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

Royalty-free music isn’t a perk reserved for large creators. YouTubers of all sizes need 

 to make better content and attract more viewers.

Think about it: Have you watched a video that seemed OK, but everything improved once the music kicked in? At that moment, you probably felt the “cinematic mood” as the music paced the story.

Well, viewers can feel that, too. They might not leave a comment saying so, but there’s a reason polished videos get significant views. And that reason alone is why you should 

find royalty-free music for YouTube content

If a song is royalty-free, you don't need to pay 

 it's used in a video.  At most, you'd pay a one-time fee to use the song if it's not free already.

By doing this, you'll skip the hassle of dealing with copyright holders and reduce copyright claims and strikes on your channel.

What's the Difference Between a Copyright Claim and a Copyright Strike?

If that sounds good to you, here’s your guide for finding high-quality stock music.

 This resource is from YouTube itself and pretty much guarantees you won’t use copyrighted music. Every sound in the collection is copyright-free and ready to download.

3. Here you can see Paid and Free options for the music you want. You can also choose to split your revenue with the original artist!

Ways to use music from YouTube Audio Library


4. Use the Browse tab to search for music by title, genre, mood, artist name, duration, and attribution requirements.


5. Hover over the icon for the music file and click the play button to hear what a track sounds like.

Ready to download from the YouTube audio library? Hover your mouse over any track and click 

As a creator, you’re allowed to use these tracks and continue 

There’s a good selection of music, too: jazz, rock, reggae, pop, folk, country music, and other genres. Just make sure you don't distribute the music yourself or use it in illegal content.

Best Royalty-Free Music Sites for YouTube

The music library on YouTube is helpful, but some people just need 

They might want royalty-free background music that sounds better, uses different instruments, or creates a specific vibe.

If that sounds like you, it’s time to find a music website and pay for original tracks. This isn’t the same as paying for 

Here are the best royalty-free music sites:

The sites above require a little cash, but that’s better than going to risky sites to find free music.

Technically, an artist offering royalty-free music (for free) could change their mind in the future. After that, what’s stopping them from slapping a copyright claim on your video?

It’s not a common situation, and people usually aren’t that sneaky. But there’s a slight chance it could happen. In that case, it's best to reach out to the individual artist and offer a mutual agreement that benefits both parties. In such a case, you need to make sure that you have a written contract that lays out the details to avoid conflict in the future.

Now that you have some royalty-free jams, learn how to 

Do you want to add royalty-free music to your YouTube videos? Here’s how to find the perfect tunes and take your channel to the next level.

How to Get Royalty Free Music for Your YouTube Videos


YouTube is a tough gig to balance with everyday life. It takes time to make quality videos, and that clashes with so many things: working full-time, going to school, connecting with family and friends. The list goes on.

Creators who last the longest always have a plan

. They audit their daily schedules to find pockets of free time for shooting and editing. Then they ask themselves, 

What kind of YouTube workflow fits my lifestyle?

, we speak with someone who has the answer: 

. He’s a tech creator who makes unboxing videos, gear reviews, and tech tutorials for more than 40,000 subscribers. He also has a traditional job and a family, so 

was necessary. Now he’s super productive, uploading content to his YouTube channel almost daily.


“It took me about a year and a half [to figure it out] because I’ve been going hard like this for maybe about four, five months now,” TechnicallyTee says. “And that’s because I’ve found [this YouTube setup], and I’m taking advantage of the time I have with this workflow.”

Do you wish you were more organized as a YouTube creator? More consistent with your content? Here’s your roadmap to a better workflow, courtesy of TechnicallyTee.

Many people overlook the power of planning when they start a YouTube channel. It’s easier to do something more exciting, like shopping for cameras or researching the 

. But in reality, nothing is more important than brainstorming video ideas. It’s how you grow a thriving channel, so you’ll feel lost without frequent planning sessions.

7 Tips to Craft Irresistible Video Ideas on YouTube

TechnicallyTee recommends four steps to get started:

 of video ideas, preferably on a whiteboard.

 of which ideas you’ll film during the week.

For example, TechnicallyTee does all of his planning on Sundays. That’s when he sits down to brainstorm video ideas, write them on a whiteboard, and determine which videos get filmed that week.

