20 YouTube Tips and Tricks to Grow Your Channel in 2024

If you’re an aspiring YouTube sensation that’s ready to take the world by storm with your channel in 2024, then you’re in luck!

I’ve put together a list of 20 YouTube tips and tricks to grow your new YouTube channel and help it soar to new heights.

From clever SEO hacks to ninja-level editing techniques, I’ve got the lowdown on how to make your content shine, get those views rolling in, and turn your channel into the hottest ticket in town.

So grab your camera, strap on your editing hat, and let's get this YouTube party started!

The Best Tips and Tricks to Grow Your YouTube Channel

A million YouTube subscribers don’t come easy. If you’re using YouTube to promote your business, or thinking of trying out the popular social media network, you’re in the right place.

In this post, I’m going to share 20 top YouTube tips and tricks that will help you grow yourYouTube channel.

1. Understand Your Niche and Create Content for Your Audience

One of the first steps in growing your YouTube channel is to identify your niche. A niche is a specific topic or theme that your channel will focus on. 

Choosing a niche allows you to create content that caters to a specific audience, rather than trying to appeal to a broad range of viewers. When selecting your niche, consider your interests, passions, and expertise. 

Ask yourself:

• What are you most knowledgeable or passionate about? 
• What type of content do you enjoy creating?
• What type of content would an audience within this niche like?
• What are competitors within this niche creating? 

Researching and understanding your target audience is also crucial when picking your niche. Who are your potential viewers? What are their interests and preferences? 

By identifying your target audience, you can tailor your content to meet their needs and interests, which can lead to more engaged viewers and faster channel growth.

2. Choose a YouTube Channel Name That Fits Your Niche

Once you’ve settled on a niche, and have some content ideas, you need a channel name.

Your YouTube channel name is the first impression viewers will have, so it's important to choose a name that represents your niche and resonates with your target audience.

When choosing your channel name, consider the following tips:

• Keep it short and simple: A concise and straightforward channel name is easier to remember and share with others.
• Make it relevant: Your channel name should clearly convey what your content is about and align with your niche.
• Avoid generic or vague names: Such names may not give potential viewers a clear idea of what they can expect from your channel.
• Avoid numbers and special characters: Numbers and special characters can make your channel name more complicated and harder to remember.
• Check for availability: Make sure the channel name you choose is unique and not already taken by another YouTube channel.

Linus Tech Tips is an excellent example of the perfect channel name. It is a combination of the channel owner’s name and what he offers.

As a tech expert, Linus provides plenty of high-quality videos about the latest technological advancements on his channel.

3. Make Use of Relevant Keywords in Your YouTube Video Titles

Keywords are essential for SEO (search engine optimization) and can help your videos rank higher in YouTube search results. Using relevant keywords in your video titles can make it easier for viewers to find your content when they search for a specific topic.

Conduct keyword research to identify the keywords that are commonly used by your target audience when searching for content related to your niche. You can do this using any keyword tool such as Semrush, Ahrefs, or Wordtracker.

When creating video titles, try to incorporate relevant keywords naturally. Avoid clickbait or misleading titles that may attract viewers but fail to deliver the content they are expecting. Your video title should accurately represent the content of your video and provide value to your viewers.

4. Add Keywords to YouTube Video Descriptions

Video descriptions are a valuable space where you can provide more information about your videos and optimize them for YouTube search pages as well as search engines.

Including relevant keywords in your video descriptions can help your videos rank higher in YouTube search results and increase the visibility of your content to potential viewers.

Conduct keyword research to identify the keywords that are commonly used by your target audience when searching for content related to your video.

When writing video descriptions, try to incorporate keywords naturally and provide a brief summary of the content of your video. You can also include links to relevant websites or social media accounts, and use timestamps to highlight specific sections of your video.

Don't forget to add a call-to-action (CTA) at the end of your video descriptions to encourage viewers to engage with your content, such as liking, commenting, or subscribing to your channel.

5. Create Unique and Branded Video Thumbnails

Video thumbnails are the small images that viewers see when browsing YouTube, and they play a crucial role in attracting viewers to click on your videos.

Creating unique and branded video thumbnails can help your videos stand out from the competition and entice viewers to watch your content.

