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Are you ready to get your first 10,000 subscribers on YouTube? This is a bit unconventional, but just for a moment, forget about numbers. Don’t think about views, subscribers, or how much watch time will influence the YouTube algorithm.
This time, let’s explore how your personality attracts loyal viewers.
Of course, we know the perfect creator to help illustrate this point. Not long ago, Ryan from Bit Cloud Gaming hit 10,000 subscribers after trying many things on YouTube – chasing virality, following trends, and even stirring up controversy to see how people reacted.
Courtesy of Bit Cloud Gaming
He never showed his face back then, and viewers only saw a screen recording (or logo) as they listened to Ryan’s commentary on gaming news.
Now he takes a human-centered approach, such as:
Trendy videos are great for getting views, but your personality is what makes people subscribe. Here’s how to connect with viewers and grow your audience to 10,000 fans.
On YouTube, it’s best to be authentically who you are. It sounds simple enough, but balancing a YouTube persona with your everyday demeanor gets tricky.
Read More: 7 Ways to Build a Strong Personal Brand on YouTube
Why? Most creators know that viewers love drama, and subscribers will click on controversial videos. But more than that, a creator who sees someone getting thousands of views by being brash or combative may do the same thing.
But that strategy doesn’t work forever, Ryan says. By fanning the flames of controversy, you attract viewers who enjoy the drama, but maybe not you, per se.
“The thing about becoming a clout chaser and going for the crazy trends and just being all extra for the camera – that stuff might be good, but the moment you stop and try to do something you want, that support drops,” Ryan says.
Be friendly and entertaining on YouTube. Share your honest opinions, but don’t argue with viewers in the comment section to prove a point. If a creator has that mindset, they’ll have a hard time growing on YouTube.
“And then they wonder, who’s this guy who's been on YouTube – let's say for two years – that has pretty much eclipsed you in subscribers and views? That guy has a product people like and want to support…. It comes down to personality, in my honest opinion,” Ryan says.
It’s true: Posting a trendy video is an easy way to get more YouTube views. And if you do it right, some of those viewers may subscribe to your channel.
But trends alone won’t catapult you to 10,000 fans. For that, you need something relevant once a trending topic dies down – evergreen tutorials, your likability, or something else.
Plus, there’s a tiny chance you won't get tons of views from a trending topic. When Ryan first started his channel, he wasn't going viral with Call of Duty clips like other creators. He had to tap into a different superpower.
“I was like, you know what? Let me try something I want to do, and that's giving my opinion. I love talking about games…. Now I'm at that point where I have an audience that respects it, and we all kind of come together,” Ryan says.
Before you chase a YouTube trend, take inventory of your skills and passions. Try to embrace those qualities so viewers recognize the value of you and your content.
Many gamers grow a YouTube audience without showing their faces – not even once. And on some level, they don’t have to. Those creators talk to viewers while screen-sharing their latest Minecraft mission, NBA 2k game, or whatever title they’re playing.
But on YouTube, showing your face (and personality) is an even better way to connect with viewers.
Some of the biggest gamers grew their channels by letting people see who they are:
That’s why Ryan – after some convincing from friends – started appearing on camera in his videos.
“They said, ‘You need to get on camera. I want to see Bit Cloud Gaming on camera.’ I was like, ‘Oh, God.’”
It’s OK to be skeptical at first, but give it a try. You never know how viewers will respond to seeing your face.
Viewers enjoy all sorts of content on YouTube: vlogs, documentaries, skits, tutorials, interviews, pranks, and exciting challenges. But to figure out which content your audience likes, never stop experimenting on your channel. Test out different videos, then head straight to the comment section or YouTube Community tab to see what people say.
Read More: How to Make the EXACT Videos YouTube Subscribers Want to See
“When you become a content creator, it doesn't matter if you're small or big,” Ryan says. “You end up becoming big [eventually]. One thing you always notice about these bigger channels is that they always experimented.”
For example, Ryan himself transitioned from being a YouTube creator to a gaming journalist. In addition to sharing gaming news (and his opinion of it), he also interviews industry experts on his RGT podcast. Ryan has spoken with Tommie Earl Jenkins, who provided motion capture and voice acting for Death Stranding, and even Katie O'Hagan, who voiced Mia Winters' character in Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 7.
Viewers leave positive comments on Ryan’s interviews, so the experiment is clearly working. And now he's a freelance producer at IGN after interviewing the company's social media coordinator, Lauren Gallaway. All of this happened when Ryan placed his personality (and others) at the forefront of his channel.
The moral of the story? Try something new on YouTube. You could end up growing your audience or getting an opportunity you never knew existed.
Lydia Sweatt is a writer who loves balancing her article/blog time indoors with a healthy dose of nature. She bikes, hikes, and identifies edible plants along the way.
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