Have you ever been pitched YouTube SEO services promising to skyrocket your views and subscribers? In this episode, we’re diving into five “secrets” that some marketers might not want you to know about growing your YouTube channel. We’ll debunk common misconceptions, reveal what real growth looks like, and share a simple yet effective video funnel for lead generation.
The Alluring Email Solicitations (and Why They Often Miss the Mark)
It’s a familiar sight in many inboxes: emails from self-proclaimed YouTube SEO experts. They often highlight perceived weaknesses in your channel’s performance, pointing to low view counts or offering to optimize your titles, descriptions, and tags for better visibility on both YouTube and Google. They might even throw in promises of custom thumbnails and eye-catching visuals to attract more clicks.
While some of their observations might touch on valid points (like the importance of engaging content), their proposed solutions often rely on outdated or ineffective tactics. As I’ve experienced firsthand with the numerous solicitations I receive daily, these “experts” often haven’t even taken the time to understand the content of my videos or the specific goals of my channel.
One common tactic they suggest is improving titles, descriptions, and tags. While these elements are important, they are only one piece of the puzzle and often not the magic bullet these marketers present them as. Another suggestion, promoting your videos on social media for better reach, is actually contrary to YouTube’s recommendations. YouTube wants viewers to stay on their platform.
Then there’s the focus on thumbnails. While compelling thumbnails are crucial for attracting clicks, they have absolutely nothing to do with SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
Secret #1: Buying Views, Likes, and Subscribers Will Hurt Your Channel
This is a critical point: buying views, likes, or subscribers is detrimental to your YouTube channel. YouTube is sophisticated enough to detect artificial engagement, and it will negatively impact your channel’s growth and credibility. Instead of looking for quick fixes, focus on creating valuable content that resonates with your target audience.
When discussing SEO with your marketer, ask direct questions about their methods. Do they engage in link building or the purchasing of engagement metrics? Be wary of vague assurances of “white hat” tactics. In the realm of modern YouTube SEO, any artificial boosting is harmful.
Secret #2: Posting is NOT Marketing
It’s easy to confuse consistent content creation with effective marketing. Regularly posting videos is crucial for nurturing your existing audience, keeping you top-of-mind with subscribers and connections. However, marketing is about reaching new audiences who have never heard of you before and driving tangible results like email list growth or increased subscribers.
Many services focus on content creation and repurposing across multiple platforms and label it as marketing. While nurturing your audience is valuable, it’s essential to differentiate it from true marketing efforts.
There are three primary ways to market your YouTube channel:
- Viral Videos: While impactful, going viral is unpredictable and often reaches an audience not aligned with your niche.
- Paid Ads: Running targeted YouTube ads can effectively place your content in front of new, relevant viewers.
- Search (YouTube & Google): Creating videos that answer specific questions your target audience is searching for is, in my opinion, the most effective marketing strategy. It attracts viewers actively seeking solutions, making them more likely to engage and subscribe.
Secret #3: Google Has Changed – It’s a Content Search Engine Now
The landscape of search has drastically evolved. Google is no longer solely a website search engine; it’s a content search engine, and so is its subsidiary, YouTube.
In the past, SEO focused on optimizing websites and building complex networks of backlinks to rank higher in Google’s search results. This often involved creating low-value content and spammy tactics.
Today, the most effective SEO strategy involves identifying the specific questions your target audience is asking and creating valuable video content that directly answers those questions. By focusing on creating helpful content, you can rank in both YouTube and Google search results, generating leads without relying on outdated website-centric SEO techniques.
Secret #4: Keep Your Sales Funnel Simple and Effective
Forget the overly complex sales funnels with numerous upsells and downsells, especially when you’re just starting. The more steps and features you add, the more potential bottlenecks and problems you create.
A highly effective and simple video funnel looks like this:
- Search (Google/YouTube): Viewers find your video through search.
- Valuable Video Content: Your video provides valuable information and answers their questions.
- Clear Call to Action: At the end of the video, offer a relevant free gift (e.g., a guide, checklist) in exchange for their contact information.
- Lead Generation: The viewer provides their contact information and becomes a lead.
- Follow-Up (Optional but Recommended): Engage with your leads, perhaps by inviting them to a Zoom call for a more personal connection.
This straightforward approach focuses on providing value first and building a direct connection with interested viewers.
Secret #5: It Can Be This Simple – Answer Specific Questions
The final “secret” is that generating leads on YouTube can be surprisingly simple. By conducting thorough research to understand the specific questions your target audience is asking, you can create targeted video content that provides valuable answers. This approach naturally attracts viewers who are actively seeking solutions, making them highly qualified leads for your business.
It’s refreshing to know that a simple plan focused on answering your audience’s questions can be so effective in generating leads.
To further understand how YouTube SEO works in this modern landscape, I encourage you to watch my next video, “How Does SEO Work on YouTube?” I’ll link it right here.
