“Success on YouTube isn't about luck - it's about showing up, having fun, and pressing 'upload' even when only your Mom is watching.”

~ Kat Milner, Chief Tech Ninja

Introduction:

"Growing a YouTube channel is like leveling up in a video game—the more you play, the better you get. The difference between the ones who make it and the ones who don’t? Consistency. So, grab your camera, hit record, and let’s make your YouTube magic happen!"

Growing your YouTube channel effectively takes time, strategy, and consistent effort. Here are some of the best strategies you can use:

1. Define Your Niche

• Target Audience: Know who you are making your content for. Like all kinds of marketing and business, it's better to cater to a specific audience, even if it's smaller, rather than trying to appeal to everyone - because then no-one enjoys it, including you.

• Content Focus: Find a niche you are passionate about and have expertise. This will definitely help you stay consistent and create engaging content.

2. Create High-Quality Content

• Invest in good equipment: Ensure you have a decent camera, microphone, and lighting. Quality visuals and sound can make a significant difference in retaining viewers.

• That said, DON'T worrying about equipment stop you. If all you have is your mobile phone - use it to get started and think about upgrading your equipment later.

• The MOST IMPORTANT THING is to get started! If your content is interesting, they'll watch regardless of what you used to record it.

• Editing: Quality editing can make your videos more engaging. Try to create smooth transitions, add relevant visuals, and make the pace dynamic.

• Likewise - if you don't have a way (or don't know how) to edit your videos, people will be forgiving. Be honest and transparent about your process, and focus on the content. People won't care as much if it's slick, as whether it's interesting.

• Catchy Thumbnails: Thumbnails are the first impression of your video. Design them to be eye-catching, clear, and relevant to your content.

• Compelling Titles: Your title should be descriptive but intriguing enough to spark curiosity. Consider using keywords for better discoverability.

3. Be Consistent With Uploads

• Have an Upload Schedule: Create a consistent posting schedule so your audience knows when to expect new content. This helps build a loyal audience.

• True story - my husband and I follow a luxury house tours channel, and have basically stopped following them. When we first started following, there was a new video every week. Now they've started getting really arty, and taking time to super-edit their videos. They post a new video every 4-6 weeks. They look great, but we get frustrated, never knowing when the new video is coming out.

• If you really want to build a YouTube following, and you have the choice between consistent posting or amazing quality - consistent posting wins every time, hands down.

• Content Series: Having recurring content series (e.g., “Tech Tip Tuesdays” 😁) can help maintain regular viewership.

4. Engage with Your Community

• Respond to Comments: Show that you value your viewers by responding to comments on your videos.

• PRO TIP: Check your channel regularly for comments, so that too much time doesn't pass before you respond.

• Ask for Feedback: Encourage your audience to share their opinions or suggest content ideas.

5. Optimise for SEO

• Keywords: Use relevant keywords in your video title, description, and tags to help your content show up in search results.

• Use Playlists: Group videos into playlists with relevant titles and descriptions to improve watch time and discoverability.

• Engagement: YouTube’s algorithm rewards videos with high engagement. Encourage likes, shares, comments, and subscriptions within your videos.

• In fact, make sure to ask people to comment, like, and subscribe on every video you post.

6. Collaborate with Other YouTubers

• Collaborations: Partner with creators in your niche. This exposes your channel to their audience and vice versa.

• Guest Appearances: Appearing on another channel or having guests on your channel can bring in fresh perspectives and new subscribers.

These are not critical, but can really help boost your visibility. If you are just starting out on YouTube, this is probably a strategy for when you are more established, unless the person hosting you is a friend and wants to help you gain some traction.

7. Promote Your Content on Other Platforms

Now that your YouTube channel is up and running, you can start looking at other places to promote your channel and gain some followers.

• Social Media: Share your videos on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Create snippets or teasers to attract new viewers.

• Reddit & Other Forums: Join relevant subreddits or forums where your target audience hangs out and share your videos (without spamming).

• Email Newsletter: If you have an email list, notify them about new content on your YouTube channel. For example, a Tech Tip Tuesday newsletter. 😉

8. Analyse and Adapt

• YouTube Analytics: Keep an eye on your analytics to understand what’s working (or not). Look for trends in your most popular content and double down on those themes.

• Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try new formats or content ideas to see what resonates with your audience. Especially if they comment and give you feedback.

9. Monetization and Branding

• Brand Partnerships: Once you have a solid following, consider working with brands that align with your content.

• Personally, I am crazy conscious of any advertising that I might consider including on my YouTube channel. As you know, many channels have a TON of advertising, and it's annoying to have more than 1-2 ads.

• I don't advertise, but if and when I do, I would have maybe 1 ad in the middle (no longer than 15 seconds). Remember - the viewer is there for you, not your advertiser.

• Merchandise: If you have a loyal fan base, you can start selling branded merchandise or offer services related to your content.

• If you are a member of Simplify Your Tech, you may know that it is incredibly simple to set up an online store with your branded merchandise, and is free to set up!

10. Patience and Persistence

• Growth Takes Time: Understand that building a successful YouTube channel is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay patient, and don’t get discouraged by slow progress.

• Consistency is Key: Even when growth feels slow, continue producing quality content, engaging with your community, and optimizing for search engines (SEO).

Ways to Market your YouTube Channel and Attract More Viewers

1. Leverage Your Email List

• Send a dedicated email announcing new videos.

• Embed video previews in newsletters with a strong CTA to watch.

• Create an automated welcome email with a “Start Here” playlist.

2. Repurpose & Share on Social Media

• Share short clips or teasers on Instagram Reels, TikTok, and Facebook.

• Post behind-the-scenes shots or key takeaways on LinkedIn.

• Use Twitter/X threads to break down video topics and link to the full video.

3. Pin Your Videos on Pinterest

• Design eye-catching Pinterest pins for your videos.

• Create a board dedicated to your YouTube content.

• Optimize pin descriptions with keywords to drive search traffic.

4. Embed Videos in Blog Posts & Website Pages

• Turn video topics into blog posts and embed the full video.

• Add relevant videos to FAQ pages or landing pages.

• Use a “Featured Video” section on your homepage.

5. Collaborate with Other Creators & Influencers

• Do guest appearances on other YouTube channels, podcasts, or live streams.

• Offer value-packed interviews or co-create content to reach new audiences.

• Engage with their audience in comments and groups to build relationships.

6. Use Facebook Groups & Online Communities

• Join niche-related Facebook Groups and share valuable insights (not just links).

• Answer questions on Reddit and Quora, linking to your videos when relevant.

• Create your own Facebook group around your content topics.

7. Run a Giveaway or Contest

• Offer an exclusive prize for those who subscribe, watch, or comment.

• Use Gleam.io or KingSumo to track and reward engagement.

• Partner with brands or influencers to expand reach.

8. Utilize Paid Ads for Targeted Growth

• Run YouTube Ads targeting your ideal audience.

• Use Facebook & Instagram Ads to promote engaging video snippets.

• Test Google Ads to show your videos in search results.

9. Promote in Your Podcast or Guest on Others'

• Mention your YouTube channel in your own podcast episodes.

• Be a guest on relevant podcasts and discuss your YouTube content.

• Ask podcast hosts to add your video links in their show notes.

10. Cross-Promote in Every Piece of Content

• Add your YouTube channel link to all your social media bios.

• Mention your channel in Instagram Stories with a link sticker.

• End all blog posts, social media posts, and emails with a CTA to watch.

Growing your YouTube channel isn’t just about great content—it’s about smart marketing. By promoting your videos strategically through social media, email marketing, collaborations, and even Pinterest, you can attract more viewers and subscribers faster.

Don’t just wait for people to find your channel—actively share, engage, and drive traffic from multiple platforms. Consistency is key, but so is getting your content in front of the right audience.

Use these tips and marketing strategies to expand your reach, grow your community, and make YouTube work for you!

How Simplify Your Tech Can Help

If you are a little overwhelmed by all of this or find it confusing, you can schedule a complimentary Find Out More call here. I'm happy to help.

If you are not already using the Simplify Your Tech platform, book in for a complimentary tech review to see what options may work best for you.

Let's talk about How to Grow a YouTube Channel from Scratch—Even with Zero Subscribers.

If you haven't already joined the Facebook group, click here to be part of Simplify Your Tech with the Tech Ninja.