43 smart ways to promote your YouTube channel

While short-form video platforms like TikTok and Reels have made a huge impact on social media in recent years, one video-sharing platform still rules all: YouTube.

It’s the most popular social media site in the US and the second most visited site on the web, with more than 2.1 billion users worldwide. To harness the platform’s potential, you must learn how to promote your YouTube channel.

Here are some of our favorite tricks for optimizing your YouTube content to help new users find your channel, both on the platform and on other social channels. Each of these tips is simple, effective, and, better yet, 100% free.

29 ways to promote your channel on YouTube

1. Choose search-friendly keywords

A great YouTube channel starts with great SEO. And great YouTube SEO starts with understanding what users are searching for.

Optimizing your channel and videos with keywords that people are searching for not only helps your videos show up in YouTube search results but also on Google.

There’s no set rule for which keywords will help your YouTube video rank well. But a bit of reverse engineering can go a long way.

Here’s how to find a Google-friendly keyword for any video:

• Identify possible keywords with a tool like the Google Ads Keyword Planner.
• Google one of your options.
• Analyze the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) for each keyword. Are the top-ranking results videos or written content?
• Tweak your keyword and try again. Try adding words like “How to” or “Tutorial” if you’re having trouble finding keywords with video results.
• Choose a keyword that prioritizes video and suits your content.

For example, tutorials and how-to videos work really well as video content, so Google will prioritize those. As you can see below, when you search for “Photoshop Tutorial,” a YouTube video is the first thing in the results after a web page for Adobe (the creator of Photoshop).

YouTube’s autocomplete feature is another great way to find popular keywords. Start by searching for a particular theme or topic, and see what title YouTube suggests.

2. Use concise, descriptive video titles

The title is the first thing users see when they find your content. And if it isn’t punchy, it might be the last.

Here are some basic tips for writing strong YouTube titles:

• Keep it short and sweet. The most popular YouTube videos tend to have the shortest titles. Stick to 60 characters or less, or else part of your title may get cut off when displayed.
• Include your keyword(s) in the first half of the title to avoid losing valuable information. Most online readers focus on the beginning of the sentence and skip the rest.
• Engaging doesn’t mean clickbait. The best headlines offer an obvious benefit or create an emotional reaction. Clickbait is tempting but can damage your channel’s reputation in the long term.

3. Create custom thumbnails

Thumbnails matter, maybe even more than titles. That’s because our brains are hardwired to notice visuals first. We process them in less than 13 milliseconds, according to an MIT study.

YouTube produces automatic thumbnails for all videos, but they can be blurry or out of focus. To boost views, create an eye-catching custom thumbnail for every video you post.

We recommend these simple “rules of thumb” for best results:

• Resolution: 1280 x 720 px (but any 16:9 aspect ratio should work, as long as the width is at least 640 px)
• Format: .JPG, .GIF or .PNG
• Size: respect the 2MB limit
• Add text and colors to encourage clicks
• Choose a close-up image, if you can
• Use a stock photo when in doubt
• Be consistent with your branding

Which of these two thumbnails are you more likely to choose? The first graphic has text that clearly defines what the video is about. It’s more eye-catching and more clickable!

4. Fill out your profile information

Many YouTube creators skip the profile section and get straight to content creation. But a compelling profile is one of the easiest ways to promote your YouTube channel—and boost your SEO.

When you search for “cake decorating for beginners,” one of the first channels that pops up is Georgia’s Cakes. Not only does she optimize her video descriptions and titles, but her channel description includes essential keywords and phrases that help boost her SEO.

Here are some best practices for creating an effective YouTube profile:

• Be consistent. Use a similar color palette, writing style, and layout as you do on your website and other social channels.
• Optimize your YouTube channel description. This is a great place to add keywords. While YouTube penalizes “spam content,” including a few keywords can go a long way.
• Keep viewers coming back for more. When and how often will you post new content? Let fans know your schedule—then make sure you stick to it.
• Include contact info. You never know who might want to reach you. Let people know where to find you (website, email address, other social accounts), and you could land some great partnerships.

Check out this YouTube banner template to create a professional, eye-catching design that fits perfectly on any device.

