Hello, bad-ass entrepreneurs! You have done it. You have started a business and know that you have something amazing to offer the world…but now what? Social media is by far the best way to market yourself to a wide audience in today’s digital world, but it can be daunting and difficult to know where to begin.
While each social platform has its pros and cons, video content marketing reigns supreme, and of all the platforms, YouTube is the perfect platform to showcase your brand’s unique story. Whether you’re just starting out with YouTube marketing or looking to refine your approach, these top 10 tips to market your business on YouTube will empower you to connect with your audience and leave a lasting impression on your followers.
1. Define Your Brand’s Voice and Vision to Best Market Your Business on Youtube
Before diving into video creation, let’s take a moment to reflect on what makes your brand unique. What’s your story? What values do you want to convey? Where does your passion lie? When you add your unique personality to videos they will resonate with your audience more deeply on a personal level. Keeping your brand voice consistent in your YouTube marketing is crucial; it should feel like a warm conversation with an old friend.
Creating a Brand Voice and Vision in Your Video Content Marketing:
To create a compelling brand voice and vision, start by answering these questions:
- Who is your target audience? Understand their demographics, preferences, and pain points.
- What are your brand values? Identify the core values that drive your business.
- How do you want to be perceived? Determine the tone and style that best reflect your brand (e.g., friendly, professional, playful).
- What stories can you tell? Think about personal anecdotes or customer stories that embody your brand’s mission.
With these elements in mind, craft a brand guideline document to keep your messaging consistent across all of your video content marketing.
2. Create Quality Content that Engages
Quality over quantity, my friends! Invest some time in planning your YouTube marketing content. Think about what your audience wants to see as you market your business on YouTube. Tutorials, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or customer testimonials are all excellent options, but also relatable moments within your service industry or product field can make a greater impact. Remember, your goal is to engage, inspire, and provide value. Give your audience a reason to share your video with their friends.
Understanding Audience Engagement:
- Attention Span: Research shows that the average attention span for online content is about 8 seconds. Grab your viewer’s attention immediately with an engaging hook at the beginning of your video within the first 2 seconds.
- Crafting Hooks: Start with a relatable or relevant question, an intriguing fact, or a bold statement to draw viewers in. The internet thrives off of controversy so if you can find a way to incorporate some starkly opposing views in your hook all the better.
- Ending Strongly: Conclude your video with a powerful takeaway or call-to-action (CTA). Ending right after you deliver your main point helps reinforce the message without dragging it out.
3. Optimizing YouTube Videos for Search
Just like you want your website to rank on search engines, your videos need to be discoverable too! Utilize relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags. Optimizing YouTube videos for search will not only help your videos reach a wider audience but also establish your authority in your niche. Don’t forget to create eye-catching thumbnails; they’re the first impression of your video.
Keyword Research Resources:
- Google Trends: Analyze trending topics and keywords related to your niche.
- YouTube Search Bar: Start typing keywords related to your content and see what auto-suggestions appear.
- TubeBuddy: A browser extension that helps with keyword research and optimization directly on YouTube.
- VidIQ: Offers insights into keyword performance and helps you identify trending topics.
4. Leverage Call-to-Actions (CTAs)
Don’t be shy! Encourage your viewers to engage with your content. Whether it’s liking the video, subscribing to your channel, or visiting your website, clear and compelling CTAs can make a significant difference. Incorporate them naturally into your videos – think of it as inviting your audience to be part of your journey.
Being Authentic with Your CTAs:
Instead of repeatedly asking viewers to “like, share, and subscribe,” consider more authentic phrasing. For example, you could say, “If you enjoyed this content and want to see more like it, hit the follow button!” This approach feels less forced and more genuine.
5. Engage Your Community with Video Content Marketing
YouTube is not just a platform for broadcasting; it’s a thriving community! Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and show appreciation for your viewers. Building a relationship with your audience fosters loyalty and encourages them to become advocates for your brand.
Steps to Grow Your Followers:
- Host Q&A Sessions: Invite your viewers to ask questions in the comments, and dedicate a video to answering them.