When designing video thumbnails, consider the following tips:

• Use high-quality images: Choose clear and visually appealing images that accurately represent the content of your video.
• Add text and graphics: Include text and graphics that convey the key message or topic of your video. Use bold and contrasting colors to make your thumbnails eye-catching.
• Create branded thumbnails: Consistently use your channel's branding elements, such as your logo or colors, in your thumbnails to create a cohesive look and build brand recognition.
• Test and optimize: Experiment with different thumbnail designs and monitor their performance to see which ones resonate best with your audience. Use data and feedback to optimize your thumbnails for better click-through rates.

I like how Matty Matheson’s thumbnails are formatted.

It is always a picture of him, a photo of the dish he made, as well as the name of the dish. This quickly lets users know it’s his video, what he is cooking, and a photo to entice them to watch the actual video.

If you’d like to create awesome thumbnails like the ones above, there are plenty of design tools that make the job easy. Here are some examples:

• Canva
• PixTeller
• Snappa

6. Set Your YouTube Channel Tags

Channel tags are keywords or phrases that are associated with your YouTube channel and can help your content get discovered by viewers who are interested in those topics.

You should add the first set of tags to your channel’s Basic Info section. These keywords will tell the algorithm what your channel is all about, which will help YouTube’s search engine suggest your channel to relevant users.

You should also be adding tags to your videos. These tags will help your videos get suggested to the correct audience.

Setting relevant channel tags can improve the visibility of your channel in YouTube search results and increase the likelihood of attracting new viewers.

When setting channel tags, consider the following tips:

• Use relevant keywords: Choose keywords that are relevant to your niche and content. Use a mix of broad and specific tags to cover different aspects of your channel.
• Don't overstuff: Avoid overstuffing your channel tags with too many keywords as this can negatively impact your search rankings. Choose the most relevant and important tags for your channel.
• Update regularly: Regularly review and update your channel tags to reflect the current content and focus of your channel. Keep track of the performance of your tags and make adjustments as needed.

7. Create High-Quality Content

The quality of your content is paramount to attracting and retaining viewers on YouTube. Aim to create videos that are visually appealing, well-edited, and have good audio quality. If your technical abilities aren’t up to scratch, it might be better to hire a video editor.

Use high-resolution cameras, good lighting, and clear sound to ensure that your videos are visually and audibly pleasing.

In addition to technical quality, focus on creating content that is valuable, informative, and engaging to your target audience. Know your niche and create content that resonates with your viewers. Plan and script your videos in advance, and deliver your content in a confident and engaging manner.

Keep your videos concise and to the point, and avoid unnecessary filler or lengthy intros.

Regularly analyze your audience's feedback and engagement metrics, such as likes, comments, and shares, to understand what content resonates best with your viewers. Use this feedback to continually improve the quality of your content and provide value to your audience.

8. Make Use of Time Stamps

Time stamps are a useful feature that allow you to mark specific sections of your videos, making it easy for viewers to navigate to the content they are interested in.

Utilizing time stamps can enhance the viewer experience, increase engagement, and encourage viewers to watch more of your content.

When adding time stamps, consider the following tips:

• Identify key sections: Review your videos and identify the key sections or topics covered in your content.
• Add time stamps in the video description or comments: You can add time stamps in the description box of your video or in the comments section. Use a format that is easy to understand, such as “0:00 – Introduction,” “2:30 – How to,” etc.

• Be accurate: Make sure the time stamps accurately correspond to the specific sections or topics in your video. Double-check the time stamps to avoid any confusion or errors.
• Highlight time stamps in your video: You can also highlight the time stamps visually in your video by using captions or annotations, making it easy for viewers to click and navigate to the desired sections.

9. Add Captions to Your Videos

Adding captions to your videos can benefit your channel in multiple ways. Captions can make your content more accessible to viewers with hearing impairments. They can also improve the searchability and discoverability of your videos.

YouTube provides automated captions, but they may not always be accurate. I recommend that you review and edit the captions to ensure their accuracy.

You can also add custom captions to your videos by uploading a transcript or writing engaging captions yourself.

