How to get your first Youtube views?

How many of you reading this article have already tried to launch a YouTube channel?

If you have, you probably know how difficult it can be to get those first few views. It’s like shouting into a void, hoping someone, anyone, will hear you. I know the struggle all too well. 

I’ve tried launching multiple YouTube projects, and most of them failed, often stalling even after getting the first viewers.

I’m not a YouTube expert, but I’ve gained quite a bit of experience in starting channels from scratch. I understand the challenges and the initial excitement that quickly turns into frustration when the views don’t roll in as expected. 

That’s why I want to share my experiences and tips on how to get those crucial first views on your YouTube videos.

I may not be the person to tell you how to go from 100 views to a billion, but I can definitely help you get started on the right foot. So, let’s dive into the practical steps and strategies that can help your start-up’s YouTube channel gain the visibility it deserves.

Ask yourself: who is your audience?

Think about it: if you don’t know who you’re making videos for, how will you create something they want to watch? Knowing your audience is the foundation of a successful YouTube channel.

Start by defining your ideal viewer. Are they young professionals looking for career advice? Maybe they’re fitness enthusiasts searching for workout tips. Whoever they are, get as specific as possible (almost like a marketing persona). The more you know about your audience, the better you can tailor your content to their interests.

To gather insights about your audience, use tools like YouTube Analytics, Google Trends (or if you already use it for SEO, Semrush – which would give you interesting data about searches on search engines…. You’d tell me it’s not exactly like Youtube but it can give you damn good ideas on keywords use and popularity).

Spend some time researching the popular channels in your niche. Look at their content, read the comments, and see what viewers are talking about.

Here’s a little trick I’ve learned: engage with your audience directly. If you already have a small following on social media, ask them what kind of content they’d like to see. Their feedback can be invaluable in guiding your content creation process.

Creating Quality Content

Let’s face it, no matter how good your marketing is, if your content isn’t up to par, viewers won’t stick around. 

First and foremost, your videos need to be engaging. Start with a strong hook to grab your viewers’ attention within the first few seconds. Whether it’s a surprising fact, a bold statement, or an intriguing question, make sure it compels them to keep watching.

Next, focus on delivering value. Think about what your audience wants to learn or experience. Don’t think about you absolutely need to deliver (I’ve seen so many start-ups sharing product marketing videos that no one care and trying to understand what they did so wrong). 

• Are you solving a problem for them? 
• Providing useful tips? 
• Entertaining them – trying to be funny or communicate in a way your competitors never dared to? 

Whatever it is, make sure every second of your video adds value. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point.

Another crucial aspect is the visual and audio quality of your videos. You don’t need to have the most expensive equipment, but your videos should look and sound clear. Use good lighting, stable shots, and ensure your audio is crisp and free from background noise. 

There are plenty of affordable tools and tutorials online to help you improve your video production quality, like this one I found really good (and will certainly use for my next productions):

Don’t underestimate the power of a good thumbnail and title:

• Your thumbnail is the first thing viewers see, so make it eye-catching and relevant to your content.
•  Your title should be clear and intriguing, incorporating keywords that people are likely to search for.

Optimizing your videos for search

Think of YouTube as a giant search engine, just like Google. If you want your videos to get views, they need to show up in search results. Here’s how you can make that happen:

• Keywords: these are the terms people type into the search bar when they’re looking for content. To figure out what keywords to use, think about what your target audience might search for (but you should already know if you already identified “who is your audience”. Once you’ve got a list of keywords, incorporate them naturally into your video titles, descriptions, and tags.
• Title: first thing viewers will see. Make sure it’s compelling and includes your main keyword. A good title is clear and concise, and it tells viewers exactly what to expect. Avoid clickbait; while it might get you some clicks, it won’t help with long-term viewer engagement.
• Description: Your video description should provide a summary of what the video is about and include your keywords. This not only helps with SEO but also gives viewers more context about your content. YouTube displays the first 100-150 characters of a video description above the fold, which is the part of the description visible without clicking “Show More.” To make the most of this limited space, ensure that the key information and enticing elements are within these first few lines to capture viewers’ attention and encourage them to read more or engage with the content.
• Tags: Use a mix of broad and specific tags to help YouTube understand what your video is about and who it should be shown to. Don’t just stuff tags with random words; make sure they’re relevant to your content.
• Thumbnails: An eye-catching thumbnail can make the difference between someone clicking on your video or scrolling past it. Use bright, high-quality images, and include text overlays to highlight the key points of your video. Make sure your thumbnails are consistent in style to build your brand identity.
• Closed captions and transcripts: Make your videos accessible to a wider audience and provide additional text for YouTube to index. This can help your videos rank higher in search results.
• Engagement: Encourage viewers to like, comment, and subscribe. The more engagement your video gets, the more likely YouTube is to recommend it to others.

Promoting your videos

Social Media and Communities

Now that your video is optimized for search, it’s time to get the word out. One of the best ways to do this is by leveraging social media and online communities. Think of social media as a megaphone for your content – it can amplify your reach and help you connect with viewers who might be interested in what you have to offer.

Start with the social media platforms you’re already active on. Share your videos on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Each platform has its own style and audience, so tailor your posts accordingly:

• On Facebook: join groups related to your niche and share your videos there. 
• On Instagram: use stories and IGTV to give sneak peeks and drive traffic to your YouTube channel. 
• On Twitter: give quick updates and engage with your followers, 
• On LinkedIn: useful if your content is business-focused.

Engaging with relevant communities on Reddit, Quora, and forums can also be incredibly effective. Join subreddits that are related to your niche and participate in discussions. Don’t just drop links to your videos – provide value by answering questions and contributing to conversations. If your content is genuinely helpful, people will be more likely to check out your channel. The same goes for Quora; find questions related to your video’s topic and provide detailed answers, including a link to your video for further information.

