If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of advice out there on growing your YouTube channel, you’re not alone. With so many tips, tricks, and hacks floating around, it’s tough to know where to start. Today, I’m cutting through the noise to bring you 50 game-changing YouTube tips, all packed into a digestible 10-minute read. Let’s dive in!
Introduction: Becoming Famous on YouTube
We all dream of our YouTube channels soaring to new heights, with millions of subscribers and views pouring in. But the road to stardom isn’t always smooth. It requires strategy, creativity, and a relentless work ethic. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your approach, these tips will help you navigate the path to YouTube success.
Branding & Consistency
- Pick a Font: Choose one specific font for all your thumbnails and videos. This creates a cohesive look and builds brand recognition. Free options are available on Google Fonts.
- Bold & Condensed: Opt for a bold font for better readability and a condensed font to fit more words in your thumbnails.
- Thumbnail Focus: Design your thumbnails with a clear focal point to draw viewers’ eyes. Avoid overwhelming them with too many elements.
- Click-Through Rates: Understand that click-through rates vary depending on where viewers find your video (search, recommendations, browse). Analyze your traffic sources in YouTube Analytics to see the breakdown.
- Title & Thumbnail Harmony: Make sure your title and thumbnail complement each other. Avoid using the exact same text in both.
Content Strategy & Scheduling
- Quality over Quantity: Don’t feel pressured to post daily unless your content is very low effort. Focus on consistent, high-quality content 1-3 times per week.
- Supply & Demand: Find a niche with decent demand but not overwhelming supply. Avoid topics with too little or too much competition.
- Mimic Your Favorites: Don’t be afraid to model your favorite creators when starting out. This helps you find your voice and style.
- Skeptical Analytics: Be cautious when interpreting analytics, especially early on. Statistical significance is key. Don’t overreact to small data sets.
- Taste Talent Gap: Review your videos 2-3 weeks after creation. Watch them objectively and remove anything you don’t like.
Tools & Resources
- Tools, Not Crutches: Software like VidIQ or TubeBuddy can be helpful for data insights and time-saving but won’t directly grow your channel.
- Don’t Overspend: You don’t need expensive software to succeed. Focus on creating great content.
Audience & Engagement
- You Are Your Audience: If you’re creating content you’d enjoy watching, you’re likely your target audience. Don’t get bogged down in complex customer avatars.
- Practice Commentating: Record yourself talking for 10 minutes daily, trying to be entertaining. Review it objectively to identify areas for improvement.
- Sub for Sub is a Trap: Avoid sub for sub schemes. They may boost your subscriber count but hurt your channel in the long run.
- Be Skeptical of Advice: Even successful YouTubers may not know how they achieved success. Be critical of advice, even from those with large followings.
- No Magic Numbers: Don’t believe in imaginary benchmarks like 100, 200, or 1000 subscribers. YouTube treats all channels equally based on content quality.
Motivation & Discipline
- Find Your “Why”: Identify your reasons for wanting to succeed on YouTube. This will keep you motivated when things get tough.
- Multiple “Whys”: It’s okay to have multiple reasons for being a YouTuber, like entertainment and side income.
- Goals & Steps: Break down your “whys” into achievable goals and steps to stay focused.
- Discipline over Motivation: Success on YouTube requires discipline. Motivation is helpful but not enough.
Content Creation & Editing
- Less Gaming, More Work: Successful YouTubers spend more time brainstorming, scripting, creating, managing, and editing than playing games.
- Film for the Edit: Don’t be afraid to re-record or edit out mistakes. Focus on creating polished content.
- Small Decisions Matter: Don’t underestimate the impact of small decisions. If something seems unnecessary, stop doing it.
Content Strategy & Promotion
- Objective Content: Create videos that are interesting regardless of who created them. Avoid self-centered content.
- Careful Promotion: Promote your videos strategically. Avoid promoting in groups where viewers are not interested in your content.
- Don’t Buy Followers: Fake followers are useless. Focus on building a genuine audience.
Mindset & Growth
- Enjoy the Process: YouTube success won’t make you enjoy your content more. Find joy in the creation process itself.
- Play to Your Strengths: Anyone can make a career on YouTube, but choose content that plays to your strengths.
- Pinned Comments: Utilize the pinned comment section to share essential information beyond your video description.
Shorts & Long-Form Content
- Disconnected Formats: Shorts and long-form videos are currently independent. Experiment with both without affecting the other.
- No Face, No Problem: You don’t need to show your face to be successful, especially in gaming.
Optimization & Algorithm
- Humans over Robots: Optimize your videos for humans, not just keywords. Focus on engaging thumbnails and titles.
- Stay True, Be Flexible: Stick to your vision but be open to adjusting your path if necessary.
Audience Retention & Loyalty
- X-Factors: Identify what makes your channel unique and why viewers should choose you over others.
- Human Element: Remember that numbers represent real people. Go the extra mile to create a positive experience for your audience.
Branding & Aesthetics
- Branding Later: Don’t get caught up in branding too early. Focus on content quality first.
Bonus Round
- Four Digit Challenge: Take on a 90-day challenge to reach your first 1000 subscribers. It includes daily tasks, community support, and more.
Overcoming Challenges
- Drowning, Not Starving: Most small channels fail due to information overload, not lack of information. Prioritize the right things.
Final Thoughts
- It’s Hard, But Rewarding: Succeeding on YouTube is challenging, but the rewards are greater than ever.
- It’s Okay to Quit: There’s no shame in trying YouTube and deciding it’s not for you.
- Email List is Key: Build an email list to cultivate your audience off YouTube and create a backup plan.
- Content is King: Focus on creating high-quality content that your audience will love.
- Be Patient: Growth takes time. Don’t get discouraged by slow progress.
- Don’t Give Up: Keep creating, keep learning, and keep pushing forward.
- Be Yourself: Authenticity is key. Let your personality shine through.
- Have Fun: Enjoy the journey!
- Connect with Your Audience: Engage with your viewers in the comments section.
- Be a Good Community Member: Support other creators and build positive relationships.
- Never Stop Learning: Stay up-to-date on the latest YouTube trends and best practices.
FAQ
Q: How often should I post new content?
A: Consistency is key. Aim for 1-3 high-quality videos per week rather than daily low-effort content.
Q: Do I need expensive equipment to start?
A: Absolutely not! Focus on content quality and authenticity. Many successful YouTubers started with basic gear.
Q: What are the best tools for YouTube growth?
A: Tools like VidIQ and TubeBuddy offer valuable insights but shouldn’t be relied on as crutches. Focus on creating great content first.
Q: How important is branding early on?
A: Content quality should be your primary focus initially. Branding can evolve as your channel grows.
Q: Should I engage in sub for sub schemes?
A: No, these can harm your channel’s long-term growth. Focus on building a genuine, engaged audience.
Conclusion
Growing a YouTube gaming channel is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires strategic planning, creativity, and relentless effort. By following these 50 game-changing tips, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful channel that resonates with your audience. Remember, the key to success on YouTube is to create high-quality content that your audience loves, be consistent, and never give up!
For more insights and a deeper dive into prioritizing the right things, continue learning and stay connected with a supportive community. Keep creating, keep learning, and most importantly, have fun on your YouTube journey!
-resized.webp)