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YouTube is the world's second-largest search engine and the most popular video platform. With over 2 billion monthly active users and 500 hours of video uploaded every minute, YouTube offers a huge opportunity for content creators to reach a global audience and earn money from their videos.
But with so much competition, how do you stand out and grow your channel? How do you get more views and subscribers on YouTube?
👉In this blog post, I will share with you 16 easy and free ways to get more views and subscribers on YouTube in 2023. These are proven strategies that have worked for many successful YouTubers and can help you boost your channel's performance and visibility.
Let's get started!
1. Complete your profile and make sure all information is filled in.
Your profile is the first impression that viewers have of your channel. It tells them who you are, what your channel is about, and why they should subscribe. A complete and professional profile can help you attract more viewers and subscribers.
To complete your profile, you need to:
- Add a channel icon that represents your brand or personality. You can use your logo, a photo of yourself, or something related to your niche.
- Create a channel art that showcases your channel's theme, value proposition, or schedule. You can use a tool like Canva to design an eye-catching banner that fits YouTube's dimensions.
- Fill out your 'about' channel description, set your country, and enter a contact email address. Your description should briefly explain what your channel is about, who you are, and what value you offer to your viewers. You can also include some keywords related to your niche and a call-to-action to subscribe.
- Add social media profiles to your channel banner. This can help you cross-promote your content and grow your audience on other platforms.
2. Use "BOGY" thumbnails..jpg)
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Thumbnails are one of the most important factors that influence whether viewers click on your videos or not. According to YouTube, 9 out of 10 of the most-viewed videos on YouTube use a custom thumbnail.
But how do you create a thumbnail that stands out?
One way is to use "BOGY" thumbnails. BOGY stands for Blue, Orange, Green, Yellow. These are four colors that contrast well with YouTube's red, black, and white color scheme. By using these colors in your thumbnails, you can make your videos pop out and grab attention.
For example, 5-Minute Crafts (which has over 74 million subscribers) uses lots of blue and yellow in most of their thumbnails:
Of course, you can use a little bit of red, white, and black in your thumbnail. You just don't want to make them your main thumbnail color.
Some other tips for creating effective thumbnails are:
- - Use clear and legible text that summarizes the main point or hook of your video.
- - Use high-quality images that are relevant to your video topic.
- - Use faces or emotions that convey curiosity, excitement, or surprise.
- - Use arrows, circles, or other shapes to highlight important elements or draw attention.
- - Test different thumbnails and see which ones perform better using YouTube Analytics.
3. Copy this proven video description template.
YouTube uses your video description to understand what your video is about and rank it in search results. A well-written description can help you get more views from organic search traffic.
But how do you write a good video description?
You can use this proven video description template that works great:
[Strong Intro] - The first few lines of your description are super important. You want to include your target keyword once in the first 1-2 sentences. This tells YouTube what your video is about and helps it rank better. You also want to hook your viewers with an intriguing or compelling statement that makes them want to watch more.
[Video Summary] - Next, you want to give a brief summary of what your video covers. You can use bullet points or numbered lists to break down the main points or steps of your video. This helps viewers scan your description and see what they can expect from your video.
[Call-to-Action] - Then, you want to include a call-to-action that encourages viewers to take action after watching your video. This could be asking them to subscribe, like, comment, share, or check out another video or link.
[Keywords] - Finally, you want to sprinkle some relevant keywords throughout your description. This helps
How to Get Views on YouTube in 18 Ways
YouTube is the world's second-largest search engine and the most popular video platform. With over 2 billion monthly active users and 500 hours of video uploaded every minute, YouTube offers a huge opportunity for content creators to reach a global audience and earn money from their videos.
But with so much competition, how do you stand out and grow your channel? How do you get more views on YouTube?
In this blog post, I will share with you 18 easy and free ways to get more views on YouTube in 2023. These are proven strategies that have worked for many successful YouTubers and can help you boost your channel's performance and visibility.
Let's get started!
1. Create compelling content.
Some tips for creating compelling content are:
- Know your niche and audience. Find out what topics they are interested in, what problems they have, what questions they ask, and what goals they have. Then create videos that address those needs and interests.
- Do your research. Before you make a video, do some keyword research and see what people are searching for on YouTube related to your niche. You can use tools like vidIQ or TubeBuddy to find popular keywords and video ideas. You can also look at what other successful channels in your niche are doing and get inspiration from them.
