5 answers
Logan
Student
Sedro-Woolley, Washington
2
Questions
Updated
713 views
How Can I Improve my YouTube Channel?
I know this isn't related to actual jobs made by employers since this is more of a freelance thing, but I think it's best if I ask anyway and see if anyone has any useful information.
I run a YouTube channel called MGLR, and I've been wanting to improve on my channel to make sure I can make the most out of my content. However, because of certain issues, I can't really make any videos recently, so I'm not getting the growth that I need. I know the basics of running a YouTube channel and creating more gaming videos, such as:
- Researching the YouTube algorithm
- Studying what other, more popular YouTubers do and take inspiration from them
- Studying the current trends and see if I can follow those gaming trends
- Creating a consistent schedule to keep my viewers on my channel
- I use OBS Studio to record my videos, Audacity/Reaper to record the voice/audio and make sure it sounds high-quality
- I edit my videos with Shotcut for more basic edits, but I sometimes use DaVinci Resolve in case I need to make much more advanced edits
- I use Photopea to create my thumbnails for free, and I've used techniques that others use to entice viewers to clicking
- Reaching out to the community and keeping up to date on the reviews of my channel
However, because of other complications, I sometimes won't be able to do these things. I'll do my best if I can somehow get it done, but the schedule is what I'm struggling with.
But that's not what I'm asking as of right now. What I want to know is if there are any other techniques that I do not yet know of that I can use to improve my YouTube channel. If there are any, let me know. I'd love to hear it.
Thanks!
Logan X. "MGLR" Reynolds
"Be yourself, because you will get more views."
- Thomas "TommyInnit" Simons
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5 answers
Latricia Friend, MBA, CHM
Consultant and Trainer in Hospitality/Private Service
21
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Latricia’s Answer
Hi, Logan
The quote that you end your signature line with provides your answer: "Be yourself, because you will get more views."
Besides gaming, what other content do you share about "Logan?" This does not mean all aspects of yourself or personal information, just the one or two that show you are more than just a gamer. If you are also interested in sports or the outdoors, perhaps posting Shorts about the hikes you have taken or a Reel of you practicing scoring a basket/goal/etc. If you are preparing for college or to graduate, talk about that process and how that process parallels gaming overall or a particular game.
'Like, Know, Trust' is a term that you may be familiar with - the like and know may have been established by your content so far - getting to trust means sharing and being vulnerable - it's what connects us.
Cheering your success!
The quote that you end your signature line with provides your answer: "Be yourself, because you will get more views."
Besides gaming, what other content do you share about "Logan?" This does not mean all aspects of yourself or personal information, just the one or two that show you are more than just a gamer. If you are also interested in sports or the outdoors, perhaps posting Shorts about the hikes you have taken or a Reel of you practicing scoring a basket/goal/etc. If you are preparing for college or to graduate, talk about that process and how that process parallels gaming overall or a particular game.
'Like, Know, Trust' is a term that you may be familiar with - the like and know may have been established by your content so far - getting to trust means sharing and being vulnerable - it's what connects us.
Cheering your success!
Jeremy Alemany
Manager
4
Answers
Hamilton Township, New Jersey
Updated
Jeremy’s Answer
YouTube is pretty simple but can very complex if you let it get that way.
I think you are on the right track with using OBS and Audacity. It is proven that having good audio will improve your videos. You should have a good microphone first, because people will forgive a low quality video, but they will not sit through a video with low quality audio.
YouTube is also huge on consistency. Once you create more videos, YouTube learns more about your channel and can promote it to the right people. I recently started making some short videos in addition to my long-form videos and I have seen a huge growth. I used to do about 4 videos per month, and once I increased to about 8-12 videos, I saw the growth increase tremendously. I am not a fan of having a schedule and I know it is frequently recommended by YouTube to have a schedule, but I have still seen the growth.
Gaming is a hard space on YouTube. A lot of creators in gaming will create for a few months and then stop. I learned that many of my favorite gaming YouTubers were able to go full-time in YouTube after about 5-7 years of creating videos. That is a commitment!
Lastly, it helped me a lot once I was able to get a video editor to help me out. I spent so much time editing videos, that it almost felt like another job. As the creator, we need to engage with the community and keep track of a lot of things (all in your original post). I found a video editor, and it helps me to keep creating the content and focus on the engagement to keep my viewers coming back.
