How to Get More YouTube Subscribers

TL;DR

Learn a four-step strategy to grow YouTube subscribers effectively.

Transcript

In March 2018, we decided to revive Ahrefs' YouTube channel and grew it from around 14,000 subscribers to over 170,000. And the strategy we used is similar to what popular YouTube channels like MKBHD and Tasty did before having huge audiences. So whether you're just starting out or feeling stuck, then keep watching because I'm going to show you how... Read More

Key Insights

• The key to gaining subscribers is creating engaging content that viewers want to watch and share. Without views, subscribers are hard to come by.
• Understanding why people subscribe to a channel is crucial. It's often because they enjoy the content or are familiar with the brand.
• YouTube's algorithm promotes videos that perform well to audiences who watch similar content, which can lead to subscriber growth.
• A focused channel theme helps attract a dedicated audience. Starting with a narrow theme and expanding as you grow can be effective.
• Content quality is not about high production value but about meeting the viewer's needs and maintaining engagement.
• Discovery is essential; using tools like YouTube autosuggest and keyword research can help identify topics with high search demand.
• Effective calls to action can increase subscriber numbers. Asking viewers to subscribe and explaining why is a simple yet effective tactic.
• Playlists and external traffic sources can enhance viewer engagement and increase the likelihood of gaining subscribers.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the first fundamental to gaining YouTube subscribers?

The first fundamental is understanding why people subscribe to a channel. Subscribers are often gained because they enjoy the content or are familiar with the brand. Positive interactions with the content increase the likelihood of subscriptions.

Q: How does YouTube promote new videos to potential subscribers?

YouTube promotes new videos by notifying current subscribers and, if the video performs well, suggesting it to audiences who watch similar content. This can lead to a significant increase in new subscribers, although these notifications are usually short-lived.

Q: Why is having a focused channel theme important?

A focused channel theme helps attract a dedicated audience interested in specific content. Starting with a narrow theme allows creators to build a loyal audience, and as the channel grows, they can expand to broader topics within the parent theme.

Q: What constitutes good content quality on YouTube?

Good content quality is about meeting the viewer's needs and maintaining engagement, rather than having high production value. Ensuring the content aligns with the title and thumbnail, and staying on topic, are key factors in maintaining viewer interest.

Q: How can creators aid discovery of their videos?

Creators can aid discovery by using tools like YouTube autosuggest and keyword research to identify topics with high search demand. This helps ensure that videos are seen by a relevant audience, increasing the chances of gaining subscribers.

Q: What role do calls to action play in gaining subscribers?

Calls to action are crucial in gaining subscribers. By explicitly asking viewers to subscribe and providing a reason, creators can increase the likelihood of viewers taking action and subscribing to the channel.

Q: How can playlists and external traffic sources contribute to subscriber growth?

Playlists increase the likelihood of viewers watching more than one video, leading to more exposure and potential subscriptions. Sending traffic from external sources like websites and social media also increases channel visibility and subscriber numbers.

Q: What is the impact of video format on subscriber growth?

Video format impacts subscriber growth as it needs to align with audience preferences. Experimenting with formats is encouraged, but once a successful format is found, sticking to it ensures consistent engagement and subscriber retention.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In this tutorial, the focus is on growing YouTube subscribers through a strategic four-step framework. Starting with understanding why people subscribe and how YouTube algorithms work, the video emphasizes the importance of creating engaging content.

• The framework includes focusing on a channel's theme, ensuring content quality, aiding discovery through keyword research, and effective calls to action. These steps are designed to attract and retain subscribers, leading to consistent channel growth.

• Practical examples, such as Mr. Beast's and MKBHD's channels, illustrate how focusing on a theme and engaging content can lead to subscriber growth. The tutorial also highlights the importance of discovery and external traffic sources in building a loyal audience.