Deciding what content to create can be daunting if you are getting started on YouTube. This is especially true today, when we have content on nearly every niche, making the competition stiff.
A YouTube content strategy can solve this challenge and enable you to position your content for better ranking on the search engine. It also provides a framework for creating videos. This article will guide you on creating a successful content strategy on YouTube.
Top 3 Components of a Content Strategy
A content strategy usually consists of the following:
- Brand-fous. This considers how your brand will position itself in the content. The content strategy should be built around your goals and expected outcomes.
- User-experience. A good content strategy should also aim to produce engaging content.
- Content distribution. How do you plan to distribute your content? Ensure that this aligns with your goals and profile of audiences.
Steps to a Successful YouTube Content Strategy
Follow these steps when creating a YouTube content strategy:
Determine Your Goals
The first step is to determine the goals you want to achieve. Understanding the driving force behind your videos will enable you to create videos for years. Three factors will help you figure out your goal. These are:
Why
The “why” should answer questions on your motivation, goals, and values:
- Why do you need a YouTube channel for your content marketing goals?
- Why do you think your YouTube channel will provide value to the viewers?
How
This answers the questions on how you execute your YouTube channel.
- How will you build your channel to achieve your content marketing goals?
- How will your video content align with your other marketing goals?
What
This aims to identify the results you expect to achieve.
- What will your YouTube channel be offering?
- Will your video channel be in tune with your marketing channels?
Determine Your Target Audience
Understanding your target audience can help create content they will appreciate. If you have already segmented your audience in your overall marketing strategy, you can adapt to that model for your YouTube channel.
Determine also the value that your brand will bring to your target audience. When determining your audience, you should also answer these questions:
- What challenges are your customers facing that you want to solve?
- How will your brand help them achieve their goals?
- Which stages of the customer’s journey do you want to target with your content?
Choose a Content Niche
Understanding your niche will help you determine the direction you should let your content move into. This should be specific but with the capability of being broadened up. When choosing a niche, you must also consider the goal you want to achieve.
Here are tips on choosing a YouTube content niche:
- List five things you are passionate about
- Check trending topics
- Check fastest growing YouTube channels
- Ask family and friends
- Check the algorithm for content ideas.
Choose Your YouTube Topic
When selecting a topic, you must find the currently trending topics, which will determine if you have a potential audience. Doing keyword research can help you know which topics people are searching for and the keywords they are using to search for those keywords. There are tools such as TubeBuddy and Keyword Everywhere that will help you with keyword research. Other ideas you can use to find topic inspiration for your YouTube channel are:
- YouTube search autocomplete
- Youtube common section
- PolLs and surveys
- Community and groups
- Comments Section
Do Competitor Analysis
Competitor analysis will help you determine how easy or hard it is to rank for a particular keyword. You should look at the kind of videos created in yor niche and their relevant data, such as:
- Number of views, likes, and comments
- Types of videos
- Posting schedules
- Video types
When you understand these metrics, they will show your competitor’s strengths and weaknesses. You can then decide if there is a gap in the market. It will also help you determine how to enhance your overall content strategy.
Create a Content Calendar
A content schedule will determine how and when you will upload your videos. This will get your pieces organized well in advance. You can then stay organized and consistent in your editorial schedule.
A general rule of thumb is to create content at least once a week. On top of the uploading days, you will also need to consider when you will be editing your videos and promotional days.
Final Thoughts
If you do not have a YouTube content strategy, you will not know how much content to create, when to create it, and how you can repurpose it. But on the other hand, a good YouTube content strategy will boost your YouTube traffic and grow your channel. By following the steps in this guide, you can have a great YouTube content strategy that will work for your brand.
