TikTok and other newcomers are having a big impact on social media right now, but one video-sharing platform still reigns supreme: YouTube. With over 2.1 billion users globally, it is the second most-visited website on the internet. How can you get real YouTube video promotion? it’ is essential if you want to maximise the platform’s potential. Here are some of our favourite tips for making your YouTube material more discoverable to new viewers. Each of these suggestions is straightforward, practical, and, best of all, completely free.

1.Select keywords that are Google-friendly

Great SEO is the foundation of a successful YouTube channel. And great SEO begins with a thorough understanding of what consumers are looking for. People don’t simply use YouTube to find videos; they also use Google. In many searches, Google increasingly favours video over other types of media. There is no hard and fast rule for determining which keywords can help your YouTube video rank higher. However, a little reverse engineering can help a lot.

2.Use video titles that are succinct and descriptive

When users come across your material, the title is the first thing they see. It might be the last if it isn’t punchy.

Here are some general guidelines for creating compelling YouTube titles:

• Keep it brief and to the point. The names of the most popular YouTube videos are usually the shortest. If you don’t keep your title to 60 characters or less, some of it will be cut off when it’s displayed.
• To prevent losing valuable information, include your keyword (s) in the first half of the title. The majority of internet readers concentrate on the first few words of a text and ignore the remainder.
• Clickbait is not the same as engagement. The finest headlines either provide a clear benefit or elicit an emotional response. Clickbait is appealing, but it might harm your channel’s reputation.

3.Make your own thumbnails

Thumbnails are important, perhaps even more so than titles. Because our brains are built to detect sight first, this is the case. According to MIT research, we digest them in less than 13 milliseconds. All videos on YouTube have automated thumbnails, although they can be fuzzy or out of focus. Create an eye-catching custom thumbnail for each video you submit to increase views.

4.Fill in the blanks on your profile

Many YouTubers skip over the profile area and jump right into creating content. However, one of the simplest methods to promote your YouTube channel—and improve your SEO—is to create an interesting profile. Consistency is key. Use the same colour scheme, writing style, and layout as your website and other social media accounts. Improve the description of your YouTube channel. This is an excellent spot to insert keywords. “Tag stuffing” is frowned upon on YouTube, but a few keywords might go a long way. Continue to entice viewers to return for more. When will you publish fresh information, and how often will you do so? Make your timetable known to your fans, and then stick to it. Include your contact information. You never know who might be trying to get in touch with you. Make it happen.

5.Make your video descriptions more effective

We’ve put up a comprehensive guide to creating excellent YouTube descriptions, packed with tips for both individual videos and channels, as well as free, editable templates. Keywords might also be mentioned in the video itself. However, just like with text, people’s attention spans are short. For optimum results, include a few keywords in a brief introduction. In their how-to films, Henry Media Group’s descriptions make extensive use of timestamps.

6.Don’t overlook metadata

When it comes to using keywords, YouTube’s metadata rules emphasise two things:

• Be truthful.
• Quality above quantity is the way to go.

These criteria apply to features such as tags and categories as well. Tags should be added to the “tags area” of your upload rather than the video description. Add one or two categories to assist YouTube in figuring out who your video should be recommended to.

7.Provide genuine value

This may seem self-evident, but it bears repeating. The best approach to keeping viewers engaged—and the most effective strategy to rank well in YouTube search—is to provide great content. This is because YouTube’s ranking methodology places a premium on the viewer’s experience. One of our most popular videos is “How to Use Hootsuite in 13 Minutes.” We helped viewers master a new tool by breaking things down step by step. If you provide genuine value, you will be rewarded with genuine engagement.

8.Produce high-definition videos

Even the best information can be ruined by poor video quality. So, before you publish your article, make sure it looks professional. Use a good camera, pre-record a soundcheck, and master some fundamental editing abilities. Of course, not everyone is born with the ability to make films. If you’re feeling rusty, brush up on these social video best practises.

9.Engage with your audience

True involvement does not end with the development of content. The most successful YouTubers keep a close eye on their audience and engage with them on a regular basis. Respond to all comments, positive or unfavourable, and “heart” your favourites. Make a video response. Use analytics to discover your most ardent supporters and lavish extra attention on them. It will benefit both your viewers and your subscriber count. Madylin Bailey, a musician, writes songs based on hate comments left on her videos. In reaction to his “worst hater,” she made this video. They’ve gotten her a lot of attention, and one of them even got her an audition on America’s Got Talent.

10.Try a question-and-answer session

One of the most efficient ways to grow a YouTube community is through audience Q&As. Request questions from your subscribers through comment, email, or Twitter. Then make a video to respond to them. You’ll increase watch duration, view counts, and engagement by demonstrating to your audience that they matter. Plus, when you’re out of new content ideas, Q&As can come in handy. This Youtuber observed that many of her viewers referred to her as their “online big sister,” so she did a Q&A with some of her finest big sis advise, including relationship advice, how to make new friends, and how to avoid comparing yourself to others.

11.Hold competitions

Another wonderful technique to engage your audience is to hold a contest. You may collect viewing statistics, encourage likes or comments, and gain subscribers with just one video. Blendtec’s “Will it blend?” films are well-known. They were one of the first to use YouTube contests to grow their audience, and they’ve been doing it for over a decade.

12. Participate in community activities

Finding your specialty and growing a following within it is the key to success on YouTube. Subscribing to channels with a comparable audience to you is a good idea. Their stuff is worth watching, like, and sharing. Leave helpful comments on their videos or mention them in your own. This will not only offer you a better idea of what your competitors are up to, but it will also help you reach out to new audiences. Learn how to use Hootsuite to plan your YouTube videos and engage your audience from a simple, user-friendly interface.