I hope this helps!
I think you are on the right track with using OBS and Audacity. It is proven that having good audio will improve your videos. You should have a good microphone first, because people will forgive a low quality video, but they will not sit through a video with low quality audio.
YouTube is also huge on consistency. Once you create more videos, YouTube learns more about your channel and can promote it to the right people. I recently started making some short videos in addition to my long-form videos and I have seen a huge growth. I used to do about 4 videos per month, and once I increased to about 8-12 videos, I saw the growth increase tremendously. I am not a fan of having a schedule and I know it is frequently recommended by YouTube to have a schedule, but I have still seen the growth.
Gaming is a hard space on YouTube. A lot of creators in gaming will create for a few months and then stop. I learned that many of my favorite gaming YouTubers were able to go full-time in YouTube after about 5-7 years of creating videos. That is a commitment!
Lastly, it helped me a lot once I was able to get a video editor to help me out. I spent so much time editing videos, that it almost felt like another job. As the creator, we need to engage with the community and keep track of a lot of things (all in your original post). I found a video editor, and it helps me to keep creating the content and focus on the engagement to keep my viewers coming back.
I hope this helps!
Isabella Diaz
I have worked at Jersey Mike's as a sandwich maker as well as cashier
1
Answer
Kansas City, Missouri
Updated
Isabella’s Answer
Hi! As someone with a bit of experience in having a youtube channel, I have looked in to yours and in my opinion, your videos and thumbnails are very well made; however, when it comes down to improving I would say you have basically done a majority of it.
It just comes down to advertising yourself and showing off what you make and what you can give to the audience. I would say you can start with Tik tok or any other social medias showing clips of your channel. Another tip is to try and stream on platforms like twitch, it might not give too many viewers but finding what people will look for will help you.
Theses are the main things to look out for first before going more into depth about youtube. Create an audience first and then as time goes on you will have loyal viewers which will lead you to improve on your content.
Posting on Social Media (ex: Tik Tok, Instagram..)
Live Streaming on Twitch or Other Platforms
It just comes down to advertising yourself and showing off what you make and what you can give to the audience. I would say you can start with Tik tok or any other social medias showing clips of your channel. Another tip is to try and stream on platforms like twitch, it might not give too many viewers but finding what people will look for will help you.
Theses are the main things to look out for first before going more into depth about youtube. Create an audience first and then as time goes on you will have loyal viewers which will lead you to improve on your content.
Isabella recommends the following next steps:
Ebonie H
Sales Analyst
3
Answers
Evansville, Indiana
Updated
Ebonie’s Answer
Improving a YouTube channel depends on your niche, target audience, and content style, but here are some general strategies that can help you grow and optimize your channel:
1. **Content Quality**
- **Focus on a niche**: Create content tailored to a specific audience. It’s easier to build a loyal following when your channel has a clear focus.
- **Script and plan your videos**: Ensure your videos have a logical flow, good storytelling, and a clear message.
- **Improve video and audio quality**: Invest in better equipment as your channel grows. Good lighting, clear audio, and higher resolution improve the viewer experience.
2. **Consistency and Frequency**
- **Upload regularly**: Whether it’s once a week or more, be consistent with your uploads so your audience knows when to expect new content.
- **Batch content**: If possible, create multiple videos at once and schedule them. This helps you stay consistent even if you can’t film regularly.
3. **Engage with Your Audience**
- **Respond to comments**: Create a community by engaging with viewers in the comments. Ask them questions and encourage them to share their thoughts.
- **Call to action**: Encourage likes, comments, and subscriptions. Ask viewers to click the notification bell to stay updated.
- **Polls & community posts**: Utilize YouTube’s community features to engage with your subscribers between video uploads.
4. **Promote Your Channel**
- **Share on social media**: Promote your videos on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook to reach a broader audience.
- **Collaborate with others**: Partner with other YouTubers in your niche. Collaboration helps you tap into their audience while offering value to your own.
- **Cross-promotion**: If you have other online platforms (blog, podcast, etc.), promote your channel across these.
5. **Analyze and Improve**
- **Study your analytics**: Review YouTube analytics to understand what’s working and what isn’t. Look at metrics like watch time, audience retention, and click-through rate (CTR).
