I Helped YouTubers Get 25 Million Views. Here's What I Learned.

Alright, folks, buckle up. You're about to get a peek behind the curtain, a glimpse into the wild, wooly world of… YouTube. Yeah, that’s right. Not exactly digging ditches or, you know, saving lives, but hey, a gig’s a gig, and this one? This one was called HackYTGrowth. And your humble narrator? Yours truly was their so-called “YouTube Research Intern.” Fancy title, right? Made me feel like I should be wearing a lab coat and safety goggles while staring intensely at, I don't know, algorithm charts.

An Amazing Journey With HackYTGrowth

So, what did a “YouTube Research Intern” actually do? Well, let me tell you, it wasn’t exactly glamorous. More like… squinting. Lots and lots of squinting at screens. My mission, should I choose to accept it (and I did, because rent, folks, rent), was to become a freakin’ Sherlock Holmes of YouTube trends. We’re talking deep dives into the abyss of 25+ niches. Twenty-five! From the surprisingly cutthroat world of competitive thumb wrestling (who knew?) to the strangely soothing realm of underwater basket weaving (again, who knew?), I saw it all. I became one with the algorithm. I dreamt in thumbnails.

And for what? To help YouTubers grow. To get those precious views, those coveted subscribers. These weren’t your already-famous, sponsored-by-a-major-cereal-brand types. Nah, these were the little guys, the scrappy underdogs, pouring their hearts and souls into videos about, say, the proper way to groom a miniature poodle or the history of the spork. And you know what? It felt… good.

We, and by “we” I mean mostly me and a very strong pot of coffee, helped over 20 clients. Twenty! And these folks, these brave souls battling the forces of the internet, they racked up a combined 750,000+ followers and over 25 million views. Twenty-five million. I know, right? Makes you think.

But it wasn’t just about the numbers, though those were pretty darn impressive, if I do say so myself. I also played digital matchmaker, connecting creators with brands. Think of me as the Cupid of content, only instead of arrows, I was slinging spreadsheets and, you know, strongly worded emails. Fifteen deals. Fifteen! Helped a guy who made videos about, and I kid you not, the existential dread of garden gnomes, partner with a company that sold… tiny little existential dread-themed gnome hats. It was beautiful, folks. Truly beautiful.

So, what did I learn from this digital escapade? And more importantly, what can you, dear reader, glean from my time in the YouTube trenches? I've seen the good, the bad, and the downright bizarre, and I'm here to tell you, the YouTube landscape is a constantly shifting beast. But amidst the chaos, there are some fundamental truths that hold strong.

Disclaimer: Nerd Stuff!

Here’s the lowdown, the real nitty-gritty: 

How to Find Your Perfect (and Profitable) YouTube Niche:

Find Your Niche (and Own It): Don't try to be everything to everyone. The internet is a vast ocean, and if you try to appeal to the whole sea, you'll just drown in the noise. Find that weird, wonderful thing you’re passionate about, even if it’s competitive thumb wrestling, and go all in. I'm serious. During my time at HackYTGrowth, I saw channels dedicated to the most obscure topics imaginable find their tribe. The more specific your niche, the easier it is to build a dedicated community. Think about what you love, what you're good at, and what makes you different. Do you have a unique skill, an unusual hobby, or an encyclopedic knowledge of something incredibly specific? That's your gold. Lean into it. Don't be afraid to be yourself, quirks and all. Authenticity is your greatest asset. The internet is a vast and strange place; there’s an audience for everything. I found out that there is a market for everything, even for things that you might think are stupid.

The Algorithm is Not Your Enemy (But It's Not Your Friend Either)

Content is King, But Consistency is Queen: You can have the most brilliant video idea in the world – a cinematic masterpiece that would make Satyajit Ray himself weep with joy – but if you’re not putting out content regularly, you’re going to get lost in the shuffle. Think of it like this: each video is a lottery ticket. The more tickets you have, the better your chances of winning. But it's more than just quantity; it's about building a relationship with your audience. They need to know they can rely on you for regular content. Set a schedule, even if it's just one video a week, and stick to it.

Collaboration is Key: Don't be a lone wolf. The YouTube ecosystem thrives on collaboration. Reach out to other creators, even if they’re in a slightly different niche. Guest appearances, shoutouts, joint projects – these can all help you tap into new audiences and expand your reach. Plus, it's just more fun to create with friends. You never know what kind of magic might happen when you combine forces. You might even find a brand that wants to throw some money your way. Think of it as cross-pollination for the digital age. One plus one can sometimes equal three in the world of online collaborations.

