10 Tips For Getting Your First 1000 Subscribers

With the latest updates to YouTube’s monetization policies, only channels with one thousand subscribers or more can make money through AdSense. However, even if you haven’t reached that milestone yet, there’s no reason to fear. What draws so many different creators to YouTube in the first place is that anyone and everyone has an equal opportunity for success.

Here are ten tips for getting your first one thousand subscribers.

1. Define your channel’s niche.

Markiplier dominates gaming; Zoella is the queen of beauty. The majority of YouTube’s major channels fit into a niche of some kind. Finding yours will help you reach an audience that’s already hungry for a specific kind of content.

You should be clear in how you define your niche. While you’re still growing your channel, focus on one specific kind of content. You can diversify down the road, but for now, you want to cater to the community of viewers around that niche.

2. Know your target demographic.

Once you’ve defined your niche, it’s time to define your audience. Who do you want to watch your videos? Though you may want to create videos that appeal to everyone, it’s much easier to grow when you focus on a specific kind of viewer.

Compare your channel to others within your niche. For example, if you run a beauty channel, you may look at Zoella’s channel as your standard. Her subscriber base is mostly young women, so you may decide to set your target demographic as females aged 12-24.

3. Foster a sense of community around your channel.

People love to feel as if they’re part of something bigger than themselves. Entertainment fans in particular love to connect with others who love the same things they do. Think about the Stars Wars fandom or the legion of Justin Bieber followers. These people have built an entire community around a shared interest.

You can build up your subscriber base quickly by making people feel like they belong. As a smaller creator, you have the upper hand when it comes to getting close to your subscribers. You can connect with them more easily and more often than some of the major players on YouTube.

Interact with your subscribers on social media and hold live streams frequently. Do giveaways and host meetups as you’re able to. Most importantly, encourage them to connect with each other online.

4. Learn the basics of SEO.

Search Engine Optimization is how you can get your videos to rise in the search results rankings. By strategically placing keywords, you can reach more potential viewers organically.

Start by determining a few keywords for your channel. Incorporate these into your video titles, tags, and descriptions. Videos like the one below can help you learn the basics of SEO.

5. Use clickbait responsibly.

Clickbait titles are like tabloid headlines. They attract a lot of viewers, but they don’t always deliver on what they promise. However, if you use clickbait responsibly, then you can get away with it and entice more viewers.

Viewers will excuse a clickbait title if the video itself is especially interesting or entertaining. For example, comedy queen Liza Koshy often exaggerates the details of her dollar store adventures for an eye-catching video title.

6. Treat your thumbnails like an advertisement for your channel.

Video thumbnails are like first impressions. You only have one chance to make a lasting impression on a potential viewer. If your thumbnail doesn’t catch his or her attention, then that viewer isn’t likely to click on your video.

The best way to utilize your thumbnail is by creating a custom one. Mix together expressive pictures, bold text, and a colorful border to create a thumbnail viewers can’t resist.

7. Open each video with a call-to-action.

One of the best ways to turn new viewers into new subscribers is to simply ask. Include a call-to-action in the intro of every video, asking everyone to like, comment, and subscribe.

Get creative with an engaging call-to-action. NataliesOutlet invites her viewers to subscribe to enter giveaways, and she challenges them to meet a like goal.

8. Create a channel trailer.

Think of growing your channel as an advertising campaign for a new TV show. The promotion team would incorporate social media marketing and television commercials. You can create a commercial for your channel with a channel trailer.

Your channel trailer should show new viewers what you’re all about. Introduce yourself. Talk about the kind of content you create and how often you’ll be uploading new videos. Most importantly, remind your viewers to subscribe so they don’t miss a thing.

9. Create content that brings something of value to the table.

What does your channel have to offer viewers? DIYs, beauty tutorials, and Let’s Plays, for example, all benefit viewers in some way. They can learn new skills or find something fun to do.

Create content that offers something of value to your viewers. Make sure they can benefit from your channel in some way, whether if that’s with how-tos, fun facts, or a good laugh.

10. Stay genuine to who you are in real life.

What drives so many viewers to YouTube is that the content creators feel like someone they know in real life. YouTube creators are more accessible than pop stars or A-list actors. The sit-down, feel-good atmosphere of so many YouTube videos makes these creators into their subscribers’ trusted friends.

If you try to be someone you’re not online, then viewers will eventually see through you. Different creators throughout the years have proven that the truth always finds a way out. However, if you’re genuine with yourself and your viewers, then they will stay true to you.

Your first one thousand subscribers are right within your reach. By following these tips, you’ll reach your next subscriber milestone in no time.

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Kristen Harris enjoys listening to a wide range of music, from Taylor Swift to, on occasion, Celtic instrumental. She also spends her time writing, reading, and baking.