5 Tips: How to make YouTube work for you.

Posted by Anya Sleezer << back to blog

Last Updated on December 27, 2022

Here’s a New Year’s prediction we feel comfortable making: YouTube will continue to rule the world of user-generated video content in 2023 and beyond, as the free platform continues to dominate, with no signs of slowing down.

YouTube is leveraged by both big and small companies…and, for that matter, no companies at all. Many regular people have managed to make themselves multi-millionaires from their YouTube content, while some multinational corporations will produce epic (and expensive) commercials that barely register 100 views.

Why do these influencers and content creators know that many global companies with huge media budgets don’t?

Easy. You must produce content people want to watch.

No, that doesn’t mean your oil and natural gas company or financial advisory firm should start producing “milk cart challenge” videos just to be trendy or viral. You can stay true to your brand values and succeed on YouTube too.

Here are five ways to use YouTube to achieve your business goals and objectives in 2023 and beyond!

1.) Be human

Newsflash: humans like watching humans more than a faceless corporation. No surprise there. So why are corporations still spending thousands on bland, boring, and cliche corporate videos that lack the human touch?

You got us.

We’re not suggesting you just do videos of your CEO talking to the camera. But you should make video content that humanizes your brand by making your audience feel like humans, not just potential customers. Use your content to address and engage with your audience. Try to connect with your viewers personally. Don’t come off like another corporate video. Humans are making your videos, right? So be human.

2.) Utilize the channel layout

Think of your channel layout as the home where your content lives. You want it to look nice.

How? Choose a channel layout aligntment that’s eye-chatching and consistent with your brand. Your channel’s branding should reflect the look and feel you’re using on your website, social media, and other media. Also, include links to your website and other social media accounts in the bio. Your channel layout is the first impression you have with viewers; make sure it’s not the last.

3.) Optimize old content

Need ideas for new content? The best place to look is your old content, especially if it performed well. You can turn old blogs, case studies, webinar recordings, podcasts, and even PowerPoint presentations into optimized new content for YouTube.

Does your business host webinars regularly? Turn the webinar into a video tutorial, which would be interesting to your target audience, and help promote your next tutorial or webinar.

Do you have a blog post that explains how to use your best-selling product? Make a video of you using the product or (as a quick fix) screen record the blog and record a voiceover of you reading it. Done!

4.) Get creative with your thumbnails

Consider the video thumbnail like the cover of a book. Customers are more likely to watch if they find the image compelling (which is why top content creators spend hours testing and retesting the perfect thumbnail). Usually YouTube will give you a few screengrabs from your videos as options. But you don’t have to rely on these. Make your own thumbnail, and put as much TLC into as you would any piece of branded content. Yes, it’s that important.

5.) Engage with your audience with YouTube LIVE

YouTube Live is the 2nd most popular live streaming website and the world’s most popular video app. There’s a reason: YouTube’s live stream can build a greater level of hype than you’ll get on regular uploads. With YouTube Live, you can…

Turn a regular video into an exciting LIVE event
Tap into a larger audience
Engage with your viewers in real-time

Trends and best practices come and go, but working with a marketing expert can always help you stay ahead. If your video content and YouTube strategy needs some love, level up with Levo!

FAQs

How do I optimize old content for YouTube?

You can turn old blogs, case studies, webinar recordings, podcasts, and even PowerPoint presentations into optimized new content. For instance, if your business hosts webinars regularly, you could turn the webinar into a video tutorial. This would be interesting to your target audience, and help oromote your next tutorial or webinar.

How is YouTube LIVE beneficial?

YouTube’s live stream can build a greater level of hype than you’ll get on regular uploads. Here are a few reasons for to participate in YouTube Live videos:

Turn a regular video into an exciting LIVE event
Tap into a larger audience
Engage with your viewers in real-time

Anya Sleezer

Anya Sleezer is the owner of Levo, a full–service marketing agency, focused on helping companies from all industries who are concerned with their marketing results, traffic, branding, advertising, or websites.

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