A lot of the advice out there for growing a YouTube channel, especially for business owners, is just plain wrong. We’re diving into some popular TikTok tips and breaking down what actually works to get you real clients, not just views. Get ready to separate the good from the garbage.
Key Takeaways
- Focus on client generation, not just ad revenue.
- Titles and thumbnails are more important than you think.
- Shorts can be useful but have limitations.
- Authenticity matters, but helpful content is king.
- Don’t buy views or subscribers.
- Batching videos can boost productivity.
- Promote your videos strategically.
- Focus on searchable content for long-term growth.
Ad Revenue vs. Client Generation
Many people focus on making money directly from YouTube ads, but this is often a mistake for businesses. The CPM (cost per thousand views) can be quite low, and there are hurdles like needing 4,000 watch hours and 1,000 subscribers to even start monetizing. The real power of YouTube for businesses lies in its ability to generate paying clients. Worry less about how much YouTube pays you and more about how it can bring customers to your business.
The Truth About Channel Trailers and Click-Through Rate
While having a channel trailer isn’t a bad idea, it’s not the most effective strategy if people aren’t already visiting your channel page. Most viewers find you through search or their homepage. If you do use a trailer, make it about what the viewer will learn, not about your business. Alternatively, use your best-performing video. Don’t spend too much time on this.
When it comes to metrics, click-through rate (CTR) and average viewer duration are key. However, a high CTR isn’t always the best indicator. Initially, a new video goes to your most loyal viewers, leading to a high CTR. As YouTube shows it to new audiences, the CTR might drop, but this is often a sign of growth. The real driver for clicks is a compelling title and thumbnail. If you can’t figure out how to sell your video with its title and thumbnail before you even make it, it might not be worth producing.
YouTube Shorts: Opportunity or Distraction?
YouTube Shorts can be a great opportunity because YouTube is the second-largest search engine. Unlike content on other platforms, Shorts can live for a long time, especially if optimized for search. Naming your Short smartly can significantly boost awareness. However, Shorts can also mess with your analytics, making it hard to see what’s truly working. They often provide shallow views, and long-form content is generally better for deeper engagement and client generation. Focus on longer videos if you want to go deep.
Personality Over Brand: Building Trust
People don’t necessarily want to follow a faceless brand account; they often prefer to follow the person behind the business. Showing your personality and building a connection can be more effective than a corporate-style channel. However, this doesn’t mean showing endless behind-the-scenes footage of your business operations. Instead, focus on creating helpful content that solves your audience’s problems. This positions you as an authority and naturally leads them to consider your services when they need them.
What Viewers Actually Care About
Most people aren’t interested in your business’s sales figures or how you started. They care about their own problems and finding solutions. Don’t make videos that are just about your company. Instead, create content that helps people achieve results, even if it’s a DIY version of what you offer. This builds trust and positions you as someone who can help them when they’re ready to pay for a solution. Think about it: people save workout videos but don’t always act on them. But if you frame it as "Here’s how I helped a client achieve X," it plants the seed that you can do the same for them.
The Pitfalls of Buying Views and Subscribers
Never buy views or subscribers. It’s a waste of money and will only hurt your channel. Bought views are often from bots, which don’t engage with your content. This confuses the YouTube algorithm, sending the wrong signals and preventing your videos from reaching the right audience. Focus on organic growth; it’s the only way to build a sustainable channel that brings in actual clients.
Smart Content Strategies
- Batching Videos: Producing multiple videos at once can significantly improve productivity. You can write, film, and edit in batches, saving time and ensuring consistency. While launching with multiple videos isn’t always necessary, batching is a smart workflow hack.
- FAQ Videos: Start with frequently asked questions in your niche. This is an easy way to create content, especially when you’re new, and it showcases your authority. AI tools can help identify these questions.
- Searchable Content: Prioritize creating content that people are actively searching for. This is the best way to get found on YouTube and Google. Focus on these searchable topics for at least six to eight months before trying to create more "discoverable" content for your homepage.
- Client-Focused Language: Instead of just giving tips, frame your content around client results. For example, say "Here’s how I helped my client get X result" instead of just "Here’s an exercise for your glutes." This subtly reminds viewers that you work with clients and can help them too.
Promoting Your Videos Wisely
Avoid promoting your YouTube videos on other platforms like Facebook groups. When you pull people from one platform to another, they might not be in the right mindset to watch a YouTube video. This can lead to low watch time and hurt your video’s performance. YouTube has its own built-in mechanisms for showing your content to the right people when they are already in a video-watching mood. Let YouTube do the heavy lifting.
Posting Schedules: Consistency Over Quantity
While aggressive growth strategies exist (like posting multiple videos and Shorts daily), consistency with quality is more important. One well-crafted, long-form video per week is often enough for steady growth. If you’re looking to be more aggressive, two long-form videos a week can work, but don’t feel pressured to post daily unless your content is news-based or highly perishable. Daily posting can actually hurt older videos by stealing their traction.
Scripting for Success
When scripting your videos, focus on tightly scripting the hook – the first few moments are critical for grabbing attention. For the main content, bullet points can work, but scripting word-for-word can lead to a more natural and efficient delivery, especially if you use a teleprompter. The goal is to sound authentic while delivering clear, concise information.
Using End Screens Effectively
End screens are a great way to keep viewers watching more of your content. Instead of a jarring graphic announcing the end, subtly guide viewers to another video. You can say something like, "Now that you know this, here’s the next step you need to take…" This encourages binge-watching and signals to YouTube that your content is engaging.
Viral Titles vs. Searchable Titles
For newer channels, focus on creating titles that people are actively searching for. "Viral" or "discoverable" titles that appear on your homepage are great for established channels but can be ineffective when you’re starting out. YouTube needs to know who your audience is, and searchable topics help it figure that out. Stick to searchable content for at least six to eight months before chasing viral trends.
The Power of Long-Form, Searchable Content
In 2025, YouTube remains a powerful tool for businesses and creators. If you’re busy but not getting clients, it’s likely because you’re not creating content. Focus on answering frequently asked questions in your niche and creating long-form, searchable content. This strategy consistently brings in leads and showcases your authority, ensuring you’re present whenever a potential client searches for help.
Rodney Laws is an ecommerce expert with over a decade of experience helping entrepreneurs build and grow online businesses. He specializes in reviewing ecommerce platforms, optimizing user experience, and guiding brands toward higher conversions. His insights have been published on leading industry sites including UsabilityGeek, G2, Spendesk, and PPC Hero.
As the editor at EcommercePlatforms.io, Rodney combines hands-on knowledge with clear, actionable advice to help business owners choose the right tools and strategies. When he’s not testing the latest software or analyzing trends, he’s sharing practical tips that make complex ecommerce decisions simple.
