How not to build your audience on YouTube

I’m a huge YouTube fan. I’ll pass many evenings sitting on the couch or lying in bed watching YouTube videos. I subscribe to a number of channels. And that’s because those YouTubers are building their audience the right way.

But there’s a wrong way to build an audience on YouTube as well. And it can be tempting, if you don’t know any better.

I’m talking about buying subscribers, views, and likes.

Yes, it’s true. You can actually pay to get more people to watch your videos and subscribe to your channel, in an effort to game the algorithm and get more legitimate people to watch your videos and subscribe to your channel.

Sound shady? Yeah, that’s because it is.

Not only is it a horrible idea, but YouTube says that purchasing views for your videos is definitely not allowed.

If you want to spend money to get more subscribers, views, and likes, there is a right way to do it: advertising through YouTube directly. It’s essentially AdWords for YouTube videos.

The process is pretty straightforward.

• First, you’ll pick a video. You can use an existing video or upload a new one.
• Next, you set your daily budget, target the right people, and customize all the other settings.
• Finally, you enter your billing info and launch your ad!

You can manage something like this yourself, but it usually helps to have a professional on your side so you don’t end up accidentally wasting a bunch of money.

Alternatively, you can also invest that money to produce better quality videos. Depending on your strategy and your organization, that can make it more likely you’ll get subscribers, views, and likes. And that your viewers will take action after watching your video!