Every minute, over 500 hours of video content are uploaded to YouTube. Every day, the platform clocks one billion hours of watch time. And, according to Ahrefs, it’s the most visited website in the world.
In short, YouTube is a force to be reckoned with. And you should be using it. Not sure where to start? No problem. That’s where we come in. To help you get going, we’ve rounded up five easy ways of creating engaging content on YouTube.
But before we dive in, if you haven’t set up your account yet check out our guide to starting a YouTube channel. And if you already have an account which is generating views, take a look at our post on building an automated YouTube sales funnel.
1. Why Blog It When You Can Vlog It
Day-in-the-life videos, fashion trends, beauty how-tos, brand-new product videos… if there isn’t already a vlog for it, there soon will be.
And because it’s easier than ever to produce great video content, anyone can do it. Sure, your first videos may not be winning any Oscars, but with practice you’ll get better and better at making videos that work for your business (check out our YouTube channel on how to do that).
Whether you’re looking to build your personal brand or take your business’s content to the next level, just remember to keep it personal and be yourself. It works for Zoella.
2. Get Ready To Make Those Videos Shoppable
Shoppable content is big business. It’s already an established part of the social media experience, particularly on Facebook and Instagram. Now, YouTube is keen to get in on the act. The video-sharing platform has been working on ways to let viewers shop directly through videos that have been added to its platform.
Think of it this way, if users are searching on YouTube for content that ultimately is geared towards them making a purchase, it makes sense for them to be able to buy easily at the end of the video (or even midway through in some cases). It’s a win-win.
70% of all YouTube viewers use the platform to find a solution
YouTube is currently testing the idea with a select number of creators. In the meantime, get to grips with shoppable video on platforms that already have the feature, such as Instagram. That way, when YouTube does finally roll out shoppable videos to everyone, you’ll already know what the score is.
3. Make Useful How-To Videos (And Keep Making Them)
It’s 2021 and everyone has a problem that needs fixing. They might not know how to fix it, but they certainly know where to go. YouTube. In fact, 70% of all YouTube viewers use the platform to find a solution.
Why do you think are so many “how-to” videos out there? Seriously, there are a lot… How to paint a room, how to make an omelet, how to draw… there’s even one showing you how to cry.
Of course, there’s also plenty of genuinely useful stuff too, like our handy how-to shoot epic videos on your smartphone or how to make a GIF. And that’s the key. Find your niche and make useful videos based around that.
If anything, there’s never been a better time to start making this type of content. Sure, they’ve always been popular, but right now they’re more important than ever. With people spending more time at home than ever before, we’ve got more free time to take up new hobbies, get stuck into that enormous DIY to-do list, and learn new things.
4. Create A Real Connection, Livestream Your Content
Livestreaming is mainstream these days. It gives brands, sports clubs, organizations and influencers the ability to engage their audiences in real-time. Plus, it’s cost-effective and stress-free – you can literally be live in seconds, with just a few taps on your smartphone.
The way we use YouTube is changing.. Moew people are watching it as if it were traditional TV
There’s definitely a demand for it. In a year where face-to-face experiences have been pretty impossible, YouTube’s latest trick has helped pick up some of the slack. In fact, 58% of livestream viewers said that watching one helps them feel connected to something bigger than themselves.
It’s obviously a great tool for performers, bands and comedians, who’ve been using it as a stand in for live shows. However, it’s also proved useful for brands, too. New product launches, interactive Q&As, a behind-the-scenes look into your business… the sky’s the limit with live.
5. The Long And Short Of It: Make Both Types Of Videos
There’s nothing wrong with short videos. If the message is right, and the content is good, they’re a great way to engage with your audience. But don’t just stick to quick and easy. Make some longer videos, too.
The reason for this is simple: the way we use YouTube is changing. More and more, people are watching it as if it were traditional TV. When Google spoke to some of its most successful content creators in 2019, it discovered that the rapid rise in engagement in ‘creator channels’ is, in part, down to “including long-form content in their channel mix”.
In fact, longer videos are increasingly the norm, with Pew Research Center reporting that the average length is around 12 minutes. Just remember to keep it relevant. Don’t stretch out if the content isn’t there. At the end of the day, if you make a 20-minute video that people find genuinely useful, they’ll watch it.
Now that you know some of the ways of creating engaging content On YouTube, use Viddyoze to streamline your video creation and grow your channel in record time.
