[2021 Edition] 17 Carefully Selected Techniques for Extending YouTube Channels

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 [2021 Edition] 17 Carefully Selected Techniques for Extending YouTube Channels

Video content can be said to be the most recent and most demanding expression method.

From a marketing perspective, it's becoming a must-see, but you can't miss YouTube in video marketing. It's not a dream to get a lot of views from YouTube, but it's also a high hurdle.

This time, I would like to introduce an article from Backlinko that summarizes various measures. Hope you get used to the growth tips of your YouTube channel.

In this article, I'd like to explain how to get more views on YouTube.

Here's the technique I actually used when my channel got 276,000 views per month.

Let's get started.

table of contents

1. 1. Use "BOGY" thumbnails

2. 2. Use a descriptive template (proven)

3. 3. Swap playlist layouts

4. Increase CTR for video titles

5. Increase the number of views from "Recommended videos"

6. Use "MVC expression" for video tags

7. Share videos on Quora, Reddit, and Forums

8. Display video in Google search

9. Optimize videos for comments, likes and subscriptions

Ten. Improve channel "session time"

11. Optimize the end screen

12. Master the basics of YouTube SEO

13. Use eye catching for playlist titles

14. Introduce (embed) the video on the blog

15. 15. Share video clips on social media

16. Upload videos when your audience is on YouTube

17. "Card bridge" technique

Bonus 1. Aim for the special frame on the top page of YouTube

Bonus 2. Utilize effective measures

Bonus 3. Community tab preview

Summary

1. 1. Use "BOGY" thumbnails

It goes without saying that video thumbnails are important.

In fact, according to YouTube, 9 out of 10 of the most watched videos on YouTube use custom thumbnails.

YouTube also states:

Thumbnails are usually the first thing users browsing YouTube see.

How do you create a prominent thumbnail?

BOGY thumbnail.

BOGY thumbnails are thumbnails that use the following four colors.

Blue

Orange

Green

Yellow

Why is this important?

As you roam YouTube, you'll find that the website is based on red, black, and white.

If you use red, black, and white for the thumbnails, it will mix with the YouTube layout.

However, if you use BOGY thumbnails, the thumbnails will stand out and attract the viewer's attention.

For example, I use green as the main color for thumbnails.

It's also part of branding (green is the main color for my blog and YouTube channel).

But it also helps make my videos stand out on a platform called YouTube.

What about other examples?

The Bright Side Channel (more than 30 million subscribers) uses yellow, orange, blue, and purple for many thumbnails.

Of course, you could use red, white, or black for a little bit.

You don't have to make those colors the main colors of the thumbnails.

I also sometimes use black and white for thumbnails.

However, more than 80% use green for thumbnails.

2. Use descriptive template (proven)

"The video description tells YouTube's algorithm what the video is about," YouTube said.

With that in mind, there is one notice.

I created a very effective YouTube descriptive template.

That is below.

Strong intro (2-3 sentences)

Detailed outline (500 characters or less)

Links to websites and social

Let's break it down into sections.

First, you need a strong intro.

The first few lines of the description are very important.

In particular, the target keyword should be included once in the first 1-2 sentences.

That's because YouTube emphasizes keywords at the beginning of the description.

Be sure to mention your target keywords early in the description.

Below is an example of my channel.

Also, write a sentence that sells your own video.

I wonder why?

This is because the first few lines of the description appear in the YouTube search.

If the snippet is very powerful, more users will click on it.

Also, some users read the description after landing on the video page.

That's why content above "read more" is very important for marketing your video.

Next is a 500-character outline.

All you need to do here is to write an overview that users can learn from your videos.

Don't hesitate to write the details of the video. In fact, it is recommended to write at least 500 characters here.

Then use the keywords that you want your video to appear higher.

This will allow YouTube to fully understand the content of the video.

For example, see the description of my video below.

That's 233 words in total.

These complete descriptions have helped my video to date with 401,297 views.

The last is the installation of links.

I learned this advice from YouTube.

Text in the image: Use the rest (what you see when you click More) for additional information, such as your channel or social links.

The purpose here is to transition users to your website or social media.

I'm mainly active on Twitter. Therefore, only the link to my Twitter profile is listed here.

But it's not a bad thing to have links to multiple sites that you are actively operating.

Also, if you want to increase the number of subscribers, we recommend adding a CTA that encourages you to subscribe.

Now let's move on to the next technique.

3. Swap playlist layouts

        Like most people, you should include playlists on your channel page.

