If you're a content creator looking to grow your channel, you probably know that getting people to subscribe is one of the most important things you can do. In fact, 

 is a prerequisite for earning advertising revenue through the YouTube Partner Program.

Although it's natural to assume that people 

 subscribe, some practices make the job easier. Keep reading to learn what they are!

Strategy 1: Use Buttons and Links to Get More Subscribers

Sometimes, all you need to do on YouTube is 

 for people to hit subscribe. That's where custom links and buttons come in handy. These assets allow people to subscribe to your channel in seconds by simply tapping a button or clicking on a link.

This is the first step on your journey towards getting more subscribers. You've probably seen a subscribe button on YouTube here and there, but this hack is so good that it's worth mentioning again.

That's because adding a subscribe button to your videos is one of the easiest ways to grow your audience. It reminds viewers that they can subscribe to your channel and stay up to date with your latest content. 

Adding a subscribe button is fairly simple.

1. Log in to your YouTube account and go to the 

. Click on the "Customization" tab in the left-hand menu.

2. Within the customization tab, click on the "Branding" tab.

3. Scroll down until you see the "Watermark" option. Click "Upload" to select an image for your watermark.

Note: Your watermark (or subscribe button) appears in the bottom right-hand corner of your videos. You may have to choose which part of the image you want to display using the image selector.

4. Choose a display time for your watermark: at the end of a video, the entire video, or a custom start time.

Choose a display time for the YouTube watermark

And that's it. Save these changes to get the most out of your content.

End screens are those little pop-ups that appear at the end of your videos. You can use them to promote your other videos or encourage viewers to subscribe to your channel. While the end screen is active, be sure to tell viewers what you want them to do. If you're reading this post, you probably want them to hit subscribe more than anything!

To add a subscribe button to your end screen, do the following:

1. Upload a YouTube video as you normally would. There are five steps to complete: video details, monetization, video elements, checks, and visibility.

2. On the video elements screen, look for 

Add an end screen step in video upload process

Now you can place a clickable subscribe button near the end of your video. The button will look like your channel's profile photo, so you don't have to upload any more images. 

Use the video timeline to determine how long each element appears on the screen, including subscribe buttons. Save the changes and continue uploading!

Add a Subscribe Link to Your Video Description

Links are another handy tool for driving more subscriptions to your YouTube channel. Best of all, they allow viewers to click and subscribe without having to search for a proper button.

Here's how to make your own subscription link:

1. Go to your channel's homepage, then copy the URL from the address bar of your web browser.

2. Open a text editor on your computer, then paste in the URL. Add 

For example, if the URL you pasted is https://www.youtube.com/user/WikiHow?view_as=subscriber, it should now look like https://www.youtube.com/user/WikiHow?view_as=subscriber?sub_confirmation=1.

Once you've created your subscribe link, test it to make sure it goes to your channel's subscribe page.

You can also use a phone or a tablet to create a subscribe link

 for viewers who aren't go-to desktop users.

Every viewer doesn't come to your channel from the YouTube homepage or a featured section on the app. A few of them come from different regions of the internet. If you have a website, embedding a subscribe button there is a great way to grow your channel 

 to go to the YouTube subscribe button page.

Configure a YouTube subscribe button page

2. Customize your button. You can choose the layout, theme, and size of the button to fit your website's design.

3. Copy the code below your button, then paste it into the appropriate section of your website.

This will embed the button on your site, and you'll gain a new subscriber whenever someone clicks it.

Strategy 2: Use Content and Community to Grow Your Subscribers

Now that you know some "technical ways" to boost your subscribers on YouTube, here's another alternative to explore: 

 Sometimes that's all you need to spread the word about your channel and attract more fans.

You can make it happen in four different ways:

Creating playlists on YouTube is a great way to grow your channel, and earn you more subscribers in the process. Organizing your videos under specific playlists allows your viewers to go on a binge session, giving you 

 and increasing the likelihood of them subscribing.

Playlists also play a role in making you more discoverable and improving your channel's SEO.

 So, don’t forget to use optimal titles and descriptions for them, just like your regular videos.

Collaborating with other YouTubers is a great way to expand your audience and get more viewers. If they like what they see, they might even subscribe! Find other creators in your niche and reach out to them to see if they're interested in collaborating on a video or project.

No matter the size of your channel, collabs are refreshing because your viewers get to see unique content from you. If you feel that your content has been sluggish lately, collabs may be something you could consider doing.

