Build Your Newsletter from Scratch with YouTube

Ready to accelerate your newsletter growth, leveraging the power of YouTube videos to attract more attention? 

(If no, then you’ve come to the wrong place. Might I suggest another fabulous article from our blog?)

With more than 2 billion logged-in monthly users, the platform gives you access to tons of prospective readers/viewers. Tap into that potential by hacking YouTube growth with this guide.

In addition to covering organic and paid strategies, this post provides tips and templates to help you produce quality content that attracts fans. The hard work is still up to you, but we aim to make the load a little lighter.

Table of Contents

• Discovering Your Audience

• Organic Growth Tactics

• Paid Growth Tactics

• Skill Building

• Sustaining YouTube Growth

• To 1,000 and Beyond

Market research is a powerful tool to identify trends, understand interests, and discover your audience on YouTube. It's not just about numbers -- it's about tailoring content to match what your audience is seeking.

Identify Trends and Interests

Start by identifying trends among your target demographic using tools like Google Trends, or YouTube's Trending section. What content are they consuming and sharing?

Engage in community discussions on platforms like Reddit, Quora, and LinkedIn Groups. They offer insights into the audience's needs and preferences. Track the questions other people ask, the topics they discuss, and the type of content they share.

Pro tip: Set yourself up for multi-purposing success. Pay special attention to topics that allow you to create a deep dive for real enthusiasts and a quick take for people with a more casual interest.

Utilize YouTube Analytics

YouTube Analytics is a goldmine of viewer information. Even with a small subscriber base, you can leverage metrics to understand your audience better and fine-tune your audience strategy.

Pay attention to:

• Demographics: Who are your viewers – including their age, gender, and geographical location? Tailor your content accordingly.

• Watch Time: A higher watch time typically indicates more engaging content.

• Engagement: Engagement includes likes, dislikes, shares, comments, and subscribes. Learn how viewers interact with your content.

• Videos Growing Your Audience: YouTube wants you to succeed. It tells you which videos attract new viewers and subscribers, providing a blueprint for future content creation.

• Traffic Source: Discover where your viewers come from — YouTube searches, suggested videos, external sites, etc. Take advantage of this information when marketing your content. Focus promotional efforts on platforms most likely to convert your target audience.

Competitor Analysis

Keep an eye on your competition. What kind of content are they producing? Why does it work? Analyze successful channels in your niche, outlining their strategies for content creation, audience engagement, and growth. 

If you want deeper insight into a channel’s numbers, there are plug-in tools available.

The goal isn't to copy but to learn and adapt. By doing so, you may discover content gaps to fill or unique ways to engage your audience.

In a competitive space, organic growth demands a strategic approach and consistent effort.

Content Consistency and Schedule

One of the most fundamental steps in building a loyal YouTube audience is establishing a consistent content posting schedule. 

Think of your favorite TV show – knowing when a new episode drops builds anticipation and ensures that you're ready to tune in. The same principle applies to YouTube.

For example, you might commit to releasing new videos every Tuesday and Thursday. The key is to stick to this schedule religiously. 

Content Schedule Template

You should already have a content calendar for your email newsletter, but make one for YouTube, too. Plan out the details covered in this YouTube content schedule template.

Note: Promotions can be paid or organic, YouTube-based or distributed through another channel. The important thing is to get the word out. 

SEO for YouTube Videos

With so many creators vying for visibility on the platform, you need to make your material visible and easy to discover.

You likely know about the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) for blog posts. Similarly, YouTube SEO helps your content reach the right audience, improves your videos’ ranking in search results, and ultimately increases your views and subscribers.

Utilizing Keyword Research Tools

Identify the terms that help your fans-in-waiting find you. Take advantage of keyword tools such as Google Keyword Planner and TubeBuddy to optimize existing content and generate future ideas.

Designed to help you target searches across Google, the Keyword Planner is always free. TubeBuddy is a freemium browser extension designed specifically for YouTube SEO. 

Input a few keywords related to your video content into either the Keyword Planner or TubeBuddy's Keyword Explorer. The tool will provide a list of related keywords along with their average monthly searches. Choose those with high search volumes but lower competition.