5. Optimize your video descriptions

We have a complete guide to writing effective YouTube descriptions, which has tips for both individual video descriptions and channels and free, customizable templates.

In a nutshell, here’s what you should consider when writing your YouTube video descriptions:

• Front-load your keywords in the description and title.
• Stick to the 5,000-character limit, but have the most important information in the first 100 to 150 words, which appears above the “SHOW MORE” button.
• Create a “contents page” with timestamps that help viewers find what they’re looking for.
• Add links to relevant playlists (more on this later).
• Include a few relevant hashtags. Be sure to follow YouTube’s hashtagging rules before you post.

You can also mention keywords in the video itself. But just like with text, people lose attention quickly. Use a couple of keywords during a brief intro for best results.

Here’s how that looks in practice:

This video description on Hootsuite Lab’s channel includes relevant keywords and hashtags, a “chapters” section with video timestamps, and links to learn more.

6. Don’t forget about metadata

YouTube’s metadata guidelines emphasize two things when it comes to using keywords:

• Be honest
• Choose quality over quantity

These rules also apply to features like tags and categories. Only include tags in the “tags section” of your upload—not the video description. Add one or two categories to help YouTube understand who to recommend your video to.

7. Offer value to your viewers

This may seem obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning.

Great content is the best way to keep viewers engaged—and the most effective way to rank well in YouTube search. That’s because YouTube’s algorithm prioritizes the viewer’s experience.

Before you publish any video, ask yourself:

• What problem does this video solve?
• Is it entertaining?
• Will it improve viewers’ lives in any way?

8. Create high-quality videos

Poor video quality can undermine even the best content. So, make sure your content looks professional before you post it. Use a decent camera, do a soundcheck before recording, and learn some basic editing skills.

Of course, not everyone is a natural filmmaker. Brush up on these best practices for social videos if you’re a little rusty.

9. Interact with your fans

Real engagement doesn’t end at content creation. The most successful YouTubers constantly monitor and interact with their fans.

Respond to viewers’ comments—even the negative ones—and “react” to your favorites. You can even post response videos. Just remember to use analytics to identify your top fans and show them some extra love.

Your viewers, and your subscriber count, will thank you for it.

Check out the comments section under this video, and you’ll see the creator reacts to nearly every comment (and there are over 800 of them!):

Source: @AdamaLorma

10. Try a Q&A

Audience Q&As are one of the most effective ways to build a community on YouTube. These can also be an opportunity to describe what your channel is about for new viewers.

Ask your subscribers to drop questions in the comment section, then create a video to address them.

Source: @aspynovard

By showing your fans that they matter, you’ll boost watch time, view counts, and engagement.

Plus, Q&As can be lifesavers when you’re out of fresh content ideas.

11. Run contests

Contests are another great way to promote your YouTube channel by involving your audience. With a single video, you can collect viewer data, encourage likes or comments, and gain subscribers.

Source: @PurpleStars02

Psstt: We have a whole blog post about making the most of YouTube contests. But some quick takeaways include:

• Start with a clear goal in mind.
• Respect YouTube’s contest rules and restrictions.
• Choose a prize that aligns with your brand and that your viewers will actually enjoy.
• Maximize your reach with other social channels.
• Use a tool like Hootsuite for YouTube.

12. Be active in the community

YouTube is all about finding your niche and building your following within it.

Subscribe to channels that target a similar audience as you. Watch, like, and share their content. Leave thoughtful comments or mention them in your videos.

Not only will this give you a better sense of what your competition is up to, it can also help you reach new viewers.

13. Work with (the right) influencers

Partnering with influencers is another way to broaden your reach. YouTube personalities can help you tap into existing, highly engaged communities. They can also help you come up with new content when you’re stuck for ideas.

Though, there’s one golden rule to any successful partnership: Be authentic.

Identify influencers who represent values aligned with your brand. Does it make sense to partner with them? Will it provide value to your viewers?

If not, keep looking. Inauthentic content can do more damage than good.

For example, this collaboration between Jackie Aina and Sol de Janeiro makes perfect sense—a makeup artist and beauty creator partnering with a beauty brand.