When adding captions, consider the following tips:

• Review and edit automated captions: Review and edit the automated captions provided by YouTube to ensure accuracy. Correct any mistakes and ensure that the captions reflect the actual spoken words in your videos.
• Provide detailed captions: Use detailed captions that accurately reflect the content of your videos. Captions should include not only the spoken words but also relevant sounds and background noises.
• Add keywords to captions: Include relevant keywords in your captions to improve the searchability of your videos. Use keywords that are relevant to your content and niche.
• Consider different languages: If you have a global audience, consider adding captions in different languages to cater to viewers from diverse regions.

To add captions to your videos, you simply need to go to the YouTube creator studio.

From there you can select what language you want the captions to be in. There is a large selection of languages that YouTube supports.

Select your preferred language for captions on your videos, and select “Confirm.”

10. Socialize and Engage

At the end of the day, YouTube is a social media network.

This means you need to engage your fans and subscribers and respond to their comments to achieve success.

A lot of marketers invest all of their time and energy into just creating videos. But you need to understand that YouTube content creation is only half the job. If you want to grow your YouTube channel, you need to invest time into driving engagement.

You can use your YouTube videos and your video descriptions to ask your audience questions. And to give them reasons to want to engage with you.

Make your subscribers feel that their observations, comments, and suggestions are welcomed. A common YouTube trick to get more engagement is to give your subscribers the kind of content they’d like to see on your YouTube channel.

And when they do respond, you can use a social media management tool like Agorapulse to manage all of your comments easily and quickly.

Plus, if you get any negative comments, you don’t want them left unanswered for too long, for others to see.

Here is a YouTube tip to tackle this situation: apologize and ask them the reason for their negative comments. This way, you show that you care.

With Agorapulse, you can also pre-moderate your comments and see all of them in one place. So, if you find anything that promotes hate speech or is inappropriate, you can reject it right away.

You can also use it to respond to comments within the same dashboard. 

11. Leverage Your YouTube Channel Community Tab to Boost Engagement

Another YouTube tip to boost your engagement – which has a direct effect on your channels’ success – is to leverage the Community tab.

You can find it on your YouTube channel page.

Here, you can post content just like you would on Facebook or Twitter, to engage your audience (both subscribers and non-subscribers).

Use the opportunity to post all kinds of engaging content. Like a behind-the-scenes image from your latest filming experience or a GIF promoting your upcoming YouTube video.

Or, as Evan Carmichael does in the screenshot above, add a poll to increase the involvement and engagement levels of your audience.

Make sure that you tell your audience about your Community tab. You can post a YouTube video about it and tell people to check it out.

Don’t forget to mention it in the YouTube video description, too. And you can also promote it on your other digital channels.

Since non-subscribers can also see the Community tab, it’s a good idea to introduce it with a short video or post. It’s a simple YouTube trick to let viewers know who you are and what you do.

12. Cross-Promote Your Content in YouTube Video Descriptions

Video descriptions are a valuable space to promote your content and engage with your viewers. In addition to providing a brief summary of your video content, consider adding links to other relevant videos, playlists, and of your channel’s homepage in the description box. 

Here’s an example of cross promotion from Mythical Kitchen:

The channel is part of a larger set of channels owned by Rhett and Link from Good Mythical Morning. They cross-promote their other channels in the video descriptions of every channel they run.

This cross-promotion can encourage viewers to explore more of your content and increase their engagement with your channel.

When cross-promoting your content in video descriptions, keep the following tips in mind:

• Use relevant links: Only include links that are relevant to the content of your video or the interests of your viewers. Avoid spammy or unrelated links that may negatively impact your channel's credibility.
• Provide a clear call-to-action (CTA): Encourage viewers to click on the links by providing a clear and compelling CTA. For example, you can use phrases like “Check out my latest video,” “Watch my playlist,” or “Subscribe for more content.”
• Update descriptions regularly: As you create new content, remember to update your video descriptions to include links to your latest videos or playlists. This can help promote your new content to your existing viewers and attract new viewers.

13. Create a Posting Schedule – And Stick to It!

It’s very difficult to grow a YouTube channel if you’re not posting new content consistently – and frequently. So, one of the best tips and tricks for YouTube is to create and post content regularly.