The Top 5 YouTube Collaboration Ideas to Try Right Now

Don't forget to promote your channel on social media. Share your videos on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and any other social media platforms where your target audience hangs out. 

Popular Social Media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

Not only does this broaden your horizon and bring you more viewers, but it also keeps your options open and enables you to migrate to another platform if need be.

Welcome New Subscribers and Celebrate Old Ones

The best way to build a strong and loyal community is by including and appreciating both new and returning subscribers. Engaging with your viewers in the comment section because you never know how it might make someone’s day!

Remember, if someone took time out of their day to click on your video and leave a comment or a like, there's a chance they'd be willing to subscribe to you. And putting in just a little effort to give them a good reason might go a long way.

Getting subscribers on YouTube can be very difficult, and simply buying them may seem like a good alternative. But did you know that could hurt the growth of your channel in the long run?

Here's a secret formula you can use to get more subscribers instead.

Cursor hovering over red subscribe button on video streaming platform interface

If you want to make a living on YouTube, gaining subscribers has to be among your top priorities. Here's how to accomplish that in 8 powerful ways.

8 Ways to Help Viewers Subscribe to Your YouTube Channel

As video quality gets better, viewers expect more from their favorite YouTube channels. They want well-edited scenes that take them on cinematic journey. Visuals that keep their eyes glued to the screen. These days, you can bet that anyone 

 do have something in common. They captivate viewers by breaking up the monotonous scenes before them, adding a new perspective to the overall experience. Instead of watching you talk for 10 minutes, viewers can enjoy clips from an actual experience you had or even a "how-to" demonstration — anything that adds depth and variety.

Before we talk about B-roll, let's first understand what A-roll is. 

A-roll is the primary footage in your video, and it usually contains the original sound source within your content i.e., your voice output from a microphone. 

 used to make A-roll more dynamic and interesting. These clips help to provide context, enhance storytelling, and ultimately make your video more engaging to watch.

The first step in using B-roll effectively is to plan out your content visually. Think about the story you want to tell, then determine how B-roll footage can help support that narrative. It helps to

 you'd like to capture, including A-roll and B-roll, then put them in order sequentially to create the structure of your video.

Depending on the type of video you’re shooting and related factors, you can choose stock footage or shoot your own B-roll. There are tons of awesome services like 

 that can give you free B-roll with few copyright restrictions.

If you need to shoot your own B-roll, you may have to scout for a location or shoot at a particular time of the day. Planning will definitely help with that as well.

It’s disheartening for viewers when your B-roll doesn't have enough variety or seems to repeat every few seconds. To keep them engaged (and 

), make sure to capture a variety of shots:

And here are four camera angles you can also experiment with:

Captures subject from below, emphasizing size and depth.

 Shot from above, highlighting vulnerability or overview of a scene.

Tilted camera for disorientation or tension. Use it sparingly.

Adds depth and perspective to captures a subject's reaction.

A shaky camera can lead to messy B-roll and detract from the overall quality of your video. When shooting B-roll footage, make sure to use a tripod, monopod, or gimbal to keep your shots steady and professional-looking.

With a steady hand, you can help viewers concentrate on your video and the story it tells.

B-roll is all about the details, whether you're using drone footage over the Mediterranean or a close-up of your latest iPhone 14. When shooting, look for interesting textures, colors, and patterns to include in your shots, as these can add depth and visual interest to your videos.

Detailed high-resolution image through lens

Good lighting makes a difference too. Whenever possible, shoot during the "golden hour" (the hour just after sunrise or just before sunset) to capture the most flattering and visually appealing light. Additionally, be aware of any harsh shadows or overexposed areas in your shots, as these detract from the overall quality of your footage.

If you remember only one thing from this post, remember that how you edit your B-roll is massively important. It's supposed to complement your A-roll, so pay attention to how B-roll flows into the clip before it and the clip after it. Aim for smooth transitions, and don't be afraid to experiment with different techniques, such as match cuts (using elements of one scene in transition to the next scene) or crossfades.

Also, try to avoid awkward jump cuts and back-to-back cuts that come too fast. Replace them with some B-roll instead! This video by 

In today's world, there’s almost no such thing as running out of storage space. There are hard drives, digital drives, or computers you can buy that have enough gigabytes to store all of your content. So realistically, you can 

Just keep filming if you think you don't have enough content. After all, it's better to have much too much video than not enough video for your final edit. Even if you don't use the footage today, it will still be there when you need B-roll for a future project.

And you never know. Mastering the art of tasteful B-roll could be the key to elevating your videos! It helps you produce a captivating story by showing the action itself, not the person talking about it. So give these tips a try to enhance your content.

