Article last updated on:
August 06, 2024

Published a YouTube video? Not sure how to make it go viral?

This article teaches you the only 10 tips you’ll ever need to promote all of your videos.

How To Promote YouTube Videos

Currently, the best way to promote YouTube videos is to do it through SEO.

That is both on YouTube itself and on your website or blog.


1. Make use of Video SEO

Optimizing for search engines is crucial to getting discovered on YouTube. By using the right keywords and making your content easy to find, you can attract more viewers.

Highlighting the hashtags used on a YouTube Shorts video
Use hashtags to try going viral
  • Keywords: Research and use relevant keywords in your title + description.
  • Title: Create catchy and descriptive titles.
  • Description: Write detailed descriptions with keywords and links.
  • Tags: Use a mix of broad and specific hashtags for your videos.
  • Thumbnails: Design eye-catching thumbnails with bold text and contrasting colors.

A great way to leverage thumbnails is to A/B test them.

2. Talk to Your Audience

Engaging with your audience builds a loyal community around your channel. Interaction encourages viewers to return and recommend your content to others.

A great way of doing this is using your YouTube Community.

Highlighting one of PewDiePie's posts on YouTube Community
Great engagement on PewDiePie’s community
  • Respond to Comments: Engage with viewers by replying to their comments.
  • Call to Actions (CTAs): Encourage viewers to like, comment, and subscribe.
  • Community Tab: Use the community tab to post updates, polls, and engage with your audience.

3. Social Media

Social media platforms are powerful tools for promoting your YouTube videos. Sharing your content across different channels increases visibility and attracts new viewers.

X (Twitter) post of somebody sharing their new YouTube video
A simple example

4. Collaborate with Others

Collaborations can expose your channel to a broader audience. Working with other content creators helps you tap into their viewer base and gain credibility.

MrBeast's $1M Influencer Challenge Video
MrBeast had 50 guests in 1 video
  • Collaborations: Partner with other YouTubers for guest appearances or joint projects.
  • Shoutouts: Exchange shoutouts with creators in your niche.

5. Email Marketing

Email marketing is an effective way to keep your audience informed and engaged. Building an email list allows you to send updates and promote your videos directly to your subscribers.

  • Build an Email List: Collect emails through your channel and website.
  • Newsletters: Send regular newsletters with updates and video links.
  • Personalized Emails: Send personalized emails to your subscribers when you upload a new video.

6. Run Ads

Paid advertising on YouTube can quickly boost your video’s visibility. By targeting specific demographics, you can attract the right audience to your channel.

Website homepage of YouTube Ads

8. Cross-Promote Your Videos

Cross-promotion keeps viewers on your channel longer by guiding them to more of your content. This strategy increases your total watch time and helps build a consistent viewership.

Highlighting the end-screen on a YouTube video
You can customize this

FAQ

1. Can I pay to promote YouTube videos?

Yes, you can pay to promote YouTube videos using Google Ads to reach a wider audience through targeted advertising campaigns.

Screenshot from Google's guide about promoting a YouTube video
Screenshot is from their official guide

2. Where can I promote my YouTube for free?

You can promote your YouTube channel for free on social media platforms like Facebook, 𝕏 (Twitter), and Instagram, as well as on online communities such as Reddit, forums, and by collaborating with other creators.

3. Is it worth promoting on YouTube?

Yes, promoting on YouTube can be worth it as it helps increase visibility, attract new viewers, and potentially grow your channel’s subscriber base.


Thanks a lot for reading this,
David Ch
Head of the Editing Team at SendShort

About the author

David leads the editing team at SendShort. With this help, the team delivers the latest guides on using your favorite social media apps and creating short-form content.