Recently, I've found an easy way for more people to see your playlist.

Swap the playlist layout vertically and horizontally.

Let me list my channel as an example.

Why is this important?

If you use only one playlist layout, it won't stand out more than the other playlists.

However, if you swap the layouts, you can make each layout stand out.

To change the layout, first go to your channel page. Then select "Customize Channel".

Then click on the pencil icon next to the playlist.

Then select the layout.

Then, "display vertically" and "display horizontally" are interchanged.

It's very simple. But it's very effective.

4. Increase CTR for video titles

The title is very important to the success of the video.

In fact, the data on YouTube also acknowledges that titles can lead to the success of the video or even ruin it.

Text in the image: The title determines whether the video is viewed, shared, or passed through.

Here's how to create a video title to get a lot of clicks.

First, add square brackets and parentheses at the end of the title.

According to a HubSpot survey, adding square brackets will increase clicks by 38% (*).

To be fair, this survey looks at the titles of blog posts.

But I've found that the same applies to YouTube videos.

For example, this video on my channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZCIbskIFkk) has won 401,297 views.

The [New Checklist] at the end of the title is a major factor in the success of this video.

Next, include numbers in the title.

The target of the numbers can be as follows.

Number of advices and strategies explained in the video

Current year

How-to video steps

Amount of decrease (increase) in numerical value

Any other number that makes sense in your video will be covered.

For example, take a look at my video about keyword research (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaOA_Zy2XUw).

The original title was as simple as "Advanced Keyword Research Tutorial".

This title is very mediocre.

That's why I added "[5 detailed steps]" to the end of the title.

It has helped this video with over 190,000 views.

Finally, let's assume that the title has 40 to 50 characters.

A study by Justin Brig found that videos with titles less than 50 characters ranked better on YouTube searches.

  

5. Increase the number of views from "Recommended videos"

Over the last few years I have studied many YouTube channels.

And I noticed a certain law of success.

Successful channels have received a lot of views from "Recommended Videos".

A "recommended video" is a related video that YouTube promotes that appears next to the video you watched.

For now, "Recommended Videos" have provided more views than YouTube searches.

For example, 34.8% of my channel views are via SEO.

And 38.2% are via "recommended videos".

So how do you get a lot of views from "Recommended Videos"?

Use the same tags as your competitors.

In fact, YouTube states that it uses video content metadata (titles, descriptions and tags) to rank "recommended videos."

This means that if your tag matches the tag of a popular video, you have a chance to see your video next to that video.

Image title: Match tags with popular videos to be displayed in "Recommended videos"

Below is a video explaining all of this mechanism (https://youtu.be/2bMbdWn1x-U). It's a video explaining tags

6. Use "MVC expression" for video tags

   You know that tags are important in video SEO.

That's because YouTube uses tags to understand the topic of the video.

In fact, when we analyzed over a million YouTube videos, we found that YouTube video tags and rankings were correlated.

So how do you use the tags correctly?

That's where the MVC formula comes in.

Let me show you what it looks like.

MVC is an abbreviation for "Main Keyword", "Variations", and "Category".

Let's explain each with a concrete example.

First is the "main keyword". This would be literally read.

Use the main keyword for the first or second tag.

For example, my main keyword in this video is "link building"

That's why I use this phrase in the first tag.

Next is "variation".

Here, let's divide the main keyword into several variations.

For example, in the link building video above, we've created several variations.

Finally, include one or two tags that represent the overall category of your video.

These common keywords help YouTube understand the topics and categories of your entire video.

Image title: Include one or two common tags that represent the topic of the entire video

For example, my video contains three common tags: "SEO," "online marketing," and "digital marketing."

7. Share videos on Quora, Reddit, and Forums

The online community is a great place to promote YouTube videos.

People in these communities are asking a variety of questions.

Among them, there should be some questions that your video can answer.

For example, Reddit asks such a question.

"Does anyone have an idea for frozen foods or meal bags?"

If you have a video about frozen pareo food, just post the link.

In fact, I'm using this same approach to promote my video.

This allowed my new video to get a lot of high quality views.

8. Display video in Google search

If you can display your video on Google search, you can expect a huge number of views.

In fact, Google brings 8,396 views per month to my channel.

So how can you get the video to appear in Google Search?

Displaying first place on YouTube is not everything.

In fact, according to a survey by Stone Temple Consulting, 55.2% of YouTube videos on Google search are different from the ranking of search results on YouTube.

