In today’s digital age, building a strong presence on YouTube can be a game-changer for personal brands and businesses. In Episode 003 of The Brand Up Podcast, Marian Esanu shares actionable insights on how to Grow Your YouTube Influence effectively, whether you’re just starting out or looking to increase engagement. From gaining traction in search to leveraging powerful YouTube tools, these tactics can elevate your channel and help you reach a larger audience.
Key Takeaways: Growing Your YouTube Influence
Marian discusses several strategies designed to boost your YouTube channel’s reach, attract more followers, and improve your overall visibility. These tried-and-true methods can help you stand out in the crowded YouTube landscape. Here’s a breakdown of the top three tactics from the episode.
🎯 1. Focus on YouTube Search Traffic
YouTube is the world’s second-largest search engine, making search traffic one of the most effective ways to Grow Your YouTube Influence. Understanding what people search for in your niche can help attract an organic audience. Marian’s tips on harnessing this traffic include:
- Research Relevant Keywords: Tools like Keywords Everywhere can reveal popular search phrases on both Google and YouTube. These insights allow you to tailor your content to align with what people are actively searching for, making it more likely that your videos will appear in search results.
- Optimize Video Descriptions and Tags: Using tools like TubeBuddy, Marian suggests optimizing not just the video title but also the description and tags. Consistently using well-researched keywords can help your videos rank better on YouTube and draw a more targeted audience.
🌐 2. Identify “Hidden Gems” for Targeted Content
Creating videos around high-demand topics without high competition is a powerful way to Grow Your YouTube Influence. Here’s how Marian recommends finding these golden opportunities:
- Identify Smaller Channels with High View Counts: Look for channels with under 5,000 subscribers that are achieving high views on specific videos. This suggests that the topic resonates with viewers despite a smaller following. Crafting similar videos on these topics allows you to capture the attention of viewers interested in those searches.
- Mirror Successful Tags and Descriptions: When you spot a high-performing video on a smaller channel, take note of the tags, video description, and title used. Implementing similar keywords and content structures can help increase your chances of being recommended in YouTube’s suggested videos.
🔄 3. Leverage Playlists and End Screens to Keep Viewers Engaged
Keeping viewers on your channel for longer durations sends positive signals to YouTube’s algorithm, which can help you Grow Your YouTube Influence. Marian shares these two strategic ways to keep viewers engaged:
- Create Playlists: Group videos by topic or series and share the playlist link instead of individual video links. If you include an unlisted video as the first in the playlist, you can use it as an entry point for your email subscribers, which allows you to engage viewers directly while they watch multiple videos in sequence.
- Use a Call to Action for the Next Video: Never end a video with a goodbye. Instead, give viewers a call-to-action to watch another video. For example, say, “If you found this helpful, check out my next video on XYZ.” This keeps viewers engaged with your content, increasing the likelihood of being recommended.
Additional Insights from Marian’s Workshop
During a recent workshop in Toronto, Marian learned valuable tips from successful YouTuber Evan Carmichael. These insights include:
- Track Analytics Consistently: Analytics provide a clear picture of how videos are performing. Paying close attention to metrics like watch time, click-through rate, and audience retention can help you understand what type of content resonates with your audience.
- Balance Content Creation with Engagement: It’s essential to maintain a balance between creating new content and engaging with viewers in the comments. This fosters a community around your channel, encouraging repeat viewership.
Tools to Help You Grow Your YouTube Influence
To effectively execute these tactics, Marian recommends utilizing a few essential tools:
- Keywords Everywhere: This Google Chrome extension provides valuable insights into keyword volume, allowing you to tailor your content for high-traffic search terms.
- TubeBuddy: Another Chrome extension, TubeBuddy, offers detailed analytics on how specific phrases rank, helping you choose the most effective keywords and tags.
Bringing It All Together
Building influence on YouTube requires a combination of strategic content planning, keyword research, and viewer engagement. By focusing on search traffic, creating targeted content around lesser-known but high-traffic topics, and keeping viewers engaged through playlists and calls-to-action, you can steadily grow your presence and Grow Your YouTube Influence.
Resources mentioned by Marian:
Connect with Marian on Social:
►Instagram: @marianvesanu
►Facebook: @marianvesanulive
►Twitter: @marianvesanu
►LinkedIn: Marian Esanu
