a brief summary of the video (think meta description length ~ 160).
Link to your subscriber opt-in and website (full HTML link structure – i.e. https://domain.com).
Provide longer video descriptions (200-300 words).
Add contact and social links.
Add additional reference links that were mentioned in the video.
Offer additional links to other channel videos that are similar in theme.
Consider separating sections via special characters (i.e.: ******* or ► ► ► ► ► ►).

Example Video Description:

Video Location: https://youtu.be/Ze2kpOZx_kU

Current Views: 4 Million

Example Video Description:

Video Location: https://youtu.be/cAOkvvM43pk

Current Views: 3 Million

Get your tags right

All of these steps have the goal to help viewers find your content first. Tags are no exception. Correctly tagging your videos helps YouTube match viewer’s search queries with your content bringing your videos to the top of the search results.

Maximum Length = 500 characters

Things to consider when tagging:

Make sure to use as many of the 500 characters as possible. If you need help in determining additional tags, look for similar/competing videos (P.S. your competitors will hate this!).
You can find the tags being used via the source codes within the video URLs:
- Step 1: Right Click on YouTube page for the video you want to inspect.
- Step 2: Choose Inspect Source at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
- Step 3: Click Cltr + F.
- Step 4: Enter text video:tag.
- Step 5: Use Tags.

Example tags:

Example source code (tag search):

Consider a branded watermark

Putting your brand out there front and center is a great way to stay consistent with your branding efforts across multiple videos, while subtly reminding your audience who created the video.

Branded Watermarks will allow your viewers another way to subscribe to your channel. By hovering over a watermark, an unsubscribed viewer will be given the option to subscribe. If that viewer has already subscribed, they will not be given the option to subscribe again. Note: This only becomes an option on a desktop or laptop.

Here are the steps for including a branded watermark with your videos:

Step 1: Go to the Channel/Branding Menu

Step 2: Click on the “Add a watermark” button

Step 3: Upload a watermark image and click save

Step 4: Select watermark display time and click the “update” button

Example Branded Watermark:

Branded Watermark – Pre-Mouse Hover

Branded Watermark – Post-Mouse Hover (Unsubscribed User)

Here is a perfect example of how a Broadway discount ticketing site has blended their watermark to fit the look and feel of the original video without taking away from it. The hover animation also happens to bring the subscribe button to the forefront in contrasting colors.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/ModU0UmcnQw

Example Branded Watermark 2:

Branded Watermark – Pre-Mouse Hover

Branded Watermark – Post-Mouse Hover (Unsubscribed User)

Video Link: https://youtu.be/cAOkvvM43pk

For further information on branded watermarks see: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6147757?hl=en

Know the best time to post on YouTube

Choosing the best days to upload your videos can also impact their visibility and performance. Let’s examine the difference between weekday and weekend posting and explore popular days for different content types.

Weekday vs. weekend posting

Weekdays and weekends can have different user behaviors and preferences on YouTube. While weekdays may be more competitive due to a higher volume of uploads, weekends might have a more attentive audience. Experimenting with both time frames can help you determine the optimal posting days for your specific audience.

Morning, afternoon, or evening: What works best?

The optimal posting time can vary depending on your target audience and their habits. However, generally speaking, posting during the late morning or early afternoon tends to yield better results. During these hours, most people are on their lunch breaks or have some leisure time, increasing the likelihood of them watching and engaging with your content.

Time slots with the highest engagement rates

While timing can be subjective, there are certain time slots that consistently show high engagement rates across various content creators. These slots include mid-morning (between 10 am and 12 pm), mid-afternoon (between 2 pm and 4 pm), and early evening (between 6 pm and 8 pm). Experimenting with these time frames can help you determine what works best for your specific audience.

Part 3: Growth and monetization

Growing your YouTube channel requires a mix of creativity, marketing savvy, and understanding of the platform’s algorithms.

Promotion, engaging content, and learning from successful channels are key strategies to increase your subscriber count and enhance your channel’s visibility.

Let’s explore how to effectively promote your YouTube channel, strategies for gaining more subscribers, and insights from the fastest-growing YouTube channels.

