Ditch the idea that clickbait and trends are the only ways to get more views on your videos. Get your focus back to creating valuable videos that fulfill your creative drive.
Creators are constantly faced with conflicting advice: keep on being the unique, creative mind that you are, and follow all the rules to appease The Algorithm. I’m talking rules like: post at least once per week, create clickable titles (even if it’s clickbait), encourage likes and comments to keep your content seen, and add all the right keywords to your video descriptions.
It’s hard to stay creative in an environment that’s all about getting results and monetizing every moment of your life. When you’re on a platform like YouTube, you’re also reminded just how much content is out there, and how hard it is to get noticed.
I’ve been making videos on YouTube since 2014 for my beauty blog Broke for Beauty, and I’ve learned a ton about experimenting in a highly-creative space without letting the “rules” bog me down.
Whether you’re feeling drained and need a creative boost, or you’re just getting started with making videos, this post will simplify all that conflicting advice. I also hope to remind you that your work and creativity come first.
Read on for 5 ways to get more views on your videos.
1. Plan or Script Your Content
Planning your videos (even a little) will keep them consistent and high-quality. What the plan looks like is up to you.
Most creators plan out their videos at least a month in advance so they always know what’s next. It also gives them time to let their ideas simmer before they start filming. If you want more tips about content planning, check out my post How to Make and Use a Content Plan or check out the Content Planning category in the nav.
The planning doesn’t stop at a content plan, though. For each video, it’s a good idea to write down some of your ideas or even a script to make sure that you say what you want to say.
If you make value-focused content like how-to videos and tutorials, plan your steps and how to best capture them visually, and consider writing a voiceover track. If you create short films or other more art-focused work, create a shot-list of your ideas around the music, fonts, and other elements you’ll be using in the final video.
Again, you decide what the plan looks like. If you prefer structure, a script or detailed outline is the best move. If you work best off-the-cuff, then consider writing a few bullet points that you can riff off of—the bullet points can help you move from point to point without feeling too constricted.
2. Be Confident and Be Yourself
Yes, the dreaded “be yourself” advice is popping up again. But hear me out.
Videos are an amazingly intimate form of content. With sit-down videos, your audience is hearing your voice and seeing your face, and it feels like you’re in the room with them. With artistic videos, scripted series, or comedy sketches, you’re giving them a glimpse inside of your mind.
A successful creator knows that you find your audience by putting your whole self out there and forming deep connections. It’s scary to open yourself up to criticism, but without it, your audience isn’t given a chance to get to know you.
Think about your favorite creators. You probably feel like you know them in addition to everything else you respect about their work. I think when we see other successful creators do this well, it makes us feel like there’s something inherently special about them that makes them so dang relatable. But leave room in your mind for the reality that they’re a person just like you. The specialness that they have is that they know how to present themselves deeply, flaws and all, in a public space.
In other words: Successful creators are brave. They show up as they are even though it’s hard. Your videos can and should follow suit. Show up entirely and make real connections.
3. Be Valuable
The biggest pitfall for creators is the pressure to be online all the time. We’re supposed to post every week at minimum, we’re supposed to respond to comments immediately, and we’re supposed to manage social media pages across multiple platforms. This often leads to comparing ourselves to other creators, too, and listing out all the ways that everyone else is outdoing us.
When you create content to fill a monthly quota, you’re not always going to put out your best work. I’ve let that pressure cause me to post nothing for months at a time because I was so intimidated and burned out trying to keep up.
The only real rule you should follow is this: create content that you can’t wait to publish because you know it brings value to your audience. You know that it’s funny or informative or otherwise useful in some way. It’s something that you’d want to spend your time watching, too.
Creation isn’t only about fulfilling your creative drive. Creation is about making something that your audience will love. Sometimes it takes a couple tries to get there, but ultimately, your videos exist to help and entertain your audience.
If you’re not always able to post at the same time each week, that’s ok. When you bring value every time, your audience will be there when you’re ready. It can help to have an email list or a social media platform that you can use to give teasers and a heads-up when you have a new video.
4. Put Your Own Spin on the Trends
With pressure to get views and grow your audience, it’s often tempting to jump onto whatever bandwagon is passing by at the moment and milk it for all you can. But trends pass. If you only create videos that chase down the next trend, you may see short-term success, but you’re likely not growing and engaging a sustainable audience. Plus, your collection of videos will seem shallow and quickly outdated.
When you see a trend that everyone’s making videos about, keep it in mind, but see if there’s something else you can add to it. The viewers who already know and love you will connect with it. New viewers who find you from navigating through the trendy videos will get a better sense of who you are right away, and if they like it, they can join your audience knowing what you can offer them.
5. Use Data and Audience Feedback
Video platforms typically offer some data like the number of views per video and some basic demographics about your viewers. Combine data with direct feedback like comments and likes, and you’ll get a sense of what your audience finds valuable.
Too many creators get intimidated by the data or focus on the negativity in the comments instead of the good stuff. Then they start to worry that the data’s ruling them and their creativity is stifled forever, but ignoring all this incredible information isn’t the answer.
When your audience tells you what they like, whether through their actions or words, you need to listen. Take in enough data and feedback to guide your plan, but leave room for your creativity to keep things fresh.
Good Content Reels in More Views
Trends and clickbait can get more eyeballs on your videos, but the real, long-term success comes from making videos that people enjoy and share with others. Follow these 5 tips, and you’ll slowly start to see your audience grow and engage with you more and more.