YouTube is the second most visited website in the world, which means it can reach many people online.
Every day, over 30 million people use YouTube, and you can use this incredible opportunity to learn how to promote your YouTube channel effectively and gain the audience you deserve.
In our guide, you’ll find simple and proven strategies to get noticed, gain more subscribers, and grow your engagement and reach.
YouTube Channel Promotion: 3 Quick Benefits
Promoting your YouTube videos is key because it lets you share your skills, gain more subscribers, and connect better with your audience. Without promotion, your awesome content might get lost in the sea of uploads.
So, here’s how promoting your YouTube channel can benefit you:
- Drive Traffic to Your Business: Use YouTube to boost website traffic or sell your products and services. When your videos shine, they can also light up your sales.
- Go Global: With nearly 2.7 billion users logging in each month, YouTube isn’t just any platform. It’s your ticket to reaching an audience far bigger than you ever imagined.
- Boost Views and Rank: The more views on your videos, the better they perform in search results. This helps YouTube’s smart algorithm suggest your content to the right audience.
19 Promotion Strategies To Grow Your YouTube Channel
1. Add Informative Video Descriptions and Backlinks
A good video description can help your video show up higher in YouTube search results for your main keyword.
Here’s how:
- Start strong by putting the most important keywords right at the beginning.
- Use the first 100-150 words to say the most because that’s what viewers will see first.
- Use timestamps to create a “contents page” to guide viewers to specific parts.
- Include links to related playlists to keep people watching more of your stuff.
- Use hashtags that matter, but follow YouTube’s hashtagging rules to avoid getting flagged.
You can say keywords in the video as well. But like with reading, people stop paying attention fast. Use a few keywords at the start for the best results.
Here’s what an ideal description should look like:
Your viewers will appreciate the clear roadmap, and you’ll appreciate the growth in views.
2. Use Video Tags Effectively
Video tags might not be visible directly on your YouTube video’s page, but they’re a secret weapon in boosting your video’s SEO.
Tags tell YouTube and viewers what your video is about. They’re like little hints that help YouTube pair your video with viewers who are looking for your content.
Be thoughtful with the tags you add—choose words that most accurately describe your video. Think about what phrases your audience might type into the search bar to find your content. This isn’t just about throwing in popular keywords but making sure each one connects directly to your video’s subject.
If you’re curious, you can spy on anyone’s tags. Right-click on a video page, hit ‘View Page Source,’ and search for ‘keywords‘ with the help of the search bar (with CTRL + F or command + F).
Take a look at Jay Clouse’s videos on Creator Science.
His tags like “creative elements,” “creator economy,” and “business podcast” are spot-on for reaching his audience of aspiring creators.
This is a step that could set you apart from the competition. Start with 10-15 accurate tags for each video, and then add more as needed.
3. Create a Posting Schedule and Stick With It
One of the best things you can do for your channel is to create a consistent posting schedule.
Viewers love it when they know exactly when to expect new content from you. Trust me, YouTube’s algorithm loves it too. When your uploads are timely, you maximize your chances of viewers seeing and engaging with your fresh content.
Consistency is key, so think about what’s doable for you. We get it—making videos takes time, from planning to editing. That’s why batching your video production can be a game-changer.
Do all the hard work at once, and then use YouTube’s scheduling feature to set your videos to go live at the perfect time – or let professional channel management services handle the scheduling and optimization for you.
Here’s how to make it happen:
- Decide on a Realistic Schedule: Think about what fits into your life. Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly—what can you commit to consistently?
- Batch Your Work: Spend a day filming multiple videos. Do the editing next. This way, you’re ahead of the game.
- Use YouTube’s Scheduler: Upload your videos and schedule them to post when your audience is most active. That way, they’re right there, ready and waiting.
With a solid schedule and some planning, you’ll be more consistent, less stressed, and more connected with your viewers.
4. Include Call to Actions in Every Video
In the last few seconds of your video, you can prompt viewers with different calls to action (CTAs). This feature is available for the final 5 to 20 seconds and can make a big difference.
Start by personally asking your viewers to do something specific. Maybe tell them to click on the screen or take a peek at the video description for more details.