Optimizing Video Titles, Tags, and Descriptions

YouTube SEO best practices require you to incorporate the selected keywords into your text.

• Title: Your title should be catchy, concise, and contain your main keyword. It's the first thing viewers see, so make it count.

• Tags: Tags help YouTube understand your video content. Use a mix of broad and specific tags related to your video topic. Include your main keyword as a tag, too.

• Descriptions: The first few lines of your description appear in search results, so ensure that they're compelling. Include your keywords naturally and provide a brief overview of your video. Consider ending with a CTA to subscribe for similar content.

Don't forget to provide a link to your newsletter and all of your social media channels.

Here's a sample listing for a fictional newsletter/channel on AI (which I’ve named The Silicon Road. Its tagline: AI odysseys, nerd safaris, and a humanitarian mission — helping you conquer the robots before they conquer you):

• Title: Demystifying AutoML and Multi-modal AI

• Tags: AutoML, Multi-modal AI, Artificial Intelligence, AI Trends, Machine Learning, AI Technology, Future of AI

• Description: A deep dive into the concepts of AutoML and Multi-modal AI. This exploration covers the basics of these AI technologies, their potential applications, and how they are shaping the future of AI. Subscribe to our newsletter and YouTube channel for more insights on the latest AI trends.

• Links: Sign up for our newsletter: The Silicon Road  [sign-up form or link to site]; Twitter; LinkedIn

Pro tip: The YouTube character limit for descriptions is high: 5,000. A longer description (mini-blog) will help your search performance, but front-load with a short description that will fully display in search results (somewhere between 100-160 characters).

Engagement With Viewers

If you want to grow an audience, create a community. Engage with your viewers and encourage people to subscribe.

Pay attention to conversations happening around your brand. Respond to comments when possible. Even a quick "like" tells people that you appreciate their time and interest.

Don't underestimate the power of a sincere question. Ask people about the topics they'd like to see covered. That’s one secret behind the success of Matt Gray of The Soulful Entrepreneur.

Cross-Promotion

Collaborating with other YouTubers and engaging in cross-promotion is another effective way to grow your audience. By appearing on a related channel or giving a shout-out to another YouTuber, you can tap into a new audience that may not have discovered you otherwise.

Remember to offer value to get value. Increase your partners’ reach, improve their content with specialist access, or make their content process — and life — easier.

Pro-tip: If you create shorts, you’re in luck. YouTube launched an initiative to encourage cross-promotion between creators: #ShortsFriends. You do need to be a member of the dedicated Shorts Community to apply.

Value-Driven Content

Provide value that your viewers can't easily find elsewhere. Give actionable advice, insights, and strategies tailored for young professionals. Exclusive interviews and case studies are also popular.

Break down industry news, too. Staying current is crucial for professionals, but it can be time-consuming. Become a go-to source for conveniently packaged information.

Pro tip: The ideal content length for an in-depth piece is over 10 minutes long, but don’t add bloat if your topic doesn’t sustain that.

Video Content Script Template

Having trouble scripting your next great video? Try adapting this rough outline for your chosen topic.

Title of Your Video

Introduction and Hook (30-60 seconds):

• Greet your viewers.

• Briefly introduce yourself and your credentials/expertise.

• Tease what people will learn or gain by watching.

• Share an interesting fact, a surprising statistic, or a provocative question related to your topic that will grab the viewers’ attention.

Video Outline/Agenda (15-30 seconds):

• Provide a brief overview of the main topics that you will cover in the video.

Main Content (Variable - time based on content):

• Break down complex ideas into simple, digestible points.

• Use visual aids when possible to help viewers understand better.

• Incorporate storytelling to make the information more relatable.

• Include examples, case studies, or real-life scenarios to illustrate your points.

• If it's a how-to video, provide step-by-step instructions with clear demonstrations.

• For interviews, prepare thoughtful questions that will uncover unique insights from your guests.

Take-Away (Variable - time based on content):

• Bottom line a topic – remind people of a surprising guest insight or share practical tips that viewers can apply

Summary & Call to Action (1-2 minutes):

• Underline one major take-away or practical tip already covered.

