If you are using videos to connect with your customers as part of your small business, here is how to get YouTube views to grow your audience.
YouTube videos can add value for your customers, promote products and services, or position your brand as an industry leader. Before you can realize all these benefits, you need you get more eyes on your content. Here’s a guide to how to get YouTube video views.
What is Counted as a View on YouTube?
YouTube counts views as any instance where a video is played for at least 30 seconds and the user initiated the video playing.
This includes videos played on YouTube and those that are embedded on other sites, as long as the viewer actively presses play or follows a link to the video. And with enough views, you can start exploring more YouTube channel business ideas.
How Many Views is Good for a YouTube Video?
The amount of YouTube views that is considered successful varies based on your goals and how large your following is. Many new YouTube videos just get a couple hundred views, and the top videos get billions of views.
So, how much do YouTubers make is the next obvious question? You may need 20,000 views or more to make money from your content, but there are other requirements. But at the end of the day, you need to grow your views. If you want to get more engagement on YouTube, views can be increased using the methods below.
20 Ways to Get YouTube Views and Grow Your Channel
If you want to add a YouTube channel to your small business marketing mix, first you should look into how to start a YouTube channel. You can then learn how adding more subscribers and views can improve your chances of success. Use these tips to get more eyes on your YouTube content.
1. Optimize Video Titles
Titles are often the first thing your YouTube audience notices about your video content. A good title should accurately describe the content, while grabbing the attention of potential viewers.
2. Share Videos on Social Media
If you already have a developed social media presence, link to your videos and grow a following to get more engagement on YouTube. Some social media platforms, like Facebook, prioritize native video content. To leverage these social media channels, create native videos that tease and link to your YouTube content.
Tailor your messaging for each social media platform to suit its audience and format. Use engaging captions and hashtags to increase visibility and reach. Consider the best times to post on each platform to maximize engagement.3. Optimize the Description of Your YouTube Videos
Each YouTube video includes a description that should accurately explain the content to YouTube users. Include relevant keywords to direct viewers using the YouTube search engine. Target keywords can also help your content appear as a next video after other popular content.
Utilize SEO-friendly keywords that align with what potential viewers might search for. Keep titles concise yet descriptive, aiming for 60 characters or less to ensure full visibility in search results. Experiment with A/B testing for titles to see which phrasing attracts more views. The first 100-150 characters are crucial as they appear in search results; make them count. Include a mix of high and low-competition keywords to improve searchability. Add links to your website and social media profiles for cross-promotion.4. List Related Videos in Descriptions
Once you get viewers on one video, encourage them to stick around and watch even more. Choose titles that are similar to the original video’s topic and include links in the description.
Curate a list of videos that complement the content of the current video. Update descriptions periodically to include newer, relevant videos. Consider using timestamps to highlight specific sections of videos.5. Learn YouTube SEO
The YouTube platform is one of the world’s top search engines. To appear higher in search results, research keywords and include them in titles, tags, categories, and descriptions. You may also want to look into the YouTube algorithm, as it changes periodically to prioritize specific types of content.
Here are some things you could get started with:
Optimize Thumbnail Imagery: Thumbnails are the first visual impression of your video. Using high-quality and relevant images can entice viewers to click on your video from a list of search results or suggested videos. Engage with Your Audience: Interacting with comments, likes, and shares can boost your video’s visibility. Engaged viewers are more likely to share, further increasing the reach of your content. Consistent Posting Schedule: By maintaining a regular uploading schedule, you can keep your audience engaged and returning for more. Predictability can foster loyalty among viewers. Collaborate with Other YouTubers: Collaborations can introduce your content to a broader audience by tapping into the subscriber base of other creators. Choose collaborators whose content aligns with yours for the best synergy. Utilize Annotations and End Screens: Annotations are clickable links that can direct viewers to another video, playlist, or channel. End screens can promote up to four elements, encouraging further interaction and guiding viewers to more of your content. Research and use long-tail keywords specific to your video content. Include keywords in your video file, title, description, and tags. Study your YouTube Analytics to understand which keywords are driving views.6 Create a Custom Thumbnail for Your YouTube Channel
When viewers search for a topic on YouTube or scroll their home page, they’ll generally see just a title and thumbnail of each video. Create custom thumbnails to draw the eye and encourage users to click your content over others.
Design eye-catching thumbnails that stand out in search results and suggested video lists. Use high contrast colors and readable fonts. Consider adding a thumbnail overlay with a brief, catchy title.7. Build Views Organically
There are some services that sell YouTube views to artificially inflate numbers. However, high quality views from real users benefit YouTube channels more, since they build actual engagement that improves search visibility over time.
Engage with your audience by responding to comments and creating community posts. Create content based on trending topics within your niche. Encourage viewers to share your videos on their social networks.8. Utilize YouTube Analytics
YouTube analytics show which videos are most popular and when you get the most interaction. Use this information to improve future content.
Regularly review which videos are performing well and analyze why. Track viewer demographics to tailor content to your audience. Use the data to improve video content, length, and posting schedule.9. Create a ‘Most Viewed’ Section
Once someone views a popular video from your channel, they may be more likely to watch even more content. A ‘most viewed’ section should include all your popular videos to draw even more views.
Regularly update your channel’s homepage to feature your most popular videos. Organize videos in this section based on themes or series. Use this section to highlight the range of content on your channel.10. Embed Videos on Your Website
Embedded videos also count toward your views, so include them on your site to leverage that traffic. Make videos embeddable so others can add them to blog posts and online content too.