And while you’re at it, 

check out this awesome way to get more YouTube viewers!

Close-up of vintage film camera with unrolled 35mm photo film and photo prints on table

Are your YouTube videos looking bland and uninspiring? The solution might be using better B-roll. Learn how to shoot it below!

How to Film Engaging B-Roll for YouTube Videos

Every creator needs a few things to build a successful YouTube video: a good title, an attractive thumbnail, an addictive hook, and, most importantly, some really dope, well-edited content! And this doesn't apply to just regular YouTube videos. You need these tools to create viral YouTube Shorts, too, except you only have 60 seconds to work with.

2 billion active monthly users and 15 billion views

 generated daily, YouTube Shorts is the golden egg you simply can't ignore. So, we picked out the most-viewed Shorts to understand how and why they viral in 2023. Let's begin!

How to Get More YouTube Shorts Views on Your Channel

A classic YouTube switch and bait, the title of this video is bound to infuriate viewers. But, by the end, the video takes a wholesome turn and we have our faiths restored! The storytelling in the video, accompanied by good music and simple editing, gives it a genuine feel, and we as viewers feel more emotionally invested.

Telling a wholesome story is great, but sprinkle some artistic talent on top, and voila, you have an instantly viral Short. This creator uses his spray painting skills to paint his daughters’ favorite cartoon. The reveal, along with the uplifting music, leaves us with no other choice but to leave this man a like!

Documents a creative process, behind-the-scenes style

If you’re addicted to watching cleaning videos on YouTube, then this one shouldn’t be surprising. Just look at how all that dirt washes off in seconds: Isn’t that so satisfying? The editing is crisp too, adding to the overall positive viewing experience.

One thing that rarely fails on YouTube, or any other social media for that matter, is achieving expertise in your skill. Couple that with a unique idea and some cool editing, and you have what it takes to make a viral Short. This man’s parkour skills will leave you wanting more!

Displays an exciting talent (parkour jumps)

Uses that talent to remix a popular game (tic-tac-toe)

Employs a level of creativity beyond most videos

What do you get when you mix two of the most popular search terms on YouTube? A viral Short! Food videos are great to watch, but adding that ASMR element takes it to the next level. The editing is absolutely world-class as well, giving us some awesome sound effects.

Efficient editing leaves no dulls moments

Prepares an unexpected treat (a three-layer s'more)

Fast-moving clips and sound effects command your full attention

Challenges, especially creative ones, seem to do well in all formats on YouTube. The stakes are high in this video, which keeps the audience hooked until the very end to see who wins the game. Challenges like these are fun to watch and can be remixed by any creator looking to reach more viewers on YouTube.

Shows a unique challenge with high stakes

Ends on a high note and plot twist (the winner doesn't like milk)

Another massively popular category on YouTube is comedy. Although funny Shorts may seem like a saturated niche, you can't fail when your story is original and relatable. In this video, a problem we have all faced before becomes an entertaining comedy skit!

The problem keeps escalating, making the Short even funnier

Another challenge video, but this time it’s physical sports. Watching this video will give you a rush of adrenaline as participants move through different stages of the race by playing popular sports we all love! The commentary adds to the hype of the video and keeps you glued to your seat.

Keeps you engaged with action-packed adventure

Motivational commentary hypes up the challenge

Shows a feel-good moment (the victor celebrating)

Want to create your own viral Short? It’s simple: Just become a master at editing! Here we have the king of transitions and mind-blowing edits himself, casually stealing the Big Ben, or so it appears. This Short reinforces the idea that if you can master a single aspect of YouTube creativity, viewers will flock to your channel!

Shows a familiar yet entertaining character (the pocket thief) 

Takes editing to a new level of excitement

Shows viewers a cool trick they've never seen before

You can't talk about the most-viewed YouTube Shorts, or any kind of video on YouTube, and not mention MrBeast! This Short reminds us that the fundamental aspect of what makes a good video, regardless of format, is good storytelling! The title makes you click, and the content makes sure you stay until the end.

Shows a cool plot twist (buying someone a Disneyland ticket)

Captures the emotional satisfaction of the recipient

Fast-paced editing leaves no dull moments

Capitalizing on popular trends is another great way to make your Short viral, especially now that trends migrate to every platform. Although some trends might originate from other platforms like Instagram or Tiktok, everything eventually comes to YouTube. And if you can add your unique twist, viewers might just repost your content!

