One of the ways you can measure the success of a YouTube channel is by the number of subscribers it has. The more people subscribe to your channel, the more views your videos will rack up. If you are a YouTuber or plan on starting a channel, it makes sense to wonder what you can do to maximize your numbers.
Keep reading to discover key ways to keep people hitting that subscribe button.
1. Create Engaging Content
If you want people to watch a video to the end and then subscribe to your channel, you must provide them with content that they find engaging, relevant, and informative.
One of the best ways to attract a subscriber base is to build your channel around a specific niche. Your niche should be an area you are passionate about and have valuable knowledge to impart to your audience. That is what will keep them coming back for more.
Plan your videos out ahead of time and script them as well. This is the best way to ensure you cover what you want and don’t get off-topic. Tutorials and informational content are relevant videos that can lead new viewers and subscribers to your channel.
2. Your Channel Banner
We all know that first impressions go a long way. Your channel landing page is your chance to show potential subscribers what you are all about and what kind of content they can expect to see from you if they subscribe.
Make sure that you use your banner to its full potential. Use a YouTube banner maker to create a stylish and professional design. Your banner can showcase your tagline or logo or feature a relevant photo background. A great banner will be readable and eye-catching. It can also give your audience updates, a call to action, or other important information.
3. Look at Your Existing Content
Take a good, hard look at your channel and your existing content. There are likely things that you can do to strengthen what you’ve got in a way that might attract more subscribers. Sometimes, inviting a higher rate of click-throughs could be as simple as updating the thumbnails, title or video description associated with each video.
4. Brand Your Video Thumbnails
If you don’t create the thumbnail yourself, YouTube will randomly select a few stills from your video for you to choose from. However, creating a branded thumbnail, adding a logo or other writing to the still or having one image you use for all your videos instantly makes your content more recognizable. When people realize they are watching and enjoying many of your videos, they will be more likely to subscribe.
5. Ask People to Subscribe
It seems obvious once you think about it, but asking your viewers to subscribe to your channel is the easiest way to increase your numbers. Once in every video you post, you should immediately ask people to click that subscribe button. Where you choose to make the ask is up to personal preference. Some creators ask for subscriptions near the middle of the video, and some prefer to leave the call for action to the end. If you’re unsure which will work best for you, try it both ways and then study your analytics afterwards.
6. Be Consistent
Your subscribers and potential subscribers want to know how often to expect your content. YouTubers post new videos daily; some post only once or twice a week. The frequency at which you post will depend on many factors, like how much time you have and your niche. It doesn’t matter whether that is daily or weekly; what matters is that it stays consistent. If you tell your audience that you will be posting new material every Wednesday at noon, for example, then subscribers will check your channel looking for your new content. It’s not worth watching a channel that posts irregularly for most viewers.
7. Engage with Your Viewers
Interacting with your audience is crucial to building a following. You can engage with your viewers in many ways. First, thank your viewers for watching each video at the end. Encourage them to comment and let you know what they think. Feedback is a valuable tool for you as a creator. Take the time to respond to as many comments as you can, as this will improve future viewer engagement. A live stream video is a fantastic way to interact with viewers in real time.
Like any social media platform, having subscribers is vital to your success as a content creator. You should always strive to attract more subscribers; the more you have, the more views your videos will get. Use the tips you’ve learned here to attract and grow your subscriber base. It will take time and effort, but it’s worth it in the long run.