How to promote your YouTube channel

Promoting your YouTube channel extends beyond the platform itself, involving a strategic presence across various digital mediums:

Social media: Leverage other social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to share your videos and engage with your audience. Tailor your message to fit the platform and encourage followers to check out your YouTube content.
Collaborations: Partner with other YouTubers or influencers in your niche for cross-promotion. This can introduce your channel to a wider audience that shares similar interests.
SEO optimization: Optimize your video titles, descriptions, and tags with relevant keywords to improve visibility in YouTube search results.
Engage in communities: Participate in relevant online communities, forums, and groups. Share your expertise and occasionally your content in a way that adds value to the discussions.
Email marketing: If you have an email list, regularly update your subscribers with your latest content and exclusive previews or offers.

Strategies for gaining more subscribers

Gaining subscribers is about creating value, building relationships, and optimizing your content for viewer retention. In our guide on YouTube strategies, we’ve discussed excellent strategies that’ll boost your YouTube subscribers. If you’re looking for a quick subscriber boost, we recommend buying YouTube subscribers from UseViral.

UseViral

Monetization strategies

Monetizing a YouTube channel is a goal for many creators, turning their passion for video creation into a viable income stream. This section compares buying a monetized channel versus growing one organically, and discusses how to understand and maximize YouTube channel earnings.

Buying a monetized YouTube channel vs. growing one organically

Buying a monetized channel: Purchasing an already monetized channel can seem like a shortcut to earning revenue. However, it comes with risks, such as inheriting any potential copyright or community guideline issues. Additionally, the audience of the purchased channel may not be engaged with new content or the new owner, leading to decreased performance and revenue.
Growing one organically: Building a channel from the ground up takes time and effort but allows for genuine audience growth and engagement. An organically grown channel ensures that the audience is interested in the content you produce, leading to more sustainable long-term growth and monetization potential.

Understanding YouTube channel earnings and maximizing revenue

YouTube channel earnings vary widely based on factors like niche, audience location, and engagement. Understanding and maximizing your channel’s revenue involves:

Diversify revenue streams: Don’t rely solely on ad revenue. Incorporate affiliate marketing, sponsorships, merchandise, and channel memberships to increase earnings.
Optimize for Ad revenue: Understand which types of content attract higher CPM (cost per thousand views) rates and create content that balances audience interest with monetization potential.
Analyze performance: Use YouTube Analytics to track which videos perform best and why. This can help you tailor future content to what’s most profitable.
Engage with trends: Stay current with trends within your niche and on YouTube generally, as trending topics can attract more views and, by extension, more revenue.

Successfully monetizing a YouTube channel requires a strategy that balances content quality, audience engagement, and diversification of income sources. By focusing on these areas, you can create a channel that not only attracts viewers but also generates substantial income over time.

Part 4: Channel management

Renaming and rebranding your YouTube channel can be a strategic move to realign your content with your audience’s expectations or to refresh your channel’s identity.

Whether it’s due to a change in the direction of your content, an outdated brand, or simply the desire for something new, renaming and rebranding can breathe new life into your channel.

Here’s how to navigate the process of changing your YouTube channel name and tips for doing it effectively.

Can you change your YouTube channel name? How?

Yes, you can change your YouTube channel name. Here’s how to do it:

Via YouTube Studio:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- Click on “Customization” on the left menu.
- Navigate to the “Basic info” tab.
- Click the pencil icon next to your channel name.
- Enter your new channel name and click “Publish” at the top right corner.
Via YouTube mobile app:
- Open the YouTube app and tap on your profile picture.
- Go to “Your channel” and then tap “Edit Channel”.
- Enter your new channel name and save the changes.

Changing your channel name will not affect your existing subscribers, videos, or views. However, it’s important to note that you can only change your channel name three times within a 90-day period.

How to rename your YouTube channel effectively

Renaming your YouTube channel should be done with careful consideration and strategic planning to ensure a smooth transition for your audience. Here are some tips to rename your channel effectively:

Reflect Your Content: Make sure your new name accurately reflects the content you’re creating. This helps with brand consistency and audience expectations.
Research the Name: Before settling on a new name, research to ensure it’s not already in use or trademarked by another entity. This helps avoid confusion and potential legal issues.
Consider SEO: Incorporate relevant keywords into your channel name to improve discoverability on YouTube and search engines.
Communicate with Your Audience: Before and after the name change, communicate with your audience about the reason behind the change. This can be done through a dedicated video, community posts, or social media. Transparency helps maintain trust and keeps your audience informed.
Update Your Branding: Along with the name change, consider updating your channel’s visual elements like the logo, banner, and thumbnails to reflect the new branding. Consistency across all your branding elements helps reinforce your channel’s new identity.