Don’t forget about your existing network. Let your friends, family, and colleagues know about your new video. They can help by liking, commenting, and sharing it with their own networks. Sometimes, that initial boost from people you know can make a big difference in getting your content noticed.

Another strategy is to collaborate with other creators or influencers in your niche. By working together, you can tap into each other’s audiences and reach new viewers. Look for YouTubers who have a similar size audience and complementary content. Reach out with a proposal for a collaboration that benefits both of you. It could be a guest appearance, a shout-out, or a joint project.

Engagement

I wrote about it already, I know – but more as a way to improve the SEO of your videos. Engagement is also one of the best ways to get people coming back on your channel for more. Building a loyal audience means creating a community where people feel connected to you and your content.

And it’s so simple to start: answer comments on your videos. Whether it’s a simple “Thank you!” or a more detailed reply, acknowledging your viewers shows that you appreciate their support and value their input. Engaging with comments can spark conversations, provide valuable feedback, and even give you ideas for future content.

Encourage viewers to like, comment, and subscribe at the end of your videos. A gentle reminder can go a long way in boosting engagement. You could say something like, “If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs up, leave a comment, and don’t forget to subscribe for more content like this!” Make it feel like a natural part of your video, not just a scripted line.

Hosting Q&A sessions or live streams is another great way to interact with your audience. These formats allow you to connect with viewers in real-time, answer their questions, and get to know them better. Live interactions can build a stronger sense of community and make your viewers feel more involved in your channel.

You can also share updates, behind-the-scenes content, or polls to keep your subscribers interested and informed about what’s coming next. These posts can make your viewers feel like they’re part of your creative process and more connected to you as a creator.

Another effective way to engage your audience is by creating content based on their suggestions and feedback. If you notice viewers frequently asking about a particular topic or suggesting a specific type of video, consider making it. This shows that you listen to your audience and value their opinions, which can strengthen their loyalty to your channel.

Paid Advertising

While organic growth is fantastic, sometimes a bit of investment can help you reach a larger audience faster. 

Let’s talk about YouTube Ads. YouTube offers various types of ads, such as TrueView ads (which are skippable), non-skippable ads, and bumper ads (which are short and non-skippable). TrueView ads are a great starting point because you only pay when someone watches at least 30 seconds or clicks on your ad. This ensures you’re only spending money on engaged viewers.

Basically (as any other campaign), you start with a good objective, that will help you tailor your campaign accordingly. For instance, if you’re looking to increase your subscriber base, create a compelling ad that showcases the value of subscribing to your channel.

Next, focus on targeting. YouTube’s ad platform, Google Ads, allows you to target specific demographics, interests, and even viewer behaviors. This means you can ensure your ads are seen by people who are most likely to be interested in your content. Use the insights from your audience research to set up precise targeting parameters.

Crafting a strong ad is crucial. Your ad should be engaging and get to the point quickly – remember, you have just a few seconds to grab the viewer’s attention. Highlight the best parts of your content and include a clear call-to-action, like “Watch more” or “Subscribe now.” Make sure the visuals and audio are high quality to leave a positive impression.

Budgeting is another important aspect. Start with a small budget to test different ad formats and targeting options. Monitor the performance of your ads closely and adjust your strategy based on what’s working best. As you get more comfortable with the platform, you can increase your budget to scale your efforts.

Don’t forget to measure the effectiveness of your ad campaigns. Use YouTube Analytics and Google Ads metrics to track views, click-through rates, and engagement. This data will help you understand what’s resonating with your audience and how you can improve future campaigns.

Consistency and Patience

Congratulations! You’ve made it through the essential steps of getting your first views on YouTube. But here’s the kicker – sticking to a regular schedule and maintaining patience can make all the difference between an unknown and successful channel (and that’s usually where we fail…). 

First, let’s talk about consistency. YouTube’s algorithm favors channels that upload regularly. This doesn’t mean you need to post daily, but having a consistent upload schedule is crucial. Whether it’s once a week or twice a month, pick a schedule you can realistically stick to and let your audience know when to expect new content. Consistency helps build anticipation and keeps your viewers coming back for more.

Next, let’s address the elephant in the room – patience. Growing a YouTube channel takes time, and it’s easy to get discouraged when you don’t see immediate results. But remember, every big YouTuber started where you are now. The key is to keep going, even when it feels like you’re not making progress. Celebrate small milestones, like your first 100 views or your first 50 subscribers. These little wins will keep you motivated and remind you that you’re on the right track.

Also, don’t get too caught up in the numbers. That’s what I’ve already tried to explain in my article “Why I don’t care about web analytics” on blogging. It’s easy to obsess over view counts and subscriber numbers, but focus on the quality of your content and the value you’re providing to your viewers. Take time and take care of yourself without setting high pressure over your shoulders. Burnout is real, and it can hit hard if you’re constantly pushing yourself to create content without taking breaks. Make sure to balance your YouTube efforts with personal time to relax and recharge. A healthy creator is a productive creator.

Finishing writing this quite long article is making me think about the biggest issue we (and I’m including myself in it) are all facing. We’re tempted to compare ourselves to the big players and the discouragement that comes from not seeing immediate success. 

It’s easy to look at channels with millions of subscribers and feel like you’re falling short. But remember, every successful YouTuber started from zero views and zero subscribers, just like you.

The most important piece of advice I can give you is to focus on your own journey. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small it may seem. Every view, every comment, and every new subscriber is a step forward. Don’t let the success of others overshadow your achievements.

See you out there !