- Hook your viewers in the first few seconds. The first few seconds of your video are crucial for capturing your viewers' attention and making them want to watch more. You need to start with a strong hook that tells them what your video is about, why they should watch it, and what value they will get from it.
- Tell a story. People love stories. They help you connect with your viewers on an emotional level and keep them engaged throughout your video. You can use stories to illustrate your points, share your experiences, or teach something new. Make sure your stories are relevant, authentic, and interesting.
- Add some humor. Humor is a great way to make your videos more entertaining and memorable. It can also help you build rapport with your viewers and make them like you more. You don't have to be a comedian to add some humor to your videos. You can use jokes, puns, memes, funny images, or funny reactions to spice up your content.
2. Encourage viewers to subscribe. 
One of the easiest ways to get more views on YouTube is to encourage your current viewers to subscribe to your channel. Subscribers are loyal fans who will watch your new videos whenever you upload them. They will also help you boost your watch time, engagement, and ranking on YouTube.
According to YouTube, channels with a higher number of subscribers tend to have higher view counts than channels with fewer subscribers.
So how do you get viewers to subscribe?
The best way is simply to ask at the beginning and end of each video. You can also use annotations, cards, end screens, or watermarks to remind them to subscribe.
But don't just ask them to subscribe. Give them a reason why they should subscribe. Tell them what benefits they will get from subscribing, such as more valuable content, exclusive offers, or updates.
For example, you can say something like:
"Hey guys, if you enjoyed this video and want to learn more about [your niche], make sure to hit the subscribe button and turn on the notification bell so you don't miss any of my future videos."
3. Create playlists to keep people watching..jpg)
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Playlists are a great way to increase your views on YouTube by keeping people watching more of your videos. Playlists are collections of videos that are grouped together by a common theme or topic. They help you organize your content and make it easier for viewers to find what they are looking for.
Playlists also have some advantages over individual videos:
- They autoplay the next video in the list after the current one ends. This reduces the chances of viewers leaving your channel or getting distracted by other videos.
- They increase your watch time and session time. Watch time is the total amount of time that viewers spend watching your videos. Session time is the total amount of time that viewers spend on YouTube after watching one of your videos. Both metrics are important for YouTube's algorithm and ranking.
- They boost your channel authority and relevance. By creating playlists around specific keywords or topics, you can signal to YouTube what your channel is about and rank higher for those terms.
Some tips for creating effective playlists are:
- Use descriptive and catchy titles that include your target keywords and entice viewers to click.
- Add a short description that summarizes what your playlist is about and why viewers should watch it.
- Include at least 5 videos per playlist and arrange them in a logical order that flows well from one video to the next.
- Update your playlists regularly and add new videos that are relevant to the theme or topic.
- Promote your playlists on your channel page, video descriptions, end screens, cards, or social media.
4. Promote other videos with end screens and cards.
End screens and cards are interactive elements that you can add to your videos to promote other videos, playlists, channels, websites, or calls-to-action. They can help you get more views on YouTube by driving more traffic to your other content and keeping viewers on your channel.
End screens are displayed in the last 5-20 seconds of your video. You can use them to:
- Suggest another video or playlist that is related to the current video or that viewers might be interested in.
- Encourage viewers to subscribe to your channel or another channel that you collaborate with.
- Link to an external website or landing page where viewers can learn more about your product, service, or offer.
Cards are small notifications that appear in the upper right corner of your video. You can use them to:
- Tease another video or playlist that is relevant to the current video or that viewers might enjoy.
- Poll your viewers and get their feedback or opinions on something related to your video.
- Link to an external website or landing page where viewers can take action or get more information.
Some tips for using end screens and cards are:
- Use them sparingly and strategically. Don't overload your videos with too many end screens or cards as they might annoy or distract your viewers. Choose the most appropriate ones for each video and place them at the right time.
- Use clear and compelling calls-to-action. Tell your viewers what you want them to do and why they should do it. For example, instead of just saying "Watch this video", say something like "Watch this video to learn how to [benefit]".
- Track and optimize their performance. You can use YouTube Analytics to see how many views, clicks, and conversions your end screens and cards generate. You can also test different variations and see which ones perform better.
5. Add a watermark to your videos.
A watermark is a small image that appears in the bottom right corner of your videos. It can help you get more views on YouTube by:
- Branding your videos and making them look more professional.
