YouTube is one of the most popular mediums in existence to view, upload and rate media content. It is said that as many as 300 videos are uploaded every second and the average user will spend hours each week browsing through his or her favorite topics. It is, therefore, no surprise that this very same portal represents an excellent way to generate a side revenue or even to embrace a full-time means of employment. However, understanding technicalities alone will not enable you to enjoy long-term success. While it is critical to know the processes involved with creating a YouTube channel, this will prove to be of little value if you do not appreciate why originality is king. Let’s take a look at some basic principles to keep in mind as well as why thinking outside of the proverbial box is one of the best ways to fully resonate with your audience.
The Power of Originality in Relation to Search Engine Optimization
Otherwise known as SEO, search engine optimization represents the core foundation for an effective online marketing campaign. There are a few goals behind SEO:
– To reach the intended audience.
– To allow your content to be clear and easily understood.
– To rank higher within a search engine results page (SERP).
The bottom line is that original content will always score higher when compared to genetic material, but why is this the case? Such a concept mainly has too with how Google is trying to cater to the needs of organic (human-based) searches as opposed to online “bots”. Content which exhibits quality and originality is considered to represent more of what users are looking for and it will, therefore, rank higher. Although YouTube searches are slightly different when compared to a typical Google SERP, the fact of the matter is that the parameters are just the same.
We also need to appreciate why original content appeals to the average YouTube user. The majority of individuals browsing this portal know what they are looking for. They will, therefore, be much more likely to subscribe to a service that is able to provide them with novel information as opposed to facts that have simply been regurgitated. In fact, creating duplicate content is nearly as bad as stealing material from another channel and claiming it as your own. Users will quickly see through such schemes and the chances of earning a substantial number of subscriptions are quite limited. To put it simply, always strive to be original if you hope to resonate with your intended audience; particularly if you plan on using YouTube to market a specific product or service.
Expert Tips and Tricks
Now that we can appreciate why original content is important, it is a good idea to look at how you can create such material while staying focused on your intended goals. One of the first suggestions to keep in mind is to separate vision from reality. While certain artistic videos might indeed cater to a very small niche audience, they are not likely to generate a great deal of revenue. Think of this in a similar way to writing a book. You will need to find a balance between your content and writing that will appeal to a larger audience. Always remember that a solid marketing campaign will lead to online success.
Research is also important. Not all content will become viral and some material is likely to fall upon deaf ears. This is why you should examine channels that are similar to yours. How successful are they? Which videos have received the highest number of hits and likes? Can you identify any factors which these popular videos share in common? There is nothing wrong with looking towards your competitors to achieve an additional amount of inspiration. Just be sure that your content is not a carbon copy of what already appears within their channel!
Never be afraid to experiment in the beginning. Most experts such as those at the drop shipping firm Oberlo recommend that you create one video each day when starting out. Not only will this help you to increase your YouTube “clout”, but it enables you to determine what works best for your channel as well as those ideas that might be better off abandoning. Even the most successful YouTube channels went through an initial period of discovery and this is one of the best ways to get a feel for what is in store.
Originality requires experimentation, inspiration and the occasional mistake. This is why the rules mentioned above are by no means set in stone. They are simply meant as guidelines to follow and they can naturally be adapted if you feel that slightly different approaches might better suit your goals.