Renaming and rebranding your YouTube channel is a significant step that can greatly affect your channel’s perception and growth.

It should be approached with careful thought and planning to ensure it contributes positively to your channel’s evolution and success.

Managing privacy and security

Managing the privacy and security of your YouTube channel is crucial to protect your content and ensure a safe environment for both creators and viewers.

Whether you’re looking to make your entire channel private or block unwanted viewers and content, YouTube offers several settings and features to help maintain your desired level of privacy and security.

Here’s how to navigate these settings effectively:

How to Make a YouTube Channel Private

While you cannot make the entire channel private in one action, you can control the privacy settings of individual videos and playlists. To make your content accessible only to select viewers, you can set videos to “Private” or “Unlisted”:

Private videos: Only users you specify can view a private video. To set a video to private:
- Go to YouTube Studio and navigate to your videos.
- Click on the video you wish to edit.
- Under “Visibility” in the “Details” tab, select “Private.”
- You can then share the video with specific users via their email addresses.
Unlisted videos: Unlisted videos won’t appear in search results, your channel, or the subscriber feed. Anyone with the link can view an unlisted video. This option is suitable for sharing content with people who have the link but keeping it hidden from the general public.

Blocking Unwanted Viewers or Content

To maintain a positive and safe environment on your channel, YouTube allows you to block unwanted viewers and manage inappropriate content through several features:

Blocking users: You can block users who post inappropriate comments on your videos, preventing them from commenting on any of your future videos. To block a user:
- Find a comment from the user you want to block.
- Click the three dots next to their comment.
- Select “Hide user from channel.”
Moderation tools: Use YouTube’s comment moderation tools to hold potentially inappropriate comments for review, automatically filter spam comments, or even hold all comments for review before they’re posted. You can configure these settings in YouTube Studio under “Settings” > “Community.”
Custom filters: You can set up custom filters in your community settings to block specific words or phrases, helping to keep your comment section clean and relevant to the content.

Understanding maintenance and analytics

Maintaining a YouTube channel involves regular content creation, audience engagement, and analyzing performance to guide your strategy. Occasionally, creators may decide to delete their channel for various reasons.

Understanding how to manage these aspects effectively is crucial for both growing and concluding your YouTube journey.

This section covers the process of deleting a YouTube channel and its implications, along with how to use analytics to understand your audience and improve your content.

How to Delete a YouTube Channel and the Implications

Deleting a YouTube channel is a permanent action that removes all your videos, comments, likes, and subscriptions. Here’s how to delete your channel:

Sign in to YouTube Studio.
Access the Account Settings: Click on your profile icon in the top right corner, then click on “Settings”.
Go to Channel > Advanced Settings.
At the bottom, you’ll find an option to “Remove YouTube Content”. Click on this link.
You may need to sign in to your Google Account again.
Click on “I want to permanently delete my content”.
Tick the boxes to confirm you understand the implications, then select “Delete my content”.

The implications of deleting your YouTube channel include:

Loss of Content: All uploaded videos, comments, messages, playlists, and history will be permanently deleted.
Impact on Audience: Your subscribers will lose access to your content, affecting those who found value in your work.
No Reversal: Once deleted, a channel and its content cannot be recovered.

If you’re unsure about deleting your channel, consider making videos private or unlisting your channel instead. This way, you can keep your content online without it being publicly visible.

Using Analytics to Understand Your Audience and Improve Content

YouTube Analytics is a powerful tool that provides insights into your audience’s behavior, video performance, and overall channel health. Here’s how to use analytics to your advantage:

Watch time and view duration: These metrics help you understand how engaging your content is. Longer view durations and higher watch time are indicators of content that keeps viewers interested.
Audience demographics: Knowing the age, gender, location, and viewing times of your audience can help tailor your content and posting schedule to better match your viewers’ preferences.
Traffic sources: Identify where your viewers are coming from (search, direct links, other social media, etc.) to optimize your content promotion strategy.
Engagement metrics: Likes, comments, shares, and subscription changes give you direct feedback on your content’s impact and viewer engagement.
Video performance: Compare the performance of different videos to see what topics, formats, or styles resonate most with your audience.