- **Test and adapt**: Experiment with different types of content, styles, and lengths, and adjust based on viewer feedback and performance.
6. **Stay Updated**
- Keep up with YouTube trends, algorithm updates, and new features to maximize your channel's reach and engagement.
1. **Content Quality**
- **Focus on a niche**: Create content tailored to a specific audience. It’s easier to build a loyal following when your channel has a clear focus.
- **Script and plan your videos**: Ensure your videos have a logical flow, good storytelling, and a clear message.
- **Improve video and audio quality**: Invest in better equipment as your channel grows. Good lighting, clear audio, and higher resolution improve the viewer experience.
2. **Consistency and Frequency**
- **Upload regularly**: Whether it’s once a week or more, be consistent with your uploads so your audience knows when to expect new content.
- **Batch content**: If possible, create multiple videos at once and schedule them. This helps you stay consistent even if you can’t film regularly.
3. **Engage with Your Audience**
- **Respond to comments**: Create a community by engaging with viewers in the comments. Ask them questions and encourage them to share their thoughts.
- **Call to action**: Encourage likes, comments, and subscriptions. Ask viewers to click the notification bell to stay updated.
- **Polls & community posts**: Utilize YouTube’s community features to engage with your subscribers between video uploads.
4. **Promote Your Channel**
- **Share on social media**: Promote your videos on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook to reach a broader audience.
- **Collaborate with others**: Partner with other YouTubers in your niche. Collaboration helps you tap into their audience while offering value to your own.
- **Cross-promotion**: If you have other online platforms (blog, podcast, etc.), promote your channel across these.
5. **Analyze and Improve**
- **Study your analytics**: Review YouTube analytics to understand what’s working and what isn’t. Look at metrics like watch time, audience retention, and click-through rate (CTR).
- **Test and adapt**: Experiment with different types of content, styles, and lengths, and adjust based on viewer feedback and performance.
6. **Stay Updated**
- Keep up with YouTube trends, algorithm updates, and new features to maximize your channel's reach and engagement.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
614
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Logan,
It sounds like you've got a strong foundation for your YouTube channel, and you're already using some great tools and techniques. Here are a few additional strategies that might help you take your channel to the next level:
1. Content Pillars and Series
- Content Pillars: Identify key themes or types of content that perform well on your channel, and stick to them as your main focus. This helps create consistency and builds a loyal audience.
- Series: Create a series of videos that connect with each other. For example, "Let's Play" series, challenges, tutorials, or exploration series in Minecraft. This encourages viewers to watch multiple videos, increasing watch time and engagement.
2. Engagement through Interactive Content
- Polls and Community Posts: Use YouTube’s Community tab to engage with your audience through polls, questions, or updates. This can help you stay connected with your audience even when you’re not posting videos.
- Livestreaming: Consider occasional live streams where you play Minecraft and interact with your audience in real time. It’s a great way to build a community and increase viewer loyalty.
3. Collaborations
- Collaborate with Other Creators: Partner with other YouTubers, especially those in the Minecraft or gaming community, to cross-promote each other’s channels. This can expose you to new audiences and help grow your subscriber base.
4. SEO and Metadata Optimization
- Tags and Descriptions: Make sure your video tags, titles, and descriptions are optimized for SEO. Use tools like TubeBuddy or vidIQ to find relevant keywords that people are searching for.
- Transcriptions and Captions: Adding captions or transcriptions can improve accessibility and also help with search engine ranking.
5. Analyze and Adjust
- Analytics Deep Dive: Regularly analyze your YouTube Analytics to understand what content works best, which videos have the highest retention rates, and where your traffic is coming from. Adjust your content strategy based on this data.
- A/B Testing Thumbnails: Test different thumbnail designs to see which ones have higher click-through rates. Even small changes can make a big difference in viewer engagement.
6. Monetization Strategies
- Patreon or Memberships: If you have a loyal fan base, consider offering exclusive content or perks through platforms like Patreon or YouTube Memberships. This can provide an additional revenue stream.
- Merchandise: If applicable, you could explore creating and selling merchandise related to your channel’s branding or popular Minecraft themes.
