Ask any YouTuber and they will tell you that generating significant views and subscribers isn't easy. But with the right strategy and tools, any video creator can build an engaged subscriber base when they understand what those subscribers want to watch.

Appealing to an audience to watch content you are passionate about making is just the first step, you need to know how to reach them and get your videos discovered. Our guides to how to guide more views on YouTube will give you the best tips to succeed on the platform.

Getting Views

How To Get More Views on YouTube

Getting thousands or even millions of YouTube subscribers is a dream for most creators. In the articles below, we'll show you how to turn casual viewers into long-term fans. 

Subscribers

YouTube Subscribers

Do you want to make money on YouTube? Millions of creators are earning a very good living from monetizing the platform and uploading content that drives huge views and engagements. Whether that YouTube income is from advertising revenue, merchandise sales, or brand deals, or subscriptions, we keep you updated with best practices and ideas.

Monetization

How To Make Money on YouTube

Want to see how your channel is performing? Read these YouTube analytics articles to discover what's working and what isn't. You'll learn how to identify which videos have the most Watch Time, clicks, audience retention, revenue, and more.

Analytics

YouTube Analytics

Watch Time is arguably THE most important metric on YouTube right now, and creators won’t be able to monetize their content without 4000 hours of it. But what is it and how can creators increase the amount of Watch Time their videos attract? We keep you updated on the best practices around Watch Time, and how you can increase how much your video content generates.

Watch Time

YouTube Watch Time

YouTube Shorts content is set to explode! 

All the latest tips, tricks, and rock-solid advice you need for this new feature.

YouTube Shorts

Do you know how to do keyword research so you understand what videos people are actually searching for on YouTube? Do you know how to create a custom YouTube thumbnail? Do you know how to create a Playlist on YouTube?

vidIQ has a ton of tips that will help every creator maximise their video content. We publish content every week to keep you up to date with all the best practices.

Tips & Tricks

YouTube Tips & Tricks

At vidIQ we have incredible insights into what viewers are searching for on YouTube. Not only can we confirm the top keywords being searched for, we can also show you how you can leverage that interest to create content around trending topics and tentpole events. That's going to give you a clear edge over other creators!

Insights

YouTube Insights

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

If you’re not taking the time to clip YouTube videos, you’re missing one of the easiest ways to boost reach, re-engage your audience, and grow without recording anything new.

Clipping lets you quickly turn one long-form YouTube video into multiple short, shareable clips. 

 perform well because they’re easier to watch, share, and surface in YouTube’s algorithm.

In short, clipping a YouTube video is the fastest way to go from a long video to short video that performs better in YouTube’s recommendation system.

Clipping a YouTube video means taking the most engaging moments from a long video and creating short clips that are easier to watch, share, and discover.

Think of it as repurposing your best content into sharable, high-impact moments. One 30-minute tutorial or one hour podcast can become multiple YouTube Shorts, each attracting new viewers and reminding your existing audience why they subscribed.

To clip a YouTube video, you can use YouTube’s native 

 feature or a YouTube video clip cutter like 

. The biggest advantage of clipping is that you don’t need to start from scratch. It’s far easier than creating brand-new videos, and with a tool like vidIQ’s, even the editing is automated. Just upload your video and let AI instantly transform your YouTube long video to short video clips that are ready to share.

infographic showing the process of clipping a YouTube video: upload long video, AI scans highlights, short clips generated, and shared as YouTube Shorts.

Clipped videos aren’t just a time-saver, they’re a growth tool. Here’s where they shine:

: Put fresh content in their feed without starting from scratch.

: Shorts get pushed to a wider audience which is perfect for getting in front of people who haven’t found your long videos yet.

: Pull out the funniest line, the most jaw-dropping fact, or the moment the big reveal happens.

: Post those clips on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn to hit audiences outside YouTube.

Not all long videos make great clips. When deciding which content to turn from a YouTube long video to short video, focus on formats that naturally break into high-impact moments that make sense on their own.

Step-by-step content works well for clipping because each tip, step, or demonstration can stand alone. A 20-minute “How to Grow Tomatoes” guide might yield individual clips for “Choosing the Right Soil,” “Watering Tips,” and “Preventing Pests.” Each one delivers quick value and can link back to the full tutorial.

These are rich sources for bite-sized content. Pull the most thought-provoking questions, surprising reactions, or memorable quotes. A single guest appearance can give you a week of Shorts that tease viewers into watching the full conversation.