Capitalizes on the trend of short reaction videos

Uplifting music makes the video enjoyable

8 Characteristics of Viral YouTube Shorts

So, there you have it. Shorts go viral on YouTube for a few reasons, but these are the most common:

The videos show a unique skill or talent.

There's a competition of some kind, often between friends.

The storytelling is on point (music, editing, special effects, etc.).

If you’re inspired by this list, get ready to upload your own Short! 

We've got you covered with 9 viral video ideas.

Magnified YouTube video views, likes, and dislikes count on computer screen close-up.

What makes a YouTube Short go viral? We analyzed the most popular ones in 2023 to find out!

Analyzing Popular YouTube Shorts: What Makes Them Go Viral?

The popularity of live streaming has taken the online media world by storm in the last few years. According to research by Statista, over 

 were consumed in the last quarter of 2022! If you’ve ever felt the desire to stream your content live, now is the time.

When it comes to live streaming, there’s always more than what meets the eye. It’s never as easy as switching on the camera and hoping to strike gold. But, with the right mindset and preparation, you just might! Here are 6 things to remember before hitting the “Go Live” button:

What do talk show hosts and good YouTube live streamers have in common? 

They can pass off their whole show as improvisation. 

They make it look easy, but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.

One of the most important things to remember when preparing for a live stream is to plan your content in advance. You don't want to find yourself struggling to come up with things to talk about during the stream. Instead, create a rough outline of the topics you'll be covering and prepare some notes to keep you on track. This will ensure that your stream stays focused and engaging.

2. Test Your Equipment and Internet Connection

Having a bad internet connection is probably the most frustrating thing for a streamer, followed closely by poor equipment.

Before going live, test your equipment and internet connection to ensure that everything is working correctly. Make sure your camera, microphone, and lighting are set up correctly and that your 

internet speed is fast enough to handle live streaming at your desired quality.

 Also, make sure your Live Control Room is set up properly. Here’s a video by YouTube Creators telling you how:

This might be controversial for some, but in this day and age, you simply have to promote your content. It could be as 

simple as scheduling your stream for a later time

You may also consider promoting on your social media channels, website, and email lists. Create a promotional video or image to share on your social media channels, and encourage your followers to set a reminder for the live stream. Consider collaborating with other creators to cross-promote your stream and reach a wider audience.

4. Choose Your Title and Thumbnail Wisely

Like all other content on YouTube, your streams need a creative title and eye-catching thumbnail. This can be a make-or-break factor for the success of your streams, as many people notice the thumbnail and title first.

Your content type plays a massive role in building the right thumbnail style. So before you open up Photoshop or Canva, think deeply about the videos you’re creating on YouTube. 

Think about creating winning thumbnails that your audience would love

Also, the quality of your titles may determine whether someone clicks on your live stream or scrolls right past it. Your titles should be the best blend of creativity and SEO, and the 

9 Ways to Write Exciting YouTube Titles for Your Videos

In the live streaming space, having a backup for your backup plan is a smart idea! No matter how well you plan, things can and will go wrong during a live stream.

Technical difficulties, unexpected interruptions, and other issues are extremely hurtful to your practice as a responsible live streamer. Always have a backup plan in place, such as pre-recorded content or a backup internet connection. This will ensure that you can quickly switch to an alternative option if something goes wrong.

OK, so you’ve followed every piece of advice here, but let's say your first stream didn’t get you any views. Believe it or not, every live stream creator has been there!

They say good things take time, so you need to be prepared when the opportunity comes. Committing to a schedule means you’ll do the work regardless of the view count. So, make a plan and execute. If you’re looking to build up a following, try to go live at a regular, consistent time. The views will follow soon.

Live streaming is set to become a $247 billion industry by 2027

. And YouTube being the main competitor to Twitch signifies the potential for growth and opportunity. 

Following these steps will get you started with live streaming on YouTube. If you want to take your game to the next level, 

check out these tools that’ll make your livestreams even better!

Female gamer streaming gameplay on dual monitors with professional microphone and headset

If you're ready to start live streaming on YouTube, keep these factors in mind for a better chance at success!

6 Things to Do Before Your First YouTube Live Stream

With over 210 million users in the U.S. alone,

 viewers' choices have become rapidly diverse on YouTube. Collaborating with a fellow YouTuber can help you attract more of those viewers and get extra watch time for your channel, a perk every creator wants!

A YouTube collab video is produced by two (or more) creators who typically work on separate accounts. By creating one video made for both of their audiences, the collaborators get to introduce new viewers to each other's content. 

So what's in it for you? Well, those new viewers may decide to visit your channel. If they like what they see, they might even subscribe!

