Stop Chasing Views: How YouTube Search Can Actually Get You Clients

Ever feel like you’re putting tons of effort into YouTube videos only to see tiny view counts? You’re not alone. Many businesses make the mistake of focusing on getting views instead of attracting the right people. This approach can actually hurt your chances of landing clients. Let’s break down how to flip that script and use YouTube effectively for your business.

The Big Mistake: Going for Views, Not Clients

When I first started on YouTube, I was just like everyone else. I thought the key to success was getting as many views as possible. I made videos with catchy, curiosity-driven titles, hoping to grab attention. Sound familiar? I spent hours recording, editing, and obsessing over every detail. After putting out 12 videos, I had a grand total of 47 views. Yeah, just 47. It felt like a complete failure, especially seeing other channels grow while mine stayed stagnant.

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<img src="https://images.pexels.com/photos/3184418/pexels-photo-3184418.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=1260&h=750&dpr=1" alt="Person looking frustrated at a laptop screen showing low view counts.">
<figcaption>The early days can be tough when you’re focused on the wrong metrics.</figcaption>
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Key Takeaways

• Focus on search, not just views: YouTube is a search engine, just like Google. People look for answers to specific problems.
• Attract the right audience: Videos that match what people are actively searching for bring in leads who are ready to buy.
• Build trust over time: Consistent, helpful content allows potential clients to get to know and trust you before they even contact you.
• Two types of content work together: Start with search-based videos, then add discoverable content once YouTube understands your audience.

The YouTube Search Engine Secret

Then, I heard something that changed everything: YouTube isn’t just a video platform; it’s the second-largest search engine in the world. This hit me hard because I had already mastered Google search years before. I knew people typed specific phrases when they needed a web designer. Yet, on YouTube, I was chasing viral trends instead of doing what I already knew worked: showing up where people were actively looking for help.

So, I completely changed my strategy. Instead of trying to create viral videos with vague titles, I started making videos with titles that matched exactly what people were typing into YouTube search. Think simple titles like "How to find a web designer" or "How much does a website cost?" These weren’t flashy, but they worked.

Instead of getting thousands of random views from people who would never hire me, I started getting dozens of views from business owners who were actively looking for someone like me. The quality of these leads was incredible. By the time they got on a call with me, they had already watched several of my videos. They weren’t just calling a random search result; they were calling someone they already knew and trusted.

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<img src="https://images.pexels.com/photos/3760067/pexels-photo-3760067.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=1260&h=750&dpr=1" alt="Person typing a search query into a YouTube search bar.">
<figcaption>Using specific search terms is key to attracting the right audience.</figcaption>
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The Power of "1,000 True Fans"

This idea reminds me of Kevin Kelly’s concept of "1,000 True Fans." The theory is that you don’t need millions of followers to make a living; you just need a small group of dedicated supporters. YouTube takes this even further for service businesses. You might only need 50 or 100 truly engaged viewers to significantly impact your business.

YouTube success for a service business looks different than for an influencer. Once I stopped trying to go viral and focused on showing up in search results for my ideal clients, everything changed. YouTube went from being a frustrating place to chase views to an amazing tool that pre-sold my services.

Two Types of Content That Work Together

There are two main types of content on YouTube:

1. Search-Based Content: These videos show up when someone is actively looking for answers to specific questions. They are your bread and butter when starting out.
2. Discoverable Content: These are videos YouTube suggests on people’s homepages, even when they aren’t searching. These work best after you’ve built a foundation with search-based content.

When I first started, I flopped with discoverable content because YouTube didn’t know who it was for. But by consistently creating search-based videos, I taught YouTube my audience. Then, I could successfully create discoverable content. YouTube knew exactly who to show my "one simple tip" videos to because they had already seen my search-based content.

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<img src="https://images.pexels.com/photos/1181437/pexels-photo-1181437.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=1260&h=750&dpr=1" alt="A diagram showing the relationship between search-based and discoverable content.">
<figcaption>Using both content types strategically can broaden your reach.</figcaption>
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Building Your YouTube Strategy

So, what kind of search-based videos should you make?

• Start with FAQs: Answer the most common questions your clients ask. Things like "How much does a website cost?" or "How long does it take to build a website?"
• Move to "How-Tos": Create slightly more involved videos like "How to get Google reviews" or "How to rank in Google Maps."
• Stay in the search zone: Focus on search-based content for at least 6-8 months. This gives YouTube time to understand your channel and audience.
• Go deeper: Don’t just give surface-level answers. Your audience wants real expertise. Make longer, more detailed videos (15-20 minutes) where you share specific examples, break down your process, and let your experience shine.

Longer videos perform better because people looking for help will stick around to learn from someone who truly knows their stuff. By the time they book a call, they’ve already spent significant time with your content, building trust and understanding your expertise.

If you want a clear plan to attract unlimited clients from YouTube, there’s a free masterclass available. It covers a four-step system for predictably generating leads and clients every week, without needing to go viral. It’s all about making simple, weekly YouTube videos that work for your service business.