- Protecting your videos from being stolen or re-uploaded by others.
- Encouraging viewers to subscribe to your channel by clicking on the watermark.
To add a watermark to your videos, you need to:
- Create a watermark image that represents your brand or channel. You can use your logo, a photo of yourself, or something related to your niche. Make sure the image is transparent and has a size of 150x150 pixels.
- Go to YouTube Studio and click on Settings > Channel > Branding.
- Click on Choose image and upload your watermark image.
- Choose when you want your watermark to appear on your videos: at the end of the video, at a custom start time, or throughout the entire video.
- Click on Save and you're done.
6. Make sure your videos are embedding enabled.
Embedding is a feature that allows you to share your videos on other websites or platforms by copying and pasting a code. This can help you get more views on YouTube by:
- Expanding your reach and exposure to new audiences.
- Increasing your backlinks and SEO ranking.
To make sure your videos are embedding enabled, you need to:
- Go to YouTube Studio and click on Content.
- Select the video you want to edit and click on Details.
- Click on Show more and scroll down to the Distribution options section.
- Check the box that says Allow embedding.
- Click on Save and you're done.
7. Promote your videos on other social channels.
- Reach more potential viewers who might not be aware of your YouTube channel.
- Leverage your existing followers and fans on other platforms.
- Create a buzz and generate word-of-mouth for your videos.
Some tips for promoting your videos on other social channels are:
- Choose the right platforms for your niche and audience. You don't have to be on every social media platform. Focus on the ones where your target audience hangs out and where your content fits well.
- Tailor your posts for each platform. Don't just copy and paste the same message across all platforms. Adapt your posts to suit the tone, style, and format of each platform. For example, you can use hashtags on Twitter and Instagram, tag relevant pages or groups on Facebook, or create a short video teaser for TikTok or Instagram Reels.
- Include a clear and compelling call-to-action. Tell your followers what you want them to do and why they should do it. For example, you can say something like "Watch my latest YouTube video to learn how to [benefit]. Link in bio." or "Check out my new YouTube video where I show you how to [benefit]. Swipe up to watch."
- Engage with your followers and encourage them to share your posts. Respond to their comments, questions, or feedback. Thank them for their support and ask them to share your posts with their friends or followers.
8. Understand the importance of 'watch time'.
Watch time is one of the most important metrics that YouTube uses to measure the quality and popularity of your videos. Watch time is the total amount of time that viewers spend watching your videos. The more watch time you have, the more YouTube will favor your videos and rank them higher in search results and recommendations.
Watch time is different from views. Views are the number of times that people click on your videos. Watch time is the amount of time that people actually watch your videos. You can have a lot of views but low watch time if people click away from your videos quickly. You can also have fewer views but high watch time if people watch your videos for a long time.
Some tips for increasing your watch time are:
- Hook your viewers in the first few seconds. As mentioned earlier, you need to start your videos with a strong hook that tells viewers what your video is about, why they should watch it, and what value they will get from it. This will make them curious and interested in watching more.
- Deliver on your promise. Don't mislead or disappoint your viewers with clickbait titles or thumbnails that don't match the content of your video. Make sure you deliver what you promised in the beginning and provide value to your viewers throughout your video.
- Optimize your video length. There is no ideal video length for YouTube. It depends on your niche, topic, audience, and style. The key is to make your videos as long as they need to be to cover your topic in depth and provide value to your viewers. Don't make them too short or too long. You can use YouTube Analytics to see how long your viewers watch your videos on average and adjust your video length accordingly.
- Keep your viewers engaged. Don't bore or confuse your viewers with dull or irrelevant content. Keep your videos interesting and entertaining by using stories, humor, emotions, visuals, or other elements that appeal to your audience. You can also use transitions, music, sound effects, or graphics to spice up your videos and keep them flowing smoothly.
- Encourage binge-watching. You want your viewers to watch not just one of your videos, but multiple videos in a row. This will increase your watch time and session time. You can encourage binge-watching by creating playlists, linking to other videos with end screens or cards, or creating series or episodes that follow a theme or storyline.
9. Nurture a community.
YouTube is not just a video platform. It's also a social platform where you can interact with your viewers and build a loyal fan base. By nurturing a community around your channel, you can increase your views and subscribers by:
- Building trust and credibility with your audience.
- Getting feedback and insights from your viewers.