When Monday arrives, he’s ready to produce a video. TechnicallyTee starts shooting at 7:30 a.m., and he spends the next three hours recording, editing, and 

. He finishes by 10:30 a.m. and prepares to start his regular job soon after – a schedule that repeats Monday through Friday.

If waking up at 6 a.m. isn’t your thing, that’s OK. But like TechnicallyTee, try to find your 

shooting videos, whether that’s the morning, afternoon, or evening.

To post as many YouTube videos as possible, you need a dedicated recording space. It should be large enough to fit all of your equipment – tripods, camera bodies, and microphones – and quiet enough to block out extra noise.

“The room itself [is] a tremendous help because there’s no way I would be able to pump out as many videos if I had to constantly put up equipment and take it down,”  TechnicallyTee says. “It would just be tiring.”

3. Buy YouTube Equipment That Saves You Time

We always say creators don’t need expensive gear to grow on YouTube, and that’s still true. 

Despite that, there are benefits to having 

For example, a fast laptop won’t freeze and shut down when you’re editing 4K videos. The right lighting saves you from having to do a color correction job on an otherwise perfect video. Even having multiple camera bodies – which TechnicallyTee swears by – saves time. You don’t need transitions because you have multiple angles in the video.

“Now I have so much gear – and I have the right gear – to where I can sit down, stuff is automated, and boom: It [turns] on…. For me, I feel like that’s where the gear does matter,” TechnicallyTee says.

productive on YouTube, you need a collection of gear: lights, audio, multiple cameras, tripods, etc. Nothing has to be expensive, but each purchase should enhance your workflow.

Batch-recording is the oldest trick in the YouTube book. Everyone swears by it because you end up with three or more videos in just a few hours of work. But it’s not for everyone, and that’s what many creators discover when they batch for a long time.

TechnicallyTee stopped batching when his videos lost their spunk. He could hear the fatigue in his voice while editing, and he didn’t want to release sub-par content.

“If I got a new iPhone or Samsung or something like that [to review], I would literally be batch recording for like three hours…. It got overwhelming, and I didn’t need to [do it],” he says.

 If you decide to batch record, make sure it’s the right method for your content and overall workflow. And remember to take plenty of breaks when you’re tired.

Want to perfect your workflow even more? Try these six digital tools that make YouTube so much easier.

If you aren’t as productive as you want to be on YouTube, it’s time to improve your content workflow. These four tips will help you create more videos in less time.

Create More YouTube Videos in Less Time With These 4 Productivity Tips

YouTube banners are a vital part of any creator’s channel. Size-wise, they’re bigger than 

That means people will notice your banner before seeing anything else on your channel homepage. If you want viewers to scroll down and click on your videos, you need a banner that entices them to do so.

What makes a good YouTube banner image? We believe the best ones are balanced, eye-catching, and complement the profile pictures beside them.

Here are five tips for creating a banner that intrigues anyone who lands on your channel.

1. Start with the Correct YouTube Banner Size

Good YouTube banners look sharp no matter where you view them: mobile devices, laptops, tablets, and even giant computer monitors.

To make a sharp banner image for your channel:

YouTube banner dimensions: 2048 x 1152 pixels.

Place banner text within the pixel area of 1235 x 338. That's the safe area where text doesn't get cut off.

2. Create a Banner That Matches Your YouTube Niche

Whether you’re into Minecraft gaming or finding lost puppies (yes, it’s a thing), your YouTube channel banner should reflect that. Viewers should look at your banner and think, 

It looks like this channel is about [insert topic here]. I’m in the right place.

If someone wants to learn Microsoft Excel, for example, the imagery in your banner has to match that desire. You might add a tiny spreadsheet to the design or make the banner forest green to match the Excel colors.

Some viewers will understand your banner without text, but others won’t be as fortunate.

That’s why it’s best to add a few words to the design. If someone doesn’t realize you’re a 

 after seeing your banner, they won’t spend more than a second guessing. They’ll see the answer on your YouTube header: 

add your channel’s value proposition to the banner too

. It’s an easy way to show people what your channel is about and what they’ll gain from being there. Our value proposition at vidIQ is “creator obsessed YouTube education,” and you know that instantly by reading our banner.

The typical advice we give for YouTube channel art is to keep it simple. Just like YouTube thumbnails, you want your banner to be understandable within seconds. That means adding just enough design elements to get your point across – some text, 1-2 images representing your niche, and a robust background. Stay away from designs that look congested or have too many colors for someone to process.