- Create Polls: Use the community tab to ask your audience what content they’d like to see next.
- Feature Comments: Highlight insightful or funny comments in your videos to encourage more interaction.
- Collaborate with Viewers: Invite viewers to share their experiences related to your content and feature their stories in your videos.
6. Utilize YouTube Analytics to Improve Your Strategy
Keep an eye on YouTube Analytics to understand what’s working and what’s not. Are there specific videos that resonate more with your audience? Use this data to refine your content strategy, ensuring you’re always delivering what your viewers want to see.
Using YouTube Analytics Effectively:
- Watch Time: Focus on increasing your watch time, as it directly impacts your video rankings. Identify which videos have the highest watch time and analyze what made them successful.
- Audience Demographics: Understand who your viewers are. Tailoring content to match their interests can lead to higher engagement.
- Traffic Sources: Discover where your views are coming from. Are they from search results, suggested videos, or external websites? This information can guide your promotional strategies.
- Metricool: Consider using tools like Metricool to track your performance across platforms, analyze audience behavior, and plan your content strategy more effectively.
7. Collaborate with Other Creators
Collaboration can open doors to new audiences. Partner with other creators in your niche to cross-promote each other’s content. It’s a win-win situation that can introduce your brand to a whole new community and bring fresh perspectives to your videos.
Successful Collaboration Tips:
- Research Potential Partners: Look for creators who share a similar audience but don’t directly compete with you. This ensures a mutually beneficial partnership.
- Define Collaboration Goals: Clearly outline what you hope to achieve from the collaboration. Is it to gain more subscribers, increase engagement, or promote a specific product?
- Create Engaging Content Together: Whether it’s a joint video, a guest appearance, or a challenge, ensure the content is engaging and aligns with both of your brands.
- Promote Each Other: Share the collaborative video across both of your channels and social media platforms to maximize exposure.
8. Stay Consistent
Consistency is key! Establish a posting schedule that works for you and stick to it. Whether it’s weekly or bi-weekly, regular uploads keep your audience engaged and excited for what’s next. Plus, showing up consistently builds trust and credibility. For those with ADHD or object permanence issues, remember that your audience may forget about you if they don’t see your videos regularly.
Consistency Support:
If maintaining consistency feels overwhelming while trying to manage everything else in your business, consider hiring a video content creator like us here at Jennifer Zmuda Photography. We can help you strategize and create content efficiently, allowing you to focus on other crucial aspects of your business.
9. Promote Your Videos on Other Platforms
Don’t keep your amazing content a secret! Share your videos across your social media platforms, email newsletters, and even your website. The more you promote, the more views you’ll get, and the greater your reach will be.
Promotion Strategies:
- Share Behind-the-Scenes Content: Give your followers a sneak peek of upcoming videos to generate interest.
- Create Teasers: Short clips or trailers can entice viewers to check out the full video on YouTube.
- Utilize Email Marketing: Send out newsletters featuring your latest videos and encourage subscribers to engage with your content.
- Engage in Online Communities: Participate in relevant forums, groups, or social media platforms where your target audience hangs out, and share your videos when appropriate.
10. Have Fun and Be Authentic
Lastly, find ways to enjoy the process and remember real people will watch what you create! Authenticity shines through in video content marketing. Don’t be afraid to show your personality and let your passion for your business shine. Your audience will appreciate the realness, and it will help foster a deeper connection.
Embracing Authenticity:
- Share Personal Stories: Relate your experiences and challenges to create a more personal connection with your viewers.
- Be Yourself: Don’t try to fit into a mold of what you think a YouTuber should be. Your unique personality is what will attract and retain viewers.
- Have Fun with Your Content: Infuse humor, creativity, and spontaneity into your videos. Your enthusiasm will be contagious!
As you embark on this exciting journey, remember that authenticity and connection are your greatest allies. By embracing these YouTube marketing strategies, you’ll not only market your business more effectively but also cultivate a loyal community around your brand. So, roll up your sleeves, get creative, and let your passion shine through your videos. Here’s to your success on YouTube – happy filming!