By regularly reviewing these analytics, you can make informed decisions about content direction, posting schedules, and engagement strategies, ensuring your channel’s continuous growth and relevance to your audience.

Analytics not only help in understanding what works but also highlight areas for improvement, guiding your content creation process towards greater success.

Part 5: Advanced strategies and considerations

The YouTube ecosystem offers a myriad of opportunities beyond content creation, including the buying and selling of channels. This practice has become a business strategy for some, looking to enter the YouTube space with an established audience or exit profitably.

However, navigating this path requires a deep understanding of the considerations and legalities involved. Additionally, knowing where to find YouTube channels for sale and what to look out for is crucial for a successful transaction.

Buying and selling YouTube channels: Considerations and legalities

The process of buying or selling a YouTube channel involves more than just transferring ownership. Here are key considerations and legalities:

YouTube’s terms of service: According to YouTube’s terms, the sale of accounts and features is prohibited. However, the transfer of ownership of a business (which includes YouTube channels as assets) is permissible. It’s essential to ensure that any transaction aligns with YouTube’s policies to avoid the risk of the channel being terminated.
Due diligence: Buyers should conduct thorough due diligence on the channel. This includes verifying the authenticity of the subscriber count, the engagement rate, copyright claims, and any potential violations of YouTube’s policies.
Legal agreements: It’s advisable to have a legal agreement in place that outlines the terms of the sale, including any warranties regarding the channel’s standing and liabilities. Both parties should clearly understand their rights and obligations.
Monetization: The channel’s monetization status can be affected by a change in ownership. Buyers should be prepared for a possible review of the channel by YouTube to ensure it meets the Partner Program guidelines under the new ownership.

YouTube Channel for Sale: Where to find them and what to look out for

Finding YouTube channels for sale can be challenging due to the platform’s policies. However, there are marketplaces and forums where sellers may list their channels, such as online business marketplaces or forums dedicated to digital assets.

When looking for a YouTube channel to buy, consider the following:

Niche relevance: Ensure the channel aligns with your content strategy or area of expertise. A mismatch can lead to disengaged subscribers and a decline in performance.
Engagement metrics: Look beyond the subscriber count. Engagement metrics like average views per video, like-to-dislike ratios, and comment activity can provide insights into the channel’s health and audience loyalty.
History of the channel: Investigate the channel’s history for any red flags, such as periods of inactivity, drastic changes in content type, or spikes in subscriber growth that could indicate inauthentic growth tactics.
Legal and financial standing: Verify that the channel is in good standing with YouTube and free of legal or financial encumbrances.

Buying or selling a YouTube channel comes with significant risks and considerations. It’s crucial to approach these transactions with caution, thorough research, and, when possible, the guidance of professionals experienced in digital asset transfers.

This ensures that you’re making an informed decision that aligns with your goals and complies with YouTube’s policies.

Part 6: The future of YouTube channels

The landscape of YouTube is ever-evolving, shaped by the changing tastes of its global audience, advancements in technology, and the creative ingenuity of its content creators.

As we look towards the future of YouTube channels, it’s essential to recognize the trends and factors that contribute to the success of the largest and most subscribed channels today. Understanding these elements can provide insights into the future directions of content creation and audience engagement on the platform.

Analysing trends and future predictions

Several trends have emerged from the success stories of today’s largest YouTube channels:

Diversification of content: Many of the biggest channels have diversified their content to appeal to a broader audience while maintaining their core identity. This trend is likely to continue as creators seek to captivate viewers with varied interests.
High production value: As audience expectations rise, channels that invest in higher production quality tend to stand out. The future may see an increase in collaborations with professional filmmakers and studios.
Interactive and immersive experiences: With the rise of virtual and augmented reality technologies, channels that offer interactive or immersive experiences could gain popularity.
Global appeal: Channels that produce content with a global appeal or cater to specific languages and cultures are expanding their reach. Multilingual content and subtitles may become standard practices for reaching international audiences.
Focus on community and engagement: Successful channels often build a strong community around their content. Features like YouTube Memberships and community posts are tools that will likely become more integral to channel strategies.

