How To Get 1000 Subscribers on YouTube
Building a YouTube channel is a rewarding experience that allows you to share your passion, creativity, and knowledge with a global audience. However, growing your channel and reaching your first 1000 subscribers can be a challenging task. But don't worry; I'm here to guide you through the process!
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore various strategies and techniques to help you reach that crucial milestone of 1000 subscribers on YouTube. We'll cover essential topics such as leveraging YouTube Shorts, setting proper goals and priorities, understanding your audience, and much more. Let's dive right in!
Chapter 1: Setting Clear Goals and Priorities
Before you start creating content and working towards your first 1000 subscribers, it's crucial to set clear goals and priorities. Having a well-defined roadmap will keep you focused, motivated, and on track. Here's how to get started:
1.1 Define Your Channel's Niche and Target Audience
Your niche should be centered around topics, themes, or subjects that genuinely interest you. It's essential to choose something you're passionate about because you'll be creating content on this topic regularly.
Consider your expertise or knowledge in a particular area. A niche where you have expertise will enable you to create valuable and informative content. Here's a practical test you can employ to assess your expertise: attempt to create a ten to fifteen-minute unedited video discussing a subject you believe you are passionate and knowledgeable about. If you find it challenging to sustain a meaningful conversation on that topic for the given duration without interruptions or edits, it might indicate that the subject isn't the most suitable choice for your content.
Avoid selecting a niche solely based on trends or what you think might be popular. Authenticity and passion in your content will resonate with your audience. This doesn't imply that you should completely disregard trends or avoid creating content related to them. Nevertheless, relying solely on trendy content to build your channel isn't a sustainable strategy. It's akin to being a leaf at the mercy of the wind or a child attempting to catch a single snowflake on their tongue.
As a variety gaming YouTuber, I understand that maintaining a diverse content range may not be sustainable for a small YouTuber. In my perspective, channels are still considered small until they consistently achieve at least 100k views per video. Given this, I recognized the need to transition from a broad variety gaming approach to a more focused niche. While I've discussed this concept in my 'How To Start A Gaming Channel' blog post, I'm happy to reiterate it for a better understanding. After all, repetition often reinforces learning, and it's crucial in comprehending and implementing essential concepts.
Niching down is a straightforward concept, and it involves finding your specialized niche within a broader category. Being a gaming YouTuber, it's essential to recognize that you can't play every game and expect success. The competition in the gaming community is fierce, with many creators offering higher-quality content in popular games. To stand out, you need to focus on games that define your channel's identity. For instance, I decided to narrow my focus to RPGs, specifically Retro Indie RPGs. While this shift has shown improvements compared to my earlier videos, I acknowledge that I'm not yet at the level I aspire to be. Therefore, I continue to work on enhancing my content until I consistently attract hundreds of thousands of views.
It's crucial to understand that achieving this level of success takes time and dedication. Every content creator's opportunity will come, but it's vital to be prepared when it arrives. Instead of idly passing time, seize the opportunity to hone your craft and improve your channel. This is a challenging truth, one that I'm sharing as much for your benefit as for my own.
Another noteworthy point is that you should aim to post consistently across a variety of content. YouTube categorizes channels primarily based on audience size, so it's essential to use tags, categories, and titles effectively to help the algorithm understand where to place your videos. You may have noticed that larger YouTubers often use fewer or no tags in their videos and still achieve high view counts. To maximize your growth potential, create content that you believe will perform well while continuing to produce content within your specific niche. This balanced approach can help you reach a broader audience while maintaining your channel's identity.
1.2 Set Subscriber Milestones
Establish incremental subscriber goals (e.g., 100, 500, 1000) to measure your progress.
Break down these goals into smaller, achievable steps.
We talked about this in the previous post, making goals for outcomes you can’t control isn’t always a good idea. In this case, it’s alright since you do want to reach that amount of subscribers, that’s what you’re here for. However, don’t apply a time period for it, instead, focus on making objectives and goals where your input decides the outcome. You will reap what you sow, and you can’t sow 1000 subscribers. You can sow your time and efforts into making 2 videos a week though and continually build yourself and improve each video you post. That will make a major difference in how you handle your channel goals, and your life goals in general.
1.3 Content Calendar and Consistency
Frequency: Decide how often you want to upload videos to your channel. This could be daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or any schedule that you can realistically manage. Consistency is crucial, so choose a frequency that you can commit to without overwhelming yourself.
