YouTube is much more than just an online video sharing platform. Some think of it as a social media platform. However, YouTube offers an array of marketing opportunities. YouTube’s user footfall amounts to two billion globally. It is also one of the most widely used online platforms out there. Over 500 hours of video content is uploaded on the platform every minute. Businesses might find it difficult to successfully drive their marketing campaign in this competition. The following 10-step guide for the best YouTube marketing strategy out there will help you expand your business to new horizons.
1. Creating a Channel
Anyone can open a YouTube channel with their regular Google account. The new account will be under your name. Also, as per the settings, your viewers may be able to connect with you through email. However, a Brand account will enable multiple authorized users to log in at the same time. If you own a growing business, a Brand account lets you manage multiple channels on YouTube.
2. Know Your Audience
The first thing is to learn about YouTube demographics. These may include audience age range, quantitative data like location, video preferences, use of devices, and more. Structure your videos based on research. Quantitative data helps a business to send out the right kind of video-based on audience preferences and trends. If you take the services of professional marketers, your will be able to implement more effective marketing strategies. You can also research your audience from their comments under your videos. The community tab also comes in handy in understanding your audience. Comparing video content between platforms is also informative. You can plan the content of your video accordingly.
3. Know Your Competition
YouTube has its own competition. You may conduct audits to see where your videos rank against your competitors. Try to research at least 3-5 competitors of the relevant market. See what keywords they use and the comments they get. A SWOT analysis is also helpful in this regard. It is a functional framework that helps you improve your YouTube channel and content.
4. Learn from Other Channels
Make sure to notice new formats, content, and techniques that other YouTube channels are using. If you follow popular channels closely, you will come across new information that could be handy. YouTube has a section for trending videos. You can learn a lot from them. From creative skills to production techniques, content structure, and video lengths, it is never-ending. It will help you form your content strategy. This again is crucial in representing your brand or business on YouTube.
5. Optimization
Since YouTube is also a video search engine, optimization is necessary. YouTube videos are ranked based on various factors such as keywords, titles, descriptions, etc. YouTube also implements a recommendation algorithm for all users. It makes up about 70% of what users consume. Optimizing will help you find a better ranking in search results. This means more views and hence, exposure for your business. Some of the most effective SEO pointers that will help you optimize your videos include:
• Using a strong and relevant title
• Choosing an attractive thumbnail
• Writing a description that uses keywords
• Adding CTAs such as cards, bumper ads, end screens, and watermarks
• Reminding viewers to click on the like, share and subscribe button
• All these factors if used properly can lead to widespread popularity
6. Uploading and Scheduling Videos
Always schedule your videos for publication. Regular users are always looking to watch content that is released at a scheduled time. Especially if you are running a series, it is vital. You must also check channel analytics to see if viewership or engagement increases during a certain day or hour. When you know the best time for you, you can go ahead to posting it within that time. You can also maintain posting consistency with the use of scheduling tools. Always remember to cross-promote videos across other social networks for more views and popularity.
7. Channel Optimization
You must optimize your videos so that users can find you easily. There are various ways in which your YouTube account will get more searches, follows, and views.
• Complete your profile
• Put up a channel description
• Use a stand-out icon for your channel
• Make channel art
• Add social media links
• Create a trailer for your channel to introduce your viewers
• Organize your videos based on content into playlists
• Add translations and captions
8. YouTube Advertising
YouTube advertising is a good way to reach out to potential audiences even outside of the platform. The first thing to do is to target your audiences. If you own a business and are looking to promote your content or brand, YouTube advertising can be very useful. As per statistics, viewers pay attention to online ads three times more than television ads.
• YouTube ads come in four categories:
• In-stream ads that can be skipped
• In-stream ads that cannot be skipped
• Non-video ads
• Video discovery ads
9. Collaborations
You can work with an influencer or collaborate with people relevant to your industry to increase audience reach. Since these people are already popular, featuring with them gives audiences a sense of validation and authenticity. If you collaborate with the right creators, they will help viewers to transfer trust to your brand. The strategy also works in the case of product discovery that will further increase viewership.
10. Analyze and Evolve
Always measure your success and failures. YouTube marketing involves research and experimenting. It is a process of trial and error. Track your growth and performance. Make changes in your strategies accordingly. Keep your eye on the following:
• Change in audience demographics
• Change is subscriber count
• Traffic sources
• Playback locations
• Device
Conclusion
The above factors if implemented correctly can bring about huge changes in your viewership. Although trial and error is an important part of marketing, these tips will come in handy. Visual representation of business is the best way to attract audience attention. Do extensive research and plan your campaign accordingly. You are bound to reach the highest level of audience popularity.