Use this valuable end screen space to keep them engaged with your channel’s content. Here’s what you can promote:
- Another video, maybe your newest or one on a similar topic.
- A playlist with related content.
- A subscribe button to bring them back for more.
- Your other channels, if you have them.
- An external link to your website or landing page (a perk for those in the YouTube Partner Program).
For instance, look at how Charli Marie, a YouTube creator in design, cleverly links her current and past videos.
She warmly invites viewers to explore further, making use of a branded end screen to guide them seamlessly.
How to add end screens yourself:
- Select the videos or playlists you’ll promote at the end.
- Verbally invite viewers to check out more in your video.
- Make your end screen visually appealing so viewers know exactly where to look.
- Use the platform’s features to set up end screens easily.
5. Interact With Your YouTube Audience
It’s super easy to just post a video and then vanish until it’s time for the next one. But, if you really want to get noticed and be different, start having convos with the people who watch you.
When you connect with your viewers, it not only makes them feel important but also signals to YouTube’s algorithm that your channel is active and interesting, which is great for you.
Take a cue from Nisha Vora at Rainbow Plant Life – she gets personal with her responses, making sure everyone knows she genuinely listens.
This doesn’t just lift the spirit of one commenter. It gets others talking, too, because who doesn’t love being heard?
Here’s your quick-start guide to engaging more with your viewers:
- Use the Community Tab: Post updates, polls, or just say hi. Keep your feed active.
- Reply to Comments: Answer questions or thank users for their feedback.
- Engage with Other Creators: Leave supportive comments on their videos, and maybe they’ll return the favor.
Quote Block: It’s all about being genuine and interactive.
6. Run a Giveaway Contest
Having a giveaway contest is a great and fun way to get your audience excited and bring in more likes, comments, and new subscribers.
To have a successful giveaway, pick a prize that matches your channel’s theme and is something your audience really wants.
Think about giving away a skincare set if you have a beauty channel or a cool tech gadget if your channel is about technology. The prize could be a physical item like a book, a software subscription, or a digital product like an online course.
But keep in mind you’ve got to stick to YouTube’s contest policies to keep everything smooth and legit.
Take an example from what Karen Faulkner from the MissBoux channel does with her beauty giveaways.
They’re a hit because they’re exactly what her viewers are interested in, driving tons of interaction.
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind for your giveaway:
- Choose a price that fits your niche and what your viewers would love.
- Keep it fair and square by meeting YouTube’s guidelines.
- Make it clear how they can enter your contest.
- Share details across your social media to get the word out.
- Ask entrants to comment or answer a fun question.
7. Email Marketing
Email might seem a bit old school, but trust me, it’s still incredibly effective and far from being outdated.
As of 2024, email marketing is valued at over 12 billion dollars! So, if you’re missing out, you’re missing big.
Here’s a quick rundown on how you can use email marketing to promote your YouTube channel and boost its visibility.
- Build an email list of your subscribers.
- Send out updates every time you post a video.
- Include video links in your newsletters.
- Add a YouTube channel link in your email signature.
Here is a tutorial that will help you get started.
Video Source: Six Figure Business Coaching
8. Write Catchy Video Titles
Your title should tell viewers exactly what they’ll get and build enough curiosity that they can’t resist clicking.
If you’re posting a video on the best ways to renovate a kitchen, don’t be vague or overly clever. Skip the puns that might go over some people’s heads and go with something straightforward, like “5 Kitchen Reno Tips You Need to Know Before You Start.” Simple but packed with value.
Our tip: Whenever possible, include numbers in your video titles—especially odd numbers. Titles with odd numbers have a 20% higher click-through rate than those with even numbers.
Odd numbers have a psychological effect on potential viewers that makes them more effective at grabbing attention and driving clicks.
9. Create Custom Thumbnails
Believe it or not, thumbnails can be even more important than titles. That’s because we humans are wired to notice visuals first – we process them in less than 13 milliseconds, according to an MIT study.
YouTube makes automatic thumbnails, but they’re often blurry or don’t show the right part. To really get people to click on your videos, you need custom thumbnails that stand out.
