Tips for YouTube Growth: How Top YouTubers Succeed (2025)

Last Updated on April 24, 2025 by Jan Barley

Tips for YouTube growth are abundant on the YouTube platform. Everybody seems to have an opinion about what works and what doesn’t. I started two channels recently and openly admit to being clueless. Of course, I figured I was OK at producing content – could be better – and my thumbnails were better than most and not as good as others.

I figured there must be hidden secrets that had nothing to do with the actual video production and more about being in the ‘know-how’. Well, I was right. The jury is still out on the following tips, but I 100% believe they will work. Still, as my channels are still VERY new and I’m finding it challenging to create as much video content as I’d like, it may take time.

That said, I have taken the tips for YouTube growth from performing channels that explicitly share content about improving YouTube results.

Growing a YouTube channel isn’t just about uploading videos and hoping for the best. The top creators know the secret to success is a mix of strategy, consistency, and understanding of how the platform works.

If you’re looking for tips for YouTube growth, this guide will break down precisely what successful YouTubers do—and how you can apply these strategies to your channel.

Find Your Niche & Stick to It

One of the biggest YouTube success strategies is having a clear niche. If you’re creating videos about gaming one day and fitness the next, your audience won’t know what to expect. Successful YouTubers pick a niche and dominate it.

That was my first rookie mistake for my Soulful Entrepreneur channel. I curated my blog content (which is successful and recently got approved for Journey by Mediavine) for this channel. Still, I realised that YouTube might find it challenging to understand my primary focus.

Although my content is evergreen (an essential factor for blogging and YouTube), I cover a myriad of subjects, such as:

• SEO
• YouTube
• Blogging
• Pinterest
• Social Media
• Digital Marketing
• Affiliate Marketing
• Artificial Intelligence

Can you appreciate the dilemma? The subject matter is too scattered. I’ll keep going with it because I want to add the video content to my blogs, as it helps SEO and is more likely to engage readers to watch.

Conversely, I started a Simply Manifesting channel, which focuses 100% on everything to do with the law of attraction, and that’s a vast subject with endless opportunities for evergreen content.

This channel, I believe, stands more chance of gaining traction because the content subject is 100% transparent to the algorithm. That means it’s easier for YouTube to select a target audience when your video goes live.

So, when you choose a YouTube niche, consider the following questions:

• How targeted can you make the content?
• Are others having success within this niche?
• Is it a subject you are knowledgeable about?
• Can you create consistent, evergreen content?

In the next section is the overflowing pot of gold I recently discovered about tips and techniques for pre and post publishing. It’s a total gamechanger, I believe.

YouTube Tips for Growth: My Surprise Discovery

In this section, I will cover the nuts and bolts of pre- and post-publishing your video content, which can (apparently) make a significant difference if you stick to the protocol.

Step One: Set Basic Information

Go to your channel, and on the left-hand side, click on ‘Settings’ and ‘Channel’.

Choose your country of residence and enter all the relevant tags for your video content in the ‘Basic Info’ box. It can also help to add top-performing competitor tags (the channel name). This section enables YouTube to understand your content; you only need to do this once.

Step Two: Naming Your Video & Thumbnail

Until I learned this YouTube growth tip, I didn’t bother naming my video and thumbnail file anything special. Big mistake!

Name your video and thumbnail relevant to your video content. For example, I recently uploaded a video about The Surprising Role of Self-Love in Mastering the Law of Attraction. Therefore, I named my video and thumbnail ‘The Role of self love in the Law of Attraction’.

Step Three: Hashtags

Add hashtags to your video description. After publishing, they appear at the top of the description. Again, it helps YouTube better understand your content.

Step Four: Adding Playlists

Adding a playlist to your YouTube description means that YouTube will show your content on the right-hand side of the video instead of someone else’s similar videos.

The last thing you want is for the watcher to click on another channel. Instead, let’s encourage them to binge-watch our content.

• Go to ‘Manage Videos’
• Click on ‘Content’
• Click on ‘Playlists’
• Hover the mouse over a playlist
• Look for the three vertical dots
• Hover over the dots & click on ‘Get shareable link’
• Add that link to your video description

I created an Excel document where I add all my playlist links so I can quickly copy and paste relevant playlists to new videos.

Step 5: Add an End Screen

Add an end screen when you are setting up the video before publishing. Choose one video and one subscribe.

Step 6: Scheduling YouTube Content

Instead of publishing instantly, schedule your video for at least 24 hours ahead. That gives the YouTube algorithm time to assess your video so it is better prepared to share it with the right audience.

Step 7: Watch Your Video

Watch your video before it goes live, several times at least. Apparently, that helps feed the algorithm.

Read: Profitable YouTube Niches: 17 Best Income-Earners

I’ve only recently started applying these YouTube growth strategies, so it’s early days. I’m confident they will work if I can be consistent and find time to create more content.

For my Simply Manifesting channel, I use ElevenLabs text-to-audio software, sometimes using my cloned voice, as that saves me a lot of time bumbling around trying to record my voice without messing it up or the dog barking or farting in the middle of recording!

