Rachel Alves currently works as a Product Manager for Recommendations at YouTube and was previously part of the platform’s performance analysis team. Alves’ experience means that she has spent significant time understanding what makes some YouTube channels take off and sustain success and what makes other channels fizzle out.
Here are her top 5 tips that you should take into account if you’re trying to grow your YouTube channel.
1. Build Your Channel Around an Audience
Alves emphasizes that branding and consistency are extremely important throughout the video. Knowing the audience you’re trying to reach will help you create content that will get viewers coming back consistently.
In Alves’ words: “Think about who’s watching your channel, what they’re interested in, and how those interests are likely to change over the course of 6 months, to a year, to two years, if you’re in this for the long term.”
2. Find Your Niche
Alves’ next tip has to do with creating content that is not already out there, or finding something that is uniquely “you.” Alves explains that hopping on trends may get you views for that specific video, what you really want is to create content that will keep viewers coming back. Alves suggests looking for a “hole in the market” to find your niche.
3. Watch Lots of Videos
Alves explains that if you were going to start a business, you’d conduct market research and get out there and see what’s missing. Do the same with YouTube. Watch relevant videos and see what works for those creators/channels, and what doesn’t.
4. Create and Establish Your Brand
Next, Alves suggests establishing your brand and keeping it consistent. Creating your unique aesthetic and sticking to it will allow viewers to seek comfort and consistency from you as YouTube has become flooded with options and content.
As Alves explains: “Really think about what fonts, colors and styles best represent your brand, and then make sure that flows through your channel icons, your channel art, even your channel description, and of course, your channel trailer.”
5. Be Consistent
Lastly, Alves suggests keeping consistent. In order to build repeat viewership, you need to post repeatedly. Try creating a video posting schedule.
What do you think of Alves’ tips? Comment below.