• Restate the value or benefits that the viewer will get from applying what they've learned.

• Encourage viewers to like, comment, share, and subscribe to your channel for more content. You can also prompt them with a question related to your topic, asking them to respond in the comments.

• Direct viewers to your newsletter website.

If you’re willing to put your time and/or money where your videoed mouth is, there are several marketing opportunities available.

Note: YouTube made several changes to its platform in 2023, and some video and ad formats — such as YouTube Stories and overlay ads — are no longer available. Discovery ads are still available but now labeled “In-feed video ads.”

$0/mo

Growing your audience means leveraging every tool at your disposal. YouTube offers several free features that can help you engage with your viewers and convert them into loyal subscribers.

Community Posts: Keep the Conversation Going

YouTube's Community Posts now allow all creators to interact with their audience beyond traditional video content. You can post text updates, conduct polls, share photos, GIFs, and more.

By providing a taste of what's in the newsletter, viewers may be intrigued to learn more. You can also seize the opportunity to ask your audience what they'd like to see in the next edition.

Shorts: Behind-the-Scenes Engagement

YouTube Shorts are short videos that often provide a more casual, behind-the-scenes look at your channel, which can help create a stronger connection with your audience.

Channel Trailers: Make a Powerful First Impression

Channel trailers are short videos that automatically play when someone lands on your channel's homepage. The best trailers capture viewers' attention and communicate what a channel has to offer.

Get the most out of yours by including a clear CTA and showcasing your best content.

$100/mo

At this level of investment, you'll want to focus on YouTube's discovery ads and targeted in-stream ads to increase your visibility.

In-feed Video Ads: Boost Your Visibility

In-feed video ads are a powerful tool for increasing your channel's visibility. 

They appear in YouTube search results, next to related videos, or on the YouTube mobile homepage, putting your content directly in front of users who are actively engaged and looking for new content to consume.

Don't forget to optimize your thumbnails and titles. In-feed ads rely heavily on these impressions to attract clicks, so ensure that yours are eye-catching and accurately represent your video content.

Use relevant keywords that increase the chances of your ads appearing in relevant search results and alongside related videos.

Targeted In-Stream Ads: Reach Your Ideal Demographic

Short, skippable ads that play before, during, or after other videos are one of the main YouTube ad formats. There's technically no maximum length, but YouTube recommends keeping them between 15-30 seconds.

Given that these ads are skippable after five seconds, it's crucial to make those first few seconds count. Hook viewers with a compelling message, question, or image right off the bat.

YouTube's targeting lets you display your ads before videos that have a high viewership among your target demographic. 

Need inspiration? Check out the YouTube Ads Library to find out what’s worked for other brands.

Template for Skippable YouTube Ad

1. Opening Shot (0-5 seconds):

   • Start with a captivating visual or a scene that directly relates to your content and makes people want to see/hear more.

2. Critical Message (5-10 seconds):

   • Quickly introduce the main benefit or unique selling point of your content.

3. Call to Action (10-15 seconds):

   • Give a compelling reason to visit your channel/website.

4. Expansion (15-30 seconds)

   • Provide more branding, visuals, testimonials, etc., and end with a return to CTA.

$200/mo

With a more substantial monthly budget, other advertising formats become viable options.

Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads: Ensure That Your Message Is Heard

Unlike their skippable counterparts, non-skippable, in-stream ads play in full before, during, or after other videos, guaranteeing that your complete message is heard.

These ads, which can be up to 15 seconds long, offer a prime opportunity to engage viewers with your content. Use them to tease your channel, content, and upcoming events.

Template for Non-Skippable YouTube Ad

1. Opening Shot (0-2 seconds):

   • Begin with a powerful visual or statement that teases your content.

2. Impactful Message (2-5 seconds):

   • Introduce the key benefit or unique selling point of your channel and newsletter.

3. Call to Action (5-10 seconds):

   • Ask people to visit your channel/website, providing an incentive to do so now. 

4. Branding (10-15 seconds):

   • Display more relevant visuals, but keep your CTA visible.