- Creating user-generated content and collaborations.
- Generating word-of-mouth and referrals.
Some tips for nurturing a community are:
- Respond to comments. Comments are one of the best ways to communicate with your viewers and show them that you care about their opinions and feedback. Try to respond to as many comments as you can, especially in the first few hours after uploading a new video. You can also ask questions, start discussions, or give shoutouts to your viewers in your comments.
- Create polls and surveys. Polls and surveys are interactive features that you can use to get feedback from your viewers and make them feel involved in your channel. You can use polls and surveys to ask your viewers about their preferences, opinions, suggestions, or questions related to your niche or videos. You can create polls and surveys using cards, the community tab, or external tools like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey.
- Host live streams. Live streams are a great way to connect with your viewers in real time and create a sense of urgency and excitement for your content. You can use live streams to share updates, news, tips, behind-the-scenes, Q&A sessions, or anything else that might interest your audience. You can also interact with your viewers through live chat and super chat features.
- Create a Facebook group. A Facebook group is a private space where you can interact with your most loyal and engaged fans. You can use a Facebook group to share exclusive content, offer support, run contests, host events, or create a mastermind group for your niche. You can also use a Facebook group to drive more traffic to your YouTube channel by posting links to your videos or playlists.
10. Optimize your video titles.
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- Capturing the attention and interest of potential viewers.
- Communicating the main topic or benefit of your video.
- Including relevant keywords that match what people are searching for.
Some tips for optimizing your video titles are:
- Use clear and descriptive language that tells viewers what your video is about and why they should watch it. Avoid vague or generic titles that don't convey any value or information.
- Use catchy and compelling words that spark curiosity, emotion, or urgency. For example, you can use words like "how to", "best", "secret", "amazing", "shocking", "must-see", or "in 2023".
- Use brackets or parentheses to add extra information or context to your title. For example, you can use brackets or parentheses to add your target keyword, a hook, a benefit, a format, or a result. For example, "How to Get More Views on YouTube in 2023 (18 Easy and Free Tips)" or "I Tried the Keto Diet for 30 Days and This Happened [Before and After]".
- Use numbers or lists to make your title more specific and appealing. For example, you can use numbers or lists to indicate how many tips, steps, examples, or reasons you will share in your video. For example, "18 Easy (and Free) Ways to Get More Views on YouTube in 2023" or "7 Reasons Why You Should Start a YouTube Channel in 2023".
- Keep your title short and concise. YouTube limits the number of characters that are displayed in your title depending on the device and screen size. You want to make sure that your title is not cut off and that viewers can see the most important words. A good rule of thumb is to keep your title under 60 characters.
11. Optimize your channel.
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Your channel is your home base on YouTube. It's where you showcase your brand, your content, and your value proposition to your viewers. A well-optimized channel can help you get more views and subscribers on YouTube by:
- Making a good first impression and attracting new visitors.
- Establishing your authority and credibility in your niche.
- Increasing your discoverability and ranking on YouTube.
Some tips for optimizing your channel are:
- Complete your profile and make sure all information is filled in. As mentioned earlier, you need to add a channel icon, a channel art, an 'about' channel description, a contact email address, and social media profiles to your channel.
- Create a channel trailer featuring your best content. A channel trailer is a short video that plays automatically when someone visits your channel page for the first time. It's a great way to introduce yourself, explain what your channel is about, and convince visitors to subscribe. You can use a tool like InVideo to create a professional-looking channel trailer easily.
- Organize your videos into sections and playlists. Sections and playlists are ways to group and display your videos on your channel page. They help you organize your content and make it easier for viewers to find what they are looking for. You can create sections and playlists based on different themes, topics, categories, or formats. For example, you can create sections for popular videos, recent videos, series or episodes, testimonials, or FAQs.
- Add keywords and tags to your channel. Keywords and tags are words or phrases that describe what your channel is about and what topics you cover. They help YouTube understand the content and theme of your channel and rank it higher in search results and recommendations. You can add keywords and tags to your channel by going to YouTube Studio > Settings > Channel > Basic info > Keywords.
12. Create eye-catching playlist titles.
But playlists are not just for your viewers. They are also for YouTube's algorithm. YouTube considers playlists as a type of content that can rank in search results and recommendations. That's why you need to optimize your playlists and make them more appealing and discoverable.