Banners are fun and artsy, but they’re more than a stylish billboard for your channel. They’re also a place to 

, from Twitter to Facebook to Instagram. You can display 

 on a banner, so use those spots wisely. We recommend putting the most important link in position one.

Also, consider placing a call to action on your banner. It could be an arrow pointing to the first banner link or a glowing box that encapsulates all links. Test different strategies to see what brings in the most clicks.

It’s easy to come up with YouTube banner ideas once you’ve seen a few examples. Here are five good ones to inspire your YouTube banner design.

Now that you’ve seen some quality banners, you’re probably wondering 

. After all, a good graphic is nothing without attractive imagery. If you’re going to design something that truly stands out, you’ll need quality banner images for YouTube.

Don’t worry: You don’t need to pay for a Shutterstock account or anything like that.

Plenty of websites will supply both the channel art and the editing tools you need to build a banner:

Do you have an old banner you’re dying to switch out? Here’s a step-by-step guide to upload your fresh header:

Scroll down to the banner section and click 

Select a new banner image, crop it, and click 

Are you ready to take your channel art to the next level? 

Learn how to make YouTube end screens and increase your video views

Every channel needs a stylish YouTube banner to attract new viewers. Here are five tips to make the best header possible for your channel.

How to Make a YouTube Banner That Attracts New Viewers


Few YouTube creators have embraced LinkedIn. The overwhelming majority haven’t started profiles, shared their videos, or networked with anyone on the platform.

Why? It doesn’t feel like “the place to be” for video creators. People imagine office jobs and resumes when they think of LinkedIn.

They’re not entirely wrong because 9-to-5ers have always dominated the platform. But look closer. You’ll find that creators are making extra money when they network on LinkedIn.

, content creators use LinkedIn to get brand deals, podcast interviews, and speaking engagements.

“We forget that we’re humans talking to other humans across all platforms now, and we put up walls when we limit why a platform exists,” Fox says. “All of these platforms are tools.”

, Fox explains how to leverage LinkedIn for better opportunities. Professionals have done that for years, but these new tips are directed at YouTube creatives.

1. Turn on LinkedIn Creator Mode to Promote Your Content

Did you hear the news? LinkedIn is launching 

, a new profile type that offers content creation tools and advanced features. It’s rolling out slowly, so check your LinkedIn dashboard to see if you have access to creator mode.

Creator mode has several perks, including:

A follower count displayed on your profile

A section for displaying the topics you talk about on LinkedIn

The ability to be featured as a suggested creator

Turning on creator mode is step one when you join LinkedIn. You get to position yourself as an expert and get more eyeballs on your content, YouTube videos included.

LinkedIn is backing some creators financially

. In September 2021, the company launched a 

 to support creators and their businesses.

there’s never been a better time to share content on LinkedIn

2. Get Your Content Discovered with LinkedIn Articles and Newsletters

When you join LinkedIn, don’t just turn on creator mode and call it a day. Take advantage of its most important offering: 

For years, experts have written LinkedIn articles to build credibility and grow their audiences. But that was never enough on its own. Even the best articles underperform when they aren’t promoted to the right readers.

That’s why LinkedIn Newsletters are a game-changer. Imagine writing an article about something in your niche – how to sell fine art in 2022, for example. You could include a video from your YouTube channel to complement that information, which increases your views. Then you get to market the whole thing – the article 

 the video inside of it – in your LinkedIn newsletter.

“That is what Gary Vaynerchuk is doing,” Fox says. “He’s making a micro piece of content from an hour-long video on YouTube. He’s timestamping a few moments and making the video play in the LinkedIn article.”

This drives traffic to your YouTube channel and expands your LinkedIn network at the same time.

3. Use LinkedIn Audio Live to Connect with Brands

If you’re struggling to get brand deals on YouTube, LinkedIn is the place for you. Think of all the companies that have a presence there, such as Disney, Skillshare, and 

, and you’re bound to find corporate contacts from each company. That will probably happen via 

, a social audio platform that’s similar to Clubhouse.

, who tested the feature a few weeks ago. It’s still in beta, but anyone with creator mode enabled will get LinkedIn Audio Live eventually.

Fox says there are benefits to using social audio. For one, people feel comfortable working with someone they’ve already spoken to. This is especially true for marketers who want to work with influencers for a campaign. They get to hear voices in real-time and form better connections. 