Embed videos in relevant blog posts or pages on your site. Ensure that the embedded videos are responsive and mobile-friendly. Use calls to action within your site’s content to encourage video views.11. Research Popular Videos in Your Niche
Once a video plays, YouTube suggests more videos that are similar. Don’t create the same video, but looking at other video creators can give you general ideas that are likely to appear in results.
Analyze top-performing videos for style, length, and content trends. Look for gaps or unaddressed topics that you can cover in your videos. Take note of the engagement strategies used in popular videos, like pinned comments or interactive polls.12. Create Playlists
Playlists are collections of similar videos that play back-to-back. Sort your content to encourage people to watch other videos after completing one full video.
Group similar videos into playlists to encourage binge-watching. Create a narrative or sequence in your playlists that logically links one video to the next. Optimize playlist titles and descriptions with keywords.13. Add Relevant Cards in Videos
YouTube cards serve as interactive pop-ups that viewers can see while watching a video. These cards are not only visually engaging but also a powerful tool to direct your viewers to supplementary content.
Whether it’s to share a related video, promote your merchandise, or even gather feedback through polls, cards can significantly enhance viewer experience. By strategically placing cards at points of relevance in the video, creators can ensure viewers are being introduced to additional valuable content.
This not only prolongs the viewer’s engagement with the channel but also navigates them through the creator’s content universe, maximizing the chances of prolonged viewership.
Use cards strategically to promote other videos, playlists, or your website. Place cards at moments when viewers are most engaged, typically midway or at the end of the video. Track the performance of cards in YouTube Analytics and adjust placements for better engagement.14. Create Custom End Screens
End screens present a unique opportunity for YouTubers. Displayed in the last 5-20 seconds of a video, they provide a space for creators to promote up to four different elements, be it another video, a playlist, a channel, or a link to a verified website.
It’s an optimum spot to feature your top-performing videos or direct viewers to a new series, funneling your viewership and encouraging sustained engagement. By using custom end screens tailored to the video’s content, creators can make a compelling case for viewers to continue their journey, thus creating a seamless viewing experience that boosts both views and subscriptions.
Design end screens that encourage viewers to subscribe or watch another video. Use visually appealing graphics and clear calls to action. Test different end screen formats to see what drives the most engagement.15. Respond to Comments
Engaging with your audience is pivotal in building a loyal community on YouTube. Each comment represents a viewer’s effort to interact, and responding to these comments fosters a sense of belonging.
When content creators take the time to acknowledge, thank, or even address queries in the comment section, it makes viewers feel valued. YouTube’s algorithm also favors videos with higher engagement levels, pushing them to more potential viewers.
Beyond algorithmic advantages, active comment sections can be a goldmine of feedback, providing insights into audience preferences, content suggestions, or areas of improvement.
Engaging consistently in the comments not only strengthens viewer relationships but also drives a positive feedback loop, amplifying the channel’s growth potential.
Regularly engage in conversations with viewers in the comment section. Highlight or pin top comments to encourage more interaction. Use feedback from comments to inform future video content.16. Encourage Users to Engage with Your Content
Additionally, include a call to action at the end of each video to promote your YouTube channel and encourage other engagement. Simply remind them to like, subscribe, comment, or leave a “thumbs up.” Subscribing or turning on notifications can help you gain more views on each new video you post.
Remind viewers to like, comment, subscribe, and share at the beginning and end of each video. Run Q&A sessions or contests to incentivize viewer engagement. Create interactive content, like polls or viewer-driven challenges.17. Include Other People’s Content in Videos
Some videos may include photos, video content, or commentary from other users. Get their permission first. Then let them know when your content posts so they can promote it on their own social networks.
Collaborate with other creators and mention their channels in your videos. Ensure proper credit and permissions are given when using others’ content. Leverage user-generated content to foster a sense of community.18. Partner with Popular Influencers or Brands
You can also increase your audience by promoting products or creating video series that include other creators. These creators and brands are more likely to share your content.
Identify influencers or brands that align with your channel’s theme. Collaborate on content that is mutually beneficial and engaging. Leverage their audience to increase your channel’s reach and visibility.19. Draw Viewers in Right Away
YouTube doesn’t require viewers to watch an entire video to count it as a view. But they do need to stick around for at least 30 seconds. So use that time to explain exactly what is in the rest of the video and draw viewers in.
Start your videos with a hook or preview of what’s to come. Use storytelling techniques to keep viewers engaged. Address the video’s main points early to retain viewer attention.20. Create a Contest
Once you incentivize people to watch your first video, they’re more likely to subscribe and watch even more. Promote your YouTube channel with a giveaway for people who watch or engage with your content.
Run contests that require viewers to watch videos and engage with your channel. Use incentives that are relevant and appealing to your target audience. Promote your contests across all your social media channels for maximum participation.Ways to Get YouTube Views Checklist
| Optimize Video Titles | ? |
| Share Videos on Social Media | ? |
| Optimize the Description of Your YouTube Videos | ? |
| List Related Videos in Descriptions | ? |
| Learn YouTube SEO | ? |
| Create a Custom Thumbnail for Your YouTube Channel | ? |
| Build Views Organically | ? |
| Utilize YouTube Analytics | ? |
| Create a 'Most Viewed' Section | ? |
| Embed Videos on Your Website | ? |
| Research Popular Videos in Your Niche | ? |
| Create Playlists | ? |
| Add Relevant Cards in Videos | ? |
| Create Custom End Screens | ? |
| Respond to Comments | ? |
| Encourage Users to Engage with Your Content | ? |
| Include Other People's Content in Videos | ? |
| Partner with Popular Influencers or Brands | ? |
| Draw Viewers in Right Away | ? |
| Create a Contest | ? |
Image: Depositphotos
This article, "How to Get YouTube Views" was first published on Small Business Trends