7. Diversify Content Types
- Shorts: Use YouTube Shorts to reach a wider audience quickly. These short, engaging videos can attract viewers who may not yet know about your channel.
- Tutorials or Guides: Create tutorial videos that solve specific problems or teach viewers how to do something in Minecraft. These videos often have long-term value and can consistently bring in views.
8. Build a Strong Brand Identity
- Channel Branding: Ensure your channel banner, logo, and overall aesthetic are consistent and reflective of your content. A strong brand identity helps your channel stand out.
- Intro and Outro: Create a consistent intro and outro for your videos that reinforce your brand and encourage viewers to like, comment, and subscribe.
9. Engage with Other Platforms
- Social Media: Promote your videos on other social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok. Use these platforms to tease upcoming content or share behind-the-scenes footage.
- Reddit and Forums: Engage with the Minecraft community on Reddit or other gaming forums. Share your videos there, but be mindful of each community’s rules regarding self-promotion.
If you implement some of these strategies, you'll likely see positive growth on your channel. Keep experimenting and adjusting based on what works best for you and your audience.
Best wishes!
It sounds like you've got a strong foundation for your YouTube channel, and you're already using some great tools and techniques. Here are a few additional strategies that might help you take your channel to the next level:
1. Content Pillars and Series
- Content Pillars: Identify key themes or types of content that perform well on your channel, and stick to them as your main focus. This helps create consistency and builds a loyal audience.
- Series: Create a series of videos that connect with each other. For example, "Let's Play" series, challenges, tutorials, or exploration series in Minecraft. This encourages viewers to watch multiple videos, increasing watch time and engagement.
2. Engagement through Interactive Content
- Polls and Community Posts: Use YouTube’s Community tab to engage with your audience through polls, questions, or updates. This can help you stay connected with your audience even when you’re not posting videos.
- Livestreaming: Consider occasional live streams where you play Minecraft and interact with your audience in real time. It’s a great way to build a community and increase viewer loyalty.
3. Collaborations
- Collaborate with Other Creators: Partner with other YouTubers, especially those in the Minecraft or gaming community, to cross-promote each other’s channels. This can expose you to new audiences and help grow your subscriber base.
4. SEO and Metadata Optimization
- Tags and Descriptions: Make sure your video tags, titles, and descriptions are optimized for SEO. Use tools like TubeBuddy or vidIQ to find relevant keywords that people are searching for.
- Transcriptions and Captions: Adding captions or transcriptions can improve accessibility and also help with search engine ranking.
5. Analyze and Adjust
- Analytics Deep Dive: Regularly analyze your YouTube Analytics to understand what content works best, which videos have the highest retention rates, and where your traffic is coming from. Adjust your content strategy based on this data.
- A/B Testing Thumbnails: Test different thumbnail designs to see which ones have higher click-through rates. Even small changes can make a big difference in viewer engagement.
6. Monetization Strategies
- Patreon or Memberships: If you have a loyal fan base, consider offering exclusive content or perks through platforms like Patreon or YouTube Memberships. This can provide an additional revenue stream.
- Merchandise: If applicable, you could explore creating and selling merchandise related to your channel’s branding or popular Minecraft themes.
7. Diversify Content Types
- Shorts: Use YouTube Shorts to reach a wider audience quickly. These short, engaging videos can attract viewers who may not yet know about your channel.
- Tutorials or Guides: Create tutorial videos that solve specific problems or teach viewers how to do something in Minecraft. These videos often have long-term value and can consistently bring in views.
8. Build a Strong Brand Identity
- Channel Branding: Ensure your channel banner, logo, and overall aesthetic are consistent and reflective of your content. A strong brand identity helps your channel stand out.
- Intro and Outro: Create a consistent intro and outro for your videos that reinforce your brand and encourage viewers to like, comment, and subscribe.
9. Engage with Other Platforms
- Social Media: Promote your videos on other social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok. Use these platforms to tease upcoming content or share behind-the-scenes footage.
- Reddit and Forums: Engage with the Minecraft community on Reddit or other gaming forums. Share your videos there, but be mindful of each community’s rules regarding self-promotion.
If you implement some of these strategies, you'll likely see positive growth on your channel. Keep experimenting and adjusting based on what works best for you and your audience.
Best wishes!