For example, if you search on YouTube for "advanced knitting tips", the following video will be displayed in the first place.

However, when I searched Google for the same keyword, the above video was not displayed anywhere.

With this in mind, here's how to increase your chances of getting your video to the top of Google search.

First, let's say the target keyword loudly in the video.

For example, the other day I posted an SEO tutorial video on my channel (https://youtu.be/B9x3IkU8eaw).

And the phrase "SEO tutorial" is mentioned four times in the video.

This is probably the main reason why this keyword is displayed in the top three.

Next, upload a transcript of your video (your own subtitles) to YouTube.

This will give Google a 100% understanding of the content in the video.

Image title: Google can understand the content 100% by uploading the transcript

Of course, I've also added transcripts to my SEO tutorial videos.

9. Optimize videos for comments, likes and subscriptions

The number of video views is important in YouTube's algorithm.

But we're also seeing user engagement with your video.

In fact, I've been researching the ranking factors of YouTube search engines and found that there is a strong correlation between YouTube rankings and user engagement.

Below is the data about the comments.

The data about likes is below.

Below is the data on the number of subscribers.

All correlate with YouTube search rankings.

What's the best way to get more engagement in your video?

It's very simple. Just ask your users to engage your video.

For example, watch this video on my channel (https://youtu.be/h-3eJn89StI)

At the end of the video, I'm asking you to leave a comment and subscribe.

This has helped to get 4,348 comments.

The number of subscribers is 11,500.

The total number of views is 396,000.

Ten. Improve channel "session time"

How about the viewing retention rate? It's important.

What is the viewing time? It's very important.

However, these two indicators are not as important as session time.

Let me explain.

Session time (also known as "session watch time") is the total time the user spends on YouTube after watching your video.

Also, this is one of the indicators that YouTube attaches great importance to. In fact, YouTube says so.

YouTube's search system has two purposes. One is to help the viewer find the video they want to watch, and the other is to keep the viewer engaged and satisfied for as long as possible.

This means that if a user watches your video and then leaves YouTube, it will hurt your channel's session time

But if the user stays on YouTube, your session time will increase.

What is the best way to improve session time?

Promote your best videos on your channel page.

By doing this, it is possible to display to the user a video that the user will continue to watch.

For example, I have my best videos at the top of the channel page (in the playlist).

Even YouTuber Evan Carmichael has replaced the old channel trailer with his popular video.

In addition, I would like to explain another simple way to increase session time.

Continue reading the next section.

11. Optimize the end screen

It's a way to get more views by using the end screen.

First, pick up popular videos from your channel.

Go to YouTube Studio and look for videos that have gained the most views in the last 90 days.

Then, after watching your popular video, look for a video that you'll want to watch more. And let's introduce the content at the end of the video.

For example, my video here is one of the top 10 videos in the last 90 days (https://youtu.be/TaOA_Zy2XUw).

And I asked myself.

"What do users who have learned about keyword research want to learn next?"

It's a way to use those keywords in your content.

Fortunately, a few months ago, I published a video of the very topic.

Finally, put a link to the video on the end screen.

Since the "next video" is exactly the video that the user wants to watch, it is highly likely that they will watch it.

12. Master the basics of YouTube SEO

If you want to get more views on YouTube, you need to learn about YouTube SEO.

The basic items that I especially want to master are as follows.

Keyword research for videos

Title, description, tag optimization

Improving audience retention and viewing time

YouTube Engagement Signal

If you want to study YouTube SEO in a short-term intensive manner, please watch the video below (https://youtu.be/oR3DQRDoTVI).

13. Use eye catching for playlist titles

Previously, I just gave playlists names that came to my mind.

For example, the first playlist was named "Advanced SEO Strategy.

Not a bad name. But it's not an appealing name either.

Therefore, we added the words "and case study" to make the title more interesting.

And the same rule was applied to all playlist titles.

For example, one of the most popular playlists is titled "How to Get Top on Google."

The original title was "SEO Advice and Strategy".

However, I realized that what my audience wanted to learn was "how to get top rankings on Google."

That's why I made that very content the title of the playlist.

14. Introduce (embed) the video on the blog

Did you notice that we have a lot of YouTube videos embedded in this article?

There is a big reason for this.

Embedding the video gives you a lot of high quality views.

Not only can you get a lot of views, but embedding videos will help you get higher rankings in YouTube searches.