Source: @jackieaina

14. Respect YouTube’s community guidelines

If you want to promote your YouTube channel and get more views, the last thing you want to do is disregard YouTube’s community guidelines. In fact, YouTube has cracked down on removing inappropriate content, and when you consider that YouTube is one of Gen Alpha’s favorite content channels, it makes sense why.

So, a good rule of thumb if you want your videos to be shared: Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your little brother to see. Otherwise, your video will get flagged and removed from YouTube’s recommendation feature.

In the second quarter of 2024 alone, the platform’s automated flagging process removed over eight million YouTube videos.

TL;DR: If you’re unsure of what’s considered risky, it’s worth double-checking the community guidelines before posting.

15. Create a series

Consistency pays off. Post videos on a regular schedule to keep viewers coming back to your channel again and again.

Choose a catchy, keyword-friendly name for your YouTube series for the best results. You should also create a custom thumbnail throughout the series to give each video a similar look and feel.

NYT Cooking regularly creates series featuring a variety of recipes, like this series on cookies for Cookie Week:

Source: @NYTCooking

16. Create playlists

Playlists are a great way to get people watching more of your content in one go. That’s because these collections are a little addicting. As soon as one video ends, the next begins.

Playlists also help with discoverability. Videos in a playlist are more likely to appear in YouTube’s Suggested Videos column. Plus, playlist titles and descriptions are a great place to add keywords.

You can create effective playlists in two ways:

1. On your channel page, group existing videos together under a common theme. This keeps viewers on your channel and not your competitor’s.
2. Collect videos from other relevant influencers or partners. This signals to your viewers that you’re “in the know” and encourages them to share your playlists.

The Cut’s “Lineup” playlist is more than a little addicting.

Source: @cut

17. Go live

YouTube is one of the most popular livestreaming social platforms on the internet. Take advantage of this by creating content that really engages viewers.

Posting on YouTube Live is a great way to promote your channel and get it in front of a new audience.

Webinars, Q&As, and events all work well live. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out YouTube Live to see what other live streams are happening.

18. Add a call-to-action

Include a compelling CTA in your video to make the most of your hard-earned audience.

Maybe you want to push your viewers to like or share your video. Maybe you want them to click through to your website. Whatever the “ask,” the best CTAs are always clear, compelling, and urgent.

YouTube has a call-to-action extension for in-stream ads. But there are also lots of free ways to add CTAs to videos:

• Direct host mentions: Look into the camera and verbally tell viewers what you want them to do.
• Video descriptions: Ask viewers to comment, share, or like your video in the description itself.
• End cards: Add a customizable screenshot to the beginning, middle, or end of the video. These powerful visual cues add punch to your CTA.

Check out how we used an end screen in the video below to boost subscriptions:

19. Email marketing

Email may be old school, but it’s still effective. As of 2024, the global email marketing market is valued at over 12 billion dollars.

To use email marketing to promote your YouTube channel, start by creating an email list of YouTube subscribers. Then, give them a heads-up every time you post new content. It’s an easy way to increase your video’s view count early on. This, in turn, will kickstart YouTube’s recommendation algorithm.

If you have an active email newsletter, you can also embed YouTube videos when they relate to your newsletter topic.

Author and marketer Ann Handley runs a newsletter called Total Annarchy. In a recent issue, she embedded a YouTube video that featured her infinite marketing wisdom.

Source: Total Annarchy

When it comes to promoting your channel, you can take advantage of your email signature too.

A simple link to your YouTube channel below your name is a non-pushy way to gain subscribers. We recommend using a simple icon rather than a long, unattractive URL.

20. Promote your channel, not just your videos

You know how domain authority affects page authority in SEO? The same is true for videos.

Take advantage by promoting your channel as a whole, as well as your individual videos. Push for subscribers and link to your account wherever you can. This will help your videos rank higher in YouTube and Google searches.

21. Get ahead of holidays and trends

Win some extra eyeballs by anticipating what people are looking for. Use holidays, popular movies, and trends as opportunities to post relevant content. You’d be surprised how well this strategy can work!

The key is to share your video *before* the holiday so your video is already up and running by the time people are searching for ideas.

For example, floral design expert Ramon at Home made this “DIY Fall Wreaths” video in June 2024. This timeframe gives people enough of a head start to brainstorm ideas and prepare everything they need to make them.

