In 2024, my YouTube channel surpassed 1 million views—all thanks to my long-form video strategy. But it didn’t stop there! Those views transformed into thousands of new email subscribers and real sales for my online business. I’ve been using YouTube not just for views but as a powerful marketing tool to grow my business and sell my paid offers. Keep reading to learn how I gained over 1M views on my YouTube channel!

Create Content That Attracts the Right Audience

The first step to using YouTube to market your business is to focus on creating content that draws in the right audience—those who are most likely to purchase your offers. This process begins with reverse engineering your strategy.

Ask yourself: What do you want to sell? Is it an online course? Coaching services? Digital products? Once you’re clear on that, work backward. Think about the types of videos your ideal customers would be searching for.

You’ll want to focus on a combination of video types using the Hero, Hub, and Help content strategy:

• Help Content: These are search-driven videos. They answer specific questions your audience is asking and bring new viewers to your channel.
• Hero Content: Designed to capture attention, these videos are more likely to show up on YouTube’s homepage and attract a broader audience.
• Hub Content: This content nurtures your existing audience. Once people find you, these videos encourage binge-watching and build a deeper connection.

By rotating between these three types of content, you’ll consistently reach new viewers while nurturing your loyal subscribers.

Optimize Your Videos for Growth

Creating great content is only half the battle. To grow your channel and get your videos in front of more people, you need to optimize them. Here are four key areas to focus on:

1. Titles and Keywords

Your video title plays a huge role in how discoverable your content is. I highly recommend using a tool like TubeBuddy to test different title ideas. TubeBuddy shows you search volume and competition, helping you choose a title that has the best chance of ranking in search.

2. Thumbnails That Stand Out

A great thumbnail can make an impact! Use bright colors, large text, and a clear image of your face (with an engaging expression) to grab attention. You can also A/B test thumbnails directly on YouTube to find the one that gets the best click-through rate.

3. Audience Retention

Once someone clicks on your video, your goal is to keep them watching. YouTube loves videos with high audience retention and will promote them to more viewers.
Here are a few tips:

• Keep your intro short and engaging—get straight to the point.
• Use overlays, graphics, and visuals to make your content more dynamic.
• Change camera angles to maintain visual interest.

4. Consistency is Key

Consistency is everything on YouTube. Posting regularly helps your audience know when to expect new content, and it improves your chances of getting noticed by YouTube’s algorithm!

One long-form video per week is my personal sweet spot! It’s manageable for me as a business owner while still providing enough content to see growth.

How to Turn YouTube Views into Sales

Here’s where things get really exciting: turning those views into paying customers. Your YouTube content should lead viewers to take action—whether that’s signing up for your email list, joining a free class, or purchasing a product.

The secret is to have one clear call to action (CTA) per video. Mention it on camera, include it in your video description, and pin it in the comments. For example, if I’m talking about YouTube growth strategies, I might link to my free YouTube class in the description and invite viewers to sign up.

Example Funnel Strategies:

• Free Webinars: Provide value in a live or pre-recorded training and offer your course at the end.
• Email Freebies: Link a free download that leads into a sales funnel for your paid offer.
• Discount Codes for Physical Products: Use YouTube to promote a special offer.
• Service-Based Businesses: Add an application form for potential clients to apply for your services.

The key is to make sure your CTA aligns with the video topic. Keep it relevant and seamless.

Ready to Leverage YouTube for Your Business?

If you’re serious about using YouTube to grow your business and not just relying on ad revenue or sponsorships, there’s so much potential waiting for you. YouTube is one of the most powerful platforms for long-term growth, helping you reach new audiences and convert viewers into loyal customers.

Want to go deeper into this strategy? Watch my free YouTube class to learn how you can scale your business with YouTube!