Highlight the biggest moments such as a keynote speaker’s one-liner, the most exciting part of a performance, or behind-the-scenes footage. These clips give viewers a taste of the event’s energy and can drive them to explore your longer recap.

Showcase one feature, reaction, or problem solved at a time. Instead of watching a 15-minute review, a viewer might click on a 30-second clip showing “How This Camera Handles Low Light” and then decide to check out the full review.

Live sessions often contain valuable, unscripted moments that can be clipped into short, engaging videos. This might include Q&A segments, funny interactions, or key announcements that deserve a second life outside the full stream.

Educational talks are perfect for pulling out single insights, statistics, or action steps. These shorter clips work well for reminding viewers of the value in attending the full presentation or watching the replay.

If your long-form video is structured as a list or countdown, each item can stand on its own as a quick, satisfying short. For example, “Top 5 Editing Hacks” can become five separate Shorts that each highlight one hack.

If you already have a library of long videos, you are sitting on weeks or even months of short-form content waiting to be repurposed.

man holding a smartphone, symbolizing mobile-first video engagement.

Should You Clip YouTube Videos from Other Creators?

 clip other creators’ videos on YouTube using the platform’s built-in Clip feature, but that’s different from downloading their content or re-uploading it, which can violate copyright.

For growth, the safest (and smartest) play is to 

. That way you own the rights, control the narrative, and build your channel’s library.

From YouTube Long Video to Short Video in Seconds

Repurposing content can be a time-consuming process, but 

 removes nearly all of the manual work. It’s the fastest way to create Shorts from YouTube video content you’ve already published. Here’s how it works from start to finish:

Choose any video you’ve already published or recorded. This could be a tutorial, livestream, interview, or any format with strong moments worth highlighting.

Let AI scan it for the most engaging moments: 

The tool uses AI to analyze your content for sections with high engagement potential. It looks for natural hooks, memorable lines, and visually interesting segments that will translate well into short form.

In just a few minutes, you’ll have a batch of polished clips sized perfectly for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels, or other vertical platforms.

Traditionally, turning a YouTube long video to short video format required watching the full recording, marking timestamps, manually cutting footage, and reformatting it for vertical platforms. This process could take hours for a single clip. Clipping a YouTube video with vidIQ’s 

No manual searching. No guesswork. Just high-impact, shareable content pulled straight from your existing videos so you can spend more time creating and less time editing.

Log in to vidIQ and clip your YouTube videos into shareable Shorts instantly.

illustration of a long horizontal YouTube video being sliced into multiple smaller vertical YouTube Shorts stacked like a feed.

Clip YouTube videos into short, shareable clips to grow your channel faster with less effort.

Clip YouTube Videos: From Long Video to Short Video

Gaining your first 1,000 subscribers on YouTube

 is a common goal but often feels like an uphill battle, right? Even if you’re producing quality content, the initial struggle can feel endless. So, what’s the deal? Why does it seem so challenging to reach this milestone, even for creators who pour hours into their videos? What is the easiest way to get 1,000 subscribers on YouTube? Should you try to go viral with a trendy video that gets millions of views?

How to Get More YouTube Subscribers on a Small Channel

All these are valid questions and need to be inspected deeper. So, let’s dive into what might be holding you back—and, more importantly, what can propel you forward. Here’s a three-pillar strategy that simplifies the path to 1,000 subscribers, no matter what niche you're in.

But first, watch the video below to learn more about these pillars of YouTube growth from the main man Rob Wilson himself:

Why is it Hard to Reach 1,000 Subscribers?

Before we jump into strategies, knowing why this milestone can be tricky is helpful. Most creators face a few main challenges:

With millions of videos on YouTube, standing out is hard.

YouTube’s algorithm favors channels that keep viewers on the platform longer. If your videos aren’t connected, they may not keep viewers coming back.

Many creators start off strong but hit a wall when they realize it takes more than quality content to grow.

Sound familiar? These factors make gaining traction tough, but with the right strategy, you can set yourself up for quicker growth. Let’s explore a three-pillar strategy to get you there.

How to Get 1,000 Subscribers on YouTube (Fast and Free)

1. Identify Your Top ‘Suggested’ Videos and Make ‘Linked’ Videos 

Think of your videos as a connected series rather than standalone content. When each video naturally links to the next, viewers are more likely to stay on your channel and watch multiple videos—this improves watch time, viewer retention, and eventually, subscriber count.

