If you’re serious about growing your YouTube channel, what you do immediately after uploading a video is just as crucial as the content itself. Many small YouTubers make a common mistake: they hit publish, maybe share the video once, and then simply hope for the best. But this passive approach is why so many new videos fail to gain traction. There’s a reason my four recent videos collectively garnered over 3 million views – I have a winning upload strategy that ensures every video gets the attention it deserves.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through my exact post-upload process, step by step. Plus, I’ll share some extra tips that can significantly boost your overall channel growth. Trust me, there are strategies here that you probably haven’t heard of before. So, let’s dive in and transform your YouTube game!
Optimizing Your Video File Name
Let’s start with something simple yet often overlooked – your video file name. This little detail has sparked debates among YouTubers for years. Some swear by its importance, while others dismiss it entirely. Personally, I believe it’s a fantastic opportunity to inject valuable keywords for SEO.
Here’s what I do, along with many top YouTubers: I name the file exactly as the video title will appear, or as close as possible. Why? Because when you look at the uploaded file, you can literally see the entire file name, indicating that YouTube stores and analyzes this data. If it didn’t matter, we wouldn’t see it displayed so prominently.
So, when saving your video from editing software like CapCut or Premier Pro, ensure the file name matches your intended title. It’s a small step that could potentially make a big difference.
Crafting Compelling Titles
Now, let’s talk about one of the most critical elements of your video – the title. I won’t sugarcoat it; your title and thumbnail are absolutely vital, especially if you’re a new or small YouTuber without an established audience. These elements are what entice viewers to click and watch your content.
Your title needs to spark curiosity while accurately representing the video’s content. For instance, you clicked on this article because I promised specific information about post-upload strategies. Similarly, successful videos incorporate important keywords that clearly explain their content, like “shorts,” “Vandy Barrett train algorithm,” or “bullet train.”
When creating your title, always include descriptive keywords for both SEO and clarity. This approach is a key reason why my four example videos performed so well. Follow this strategy, and yours will too!
Mastering Video Descriptions
The description section is an absolute goldmine for boosting your video’s visibility. Here’s how I optimize each description:
- Transcript Breakdown: First, I copy the entire transcript into a Word document.
- AI Assistance: I paste this into Chat GPT and ask it to craft a fully optimized description. For example:
- “Here’s the script for my latest YouTube video titled ‘How to Include SEO to Make Any Video Go Viral.’ Please write a one-paragraph description that’s fully optimized for SEO. Target new and small YouTubers looking to grow their channels who aren’t getting many views yet and aren’t aware of SEO benefits.”
This method consistently delivers keyword-rich descriptions that align perfectly with the video content. Give it a try – you might be surprised by the results!
Leveraging Links, Playlists, and Hashtags
Strategic Link Placement
Always include relevant links in your description. These should direct viewers to other content on your channel or resources mentioned in the video. Additionally, implement deep linking by creating playlists. When viewers finish your video, instead of seeing random suggestions, they’ll see more of your content on the sidebar. Even if only 30% of viewers click through, that’s a significant boost in watch time.
To create effective playlists:
- Compile related videos into a single playlist.
- Use calls-to-action in your videos and descriptions to guide viewers to these playlists.
- Copy the playlist URL or specific video links within the playlist for easy access.
Harnessing Hashtags
While some YouTubers use up to 60 hashtags, I prefer a more focused approach. I typically include 3 to 5 hashtags closely related to the video title. Remember, only three hashtags appear prominently, so choose wisely.
Designing Eye-Catching Thumbnails
Your thumbnail is as crucial as your title in determining whether viewers click on your video. Poor thumbnails can severely hinder a new channel’s growth. To maximize effectiveness:
- Create Multiple Options: Develop three different thumbnails and let YouTube’s algorithm test them to determine which performs best.
- Invoke Curiosity: Ensure your thumbnail stands out and sparks interest.
- Use Inspiration Tools: Platforms like One of 10 showcase viral video thumbnails, providing excellent inspiration for your designs.
Implementing SEO Tags
Although debated, tags remain a valuable tool. A quick way to generate effective tags is by using free tag generators. Simply input your title, and these tools will provide a list of SEO-heavy tags to include.
Timing Your Video Release
Before publishing, set your video to private or unlisted for 2 to 24 hours. This allows YouTube’s algorithm to gather essential data, ensuring it pushes your content to the right audience upon release. I personally give my videos anywhere from 2 to 24 hours before going live.
Enhancing Accessibility with Subtitles
Adding subtitles in multiple languages can significantly expand your reach. Here’s how to do it efficiently:
- Automatic Captions: Start with YouTube’s automatic captions and correct any errors.
- Add Languages: Choose relevant languages based on your audience demographics (e.g., Hindi, Indonesian, Filipino).
- Auto-Translate: Use YouTube’s auto-translate feature to generate subtitles in new languages quickly.
These steps help retain foreign viewers who might otherwise struggle with English-only content.
Boosting Initial Engagement
Once your video goes live, rewatch it using a secondary YouTube account. This support account helps boost initial views and watch time legally. Additionally, watch your video on a separate browser where you’re not logged into any channel. Ensure you watch until the end to improve average view duration metrics.
Linking Shorts to Long-Form Videos
Shorts can drive substantial traffic to your long-form content. After posting a new video, link it to all your existing shorts. While this won’t bring millions of views overnight, it’s an effective cross-promotion strategy that increases exposure.
For those not yet utilizing shorts, consider incorporating them into your content strategy. Tools like Nexus Clips can analyze your videos, extract engaging segments, and create up to five viral shorts automatically, complete with animated subtitles.
Engaging with Your Audience
Finally, actively engage with your viewers by responding to every comment, whether positive or negative. For smaller channels receiving fewer comments, this interaction is crucial. Spark conversations to encourage more engagement, signaling to YouTube’s algorithm that your content is valuable.
Final Thoughts
Implementing these post-upload strategies can dramatically enhance your YouTube channel’s growth. From optimizing file names and crafting compelling titles to leveraging AI for descriptions and expanding accessibility with subtitles, each step plays a vital role in maximizing your video’s potential.
Remember, success on YouTube isn’t just about creating great content; it’s about strategically promoting and engaging with that content after it’s live. By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well on your way to achieving the visibility and growth your channel deserves.
Thanks for reading, and best of luck on your YouTube journey!