The Algorithm is a Fickle Beast: Yes, the algorithm is important. It's the gatekeeper, the digital deity that decides who sees your content. But don't try to "game" the system with clickbaity titles or misleading thumbnails. It might work in the short term, but it's not a sustainable strategy. Focus on creating quality content that your audience will love, content that's engaging, informative, and entertaining. Learn the basics of SEO, use relevant keywords, and pay attention to your analytics. But ultimately, remember that the algorithm is designed to serve the viewers, not the creators. Provide value, and the algorithm will (eventually) reward you. The algorithm is not a sentient being with a personal vendetta. It's simply a complex set of rules designed to surface the content that viewers are most likely to enjoy.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help: You can always ask for help. You are not alone in this journey. There are many online forums, communities, and resources dedicated to helping YouTubers grow. Don't be shy about asking questions, seeking feedback, or finding a mentor. There are a lot of people who can help you achieve your goals. Use the resources you have. Remember, even the biggest YouTubers started somewhere.

Yeah, So Many Things, I Know

Now that you've found your niche, committed to consistency, embraced collaboration, and understood the algorithm's quirks, let's talk about building that loyal audience and turning those viewers into a thriving community.

• Engage with your audience: Respond to comments, answer questions, and build relationships with your viewers.

  • This is where the magic happens. Don't just broadcast; connect. Treat your comment section like a conversation, not a lecture hall. Respond to comments, even the negative ones (within reason, of course – don't feed the trolls!). Ask questions. Run polls. Host Q&A sessions in your videos or on other social media platforms. Show your viewers that you're a real person who cares about their feedback. Make them feel like they're part of something bigger than just a channel. Building a community takes effort but it will pay off. A dedicated community will support you, share your content, and help you grow.
  • Example: If you make a video about the history of sporks, and someone comments asking about the origins of the word "spork," don't just give a one-word answer. Engage in a conversation! Share some interesting etymology, maybe even make a follow-up video about it.

• Promote your videos: Share your content on social media and other platforms.

  • Don't just rely on the YouTube algorithm to do all the work. Be your own best promoter! Share your videos on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Reddit – wherever your target audience hangs out. But don't just spam links. Craft engaging posts that tease the content of your video and encourage people to click through. Use relevant hashtags. Join online communities related to your niche and share your videos when appropriate.
  • Example: If you make a video about the existential dread of garden gnomes, you might share it on a gardening forum with a caption like, "Ever wonder what your garden gnomes are really thinking? You might be surprised..."

• Pay attention to your analytics: Learn what's working and what's not, and adjust your strategy accordingly.

  • YouTube Analytics is your secret weapon. It's a treasure trove of data that can tell you everything from who your audience is to which videos are performing best. Pay attention to metrics like watch time, audience retention, and click-through rate. Are people dropping off at a certain point in your videos? Are your thumbnails attracting clicks? Use this data to refine your content and improve your strategy. Experiment with different video formats, lengths, and topics. Don't be afraid to try new things and see what sticks.
  • Example: If you notice that your videos about underwater basket weaving are getting significantly more views than your videos about competitive thumb wrestling, maybe it's time to double down on the basket weaving (or at least figure out why it's resonating more with your audience).

• Invest in your setup: You don't need fancy equipment to start, but good audio and video quality can make a big difference.

  • Nobody wants to watch a video that looks like it was filmed with a potato or listen to audio that sounds like it was recorded in a wind tunnel. While you don't need to break the bank on professional gear when you're starting out, investing in a decent microphone and camera can significantly improve the quality of your content. Good lighting is also crucial. You can find tons of affordable options online.
  • Example: Even a simple USB microphone can make a world of difference in your audio quality. And you don't need expensive studio lights – natural light from a window can work wonders.

• Be patient: Growing a YouTube channel takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results overnight. Keep creating, keep learning, and keep growing. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

• This is probably the most important piece of advice. Building a successful YouTube channel takes time, dedication, and a whole lot of patience. There will be ups and downs. You'll have videos that flop and videos that go viral. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results overnight. Just keep creating content that you're passionate about, keep engaging with your audience, and keep learning from your mistakes. Celebrate your small wins. Remember, it is a marathon, not a sprint.
• Example: Don't compare yourself to YouTubers who have been at it for years. Focus on your own journey and celebrate your progress along the way. Every new subscriber, every positive comment, every view is a step in the right direction.

So go forth, brave content creators, and may your thumbnails be ever clickable, your titles enticing, and your comment sections free of trolls (a YouTuber can dream, right?). As for me, you can find me on my little corner of the internet, Elite Enayet Studios, still trying to figure out what the algorithm wants. Spoiler alert: it probably wants more cat videos. But hey, at least I'm having fun. And if you happen to crack the code to YouTube success, do let me know. A guy's gotta pay rent, you know? Also, don't forget to subscribe.

Elite Enayet, over and out. (For now.)