OK, here’s where the fun starts. Now that you have dozens of videos to analyze, you can go into the YouTube Studio and see which ones perform well. This is crucial to gaining 1,000 subscribers; your absolute best videos – not the average performers – are more likely to make people subscribe.

 These are the videos YouTube recommends to viewers based on what they’ve already watched or what they might watch next. So essentially, YouTube will “pair” one video with another if people frequently watch them “together” on the platform.

Understanding the YouTube Algorithm in 2024

If someone watches a video about how to get more subscribers on YouTube, they might see some of the suggested videos below. These could appear as a “watch next” prompt within the video, on the right side of the screen (pictured below, as seen on desktop), or below the video being watched (mobile).

Follow these steps to see your top five suggested videos:

Make sure you’re on the Overview tab, then click 

 below the graph that shows views, Watch Time, estimated revenue, and subscribers.

From the list of secondary metrics, select 

 (in the top right corner) to make sure you get enough data.

Your suggested videos list should look something like this:

Top suggested videos from vidIQ's channel

Write down the top five videos on your list, and for each one, film a companion video on the same topic. As YouTube suggests "pairs" of videos to viewers, you'll give the algorithm popular but similar content to pull from.

: If each of your videos feels random or disconnected, you risk losing viewer interest after just one. Ask yourself: 

How can I connect this video to the previous one?

: Staying within a niche builds a recognizable brand and helps YouTube understand where to categorize your content. Think of a mini-series approach to keep the audience engaged and the algorithm in your favor.

When your content is interconnected, it’s easier to build a dedicated audience who keep coming back--and it's something we witnessed first-hand in the vidIQ YouTube channel itself. 

2. Use Shock Value for Clickable Titles and Thumbnails

Why it Works: People are busy, and you’ve got a fraction of a second to grab their attention. Titles and thumbnails are often the deciding factor on whether someone clicks on your video or scrolls past. Add a bit of “shock value” to make them stop, look, and click.

This doesn’t mean over-the-top clickbait but something that piques curiosity. Could you make the viewer wonder, How did they do that? Or why did they say that?

Use elements of surprise or contrast in your titles and thumbnails. For example, instead of “Easy Pasta Recipe,” try something like, “How to Make Restaurant-Quality Pasta in 3 Minutes.”

1. What would make your title more clickable without being misleading? Would adding a time constraint (e.g., “in 3 minutes”) make it more intriguing?

2. Can you include a surprise element in your thumbnail? For example, if you’re showing a recipe, maybe a “before” and “after” shot could create curiosity.

Ask yourself, “What will make someone do a double-take on my thumbnail or title?” Sometimes, the simplest tweaks (like “fastest,” “weirdest,” or “easiest”) can make a huge difference.

If your thumbnails are too “safe,” consider adding bold text, split screens, or emojis to create a visual contrast that draws in the eye.

Think of your titles and thumbnails as the first impression of your video—make sure they grab attention without losing credibility. Don’t leave these crucial elements as an afterthought. Plan your titles and thumbnails before filming to ensure you deliver what’s promised and keep your content focused.

3. Identify Your Top 5 ‘Search’ Topics. Make Similar Content

Out of all the videos you’ve made, how many of them are searchable? Do they address problems people are always trying to solve? If so, find out which video topics are most helpful to viewers.

You can do this by identifying the top five search terms on your channel. These are video topics that perform well in the 

. Getting views in this area means people are clicking on your videos after searching a specific term or phrase.

YouTube SERP for "how to get 1000 subscribers"

Here’s how to find your most popular search topics:

From the list of traffic sources, select 

Next, you’ll see a list of your channel's popular search content.

Traffic source from YouTube search on vidIQ's channel

 Then make additional content using the same topics. If things work out, you’ll reach new viewers who are constantly searching for such videos. That creates an opportunity to snag more subscribers.

4. Figure Out Which Videos Attract the Most Subscribers

This might be the most straightforward tip on our list. When viewers hit subscribe, they probably watched an awesome video beforehand. But not every video convinces people to join your community. That’s why our next strategy is pure gold: Go into the YouTube Studio and identify which videos bring in the most subscribers.

Source of subscribers from YouTube watch page in vidIQ's channel.

Take a look at your top five videos; this is the content that convinces viewers to hit subscribe.

Pick one video from your list and make an additional video about the same topic. If the original video is working for you, a follow-up could potentially increase your subscribers.

Viewer retention, or how long people watch your videos, is a key metric that YouTube’s algorithm uses to recommend your content. Viewers who stay engaged signal to YouTube that your video is worth promoting.

