As an entrepreneur, you already know that creating YouTube videos is just half the battle. The other half? Getting people to actually watch them. And let’s be honest—spending hours editing, adding music, and ensuring perfect lighting just to get a handful of views is frustrating. But don’t throw in the towel just yet! YouTube is a goldmine for growing your business, building your brand, and yes, even making money.
The good news? You don’t need a massive budget, fancy equipment, or even expert-level marketing skills to boost your channel. All you need is a plan. And lucky for you, I have the perfect one—seven proven ways to promote your YouTube channel.
7 Ways To Promote Your YouTube Channel (Even If You’re a Beginner)
These strategies are simple, effective, and don’t require a degree in rocket science. Just start with the first one and knock them out one by one. Ready? Let’s dive in!
1. Write Click-Worthy Titles (Because Nobody Watches Boring Videos)
Ever browse YouTube and just scroll past a bunch of videos without even looking? That’s exactly what happens when your title is bland. If your video titles are as exciting as watching paint dry, no one will click.
So, how do you write titles that make people think, “I HAVE to watch this!”?
- Use curiosity: “I Tried This TikTok Hack and You Won’t Believe What Happened!”
- Make it benefit-driven: “How to Get 1,000 Subscribers FAST”
- Keep it short (under 50 characters) so it doesn’t get cut off
- Use numbers when possible—that’s why list-style videos like this one work wonders!
Before you publish, ask yourself: If you saw this title in search, would YOU click on it?
2. Master YouTube SEO (Because Google Loves Your Videos Too)
Fun fact: YouTube is the world’s second-largest search engine (after Google). And just like Google, it ranks videos based on what people are searching for.
This means if you optimize your content properly, people will find your video on their own—without you having to constantly promote it.
Here’s Your Must-Have YouTube SEO Checklist:
✅ Use Keywords in Your Title & Description
Think about what people might search for and use those exact words in your video title. Also, add them naturally in the first few lines of your description.
✅ Say Your Keywords in The Video
Sounds weird, right? But YouTube actually listens to your video (yep, AI is creepy like that) and uses this to understand what your content is about.
✅ Get More Engagement
YouTube ranks videos higher when people interact with them. So ask viewers to:
- Like your video
- Drop a comment
- Subscribe
- Share with a friend
✅ Add Video Tags & Categories
Tags help YouTube understand your topic and show your video to the right audience. Use as many relevant ones as possible.
3. Promote Your Videos on Facebook (Because Facebook Still Exists)
Facebook might not be as trendy as TikTok, but it’s still a powerhouse for getting eyes on your content.
How to Promote Your YouTube Videos on Facebook:
- Upload short snippets of your YouTube video natively (Facebook favors native content over shared YouTube links)
- Add a call-to-action like, “Watch the full video on YouTube! 🔗 (link below)”
- Join Facebook Groups related to your niche and (strategically) share your videos
- Make your cover photo match your YouTube branding for consistency
Need help creating a killer Facebook banner? Watch this video:
4. Cross-Promote Your Videos (Because People Need Reminders)
Let’s be real: most viewers watch one video, then leave. But what if you could lead them to another video before they escape?
Here’s how:
- Reference an older video in your new one and tell viewers to check it out
- Use YouTube’s “cards” to link to another video mid-watch
- Add an end screen with clickable thumbnails to your other videos
The more content people watch from you, the more YouTube recommends your stuff. And that’s a win!
5. Embed Your Videos on Your Blog or Website
If you have a blog or website (or even if you don’t and just want to look fancy), embedding your YouTube videos can bring in new viewers.
Why this works:
- People already visiting your site get a chance to watch your videos
- Increases watch time, which is a BIG metric for ranking
- Makes your website more engaging (because let’s be honest, no one likes reading giant walls of text)
Just take the embed code from your YouTube video and add it to your blog posts. Easy-peasy.
6. Create Eye-Catching Thumbnails (Because People Judge Books… and Videos… By Their Covers)
You could have the greatest video on the planet, but if your thumbnail looks like it was made in Microsoft Paint… well, good luck getting clicks.
Thumbnail Tips:
- Make sure it’s 1280×720 pixels
- Use bold, easy-to-read text
- Keep it under 2MB
- Use a 16:9 aspect ratio
- Make it pop—bright colors and high contrast work best
Need a tool to create stunning thumbnails? Check out The YouTube Channel Art Creator.
7. Engage With Your Community (Because YouTube Rewards Interaction)
YouTube’s algorithm loves engagement. The more interactions your video gets, the more YouTube promotes it.
Easy Ways to Boost Engagement:
- Reply to every comment (yes, even the weird ones)
- Pin a comment with a question to stir up conversation
- Ask viewers to “Subscribe and hit the bell” (yes, it actually works!)
FAQs About Promoting Your YouTube Channel
How often should I upload videos?
At least once a week if possible. Consistency is key, but make sure quality doesn’t suffer.
Is YouTube promotion free?
Yes! Unless you want to run ads, which can help accelerate growth. But these seven tips are completely free.
How long does it take to grow a channel?
It varies, but most successful YouTubers see real momentum after a few months of consistent effort.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever thought, “Why isn’t my YouTube channel growing?”—this guide is your answer. These seven strategies work best when combined, so don’t just do one and call it a day. The more effort you put in, the faster you’ll see results.
Now go apply these tips, and who knows? You might just become the next big thing on YouTube!
I’m new to YouTube so thanks for these tips! I think my video titles could prob be shorter.
Glad to hear they were helpful Annie 🙂
Thanks for the tips. I am very new to YouTube and find it intimidating!
You’re welcome Carrie. And, yes, YouTube can be very overwhelming… it’s hard enough just to create your videos let alone make sure they actually get seen 🙂 Hang in there! It’s soooo worthwhile!
Many thanks Lisa and Marc great video always a pleasure to watch and grab some handy tips 🙂
Hey Tim! Really glad it was helpful! Thanks for letting us know 🙂