Here’s our best suggestion for creating one:
- Resolution: Go for 1280 x 720 pixels (any 16:9 size works if it’s at least 640 pixels wide).
- Formats: Stick with .JPG, .GIF, or .PNG, and keep it under 2MB.
- Add Text and Colors: Make them inviting—tell viewers why they need to watch.
- If possible, opt for an image that’s up close and personal.
- Use a stock photo if you’re not sure.
- Make sure your style matches your channel’s brand identity.
DIY Tips:
- Experiment with fonts and colors to see what gets the best response.
- Swap out thumbnails occasionally to test different styles.
- Keep your design simple but impactful to avoid overwhelming viewers.
Check out the video below for more information on creating one:
Video Source: Primal Video
10. Choose Search-Friendly Keywords
Use search-friendly keywords to ensure YouTube (and Google) know what your video is about and who it should be recommended to.
To find keywords, think about what your viewers might search for. For instance, if your video is about beginner guitar chords, try keywords like “easy guitar chords” or “beginner guitar tutorial.”
Use Google YouTube Trends, YouTube’s own search suggestions, and SEO tools like TubeBuddy to discover relevant keywords and assess their popularity.
For example, the following list includes a number of key phrases to use in videos for the beginner guitar chords YouTube channel.
11. Run a Paid YouTube Ad Campaign
If you’re serious about growing your channel’s reach, a paid ad campaign will put your content in front of potential subscribers who might not find it otherwise.
YouTube offers targeted ads, meaning you can laser-focus your campaign to reach particular interests, demographics, and viewing habits.
Here are a couple of tips for you:
- Define your goals: Decide whether you want to boost subscriptions, promote a video, or raise brand awareness.
- Target your audience: Use YouTube’s targeting options to reach your ideal viewers based on age, gender, interests, and specific channels.
- Choose the right ad format: Skippable ads are often the most effective.
- Create compelling content: Make your ad engaging with catchy visuals and a strong call to action.
- Test and optimize: Experiment with different creatives and targeting, and review analytics to refine your approach.
- Set a realistic budget: Start small and gradually increase spending as you see positive results.
Take a close look at our guide to incorporate YouTube ad best practices for your channel growth.
12. Repurpose YouTube Video Into YouTube Shorts
Shorts are YouTube’s answer to TikTok—bite-sized videos that can quickly reach a large audience. These can bring in new subscribers and keep them coming back for more.
YouTube Shorts now receive over 70 billion daily views and billions of monthly logged-in users. That just shows how powerful Shorts can be for reaching new audiences and increasing engagement on your channel. Viewers love short, satisfying content that gives them a taste of what your channel offers.
Take a 15-second clip from one of your main videos that shows a “wow” moment or an impressive result, like a time-lapse of a room transformation.
Use AI tools like OpusClip to automate this process. Check out this video to learn how to do it:
13. Promote Videos on Quora and Reddit
Expand your reach by sharing your videos on community hubs like Quora and Reddit. These platforms are full of niche groups where your content can shine if it’s useful and relevant.
With the recent Google algorithm update, user-driven sites like Quora and Reddit are now dominating search results.
Research analyzing 10,000 keyphrases found that discussions and forums appear in the top search results an impressive 77% of the time.
Among 766 individual forums, Reddit and Quora stand out with three times more visibility than any other forum.
For you, that means if your responses are good enough to be voted as the top answers, you can show up in Google search results, which can significantly expand your video’s reach.
If your channel is about tech reviews, answer a question about smartphones on Quora and link to your in-depth review.
On Reddit, find communities like r/tech or r/gadgets and post there with a genuine comment about the content in your video.
Just make sure to follow the rules to avoid getting banned.
14. Reach Out to Publications To Feature Your Video
Get your video featured in a publication to build credibility and bring in new viewers. Look for publications relevant to your niche and pitch them with a unique angle.
Say you made a sustainable living tutorial. Reach out to eco-friendly blogs and highlight why your video, “5 Simple Steps to a Zero-Waste Kitchen,” would interest their readers.
Use Help a Reporter Out (HARO) to find journalists who cover your topic.
Here’s how you can do it yourself:
- Research Publications: Find blogs and magazines that match your channel.