According to an industry survey, the video ranked first has more than 78% of links and embeds compared to the videos ranked second and below.

15. Share video clips on social media

Once upon a time, I shared all of my YouTube videos on social media.

Of course, this allowed us to get a lot of views.

But not as many as I wanted.

Just when I thought so, I realized that there was one.

Facebook, Twitter, and other social media will want to keep users on their platforms (just like YouTube).

So if you post a link to a YouTube video, their algorithm will hide your post from your followers.

So what is the solution?

All you have to do is upload the YouTube video as a native video.

Let me give you an example.

This clip has been uploaded as a native Facebook video, so it was displayed surprisingly well.

(As a result, Facebook has over 23,000 views)

And when you post a clip, include a link to the full video in the first comment.

By doing this, users who enjoyed the clip can immediately transition to YouTube with the full video.

16. Upload videos when your audience is on YouTube

When is the best time to upload a video to YouTube?

Is it 3:00 pm on Tuesday?

What about 6am on Saturday?

The answer is when your subscribers are on YouTube.

Unfortunately, YouTube doesn't tell you when many subscribers are online.

Therefore, it's a good idea to try different days and times when the best time for your channel is.

You can also use a tool like VidIQ to analyze the best time to post.

17. "Card bridge" technique

It's an easy way to increase session time and views.

Let me explain the contents.

First, check your video's viewing retention report.

Below is an example of my channel.

This video was found to have a large drop in viewing retention around 6:16.

Next, prepare a card to display at that time.

(This is the "bridge".)

This card will transition them to another video in your channel when the user wants to leave.

Bonus 1. Aim for the special frame on the top page of YouTube

The YouTube home page is an important source of views (especially for new videos).

For example, take a look at the source of traffic for this video, which is a week old.

Of all the views, 39.4% are from the "browsing feature".

(Most of them are from the YouTube top page.)

By being displayed on the top page, it led to 3,097 views in the first week after the release.

Not bad.

As you know, the YouTube home page is very personalized.

Therefore, "to be displayed on the top page" means to the top page of the user who is signed in.

There are two ways to increase the chances that your video will appear on the user's home page.

The first is to promote your video 48 hours after it's released.

The YouTube top page algorithm tends to display videos with the following two characteristics.

New video

Popular videos

If your video is in the public eye, YouTube will gladly display your video on the home page.

For example, I'm promoting a newly published video on social media.

It is also promoted in the e-mail magazine.

By doing this, we are able to guide many users on the first day of publication.

Next is to increase the number of subscribers.

The YouTube home page tends to show videos from the channels you subscribe to.

Therefore, the more subscribers there are, the more inflows from the top page can be obtained.

Bonus 2. Utilize effective measures

In other words, the following two.

Search your channel for videos that have above average viewing retention

Use elements that can be used in future videos

Is there a concrete example?

The video below is my first successful video (https://youtu.be/L_6zAGJ-JO4).

(Other than that, the results of the early videos were disappointing.)

I applied the elements that can be used in this video to future videos.

And in fact it worked.

Taking advantage of the factors that were already effective, I was able to grow my channel at record speed.

In particular, I searched for places where the viewing retention rate was higher than average.

Then I went through the elements that were already working.

For example, I noticed that there was a large viewing retention rate at 3:51.

At 3:51, I was showing the steps of the strategy introduced in this video.

That's why I decided to display the steps in text format in the videos I created after that.

Bonus 3. Community tab preview

It's an easy way to get subscribers to watch your next video.

Let me explain the contents.

First, post about the upcoming video on your Community tab.

Below is a preview image.

There is also a quiz.

jkhlkgh

Anything that makes your video look promising is fine.

In any case, posting to the community can make users look forward to your next video.

(That means it's more likely that you'll actually watch it when it's released.)

Summary

That's how to get more YouTube views.

I would love to hear your opinion on this article.

Which of the strategies presented in this article would you like to try first?

Is it a BOGY thumbnail?

Is it a post to the community?

In any case, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think.

This article is a translation of "17 Ways to Get More Views on YouTube In 2020" published in BACKLINKO.

I often hear that celebrities have also opened a YouTube channel, probably because of the influence of the coronavirus.

It seems that video distribution by individuals will become more and more popular, but I think it will become a major player in the transmission of information from companies.

Competitiveness will continue to grow, but I would like to take the necessary measures as much as possible in order to become an outstanding player.

Ioix also offers YouTube SEO. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us using the inquiry form, as there is room for growth with a little ingenuity..

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