Because of that, brand managers are eager to 

. Even if you're following up with a pitch email, your message is less likely to be ignored.

Getting a Brand Deal on YouTube - 10 Terrible Mistakes to Avoid

Of course, you have to be vocal in audio rooms to get those meetings.

“The best advice I can give anyone who’s thinking about LinkedIn or any social audio: Be the show,” Fox says. “Don't just go and think, ‘Oh, I wouldn’t use it. I’m not a consumer [of that]'. Stop thinking about what you would do and realize that there's a place for you to be a show on all these channels.”

LinkedIn is investing in the creator economy, but it’s not the only platform to look out for. 

Check out these 11 companies that match creators with lucrative brand deals.

LinkedIn is filled with opportunities, but many YouTube creators aren’t taking advantage. Here’s why you should network on LinkedIn, plus clear steps to boost your income as a creator.

How to Use LinkedIn to Boost Your YouTube Revenue


Growing a YouTube channel is no joke. While making videos is a fun hobby, it takes more than filming, editing, and uploading to reach the biggest YouTube milestones:

A trophy case filled with YouTube plaques

What you truly need is an understanding of YouTube analytics.

That means you’ll need to get cozy with the YouTube Studio. In it, you’ll find metrics for analyzing and growing your channel, from video views to click-through rate.

There’s a lot to explore when you first dive in, so here are the most important analytics on YouTube.

Click-through rate (CTR) is the percentage of people who click on a video after seeing the thumbnail.

If 10,000 people see a video’s thumbnail, but only 500 people click it, that’s a 5% CTR. In other words, 5% of people who saw the thumbnail decided to watch the video.

There’s an easy formula for calculating CTR: number of clicks / number of impressions x 100 = CTR.

You’ll never have to calculate it, though. YouTube’s channel dashboard shows your CTR for multiple time periods. 

Simply go to YouTube Studio > Analytics > Reach to see your channel’s CTR.

Why should you care about click-through rates when there are other things to analyze? It’s the only YouTube metric that opens 

. People have to click on a thumbnail before giving your video some Watch Time, a like, or a comment. Plus, viewers tend to subscribe after watching good videos.

6 Tips to Get a Good Click-Through Rate on YouTube

Want to grow your YouTube channel faster? Take a look at the audience retention on individual videos.

You’ll want to pay attention to the average percentage viewed (APV), which is how much of the video viewers watched.

For example, here’s a screenshot of our audience retention for a 10-minute video. As you can see, most people watched 33% of it.

YouTube recommends videos to viewers based on Watch Time metrics like APV. Try to boost yours to at least 50% so you can get more views.

How to Increase Audience Retention on Every YouTube Video

3. Traffic From Recommended YouTube Videos

“YouTube recommendations” is a critical traffic source on YouTube. As we mentioned above, having YouTube suggest your content to viewers is a massive help. You don’t have to do anything because the algorithm does the work for you.

By the way, YouTube shows a list of traffic sources for every video. 

Simply go to YouTube Studio > Content (pick a video to analyze) > Analytics > Overview

. Then scroll down to see where traffic is coming from for that particular video.

Keep an eye on this traffic source to see which videos get suggested the most, then make similar content for your audience.

YouTube Algorithm Guide - How Your Videos Are Recommended to Viewers

4. Subscribers Gained from Each YouTube Video

With its flashy, ego-boosting ways, subscriber count isn’t a useful YouTube stat. It doesn’t affect your views, and it doesn’t change your favor with the YouTube algorithm. 

The only way to get more views is to make good videos.

identify videos that bring in subscribers

 – not to track the overall count but to discover what’s growing your community. This is the only YouTube subscriber analytic you need.

. You’ll see a dashboard showing how many people subscribed after watching a particular video.

6 Honest Reasons You Might Be Losing YouTube Subscribers

5. YouTube Engagement (Comments, Likes, Video Shares)

Likes, comments, and video shares aren’t popular like other YouTube channel statistics. Many creators think video views are the thing to pay attention to, and hey, maybe they’re right.

But we can’t ignore the little things. Most viewers are passive on YouTube, so it 

Which video metrics are important for growing on YouTube? There’s a lot to explore with YouTube channel analytics, but here are six that lead to better videos.

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