Planning: Plan your content ahead of time. Knowing what you'll create in advance allows you to gather resources, research topics, and ensure you have everything you need for production. This planning phase can save you a lot of stress and last-minute rushes. Allocating a specific amount of time to complete a task can enhance your efficiency. According to Parkinson's Law, the time it takes to complete a task tends to stretch or shrink to match the time allotted for it, regardless of the actual workload. For example, when you procrastinate and leave your school homework until the last minute, you often find that you can finish the assignment in just a couple of hours before the deadline. This phenomenon highlights the importance of setting deadlines and time limits to accomplish tasks more effectively.
Variety: While it's essential to maintain consistency, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of content within your niche. This keeps your channel fresh and can attract a broader audience. For example, you can alternate between tutorials, reviews, vlogs, and other content styles. This is especially true for when you’re just starting out.
Flexibility: Be prepared to adjust your content calendar when necessary. Life can throw unexpected challenges your way, and sometimes you might need to adapt your schedule. Having a bit of flexibility built into your plan can help you stay on track even when unexpected events occur.
Tracking: Keep track of the performance of your videos. YouTube Analytics can provide valuable insights into which types of content are resonating with your audience. Use this information to fine-tune your content calendar and create more of what your viewers love.
Promotion: Consider your content release schedule when promoting your videos. Sharing your new uploads on social media or through email newsletters can help increase visibility and engagement.
Chapter 2: Leveraging YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts has emerged as a powerful tool for growing your channel quickly. These short-form videos are designed to capture viewers' attention and drive engagement. I use my YouTube shorts specifically to gain subscribers. I’ve figured out that I can gain 10 subscribers faster in 5 minutes than I can by putting forth 3 hours of effort on a full length video, that’s by posting shorts. My shorts don’t even relate to my main niche half the time, but when I post them, I always gain 10, 20, and sometimes 50 subscribers from them. Here's how to make the most of YouTube Shorts:
2.1 Do What You’re Good At
Post content that you can effectively create in a short amount of time.
The short should hook the viewer in the first 3 seconds and shouldn’t be shorter than 10 seconds.
2.2 Utilize Trending Music and/or Verbal Trends
Incorporate popular music tracks and trending lines.
Add these trends to your title while keeping your title short and sweet.
Monitor trends and adapt your content accordingly.
2.3 Timed Posting
Shorts appear to operate differently from regular videos. When you upload them, they either skyrocket to success or fall flat. I've observed that there are specific times when shorts perform significantly better than if you were to post them randomly. Here are the timeframes when I've posted shorts and achieved the best results:
8am through 11am PST
4pm through 6pm PST
10pm through 2am PST
Chapter 3: Quality Content Is Key
While YouTube Shorts can help attract initial attention, quality content is essential for retaining and growing your subscriber base. Here's how to ensure your content stands out:
3.1 Quantity Before Quality
We've emphasized this point in multiple blog posts, and it's worth reiterating: when you're just starting, quality should not be your primary focus. While quality is important, obsessing over it can lead to spending excessive time creating content and not actually posting it. Instead, concentrate on uploading your first 100 videos and making incremental improvements with each one. Quality will naturally develop alongside your growing consistency and editing speed.
Here are some key takeaways:
Prioritize posting your first 100 videos over obsessing about video quality.
Consistency is vital; establish a regular posting schedule to build a reliable audience.
Set deadlines for each video to ensure timely completion, and discipline yourself to meet those deadlines.
Remember, the journey of your YouTube channel begins with quantity, but it doesn't mean compromising entirely on quality. Balancing the two is key to long-term success.
3.2 Engaging and Valuable Content
Focus on providing value to your viewers through informative, entertaining, or inspiring content.
Encourage audience engagement through questions, polls, and calls to action.
3.3 Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
Identify what makes your channel unique.
Highlight your USP in your channel banner, About section, and video intros.
Identifying your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) can be a challenging task, and it varies in difficulty depending on your niche. It's possible that you won't immediately recognize your USP when you first start out, but that's perfectly fine. You can discover and refine it as you continue to grow, learn more about your content, and better understand yourself in the process.
Chapter 4: Audience Engagement
Building a community around your channel is essential for gaining and retaining subscribers. Here are some strategies to boost audience engagement:
4.1 Interact with Your Audience
Respond to comments and engage with your viewers.