Source: @ramonatHOME

22. Make evergreen videos

Upload a few timeless videos that your subscribers will return to again and again. Popular evergreen content includes how-to guides, tools and resource lists, stat collections, tip roundups, and more.

Evergreen content can rank well for years, increasing traffic, boosting SEO, and solidifying your YouTube channel in the rankings.

Take this YouTube video from dog trainer Zak George. It was shared seven years ago, but it’s the first video in the search results for “how to walk a puppy on a leash.”

People have been active in the comment section every year, demonstrating how timeless this how-to video is.

Source: @zakgeorge

23. Find out what works (and do more of it)

YouTube’s analytics are powerful. Use them wisely!

Take a dive into your data to understand your audience on a deeper level. How old are they? What languages do they speak? Which video styles do they prefer? Use this information to create content that truly captures their interests.

YouTuber Rob Kenney’s “Dad, How Do I?” videos are a great example of leaning into what works with your audience. His niche is judgment-free “Dad” how-tos for folks who need help jump-starting a car, using a camping stove, installing a ceiling fan, and other classically Dad activities.

Source: @DadhowdoI

24. Participate in YouTube trends and challenges

To see what’s trending on YouTube, the Explore page is a good place to find new and hot content.

Trends and challenges are instant inspo for new content, and the ones on YouTube often last longer than trends on other apps. For example, the Boyfriend Does My Makeup Challenge that first popped up around 2006 is somehow still going strong.

Source: @paigetaylors

25. Make Shorts

With the popularity of short-form video, it’s no surprise YouTube Shorts has taken off on the platform.

If you want to promote your YouTube channel, Shorts are a great way to get more views and potentially get in front of a new audience.

You can repurpose short-form videos from your other channels — like TikTok or Reels — to post on YouTube, too.

26. Post videos in multiple parts

Kind of like a cliffhanger on a TV show, posting videos in multiple parts will ensure that viewers keep coming back to your channel (as long as they’re not too long).

The trick is not posting videos in multiple parts because you have to–for example, this late-night segment with Billie Eilish was posted in two parts (each about five minutes long) even though they are just over 10 minutes together.

Posting in more digestible chunks makes users more likely to click on your video, where you can gently point them towards Part 2.

Source: @ColbertLateShow

27. Get verified on YouTube

If you have at least 100,000 subscribers, you can apply to be verified on YouTube. (And if you need help getting there, here are 15 strategies you can use to get more subscribers.)

While you don’t need to be verified to be successful on YouTube, having that extra stamp of credibility will only help your channel grow.

PSA: We’ve put together a guide to YouTube’s verification process to help you get there.

28. Promote your videos in a YouTube community post

A great way to promote your videos is to directly let your audience know when you’ve published something new, which you can do in the YouTube Community tab.

Source: @cut

This section has a feed similar to Facebook or X (Twitter), where you can post video announcements, polls, questions, and other media for your audience.

Source: @cut

NOTE: You also need a certain number of subscribers to get the YouTube Community tab on your channel—but unlike the 100K required for verification, only 1,000 subscribers are needed for Community access.

29. Do what your favorite YouTubers do

Odds are, you started your YouTube journey as a fan. The website has been around since 2006, and worldwide, people watch one billion hours of YouTube every day.

So, your favorite YouTubers aren’t just a source for comedy sketches, makeup how-tos, and vlogs—they’re an excellent case study for marketing and promotion.

Find successful channels that are similar to yours, and watch what they do. Then, put your own spin on it. You’ve got access to a gigantic library that is always growing (500 hours of new videos are uploaded every minute). School is in session.

How to promote your YouTube channel on Instagram

1. Give a glimpse via Instagram Stories

One way to cross promote your videos is to share a clip on Stories. Make sure to choose an enticing part of your video without giving everything away. Add a link sticker to encourage your followers to watch the full video on your YouTube channel.

2. Create a Reel

You can also share a portion of your YouTube video on Reels.

With a Reel, you can get more creative with how you share it. You can edit multiple clips of your video together, add some text overlay and trending audio, and get people excited to watch the full video.