One of the ways to optimize your playlists is to create eye-catching playlist titles. Playlist titles are like video titles. They tell viewers what your playlist is about and why they should watch it. They also include relevant keywords that match what people are searching for on YouTube.
Some tips for creating eye-catching playlist titles are:
- Use clear and descriptive language that summarizes the theme or topic of your playlist.
- Use catchy and compelling words that spark curiosity, emotion, or urgency.
- Use numbers or lists to make your playlist title more specific and appealing.
- Keep your playlist title short and concise.
For example, instead of naming your playlist "YouTube Tips", you can name it "How to Grow Your YouTube Channel Fast in 2023 (18 Proven Tips)".
13. Feature your videos on your blog.
If you have a blog or a website, you can use it to feature your videos and get more views on YouTube. This can help you:
- Reach more potential viewers who might not be on YouTube or who might not find your videos on YouTube.
- Leverage your existing traffic and audience on your blog or website.
- Boost your SEO ranking and backlinks by embedding your videos on your blog or website.
Some tips for featuring your videos on your blog are:
- Choose relevant videos that match the topic or theme of your blog post or web page.
- Embed your videos at the top or near the top of your blog post or web page. This will make them more visible and likely to be watched by your visitors.
- Add a clear and compelling call-to-action that encourages your visitors to watch your video and subscribe to your channel. For example, you can say something like "Watch this video to learn how to [benefit]. Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more [niche] tips."
- Optimize your blog post or web page for SEO by using keywords, headings, meta tags, images, and links related to your video topic.
14. Share video clips on social media.
Another way to get more views on YouTube is to share video clips on social media. Video clips are short snippets or highlights from your full-length videos that showcase the best or most interesting parts of your content. They can help you:
- Tease your full-length videos and drive more traffic to them.
- Reach more potential viewers who might not watch long-form videos or who might prefer different platforms.
- Create a buzz and generate word-of-mouth for your videos.
Some tips for sharing video clips on social media are:
- Choose the right platforms for your niche and audience. You don't have to share video clips on every social media platform. Focus on the ones where your target audience hangs out and where your content fits well.
- Tailor your video clips for each platform. Don't just share the same video clip across all platforms. Adapt your video clips to suit the tone, style, and format of each platform. For example, you can use vertical video clips for Instagram Stories or Reels, square video clips for Facebook or Twitter, or horizontal video clips for LinkedIn or Pinterest.
- Include a clear and compelling call-to-action that encourages your followers to watch your full-length video and subscribe to your channel. For example, you can say something like "Watch the full video on my YouTube channel. Link in bio." or "Swipe up to watch the full video and subscribe to my YouTube channel."
- Engage with your followers and encourage them to share your video clips. Respond to their comments, questions, or feedback. Thank them for their support and ask them to share your video clips with their friends or followers.
15. Upload videos when your audience is on YouTube.
Timing is everything when it comes to getting more views on YouTube. You want to upload your videos when your audience is most likely to be on YouTube and ready to watch your content. This will increase your chances of getting more views, engagement, and ranking on YouTube.
But how do you know when your audience is on YouTube?
You can use YouTube Analytics to find out when your audience is most active on YouTube. You can go to YouTube Studio > Analytics > Audience > When your viewers are on YouTube. You will see a chart that shows you the days and times when your viewers are most likely to watch your videos.
You can also use tools like vidIQ or TubeBuddy to find out the best time to upload your videos based on your niche, topic, and location.
Some tips for uploading videos when your audience is on YouTube are:
- Experiment with different days and times and see which ones perform better. You can use YouTube Analytics to compare the performance of your videos based on their upload date and time.
- Schedule your videos in advance and notify your subscribers. You can use YouTube's scheduling feature to upload your videos ahead of time and set them to go live at a specific date and time. You can also use the community tab or social media to notify your subscribers about your upcoming videos and build anticipation.
- Be consistent and stick to a schedule. You want to upload your videos regularly and consistently so that your viewers know what to expect from you and when to expect it. This will help you build trust and loyalty with your audience and increase your views and subscribers.
16. "The Card Bridge" technique.
"The Card Bridge" technique is a simple but effective way to get more views on YouTube by linking two of your videos together with a card. A card is a small notification that appears in the upper right corner of your video. You can use it to suggest another video or playlist that is relevant to the current video or that viewers might enjoy.
I hope you found this blog post helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading and good luck with your online journey!.jpg)
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