Thinking of starting a YouTube channel? This is for you. YouTube has over 2.70 billion monthly active users worldwide. People spend a lot of time consuming videos and there are business opportunities there. But the challenge is this: How do you stand out in an increasingly crowded space?
You can’t just show up and post on YouTube. You have to understand what drives people to watch videos. 70% of viewers make purchases after discovering brands on YouTube. Yours can one of them.
I spoke with seven successful YouTube creators about the pivotal moves that accelerated their growth. What did we find? Success often hinges on one strategic decision that creates momentum.
YouTube’s million-subscriber secret: the moves that changed everything
Focus on foundational topics that resonate broadly
Creating content that addresses fundamental questions within your niche can dramatically expand your reach. Jamila Musayeva, an international etiquette consultant with 1.1 million subscribers, found her breakthrough moment with basic content.
“The video that accelerated my channel’s growth tackled the most basic topic in my niche. Everyone has heard of table manners, so it resonated even with those less familiar with etiquette. Focus on foundational topics. If you’re running a baking channel, start with videos on baking bread or making chocolate chip cookies rather than more niche subjects like crème brûlée,” says Musayeva.
When viewers seek information, they typically start with foundational queries. Position yourself as the clear answer to these primary questions to capture a much wider audience than you would with highly specialized content.
Capitalize on momentum with related content batches
When you strike gold with a successful video, the algorithm takes notice. The key is recognizing these opportunities and building fast from there. Anna Tyrie, whose English Like A Native channel also has 1.1 million subscribers, attributes her growth spurt to this strategy.
“My fastest period of growth came when I made a video on a popular topic in my niche. When that video took off, I moved fast to create and release more content related to that video. This compounded my growth. Think of content in batches rather than stand-alone content,” Tyrie explains.
This approach leverages YouTube’s recommendation system, which tends to suggest related content from the same creator. When viewers enjoy one video, they’re more likely to watch another on a similar topic. Batch content by themes to capitalize on algorithmic momentum while building the topical authority you deserve.
Leverage livestreams to accelerate watch time and engagement.
The path to monetization requires both subscribers and watch time. Live streaming offers a powerful shortcut to accumulating both metrics while building deeper audience connections.
During the period my channel grew the fastest, “I would do live streams for around one hour, teaching a topic that was useful to my niche,” explained Emma Walker, owner of channel Pronunciation With Emma, with 900k subscribers. “When you do live streams, the watch time still counts, and of course people are more likely to watch a one-hour livestream.”
There’s more. “The watch time on the live streams helped me monetise my channel much faster. When I began posting normal videos again after that month, YouTube started recommending my channel more to people as it saw my content as more highly engaging.”
Don’t underestimate live streams as part of your YouTube strategy. Create opportunities for real-time interaction while generating substantial watch time, a key metric YouTube uses to evaluate content quality.
Simplify complex topics with clear, accessible explanations
Breaking down complex ideas into simple words makes you stand out in niche areas. When you explain things clearly, you help viewers who struggle to understand tough topics. You position yourself as a true expert.
“The growth of my channel really accelerated after I made a series of videos that tackled some of the most complex questions my audience was struggling with, which had not been explained clearly enough before. I explained them like I was talking to a 5 year old, in extremely plain English, and that really resonated,” explains Aga Murdoch, owner of English with Aga, with 230k subscribers.
You can never close your mind. Always stay curious about what confuses your audience and how you can make it clearer. Genuinely care about helping them understand complex topics. Many creators try to sound sophisticated rather than focusing on clarity, but simplicity wins the algorithm game.
Create shareable content with universal appeal
Content that viewers feel compelled to share can exponentially increase your reach. Creating videos that combine curiosity driving titles with universally applicable advice triggers algorithmic momentum.
Simon Alexander Ong grew to 130,000 subscribers in 12 months after one flagship video, “I’m 40. if you’re in your 20s or 30s watch this,” went viral. “What helped the video do well in hindsight were 3 things,” he said. “The title got people curious and the concept had points that were concise and to the point. The advice could be employed by anyone in their own lives. The video was primed for sharing.”
Content has to connect. You can never post without purpose, especially when aiming for shareability. This often means being bad before you can be good. Many early videos won’t achieve viral status, but studying what gets shared helps you identify the emotional triggers that prompt viewers to spread your content. Study the game to win it.
Study audience analytics to discover content opportunities
The data available through YouTube’s analytics tools reveal powerful insights about what your audience wants to see next. These insights enable you to create content that’s practically guaranteed to perform well.
Lucy Simkins, whose English With Lucy channel has 12 million subscribers, recommends: “Once you have a bit of traction, use the ‘audience’ tab in analytics to look at the other videos your viewers are watching. You’ll uncover some high performing videos that you can put your own spin on.”
Numbers never lie. You have to listen to data if you want sustained growth. Don’t stay in your lane. Get inspiration from what’s working with similar audiences and make proven formats your own. The algorithm rewards creators who understand and deliver what their specific audience segment craves, not just what they personally want to create.
Join forces with other creators through focus groups
The journey to YouTube success doesn’t have to be solitary. Connect with other creators for feedback, accountability, and ideas for how to grow your channel.
Gabby Wallace, who teaches business growth to 2.5 million subscribers, pinpoints the one reason her channel grew the fastest. “I created a focus group with other creators. It’s hard to do it all alone and know if what you’re doing is going to work.”
You can’t succeed without having fun. Find the joy in collaborative growth rather than isolated struggle. Don’t let ego stop you, don’t keep your strategies and challenges private. Show up and share with people traveling the same path. No single creator can master every aspect of YouTube, but a collective of creators sharing insights can identify opportunities and strategies that you might otherwise miss.
The one strategic move that transforms YouTube channels
These successful YouTubers prove that explosive growth often follows one decisive move. Business is a game and marketing is a game. On YouTube, the winning play might be focusing on foundational topics, capitalizing on momentum with content batches, leveraging livestreams, simplifying complex topics, studying audience analytics, creating shareable content, or joining forces with other creators through focus groups.
The old way won’t work in today’s algorithm economy. Don’t stop until you find what works right now. YouTube rewards creators who experiment boldly, fail fast, and adapt quickly. Become one of them to grow your business and brand.
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