In this reel from the Almost 30 Podcast, the hosts preview funny moments from the full episode, which can be found on YouTube or Spotify.

Source: @almost30podcast

3. Include your channel link in your bio

Your Instagram bio is prime real estate. It’s one of the first places users look when they discover your page and are looking for more information about your brand and content.

If you want to promote your YouTube channel, be sure to add your channel link in your bio.

How to promote your YouTube channel on Facebook

1. Include your YouTube channel link in your description

To promote your YouTube channel on Facebook, the first thing you need to do is make sure your channel link is in your page description. This section of your page houses the essential details people need to know, so it only makes sense to feature your YouTube channel link there.

Linus Tech Tips, a channel that regularly shares tech tips and reviews, includes its channel link front and center in its Facebook page description to encourage people to visit the site.

Source: Linus Tech Tips

2. Create Reels

Another great way to repurpose your video content is by sharing your videos on Facebook Reels.

Facebook Reels can be up to 90 seconds long, which offers plenty of time to tease what your video is about.

Bon Appetit promoted its YouTube channel on Facebook by sharing a preview of a new season of its Street Eats series. The full video is a little over 12 minutes long and can be found on YouTube.

Source: Bon Appétit Magazine

3. Use Facebook Groups

If you’re part of a Facebook Group, or perhaps run your own, you can cross-promote your YouTube channel there.

The key to promoting your videos in a Facebook Group is to do it organically. Many Facebook Groups have community rules that limit self-promotion, so only share relevant links when they contribute to a conversation.

For example, let’s say you have a gardening tips YouTube channel. If you see someone in your neighborhood Facebook Group asking about the best types of flowers to plant during the summer, you might drop a link to one of your videos to help them out.

How to promote your YouTube channel on TikTok

1. Let people know about your YouTube channel

This may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. People won’t visit your YouTube channel if they don’t know about it in the first place!

For example, this creator shared a short clip showing off the new camera she got to start creating vlogs on her YouTube channel. She also encouraged followers to subscribe to her channel in the caption.

Source: @laucelle

2. Post teaser videos

If you share long-form content on YouTube, you can take smaller clips to use on TikTok to promote your YouTube by posting a teaser-type video.

Or post the first three minutes (or 15 seconds, or 60 seconds) of the video and encourage your viewers to head over to your YouTube channel for the rest. Make sure the link to your channel is in your TikTok bio.

3. Reshare YouTube Shorts

If you’ve already created short-form videos for Shorts, you can repurpose those videos on TikTok.

Repurposing your YouTube videos helps you get in front of a new audience and gain more followers who can discover your YouTube channel.

4. Use relevant audio and hashtags

Whether you share a preview of your YouTube video or multiple short clips, be sure to use trending audio and include a few relevant hashtags.

TikTok’s algorithm uses hashtags and audio to help categorize your video and determine who to show it to. So, make sure you incorporate tags and trends that are relevant to the audience you want to reach.

Getting more views on TikTok can help you promote your YouTube channel to the new followers you gain.

How to promote your YouTube channel on Pinterest

1. Create video pins directly from YouTube

You can cross-promote your YouTube videos on Pinterest with just a few clicks.

Simply hit the share button, then select the Pinterest icon. This will direct you to Pinterest where you can add more details about the Pin.

2. Include your YouTube channel link

Another way to cross-promote your YouTube channel on Pinterest is to include the channel link in your page description.

Check out how this plant-based nutritionist includes a page that houses all her links, including her YouTube channel.

Source: @plantbaes

How to promote your YouTube channel on X (Twitter)

1. Post every time you share a new video

This should go without saying, but if you’re active on X, you should post every time you have a new video on your YouTube channel.

X, formerly Twitter, is a great place to cross-promote your YouTube channel if your niche is in tech, gaming, or media.

Linus Tech Tips does a great job of promoting every new video to its audience of nearly 2 million followers. Not only do they let people know what the new video is, but they also share the thumbnail image to entice more clicks.

Source: @LinusTech

2. Include your YouTube channel link in your bio

If you want to increase traffic to your YouTube channel, you need to make it easy for people to find it.

No matter where you’re cross-promoting your channel, your link should be in your bio description.

Source: @LinusTech

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