: The longer people watch, the better your video will rank and be recommended. Hook viewers in from the beginning and keep them watching till the end.

: Try mini hooks at various points in your video, like posing a question or offering an incentive (e.g., a downloadable guide at the end).

What can you do in the first 10 seconds to make viewers stay? Could you ask a question or share an interesting fact?

Are there spots in your video where viewer interest may dip? Can you add a teaser or “re-hook” at these points?

: Drop hints about what’s coming up later in the video to keep curiosity high. For example, “Stay tuned to find out the one trick that saved me $100…”

: If your video is a tutorial, promise a free checklist or resource at the end to motivate viewers to stick around.

When you prioritize retention, you’re more likely to see organic growth through YouTube’s recommendations. And you don't have to accept the claim just because we say it. From our channel analytics, we found out that videos optimized for retention saw an improved view count compared to others. 

Reaching 1,000 subscribers doesn’t have to be an endless grind. With a strategic approach that focuses on linked videos, eye-catching thumbnails, and retention-boosting tactics, you can simplify the process. And if you're in need of more motivation, check out 

how much money you can expect to earn once you reach 1,000 subscribers!

Orange play button with vidIQ logo, green vines, and upward trending arrow on orange background

Is there a foolproof way to get 1,000 subscribers on YouTube? Yes! Here are five amazing tips to reach that big goal.

The Easiest Way to Get 1,000 Subscribers on YouTube

Are you looking for the best way to get more subscribers on YouTube? You're in luck because this post is all about growing a small YouTube channel from scratch! We'll show you how to get discovered by the right viewers, convince them to hit subscribe, and attract loyal fans for years to come.

In this 9-minute video above, Rob talks about how small channels can hack the algorithm to get more subscribers and views with increasing consistency. Watch to know more!

But that's just the beginning. With these tips, you can join the YouTube Partner Program 

 with these tips and monetize your content through fan funding. You could even snag 

! 

So, do you have a topic you want to explore on YouTube? If so, that's all you need to get started. Let's dive in!

1. Search for High Volume, Low Competition Keywords

A YouTube keyword, "anime champions simulator," showing high search volume and low competition

To get discovered on YouTube, it's best to enhance your content with keywords. 

 is a word (or group of words) that allows search engines, particularly on YouTube, to understand your content and recommend it to viewers. You can place keywords in video titles, video descriptions, chapters, and even captions.

However, you'll get views faster if you choose keywords with a high volume of searches and low competition.

 = Thousands of viewers type the keyword into the YouTube search bar every month.

 = Few channels use the keyword or rank highly for it on YouTube.

Our newest tool, global rising keywords, will help you find popular, non-competitive terms for your channel. 

2. Write Titles and Descriptions that Spark Emotion

Finance youtuber graham stephen uses video title, "why I stopped drinking alcohol."

Crafting video titles (and descriptions) that pull an emotional response out of viewers is a game-changer. Whether it's curiosity, excitement, or even controversy, intriguing titles are what bring viewers to your channel so they can eventually become subscribers.

Title writing is a skill that takes years to develop. But you can 

 by simply adding power phrases to them, such as:

These conversation starters are designed to put viewers on 

What am I missing out on? What does this person know that I don't?

Take this same approach when writing your video description, which should give an accurate summary of the video and get viewers excited to click on it. Don't forget to add relevant keywords throughout!

3. Create Videos that Target Your Viewers' Desires

An excited man looking at his phone in shock

Connecting with viewers is about more than chasing the right topics. It helps to know 

 people care about those topics so you can cater to the deeper, stickier desire they're feeling. Those details are usually hiding within a sub-niche!

For instance, let's say you have a YouTube channel for camera enthusiasts. While 

, you notice that viewers are using popular search terms like "how to create cinematic videos" and "how to make colors pop in a video." 

Reading those keywords, it's clear that viewers aren't merely interested in cameras as a technology; 

 of subscribers on YouTube by making videos and 

The 47 Best YouTube Niches, According to Viewers

4. Use YouTube Shorts to Drive Viewers to Long-Form Content 

someone laying down watching a youtube short

YouTube Shorts are a fantastic way to get discovered, but let's be honest: 60 seconds isn't a lot of time to fully engage a viewer. The real magic happens in your longer videos. So, why not use Shorts as a teaser for your meatier content? This is easier than ever with 

, a new feature YouTube announced in September.

