Inspired by Jade Beason
How to grow on YouTube (according to YouTube)
In the vast world of digital content creation, many aspiring YouTubers search endlessly for the secret success formula. But what if the most reliable source of growth insights is YouTube itself? A recent video dissected YouTube’s official guidelines for growing a channel, offering actionable strategies to build a thriving presence on the platform. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways.
1. Focus on the Essentials: Authenticity is Key
At its core, YouTube champions content that is authentic and genuine. This means creators should focus on topics that resonate with both themselves and their audience. The recommended approach involves asking two key questions:
- What kind of content would you enjoy as a viewer?
- What type of content keeps viewers engaged and coming back?
The answer to these questions helps strike a balance between passion and audience demand, ensuring that content is both sustainable and impactful. However, a critical nuance is that you don’t need to create what you consume. Just because you enjoy vlogs doesn’t mean you have to make them—your personal style and audience interest should dictate your format.
Beyond content ideas, thumbnails, titles, and descriptions play a pivotal role in attracting clicks and retaining viewers. Thumbnails should be clear, engaging, and aligned with the video’s theme. Titles need to be concise, engaging, and free of confusing jargon, while descriptions provide a crucial opportunity for SEO optimization, increasing visibility and discoverability.
2. Stay Consistent: Build Trust and Improve Over Time
Consistency is the backbone of YouTube success. While many creators hear this advice frequently, YouTube emphasizes why it’s crucial:
- It builds trust with viewers, setting expectations for new content.
- It improves content quality over time, allowing creators to refine their skills.
- It fosters sustainable habits, ensuring longevity on the platform.
However, consistency shouldn’t come at the cost of burnout. Strategies to maintain regular uploads without exhaustion include:
- Batch filming multiple videos in one session to streamline production.
- Using scheduling tools to automate content posting.
- Setting reminders to engage with comments and maintain audience interaction.
By implementing these strategies, creators can sustain a predictable upload schedule without feeling overwhelmed.
3. Understand Your Audience: Let Analytics Guide Your Strategy
YouTube provides creators with robust analytics, offering deep insights into viewer behavior. Key metrics to focus on include:
- When viewers are most active, helping determine the best upload times.
- Which videos are growing your audience, revealing what resonates most.
- The preferred formats of your audience, whether long-form content, Shorts, or live streams.
By analyzing these insights, creators can refine their content strategy to align with audience preferences. Additionally, reviewing the types of videos their audience watches outside their own channel can offer inspiration without resorting to imitation.
4. Leverage YouTube Shorts for Discoverability
Short-form content is booming, and YouTube Shorts presents an easy, low-pressure way to reach new audiences. The platform now even allows creators to link Shorts to their long-form videos, offering a seamless way to drive viewers deeper into their content ecosystem.
For those struggling with creating Shorts, tools like Riverside’s Magic Clips (highlighted in the video) can help repurpose long-form videos into engaging Shorts automatically, saving time and effort.
5. Learn from Other Creators—Especially Their Early Content
It’s tempting to compare your early content to the polished videos of established creators, but YouTube suggests a more productive approach:
- Study the early content of successful YouTubers.
- Identify what strategies helped them grow.
- Draw inspiration without direct imitation.
Growth is a continuous learning process, and every creator starts somewhere. Instead of focusing on perfection, focus on progress.
6. Join Trending Conversations—But Stay True to Yourself
YouTube’s trends tab and official blog provide direct insight into what’s currently popular on the platform. While trends can be powerful for exposure, the key is to only engage with trends that align with your personal brand and interests. Jumping on a trend purely for growth can backfire if it feels inauthentic to your audience.
Final Thoughts: The Path to YouTube Success
Growing on YouTube requires a combination of authenticity, consistency, audience awareness, and adaptability. While these strategies provide a roadmap, success ultimately comes down to execution and persistence.
For creators looking to streamline their workflow, tools like Riverside can aid in efficient content production, from seamless editing to automated Shorts creation. But no tool can replace the foundation of compelling, audience-driven storytelling.
If you’re on your YouTube journey, take these insights, experiment with your content, and let data guide your evolution. Growth isn’t about instant virality—it’s about building a community that values your unique voice.