Collabs are refreshing for your own audience as well because they get to see new content from you. Collaborations allow you to show different parts of your personality that you wouldn't usually express. You can play new games, explore exciting locations, and do much more with your new YouTube buddy.

Read More: YouTube Collabs - 6 Tips for an Awesome Video Project

Before you collab with other YouTubers, you need to be clear on who you’re collaborating with. Ideally, your collaborator has a similar audience size and shares your niche (at least partially). 

is for measuring yourself against similar creators, but it can help also help you find people to work with.

You can also check forums, subreddits, and other social communities where like-minded creators connect. Some of these will be paid communities, so you can expect a more serious crowd and look for potential collaborators.

Now that we've covered the basics, let’s dive into the five different collab ideas to try on your channel.

A YouTube classic, challenges have been a safe bet for most creators looking to do successful collabs over the years. It’s got everything a good collab needs: great clips, uncontrollable laughter, epic fails, and top-notch content. The staple challenges you can try are "Try Not To Laugh," "Never Have I Ever," "Best Friend Tag," and any 24-hour challenge, among others.

Challenges are flexible in the sense that you can do them remotely instead of meeting in person. So, no matter your niche, there’s a challenge video for you! 

With YouTube announcing exclusive dance challenges on Shorts from time to time

, you can also collaborate on trends like these!

This might not be feasible for many, but if you can, filming (or streaming) yourself doing fun activities outside is almost always a hit. IRL (In real life) might be one of the hardest kinds of content to make out there. Creators face technical difficulties, location-related issues, and the occasional “sniper” who wants to troll for fun. But the sheer variety of content that can be produced IRL should more than compensate for that.

Amusement parks, haunted houses, picturesque walks, or a short trip to the mountains, could be great ideas for IRL collabs.

The YouTube community has seen a tremendous increase in cross-channel hosting in recent years. You get to be the presenter of another person's channel and publish content on topics you both find interesting. This will expose you to a new lot of viewers who’ll probably find you interesting!

The value of cross-hosting increased after the pandemic. The simplicity with which this collaboration concept can be executed is one of its main advantages.

Why create one video collaboration when you can create a whole series? Making two or more videos will make viewers eagerly anticipate the next one you and your collaborator will share. This is a very effective way to increase views.

Upload the second video to the other channel.

Cross-promote each video on both channels.

If you have an educational channel, activities that are not educational may not be beneficial for your viewers. But there is one YouTube collab idea you can try.

The opportunities that come with posting reviews and tutorials are enormous, particularly within the home and beauty communities. It's possible to get more views on how-to videos, particularly if your instructions are thorough and helpful.

Because collaboration videos have become so common, it's not surprising that even small YouTubers want to join in. Working together with another YouTuber to produce original material has a lot of advantages. Along with increasing interactions, views, and subscribers, you'll also make your audience find your material more engaging.

Now, it’s time to partner up with another YouTuber looking for a collab! 

And while you’re at it, check out some other ways to gain and retain your subscribers.

Group of young adults recording a video podcast with laptops, smartphones, and coffee cups.

Collaboration videos can be hard to pull off but are awesome for promoting your channel to different audiences. Here are the 5 best ideas to try for your next collab!

From Pink Guy to iShowSpeed, YouTube has had fantastic creators with not-so-mannered mouths. And if you want to take that route as a creator yourself, you don’t need to worry about getting demonetized anymore!

strict regulations around the usage of profanity in videos

With little distinction between "strong" and "moderate" cursing, the original policy would flag any video that contained foul language in the first 7 seconds as being unsuitable for advertising. Also, it appeared that the regulation was retroactive, as many creators complained that their older videos were no longer eligible for advertising.

The creator community wasn’t happy with this change and there was a lot of backlash. They didn't like how videos featuring any kind of profanity were automatically demonetized, and as a result, YouTube revised the rules.

If using profanity has stopped you from earning more money on YouTube, then worry no more! This YouTube update will benefit you.

Uttaran Samaddar

Posts Written By Uttaran Samaddar

8 Ways to Help Viewers Subscribe to Your YouTube Channel

How to Film Engaging B-Roll for YouTube Videos

Analyzing Popular YouTube Shorts: What Makes Them Go Viral?

6 Things to Do Before Your First YouTube Live Stream

The Top 5 YouTube Collaboration Ideas to Try Right Now

Swearing Moderately on YouTube Won't Demonetize You Anymore

5 Tools You Need to Improve Your YouTube Livestreams Today