Starting a YouTube channel can be so exciting when you first get that magical idea. There’s a slight dopamine rush that happens after uploading your first video. You might not have over 26 million subscribers like Beyonce yet, but who’s to say you can’t get there one day with the right strategy? Starting a YouTube channel with no plan in place can lead you to frustrations and an occasional headache when trying to figure it out.
One of the keys to success on the platform is to monitor your metrics and make adjustments based on your performance. So here are three metrics to monitor when starting a YouTube channel:
Views & Watch Time
Keep an eye on the number of views your videos receive, as well as the duration of time that viewers spend watching them. This metric reflects the overall popularity and engagement of your content. If one of your video topics is getting more views than others, consider creating more content in that topic area.
YouTube's algorithm favors videos with higher watch time which indicates an engaging video. When your video has good engagement, it gets elevated in YouTube’s search results and recommendations. Meaning, the more engagement you receive organically, the more your video will be promoted. If your videos have lower watch times, it may be an indication that your content is not engaging enough.
Tip: Consider changing your videos to keep viewers watching for longer.
Subscribers
Track the number of subscribers you gain or lose over time. Subscribers are your loyal audience, and having a growing subscriber base indicates the appeal and loyalty of your channel. While subscribers are not the only indicator of success, they can be an important metric to monitor. As your channel grows, so should your subscriber count.
Your subscribers are your people! Without them, it’ll be like speaking in an empty room. To grow and maintain your subscribers you have to keep them engaged and entertained. After subscribing, YouTube will send notifications about your newest uploads and encourage them to watch which will generate more views. Sounds like a win on both ends!
Tip: Start by getting to know your audience and then figure out what your audience wants to see.
Engagement Metrics
Pay attention to metrics like comments, likes, and shares on your videos. These metrics indicate the level of engagement from your viewers, and more engagement generally leads to increased visibility and growth on the platform. Any sort of interaction with your viewers is a thumbs up to the algorithm. Thank your viewers when receiving comments. Engaging with your viewers will create a sense of community and it feels like knowing someone cares about your content.
If your engagement is improving over time, you are doing something right! Engagement is a key factor in how YouTube determines the success of a channel. The amount of shares you receive on a video will show you how your viewers value your content. Kind of like how a little kid only shares their favorite toy with their favorite people. Your video is like that toy and you should want to be shared with your viewers' favorite people.
Tip: Use a call to action in your comment section to promote engagement.
Finally
Overall, monitoring your views and watch time, subscribers, and engagement is essential for any YouTuber who wants to create high-quality content and grow their channel. YouTube analytics can help you understand your content’s performance. I encourage you to track your metrics at least once a week. But remember, YouTube analytic updates are based on the Pacific Time Zone, so if you’re a Midwest girl like me, you may have to wait until later in the day to get access to updated data. By understanding your audience and tailoring your content to their preferences, you can increase engagement and ultimately achieve greater success on the platform.
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