Sequential Retargeting: Encourage Sign-Ups With Strategic Follow-Ups

Sequential retargeting involves showing different ads to viewers based on their past interactions with your content. This strategy keeps your brand top-of-mind and encourages viewers to take the next step—like signing up for your newsletter.

For example, if a viewer watches your non-skippable ad but doesn't subscribe to your channel or sign up for your newsletter, you can retarget them with a new ad.

Think in terms of holistic customer journeys. What content would best supplement and deepen what they've seen already? 

Build your skill set as you build your audience. Supplement this kind of overarching guide with more substantial tutorials in the areas that will benefit you most.

Take advantage of the content YouTube has created for people in exactly your position with the YouTube Creator Academy. There are more than 500 video tutorials to address all things related to the platform.

Skills and Resources for YouTube Creators

There are also many worthwhile resources with a narrower focus.

SEO

Learn about YouTube SEO strategies to optimize your content for search.

Resources:

• SEO Learning: Moz Beginner's Guide to SEO

• TubeBuddy, Keyword Explorer

• Google, Keyword Planner

• YouTube videos:

  • Primal Video, "YouTube SEO: Our #1 Keyword Research Tool For YouTube."

  • Surfside, PPC, "Mastering YouTube Keyword Research in 2023: How to Get More Views and Subscribers"

Analytics and Strategy

Develop a full content strategy that takes advantage of YouTube Analytics insights.

Resources:

• Digital Scholar, How to Interpret Data & Optimize from YouTube Analytics

• YouTube videos:

  • Elif Hiz, CREATE a CONTENT STRATEGY to grow your brand // Here’s how I use Youtube Analytics to do it

  • Roberto Blake, Build Your Content Strategy STEP BY STEP - Why 93% oF YouTubers FAIL to Grow

Video Editing

Develop the skills necessary to create engaging and professional-looking content.

Resources:

• Adobe, Adobe Premiere Pro Tutorials

• The Verge, The best free (or low-cost) tools for video editors

• FilterGrade, How to edit videos like a Pro! 10 tips for 2023

• YouTube Videos:

  • Sidney Diongzon, 6 Tips to Edit Videos Like a PRO! // Video Editing Best Practices

Graphic Design

Study the basics to craft eye-catching thumbnails and overlays.

Resources:

• Canva, Design School

• Creative Bloq, The best graphic design software in 2023

Once you’ve gained some traction on YouTube, how do you keep the momentum going?

Invest in Quality

As your channel grows, so should the quality of your content. Consider investing in better filming and editing equipment to enhance your video production. High-quality videos not only attract more viewers but also improve viewer retention.

Additionally, consider hiring freelancers for tasks like editing, scriptwriting, or graphic design. This allows you to focus on creating content and engaging with your audience, while professionals handle the technical aspects.

Create a Multi-Channel Presence

You can use social media to grow your list and viewership, expanding and diversifying your audience. 

Repurpose your YouTube content appropriately for each platform. For instance, you could tweet key takeaways or share short clips from your videos on Instagram or TikTok.

Remember, each platform has a unique user base and content preferences. Tailor your content to meet these expectations while maintaining a consistent brand image across all platforms.

Set New Targets

As your audience grows, give yourself new challenges, maintaining your motivation. You can also start experimenting with monetization strategies.

Now that you're a star, you might:

• Sell merchandise related to your channel

• Explore brand partnerships

• Use YouTube's Super Chat or channel memberships

In addition, there are plenty of newsletter monetization strategies to help you profit from your content.

I know it isn’t as catchy as “To infinity and beyond,” but it does make more sense.

As a creator, you benefit from diversifying your platforms and types of content. You give yourself more opportunities to find new fans and give fans a greater selection of content to consume.

Get started on your YouTube journey by creating a list of possible videos, targeting topics that would also make good subjects for a newsletter.

If, on second thought, YouTube isn’t the right platform for you, don’t worry. Try one of these other 12 Newsletter Growth Channels. There’s more than one way to succeed in this biz.

Why Trust Us

beehiiv is the ultimate authority on hacking newsletter growth. As for me, I research and publish on maximizing your returns on all forms of content.