Host live streams or Q&A sessions to connect directly with your audience.
I recognize that when you're just starting, your audience might be small, but it's essential to begin building a relationship with your community from the early stages of your channel's growth rather than postponing it until you're further along in your journey.
4.2 Collaborations
Partner with other YouTubers or creators in your niche for collaborative videos.
Collaborations can introduce your channel to new audiences.
Collaborations not only foster valuable friendships that provide support on your YouTube journey but also accelerate the growth of your community compared to going it alone. While it's not impossible to expand your channel independently, thriving on YouTube is a challenging endeavor without the support and camaraderie of like-minded friends. Remember, it can be a lonely journey at the top unless you have companions to share it with.
4.3 Social Media Promotion
Share your videos on social media platforms to increase visibility.
Join relevant groups or communities and share your content without spamming.
Chapter 5: Analytics and Feedback
To grow on YouTube, you need to understand your audience and adapt your content accordingly. Here's how analytics and feedback can help:
5.1 Utilize YouTube Analytics for In-Depth Insights
YouTube Analytics is a powerful tool that offers valuable insights into your audience's behavior. By regularly reviewing these analytics, you can make informed decisions to enhance your content strategy. Keep an eye on crucial metrics like watch time, audience demographics, and traffic sources. These metrics provide a window into what's working and what may need adjustment. For instance, knowing the age, gender, and location of your viewers can help tailor your content to their preferences.
5.2 Actively Seek Viewer Feedback
Engaging with your viewers is essential to building a strong community and refining your content. Encourage your audience to share their thoughts through comments or surveys. Constructive feedback can be a goldmine of ideas for improvement. Take the time to listen to your viewers' suggestions and address areas where you can enhance your content quality.
In addition to feedback, rely on your own judgment based on the insights from your analytics and your personal experience. These combined sources of information will help you make well-informed decisions about the content you create. By continuously analyzing your performance and seeking input from your viewers, you can adapt and grow your channel in a way that resonates with your audience while staying true to your unique style.
Chapter 6: Effective Channel Promotion Strategies
Growing your YouTube channel goes beyond just creating great content; you need to actively promote it to reach a wider audience. Here are some essential strategies to help you promote your channel effectively:
6.1 Cross-Promotion
Cross-promotion involves promoting your YouTube channel on various social media platforms and collaborating with other content creators. Here's how to make the most of it:
Leverage Social Media: Share your YouTube videos on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Use engaging captions and eye-catching thumbnails to entice viewers from these platforms to check out your content on YouTube.
Collaborate with Creators: Partner with other content creators in your niche or related niches. Collaborative videos introduce your channel to a new audience. Ensure that your collaborations align with your content and appeal to your target viewers.
6.2 SEO Optimization
Optimizing your videos for search engines is crucial for discoverability. Here's how to do it effectively:
Keyword Usage: Research relevant keywords for your video topic. Use these keywords strategically in your video titles, descriptions, and tags. This helps search engines understand what your video is about.
Trending Topics: Keep an eye on trending topics and incorporate them into your content when relevant. Creating videos around trending topics increases the likelihood of your content appearing in search results and recommendations.
6.3 Shareable Content
Creating content that viewers want to share with others can significantly boost your channel's growth. Here's how to create shareable content:
Valuable Content: Offer value to your audience by creating tutorials, how-to guides, helpful tips, or entertaining sketches. Content that solves problems or entertains is more likely to be shared.
Call to Action : Encourage your existing subscribers to share your videos with their friends and followers. Include a clear and friendly call to action in your videos, asking viewers to like, subscribe, and share if they found the content valuable.
Chapter 7: Be Patient and Persistent
Building your YouTube channel to 1000 subscribers takes time and effort. It's essential to remain patient and persistent throughout the journey. Here's a crucial reminder:
7.1 Embrace the Process
Understand that growth may be slow initially.
Celebrate small milestones and achievements along the way.
Reaching your first 1000 subscribers on YouTube is a significant accomplishment. By setting clear goals, leveraging YouTube Shorts, focusing on quality content, engaging with your audience, analyzing feedback, and promoting your channel, you can steadily build your subscriber base. Remember, patience and persistence are key. Keep refining your content, learning from your experiences, and enjoying the creative process. With dedication, your channel will continue to grow, and who knows, the sky's the limit!
Thanks for reading! Stay strong and fly on!
