Here are 8 tips to help you take advantage of all the tools YouTube has to offer and grow your viewership: 

Use enticing and keyword rich titles

Using a keyword abundant title allows the YouTube algorithm to sort searches based on relevancy. Your video title is what draws the viewer in, use it not only to inform but also to attract. Staying on top of what keywords are trending allows you to utilize them strategically. Along with inserting keywords that will draw viewers through their searches, the more interesting/scandalous/emotional/entertaining you can make the video seem through the title, the more clickable it becomes (this is a process known as *clickbait*).

Use tags

YouTube tags help to distinguish the difference in content amongst your various videos. Tags aid the algorithm, as keywords in the title do, to present your video based on the user's search. The more tags you add, the more frequently your video will come up in searches. 

Optimize your thumbnail image 

 Your thumbnail image can work magic in increasing your YouTube views. Thumbnail images have *clickbait* potential in which a very shocking or interesting photo drastically increases clickability. You should use high-quality images that have readable and engaging fonts or facial close-ups if you're featuring them in your video. Your thumbnail should be a visual correspondent to your title and description.

Use descriptive and keyword rich descriptions 

Video descriptions give you the opportunity to detail the content of your video. They also influence the search engine and should be formatted the same way you would format an SEO description. Many YouTubers add links to their various social media in the description box. Adding your social media allows for your popularity to grow on all your platforms. 

Create transcripts of your videos

Adding transcripts to your videos helps to increase viewership. Closed captions allow you to cater to an international audience, as well as make your videos accessible to the disabled.

Provide educational and entertaining content 

Viewers are looking for content that adds value whether it is informative or entertaining. The more you provide quality content, the better your chances of increasing views and keeping viewership. 

Piggyback off of viral trends 

You should create video content that piggybacks off of already existing viral trends. Common ways to do this are to create videos surrounding current events or using YouTube Tags that allow different genres of content creators to find one another.

Collaborate with other YouTubers 

Utilize the YouTube community. Get in contact with other YouTubers in your genre and offer to collaborate (commonly referred to as a 'collab') on videos together. This draws in double the views and allows for your channel to gain more exposure. 

Use these tips to increase your YouTube views and you'll be at VidCon in no time!