Of course, that’s easier said than done. But I’ve got a YouTube tip for you that will help you stay disciplined in your approach: Plan in advance.

Create a YouTube content schedule so that you can space out your uploads. While creating your content schedule, consider the time you will require to create and edit your content.

This YouTube tip will help you plan out your content calendar and keep track of what you’re uploading, and when. This way, you can space out your videos and maintain consistency.

Not only you will get to reach more people with more videos, your subscribers will know exactly when to expect a new video from you.

Take the time to put together a schedule ahead of time:

• Set the days of the week (preferably, multiple days of the week) and the exact time to upload your videos on each day.
• Plan a diverse content strategy with multiple types of videos: how-to videos, animated videos, listicle videos, and so on.

It can be quite time-consuming to produce this much content on a constant basis. But you can use video marketing tools for help, instead of filming and editing everything yourself.

For example, tools like Slidely and Wave have huge libraries of stock video clips, which you can use to create compelling live-action videos.

You can also add text and other design elements, add music and voiceover, and watermark your videos.

14. Keep Google Search Results in Mind

YouTube videos can also rank in Google search results, which can help increase the visibility of your content.

When optimizing your videos for YouTube, also consider optimizing them for Google search results.

To optimize your YouTube videos for Google search results, follow these tips:

• Use relevant keywords: Research and use relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags that are commonly searched on Google. This can help your videos rank higher in Google search results and drive more organic traffic to your channel.
• Create descriptive and engaging titles: Use descriptive and engaging titles that accurately reflect the content of your videos and include relevant keywords. This can help Google understand the relevance of your videos and rank them higher in search results.
• Optimize video descriptions: Write detailed and keyword-rich descriptions for your videos. Include relevant information about the content of your videos and use keywords that are commonly searched on Google. This can help your videos rank higher in Google search results and attract more viewers.
• Add relevant tags: Use relevant tags that are related to the content of your videos and are commonly searched on Google. This can help your videos appear in Google search results when viewers search for related topics.

15. Encourage Viewers to Like and Subscribe Using End Cards or Text Overlays

Engaging with your viewers and building a loyal audience is crucial to growing your YouTube channel. Encouraging viewers to like and subscribe to your channel can help increase engagement and loyalty.

End cards are a great way to remind users to like and subscribe. You can also use them to plug YouTube Merch and other videos on the channel, like the example from Funhaus beneath.

When encouraging viewers to like and subscribe, remember to:

• Include a call-to-action (CTA): Clearly ask viewers to like and subscribe to your channel in your videos. You can do this verbally in your video or by adding a text overlay or end screen with a CTA.
• Offer value: Provide valuable content that resonates with your viewers and encourages them to take action. When viewers find your content helpful, entertaining, or informative, they are more likely to like and subscribe to your channel.
• Engage with your viewers: Respond to comments, questions, and messages from your viewers.

16. Create Custom Playlists

Custom playlists are a powerful tool to organize and showcase your videos, and they can help increase viewer engagement and retention.

By creating playlists based on specific topics, themes, or series, you can encourage viewers to watch more of your videos and spend more time on your channel.

When creating custom playlists, keep the following tips in mind:

• Use descriptive titles: Choose descriptive titles for your playlists that accurately reflect the content of the videos included in the playlist. This can help viewers understand what to expect from the playlist and encourage them to click and watch.
• Arrange videos strategically: Arrange videos in your playlists strategically to create a natural flow and keep viewers engaged. You can arrange videos in chronological order, by topic, or by series, depending on what makes sense for your content.
• Promote your playlists: Promote your playlists in your video descriptions, end screens, and community posts. You can also pin your playlists to the top of your channel’s homepage to make them more prominent and easily accessible to your viewers.

17. Use Live Streaming to Promote Your Channel

Live streaming is a great way to engage with your audience in real time and promote your YouTube channel. Live streams can create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, and they can help you connect with your viewers on a more personal level.

When using live streaming to promote your channel, follow these tips:

• Plan your live streams: Plan your live streams in advance and promote them on your channel, social media, and other online platforms. Create a compelling title, thumbnail, and description for your live stream to attract viewers and generate interest.
• Interact with your audience: Engage with your audience during your live streams by responding to their comments, questions, and messages. This can help you build a loyal and engaged community around your channel.
• Repurpose live streams: After your live stream ends, consider repurposing the content into shorter videos or highlights that you can upload to your channel. This can help you reach a wider audience and provide additional value to your viewers.

