Starting a YouTube channel takes a lot of work, and unless you’re one of a few exceptions, you’re unlikely to succeed overnight. In addition to regularly uploading high-quality videos that provide value to your target audience, you’ll also need to focus on marketing your channel.

You can use the internet to share your content in many places. However, having so much choice can become overwhelming. So, it’s worth narrowing down your choices to wherever you’ll have the best return on your time investment.

This article will give you eight ideas for promoting your YouTube channel online.

1. Comment on Other YouTubers’ Videos

a man working on his computer

Regardless of the industry you’re in, networking is one of the most crucial skills you can learn. And while you might think it doesn’t matter as much for online creators, getting to know other YouTubers can increase your channel’s visibility.

If you’re new to YouTube, you can’t expect people on the platform to immediately know who you are. However, you can get your name in front of like-minded creators—and become more visible to their audience—by leaving comments on their videos.

Over time, people viewing the main creator’s video might click on your channel and check out your content. However, you’ll need to make sure that you leave meaningful comments. Share your opinions on the topic, and talk about what you did and didn’t like about their video.

2. Repurpose Snippets of Your Videos for Social Media

person holding their phone with the tiktok screen open

The rise of TikTok has led to several major social media platforms adopting their own forms of short-form video content. Many channels are pushing content that fits into this category, which has given creators like you a huge opportunity to build your audience.

If you’ve already created a YouTube video, you’ve got plenty of content you can repurpose for social media platforms. While TikTok is the go-to option for many, Instagram Reels is also worth checking out. You can also create short-form videos on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

To create vertical videos from landscape footage, you can use a tool like Premiere Pro or Premiere Rush to quickly crop your content. You’ll have to check the rules for using content that appears on other platforms for each channel, as some do not allow reposts.

3. Use the YouTube Community Feature

You probably know all about longer-form videos and YouTube Shorts, but how much consideration have you given to the platform’s Community feature?

Community is one of YouTube’s most underrated tools. You can use the feature to create several kinds of posts, including statuses that look similar to Facebook’s and LinkedIn’s. Moreover, you can add GIFs and still pictures—along with creating polls and more.

You’ll have to accumulate at least 500 subscribers to use the YouTube Community tab. Once you have, you’ll receive access to the feature within a week.

4. Make Guest Appearances on Podcasts

A female podcaster staring at a microphone

Podcasting has become increasingly popular throughout the 21st century, and content of this kind allows users to learn on the go. Regardless of whether you’re a small YouTuber or you have already built a solid base of subscribers, podcast guest appearances are an excellent way to reach even more people.

If you’re a newer YouTube channel, you might have to pitch yourself to podcasts before getting the opportunity to feature. However, more established YouTubers will probably have numerous requests each week.

Before appearing on the podcast, prepare and choose one that makes sense from a niche perspective. Ideally, you’ll also want to pick one with significant listenership.

5. Share Your Videos on Twitter

An iPhone on a table with the iOS Twitter app open.

Twitter is an excellent platform for photographers, but any online creator can use the platform to good effect. The network has made sharing video content more straightforward; all you need to do is upload the file to a tweet and share your thoughts.

You can also share links to your YouTube videos on your Twitter feed. The website’s search tool is a powerful function, and using important keywords and hashtags will potentially help you reach more viewers.

When using Twitter to share your videos, consider tagging accounts related to your content. For example, you can tag Sony if you’ve reviewed one of the company’s cameras. Doing so might get you a retweet and further attention as a result.

6. Consider Using Google Ads

While organic growth is crucial for any online creator’s long-term success, you shouldn’t discount the power of paid advertising. Google Ads has a huge selection of advertising tools, and you can use the feature to promote your videos.

Pick the video you want to promote and customize your target audience. We have an in-depth guide on how to use Google Ads for promoting YouTube videos if you’re keen to try it out.

7. Grow Your Website’s Reach

Man working on a computer in front of a window

If you’re serious about building an online business, you’ll probably want to have a website for your YouTube channel. Doing so will let you upload different media types, such as blog posts and infographics. Moreover, you’ll give people an easy way to contact you for potential opportunities.

Growing your website’s reach can have a positive knock-on effect on your YouTube channel. Gaining exposure in search engines will inevitably bring more eyes to your website, which—in turn—might result in a higher number of clickthroughs to your channel.

You can use several methods to grow your website’s reach. Optimizing your pages for search engine rankings and publishing meaningful content are two options.

8. Check Out Forums on Reddit

Reddit app on phone photo

Many YouTubers and online creators stick to the main social media channels. But if you’re willing to think outside the box, you can find several platforms with huge potential audiences. One of those is Reddit, which receives over a billion visits each month.

On Reddit, you will find a forum for almost every topic imaginable. Think about where your target audience will likely linger, and post links to your content there. At the very worst, you’ll probably receive constructive feedback to help you grow.

Check the subreddit before posting, as some might not allow you to share external or promotional links.

Use These Tactics to Promote Your YouTube Channel

Growing your YouTube channel takes significant effort, but you will find a huge range of places to promote your content online. The rise in short-form video content has led to plenty of opportunities to build a following on social media, and some of the lesser-considered platforms also offer huge potential.

When promoting your YouTube channel, do research beforehand to determine where you’ll find your audience. Then, you’ll have a much better chance of finding your ideal people.