Related links appear near the bottom of a YouTube Short and direct viewers to a video of the creator's choosing. That could be a livestream, a long-form video, or another Short they created. However, linking to a longer video will help you generate more subscribers on YouTube.

5. Study and Master YouTube Storytelling 

 — not just making lots of videos — is the key to growing your subscriber count quickly. A compelling video makes people stick around for longer, engage with more content, and understand 

You don't have to learn storytelling from scratch, though. There's a proven format used in movies, books, and even TV shows to keep audience members engaged. It's called the three-act story structure.

): Set the stage, introduce your characters, and give them a challenge that pushes them out of their comfort zone.

: Throw your characters into action and let the story escalate until there's an all-out crisis.

: Keep escalating the conflict until there's a climax, then let your protagonist save the day.

6. Create a Video Series Based on Your Viewers' Interests

Creating a series is an underrated way to gain more subscribers on YouTube. It gives your existing subscribers something to look forward to while making your channel look more attractive to new viewers. If your series solves a core problem for viewers, such as making more money, beating a video game, or cooking on a budget, they'll find a reason to stick around.

To get started, identify which topics or videos have the highest engagement on your channel. Then 

7. Create Unique, Remixed Versions of Popular Videos

Running out of video ideas is a problem many people face on YouTube. But what if we told you that YouTube is filled with ideas you can remix and mold to your perspective? To get started, you just need to know 

 and what their popular videos are about. Then you can add something unique to the conversation!

This doesn't mean copying other creators outright; it means rehashing and reinterpreting those ideas through your own creative lens. This will attract viewers who enjoyed the original content but are looking for something fresh. And remember: Fresh channels are bound to gain fresh subscribers!

While you may have launched your YouTube channel as a platform for self-expression, remember that you're ultimately creating content for an audience. One of the most effective ways to earn their trust and loyalty is to involve them in the video-making process. 

How can you do this? Consider running a YouTube poll to ask viewers which videos they want to see next! This, hands down, is the easiest way to get more subscribers on YouTube for free. You're seeking direction from the people you serve, and you can't go wrong with that approach!

9. Identify Videos that Attract Subscribers

The best way to add more subscribers to your channel is by identifying videos that turn viewers into subscribers. 

In the YouTube Studio, go to Analytics > See more > Subscribers by content. This will show you a list of videos that attract the most subscribers to your channel. Study the list carefully, then devise a plan to make similar videos in the future.

a youtube video that convinces thousands to subscribe to vidIQ

On YouTube, a content gap is any video that's missing from your channel, especially when compared to your overall niche. For example, an ice cream channel may have covered everything about the sweet treat, including flavors, textures, and colors. But what about 

 That's a content gap if the ice cream channel 

And just imagine: What if viewers are interested in the topic, but the creator just isn't making that video? They're losing out on crucial views that may lead to subscriptions.

Closing these gaps doesn't take much effort — just observational research! Go to other channels in your niche and see what they're posting on YouTube. If you notice ideas and concepts that aren't on your channel, pick up your camera and start recording them!

11. Try New Video Ideas While Retaining What Makes You Special

YouTube moves fast, so keeping up is imperative if you want to see thousands of people flock to your channel. That's why experimenting is such a fantastic idea when you're just starting out. It never hurts to try new video ideas or storytelling formats because that's the best way to learn your audience. Just be careful not to abandon the spark that makes you...you!

Before you make a new video, ask yourself three questions:

Is this idea more innovative than my last one?

Does it cater to a specific interest of my viewers?

If you can say yes three times, it's a good idea to try!

Growing a Small Channel Is Tough, But Not Impossible

Boosting your subscriber count on YouTube just got a million times easier. With these 11 tips and tricks, you can cut through the confusion and grow your audience!

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

Clip YouTube Videos: From Long Video to Short Video

The Easiest Way to Get 1,000 Subscribers on YouTube

How to Get More YouTube Subscribers on a Small Channel

Quality Watch Time: How Viewers Define It

Top 15 Halloween Keywords on YouTube

4 Reasons to Start Adding YouTube Captions to Your Videos

Get Discovered By Comments: YouTube Mobile Update

4 Tips to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Shorts

How to Get Verified on YouTube

Is YouTube Hype a Game Changer for Small Channels?

How to Turn Off Age Restriction on YouTube

How to Find Winning YouTube Video Ideas in Minutes with vidIQ Remix

The Most Profitable AI Niches on YouTube in 2024