Nothing can make you feel like grinding your teeth more than trying to get more views on YouTube. As a new creator, it can be incredibly frustrating and even feel hopeless at times.
But gaining huge visibility on YouTube is not just sheer luck, as some may think. There’s a formula that you have to nail to gain traction and build momentum.
On top of that, you must consider how YouTube’s new algorithm decides which videos to amplify to audiences based more on viewer satisfaction than clicks.
This means you need to make an effort to connect with audiences. So, let’s break it all down with 12 strategies, and in the process, we’ll touch on how Pollo AI plays a part.
#1. Redesign Your Video Thumbnails
With every new video you post, YouTube shows it to a small test audience. If your click-through rate is high, then the algorithm sees that as a positive signal to keep recommending.
But if people aren’t clicking, then your video will be suppressed. For this reason, you must design eye-catching thumbnails that engage viewers' curiosity.
To start, you can look at what other popular channels in your niche are doing. For example, some top creators like @JonYoushaei use expressive faces and bold texts to entice viewers.
Take some time to see what works best for your content. You can even experiment with different thumbnails using YouTube’s ‘Test & Compare’ feature to see which one resonates with viewers.
#2. Craft More Click-Worthy Video Titles
Ever seen a YouTube video with an irresistibly tempting video title? You probably have. Most of them tend to use words like “Exposed”, “Secret”, “Worst”, “Hack”, etc.
Using such powerful words in your video titles can be an effective way to draw people in by tugging at their curiosity. They will want to know what the big ‘message’ is, so they can’t resist.
Another option is to make a dramatic statement that grabs attention by force. A creator like @AlexHormozi uses video titles that convey instant value yet almost feel confrontational.
For example, “Copy this strategy, it’ll blow up your business” is a powerful video title that tells you what you need to do and stand to gain. Just think of what works for your niche and apply it.
#3. Use YouTube Shorts to Boost Exposure
When it comes to reaching non-subscribers, YouTube Shorts dominates in this area. And it’s because Shorts run on a dedicated feed, so it’s easy to rack up millions of views.
You can use this to get more channel views by creating previews or clips of impactful moments, then linking them to the full video via the ‘Related Video’ feature.
If these Shorts go viral, then you will have created a perfect funnel that potentially drives all that traffic to your longer videos. You can see this in action with @LeoMoves, for example.
A good rule of thumb is to post Shorts at least 3-5 times a week to maximize visibility across user feeds. And if you need to scale, you can use Pollo Agent to create more Shorts.
#4. Collaborate with Other Creators In Your Niche
YouTube’s collab feature lets you share credit/co-own videos made with other creators. If you’re looking to get an instant spike of new views, this is a fantastic strategy.
In one fell swoop, you will get more impressions and views from the other creators’ subscribers. And after the co-owned video, they will be curious to see what else your channel has to offer.
Just like that, your YouTube channel’s activity will skyrocket and so will theirs. But you’ll need to make sure that whoever you collaborate with is in the same niche as you.
If possible, try to work with creators who have more subscribers. This will give you the maximum level of exposure you need to rack up a lot of views quickly.
#5. Create More Evergreen Video Content
Most videos on YouTube with millions of views touch on evergreen topics like how-tos, reviews, explainers, tutorials, etc. Why? Because people want answers to their problems.
This leads to them making searches for videos that remain relevant for weeks, months, and even years later. Best of all, these topics always rank well on Google and YouTube SEO.
You can carry out some research using tools like Google Trends to uncover popular topics in your niche that most people are curious about or affected by.
For example, several how-to videos by @theNatalieDawson have earned plenty of views for imparting wisdom around many prevailing questions.
#6. Create Binge-Worthy Playlists/Video Series
If you want more views on your channel, then the ‘Autoplay’ button on YouTube playlists is your best friend. By placing related videos together, viewers will be led straight into the next one.
This allows you to maximize session time per viewer, and the longer they stay, the more it encourages YouTube’s algorithm to promote the playlist to more audiences.
The trick here is to create a list of videos on a related topic or even a continuation, like Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, etc. A good example is how @TheDiaryOfACEO structures his playlists.
