Understand Your Audience
The first crucial step to growing a successful YouTube channel is understanding your audience. Your YouTube channel is your stage, and your videos are your performances. If you don’t create content that resonates with your target audience, even the best video can go unnoticed.
Consider the story of classical musician Joshua Bell. One day, Bell walked into a metro station carrying a $3.5 million violin and began playing. Over the next 43 minutes, thousands of people rushed by, with only seven stopping to listen. Bell regularly sells out concert halls, but the context of a rushed commuter crowd meant his talent went unappreciated.
Similarly, travel vloggers Vicky and Josh experienced a dramatic drop in views when they relocated from Spain to the Far East. Their content no longer aligned with their retired demographic’s interests. They had to start a brand new channel catering to a younger audience interested in adventure travel.
The lesson is clear: understanding your target audience is crucial. Take the time to research who you’re creating content for and what type of content they’re most likely to engage with.
Curate Proven Ideas
Once you know your audience, the next step is to find content ideas that are proven to resonate with them. Instead of constantly reinventing the wheel, look for ideas that are already successful.
Top creators like MrBeast and Markiplier don’t just create content – they curate it. They look for ideas that are already working for their audience and then put their own unique spin on it.
One way to find these proven ideas is to look for “outlier” videos from channels with a low subscriber count but high view counts. These videos have already demonstrated that the concept resonates with audiences.
However, it’s important not to simply imitate these videos. Understand the psychology behind what made them successful – was it the title, the thumbnail, or the novelty of the idea? Then use that insight to create something new and fresh that aligns with your brand and audience.
Plan for Sustainability
Many creators start out strong with a new idea or series, only to fizzle out over time. To avoid this, it’s crucial to plan for sustainability from the beginning.
Think about your channel’s long-term potential. Can you see yourself creating similar content a year or even five years from now? If the answer is no, it may be time to rethink your approach.
The most successful long-running shows and channels have a premise that can be explored over an extended period. They have a rich tapestry of plot lines, characters, and themes to keep their audience engaged.
When planning your content, map out your first 10-20 videos and ensure the ideas flow naturally. Leave room for adaptation based on audience feedback and your own creative inspiration, but strive for a sustainable, long-term strategy.
Commit to Consistency
Consistency is often touted as a key to YouTube success, but many creators misinterpret what that means. It’s not about rigidly sticking to a schedule, even when the content isn’t working.
Think of it like a new diet – you start strong, but then the novelty wears off, and you’re not seeing the results you want. At that point, most people would abandon the diet and try something else. The same principle applies to YouTube.
Instead of forcing yourself to upload on a strict schedule, focus on creating content that genuinely excites you and resonates with your audience. Take breaks when you need to recharge your creative batteries, and be willing to pivot your strategy if the initial plan isn’t working.
True consistency comes from a place of passion and engagement, not rigid adherence to a schedule. By following these four steps, you’ll build a solid foundation for sustainable growth on YouTube in 2024 and beyond.