Read: Profitable Faceless YouTube Ideas: 7 Amazing Opportunities

The Basics of YouTube Growth

We know we need to create good quality content, but the following might help if you are brand new to YouTube.

One day, my friend, you will be making an income from your YouTube channels, but for now, let’s focus on doing what needs to be done – the process and all that.

1. Create Eye-Catching Thumbnails & Titles: A great video won’t matter if no one clicks on it! High click-through rate (CTR) YouTube strategies include:
   1. Using bold, readable text on thumbnails
   2. Expressive facial expressions if you’re on camera
   3. Creating curiosity-driven titles (e.g., “I Tried This for 30 Days… Here’s What Happened”)
   4. Avoid clickbait—your content should deliver what the title promises

2. Optimise for YouTube SEO: YouTube is the world’s second-largest search engine, so video SEO techniques are essential. Here’s how to make your videos more discoverable:
   • Use the primary keyword in your title, description, and tags
   • Add keyword synonyms throughout your description and captions

Research high-ranking keywords with tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ
For example, if I was creating a video of this article, instead of just using ‘tips for YouTube growth,’ I could use terms like “how to grow a YouTube channel”, “YouTube content strategy”, or “how to get more views on YouTube”.

3. Keep Viewers Hooked With Great Editing: YouTube’s algorithm favours videos that keep people watching. Top YouTubers use audience retention techniques such as:
   • Engaging intros (hook viewers in the first 5 seconds)
   • Pattern interrupts (zoom-ins, text effects, sound effects, and B-roll footage)
   • Fast-paced editing to keep energy levels high
   • Storytelling elements to keep viewers engaged until the end

4. Post Consistently (Without Burning Out): This aspect is tricky for beginners. It can take me a day or more to create a 5-15 minute video, so I can’t create as much video content as I want to. Consistency is key, but that doesn’t mean you have to post daily.Many top creators batch-create YouTube content, meaning they film multiple videos in one session and schedule them out. That keeps them ahead of schedule without feeling overwhelmed. A good posting schedule could be:
   • Once a week (quality over quantity)
   • Twice a week if you can maintain high-quality
   • Short-form videos (YouTube Shorts) to supplement longer content

5. Engage With Your Audience: Building a community is as important as creating great videos. YouTube favours channels with high engagement, so focus on:
   • Replying to comments
   • Asking questions in your videos to encourage discussion
   • Creating polls and community posts
   • Going live to connect in real-time

The more engaged your audience is, the more YouTube will push your videos to new viewers.

Study YouTube Analytics & Keep Experimenting

Even the best YouTubers are constantly tweaking their strategy. Check your YouTube Studio analytics to see:

• Which videos get the most watch time
• Where viewers drop off (adjust your editing accordingly)
• Which topics perform best (double down on what works)

Be Patient & Keep Improving Your YouTube Video Content

YouTube success doesn’t happen overnight. Many top creators spent years growing their YouTube channels before hitting it big. Stay consistent, keep improving your content, and focus on providing value.

Be aware that we are a results-driven species, and unless you accidentally hit the bullseye straight out of the gate, results will likely be feeble for a while. It’s easy to lose motivation when you get hardly any views and zero engagement. Still, keep going and tweaking your YouTube strategy. Instead of focusing on the goal (getting monetised and making a ton of money), focus on the process. Turn up, create valuable content and play the long game.

In conclusion, following these tips for YouTube growth will set you up for long-term success. From optimising your videos for search to keeping your audience slathering for more, these strategies will help you grow faster and build a loyal following.

The key is to stay consistent, and experiment with different formats, and, most importantly—have fun with the process!

Tell me, what’s your biggest struggle with YouTube growth?

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link.

FAQs

How Often Should I Upload My Videos To Grow My YouTube Channel?

Consistency is the most crucial element of YouTube growth. Aim for at least one high-quality video per week. Regularly uploading video content helps signal to the algorithm that you’re an active creator and builds trust with your audience.

What Are The Most Important Metrics To Track For YouTube Growth?

Watch time, click-through rate (CTR), audience retention, and engagement (likes, comments, shares) are crucial. These metrics tell YouTube your content is valuable, increasing your chances of being recommended.

What’s the Best Video Editing Software for Beginners?

I recommend CapCut. I tried other software and found them frustating. CapCut is easy to use. The interface is perfect for beginners as it’s mostly drag and drop. It has some great effects, sounds and lots of other great things to play with to wow your video content.

How Can I Improve Video Titles And Thumbnails To Get More Views?

Make sure titles are clear, curiosity-driven, and contain relevant keywords. Thumbnails should be visually striking with bold text and expressive faces or emotions to encourage clicks.

Do I Need Expensive Equipment To Grow On YouTube?

No! Many successful YouTubers get started with just a smartphone and natural light. Good audio and clear visuals matter most—invest in better gear gradually as your channel grows.

How Do I Get More Subscribers Organically?

Deliver value in every video, ask viewers to subscribe (with a reason), use end screens, and engage in the comments. Subscribers are more likely to come from content that solves a problem or inspires them.

Can Using SEO Really Help My Youtube Channel Grow?

Yes! YouTube is a search engine. Use relevant niche keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags as that helps your videos appear in search and suggested content. Tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ can help you optimize.