Channels with most subscribers on YouTube and why they succeed

The channels with the most subscribers often share common characteristics that contribute to their success:

Consistency and reliability: Regular posting schedules and consistent quality keep viewers coming back for more.
Authenticity: Audiences value genuine content. Channels that maintain authenticity while evolving tend to retain and grow their subscriber base.
Innovation: The ability to adapt to trends and experiment with new content types or formats keeps channels relevant.
Engagement: Successful creators actively engage with their audience through comments, social media, and in-video calls to action. This engagement builds a loyal community around the channel.
Cross-platform presence: Creators who expand their brand beyond YouTube, leveraging social media, podcasts, or merchandise, tend to create more touchpoints with their audience, contributing to their overall success.

As we look to the future, these traits are likely to remain central to the success of YouTube channels. Additionally, the platform’s ongoing development and integration of new features, such as more sophisticated monetization options and enhanced interactive capabilities, will offer creators new opportunities to innovate and grow their audiences.

Wrapping it up

For aspiring YouTubers, the path ahead is ripe with potential. Remember, every successful creator started with a single step and a unique vision.

Embrace your passion, stay consistent, and continually seek to understand and engage your audience. The digital landscape is ever-changing, and with perseverance, creativity, and a willingness to learn and adapt, you too can make your mark on YouTube.

Dream big, start small, and never underestimate the power of a well-told story. Your journey to YouTube success begins now—seize it with both hands and let your unique voice be heard!

FAQs

How do I get my YouTube channel?

To create a YouTube channel, you need a Google account. Once you have a Google account, go to YouTube and sign in. Click on your profile icon at the top right, and then click “Create a channel.” Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your channel, choosing whether to create a personal channel or a channel with a business or other name.

How much does it cost to get a YouTube channel?

Creating a YouTube channel is free. There are no costs associated with setting up a channel and starting to upload content. However, investing in equipment, editing software, or marketing may involve costs, depending on your goals and the quality of content you wish to produce.

Is it free to do a YouTube channel?

Yes, it is free to create and maintain a YouTube channel. You can upload videos, create playlists, and grow your subscriber base without any fees. However, as mentioned, additional investments in equipment or promotion can enhance your channel’s quality and reach but are not required to start.

YouTube Channel vs. YouTube Studio: What’s the difference?

YouTube Channel: This is your public profile on YouTube where your uploaded videos, playlists, likes, and subscriptions can be viewed by the public or your subscribers. It’s the front end where viewers interact with your content.
YouTube Studio: This is the backend of your YouTube channel, a dashboard that provides access to analytics, video management, monetization features, and other tools to help you manage and grow your channel. It’s designed for creators to track their performance, update channel settings, and gain insights.

How much money do you make on YouTube with 1000 subscribers?

The number of subscribers alone does not determine earnings on YouTube. Monetization through the YouTube Partner Program requires at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months, but earnings are primarily generated through ad views, not subscribers. Additional revenue can come from sponsorships, merchandise, and memberships, which vary greatly depending on the channel’s niche, audience engagement, and other factors.

How much do you get paid per 1,000 views on YouTube?

Earnings per 1,000 views (CPM – Cost Per Mille) on YouTube can vary widely based on factors like the type of content, target audience, geographical location of viewers, and the current advertising market. On average, YouTubers can earn between $3 and $20 per 1,000 views, but this is a rough estimate and can be higher or lower. It’s important to note that this is based on ad views, not total video views, as not every view results in an ad impression due to various factors such as ad blockers and viewer settings.

Guest author: James Houser is former Navy and proud father of two. He has a 5yr old son who is currently training to become a Jedi and a 2 and half year-old daughter who is already prepared to rule the galaxy as Darth Vader’s apprentice. When James isn’t building forts, or being used as a climbing gym by his kids, he enjoys all things SEO related, gaming, and listening to the Truth & Justice Podcast. Follow him @sifuhouser.

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