- Craft a Unique Pitch: Highlight what makes your video special.
- Use HARO: Connect with journalists looking for your expertise.
- Be Personal: Show passion and keep your contact light and fun.
- Follow Up: If you don’t hear back, send a gentle reminder.
15. Hire a YouTube Marketing Advisor
An advisor can fine-tune your channel strategy and help you grow faster. From optimizing SEO to perfecting your thumbnails, they’ll know what works. And with the right advice, you can maximize your reach without spending hours on guesswork.
The team at JAS Agency are experts in the field. Let us handle the marketing strategy while you focus on creating. Get in touch today.
16. Create Playlists To Keep Viewers Watching
Playlists increase your channel’s watch time by encouraging viewers to watch more videos in one session (a great signal to YouTube’s algorithm). Grouping related videos makes it easy for viewers to stay engaged.
If you have a series on DIY home projects, make a playlist so viewers can easily watch your entire series without leaving your channel.
You can make effective playlists in 2 ways:
- On your channel page, put your videos into groups based on a common theme. This way, viewers will stay on your channel instead of going to your competitor’s.
- Gather videos from other popular influencers or partners. This shows your viewers that you’re “in the loop” and makes them want to share your playlists.
The Cut’s “Lineup” playlist is really addictive.
TubeBuddy lets you organize playlist videos for maximum impact – sort by engagement, subscribers gained, or watch time to boost SEO. You can also randomize, alphabetize, or reverse the order with just a click.
Here’s a video explaining how to use TubeBuddy to optimize your playlists:
17. Collaborate With Other Creators
Collaborate with other creators to reach new audiences and add fresh value to your channel. Look for creators in a similar or complementary niche so your audiences overlap but still offer something new to each other.
For example, if you run a fitness channel, partner up with a nutrition expert to provide viewers with a complete fitness and diet package.
Use CollabSpace to connect with creators who share your interests.
Once you have secured a partner, plan a collaborative video that benefits both audiences. The content should be authentic and informative.
After your video is live, promote it across both channels. Each creator can share it on their social media to drive viewers from both audiences.
18. Start Strong: Launch With At Least 5 Videos
Nothing says “I’m here to stay” like a strong lineup of videos right out of the gate. When viewers stumble onto your channel and see a series of solid, engaging videos, they’re more likely to stick around and binge-watch.
Seamlessly refer viewers to related content at the end of each video and keep them hooked and coming back for more—which you can’t do if you post only one video.
Plus, more time spent on your channel means YouTube’s algorithm will see that you’re retaining your first-time viewers and will start pushing your videos to new viewers.
If you’re launching a channel about DIY home projects, for instance, start things off with videos covering a full backyard renovation. Each video could tackle different parts—laying the pavers, building a pergola, and setting up outdoor lighting.
Notice how even though these are essentially different topics, you’re still sticking with your original niche—backyard renovation.
Viewers can binge-watch a mini-series and feel like they’re following a complete journey.
19. Use YouTube Analytics to Your Advantage
YouTube analytics are very powerful, and if you’re not using them, you should be!
This tool lets you see what your viewers like, and with all this information, you can promote your YouTube channel by making your content just right for them.
YouTuber Rob Kenney’s “Dad, How Do I?” videos are a great example of connecting with viewers. His channel focuses on simple, judgment-free “Dad” how-to guides for people who need help with things like using a camping stove, jump-starting a car, and other typical Dad tasks.
Here’s how you can use YouTube analytics wisely:
- Explore Audience Data: See who’s watching and what they like.
- Spot Trends: Notice what videos get the most interaction.
- Make Adjustments: Use the data to tweak your content strategy.
- Repeat What Works: Double down on the hits—give ’em more of what they want!
Here is a video that can show you how to read the analytics like an expert:
Video Source: Owen Video
Improve Your YouTube Video Promotion with JAS
In this crowded world of YouTube, standing out can be tough, with billions of new videos swirling around.
That’s why we’re here. Our team has YouTube creators who have made their own channels successful and strategists who have helped brands grow.
From boosting your views to expanding your audience and even pulling in some serious money, we’ve got the know-how to make it happen.
Let’s make that change you’re looking for today – contact us.