Don’t try bunching up random videos together because viewers will just drop off. Speaking of which, if you need help creating more similar content, try using image to video of Pollo AI.
#7. Engage with Audiences In the First 24 Hours
YouTube’s algorithm will push your new videos to a test audience, and if it performs well within the first day or two, it will be amplified to other viewers.
To increase your chances, you need to try to maximize engagement and get that extra boost from the algorithm by replying to every new comment in the first 24 hours.
It sounds simple, but it can do wonders in helping you gain more visibility. After all, by replying to one comment, you may trigger a conversation thread.
This leads to more comments, and just like that, your video’s engagement rate spikes. Plus, it shows new viewers that you value their time, which encourages them to subscribe.
#8. Build a Brand/Community, Not a Channel
Many creators get caught in the hype of viral trends that they lose sight of what ensures consistent viewer and subscriber growth on YouTube.
Instead of trying to hit huge viewer numbers, work to build a brand/community. Nine times out of ten, building a relationship with your audience cements loyalty, which means more views.
You can start by leveraging community posts more between new video uploads. Think sneak peeks of upcoming content, behind-the-scenes clips, polls, exclusive announcements, etc.
For instance, you can use Pollo AI’s promo video maker to create simple teasers that will get audiences excited. Do this long enough, and the algorithm will take more notice of your channel.
#9. Use Content Loops To Drive Views Back
Staying consistent is one thing, but producing videos on new topics every week can be challenging at times. In fact, this is how some good videos are left to flatline.
But what if you could give those videos new life? One way to do this is to use content loops. You can create a main video, then create other content types that drive new traffic back to it.
For example, after uploading the original, you can spend the next week posting clips from the video as Shorts, sharing community polls about it, creating follow-up videos, etc.
Instead of always jumping onto the next topic, sometimes, it pays to simply double back on the previous video to build momentum and maximize views.
#10. Check Your YouTube Analytics Weekly
Getting more views on YouTube requires a willingness to double down when something is working and pivot when it isn’t. This means checking your analytics often.
Once you see how your current videos are performing, you can make certain changes. For example, do viewers seem to respond to one type of subject over the other?
If people seem more into home workout videos than gym workouts, then you know where to focus your energy. By pinpointing what audiences want, you can boost views faster.
Be sure to use YouTube Studio and see what your subscribers search for most, then create matching videos. You can rely on tools like Pollo AI’s article-to-video to help speed up the work.
#11. Cross-Promote Your Video on Socials
You don’t have to leave it all up to the algorithm to get more views. One way to kick things up a notch is by promoting your new videos across social media.
A popular strategy that top creators like @JayShettyPodcast use is to create viral-worthy clips from their full videos and publish them as Reels or TikToks to pull in external viewers.
Another notable option is to create clear snapshots with sound bites from the video and share them as static posts across Instagram, X, Substack, etc.
Each platform can pull in its fair share of visitors to your channel and, in doing so, give your views and subscriber count an extra boost, especially if these posts go viral.
#12. Don’t Neglect Optimizing for YouTube SEO
While YouTube’s new AI-based algorithm doesn’t prioritize manual metadata, optimizing your titles, descriptions, and tags is still important as a starting point.
Without the right keywords, the algorithm won’t know who to push your video to, and this won’t help your chances of attracting views, especially in the long-term.
You can start by checking the Google Trends and/or YouTube search bar suggestions to see what keywords your target viewers often use across your niche.
But don’t use broad keywords like baking or business. Be specific to narrow down your target audience, like “baking vanilla muffins in 3 easy steps” or “business strategies for beginners”.
Conclusion
Want more YouTube views? Patience will be your most important strategy. Many creators often give up when their videos aren’t performing as well as they hoped.
But that’s part of the process. Some videos will spike and others, not so much. The trick is to learn from what works and keep refining your video content plan accordingly.
So, try to strictly follow the tips we’ve discussed here. And start using Pollo AI today if you want to scale your channel by creating more YouTube thumbnails and video content in less time!