18. Create Content for YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts is a popular feature that allows you to create short-form vertical videos for YouTube. Creating content for YouTube Shorts can help you reach a new audience and increase your channel's visibility.

YouTube Shorts is YouTube’s answer to TikTok and plenty of channels use recycled content from their longer form content as Shorts. Similar to TikTok, when a user is viewing a Shorts video, they simply swipe up to view the next.

It is a great way for users to discover new channels, which is why it’s important to make use of this video format if you want to grow your channel.

When creating content for YouTube Shorts, you should:

• Keep it short and engaging: YouTube Shorts videos are typically 15 seconds or less. Make sure your content is concise, engaging, and captures viewers' attention within the first few seconds.
• Optimize for vertical format: These videos are designed to be viewed in a vertical format, so optimize them accordingly. Use text, captions, and graphics that are easy to read on mobile devices.
• Use trending topics and hashtags: YouTube Shorts are often discovered through hashtags and trending topics, so use relevant hashtags and participate in popular challenges or trends to increase your visibility and reach.
• Promote your Shorts on other platforms: Promote your YouTube Shorts on your other social media platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter, to drive traffic to your videos and increase your channel's exposure.

19. Collaborate With Other Content Creators

Collaborating with other content creators on YouTube can be a powerful strategy to grow your channel. By teaming up with creators who have a similar niche or target audience, you can leverage each other's audiences and gain exposure to new viewers.

Here are some tips for successful collaborations:

• Choose the right partners: Look for content creators who have a similar niche or target audience as your channel. Make sure their content aligns with your brand and values. Consider their audience size, engagement, and overall reputation when selecting collaborators.
• Plan the collaboration: Collaborations can take many forms, such as guest appearances in each other's videos, co-creating content, or hosting joint live streams. Plan the collaboration together, and establish clear expectations and goals for the partnership.
• Promote each other: When collaborating, be sure to promote each other's content on your respective channels and social media platforms. This cross-promotion can help introduce your channels to each other's audiences and drive traffic to your channels.
• Provide value to your viewers: The collaboration should bring value to your viewers. Create content that is entertaining, informative, and engaging for your audience, and ensure that the collaboration adds value to their experience.

20. Run a Paid Campaign

If you’re still struggling to gain a following, even after following all these tips, running a paid campaign is your last resort.

Running a paid campaign can be an effective way to promote your YouTube channel and reach a wider audience.

If you are considering running an ad campaign, be sure to:

• Define your goals: Before starting a paid campaign, define your goals. Are you looking to increase subscribers, drive more views, or promote a specific video? Knowing your goals will help you create a targeted campaign.
• Set a budget: Determine your budget for the paid campaign. You can start with a small budget and scale up as you see results. Be mindful of your spending and monitor the campaign's performance closely.
• Choose the right ad format: YouTube offers various ad formats, such as pre-roll ads, display ads, and sponsored cards. Choose the format that best aligns with your goals and target audience.
• Target your audience: Use YouTube's targeting options to reach your desired audience. You can target people based on demographics, interests, keywords, and more. Refine your targeting to ensure that your ads are shown to the right people.
• Create compelling ads: Your ads should be visually appealing, engaging, and relevant to your target audience. Use clear messaging, calls-to-action, and compelling visuals to entice viewers to click on your ads and visit your channel.
• Monitor and optimize: Regularly monitor the performance of your paid campaign and make adjustments as needed. Analyze the data, identify trends, and optimize your campaign to improve its effectiveness.

Ready to Grow Your YouTube Channel?

YouTube can be a very powerful tool when it comes to growing your business, your website, or your personal profile as an influencer or thought leader in your niche.

All you need to do is create great video content consistently, engage your audience, and leverage the different features and tools that you have at your disposal. I hope the tips and tricks that I’ve mentioned in this article will help you grow your channel.

Have you used any of these tips and tricks for YouTube before? Which of them has worked? Please share your experiences and insights in the comments below.