How to Promote YouTube Videos: The Real-World Guide to Getting More Views

Posted on April 29, 2025 by James Martin

Let’s face it—making a good video isn’t enough anymore. You could create something amazing, but if no one sees it, it’s just sitting there collecting digital dust. That’s where smart promotion comes in.

Promoting your YouTube videos the right way can help you get noticed, grow your channel, and even catch the attention of the algorithm. This guide walks you through how to get your videos in front of more people—without resorting to spammy tactics or guesswork.

Step 1: Start with Solid Video Optimization
Before you even think about sharing your video, make sure it’s properly set up for success. Think of this as your foundation. If your title, description, and thumbnail aren’t appealing, even the best promotion won’t help much.

Write a Title That People Actually Want to Click On
Let’s be honest—your title is the first (and sometimes only) chance you have to grab someone’s attention. If it’s boring or too vague, people will scroll right past it. But if it’s clear, interesting, and feels like it promises something worth watching? That’s when the clicks start coming in.

Now, I’m not talking about clickbait. People are smart—they can tell when a title is just trying to trick them. Instead, aim for something that sparks curiosity and makes them think, “Oh, I need to see this.”

Let’s say your video is about your daily routine. A title like “Morning Routine” is just too plain. What about:
➡️ “The Morning Routine That Doubled My Productivity”
➡️ “I Started Waking Up at 5AM—Here’s What Changed”
➡️ “Simple Morning Habits That Made Me Feel in Control Again”

See the difference? It’s still honest, but now it gives people a reason to care.

Here are a few tips I always keep in mind when writing titles:

• Keep it short—under 60 characters is a good rule of thumb.
• Use keywords people are already searching for (think like your viewer).
• Put the most important part at the front.
• Don’t overthink it—what would you click on if you saw it in your feed?

At the end of the day, your title should do two things: get attention, and give people a clear idea of what they’ll get if they click. If it does both, you’re in a good spot.

Write a Description That’s Actually Useful
A lot of people skip over the video description or just throw in a few random lines—but that space is way more valuable than you might think. It helps your viewers understand what your video is about, and it also gives YouTube some clues about where to put your content.

Start with a short, honest summary. Just a couple of sentences explaining what your video covers. Nothing fancy—just real words, like you’re talking to someone who’s thinking about watching.

Something like:
“Here’s my full morning routine that helped me feel more focused and get stuff done without burning out. These are easy habits that anyone can try.”

Next, include a few keywords—but don’t overdo it. You want your description to sound natural, not like it was written for a robot. Think about what people might be searching for, like “morning routine,” “productivity tips,” or “healthy habits.”

Then, if you’ve got links—drop them in. That could be your Instagram, your website, a blog post you mentioned, or even other videos people might like.

And don’t forget a call to action. You’d be surprised how many people will comment, like, or subscribe just because you asked (nicely). Something like:
“If this helped you out, give it a like and let me know how your mornings usually go. And hit subscribe if you want more videos like this!”

Quick tip: The first couple of lines in your description show up in search results, so make them count. Keep them clear, interesting, and straight to the point.

Use Tags (Just Don’t Go Crazy with Them)
Okay, so tags aren’t as important as they used to be—but they’re still worth using. Think of them as little helpers that give YouTube a bit more context about your video.

The key? Keep it simple and relevant. Use a mix of broad and specific tags. If your video is about working out at home, you might go with:
workout, home workout, HIIT, beginner HIIT, no equipment workout

You don’t need to overthink it or add 30 tags. And definitely don’t throw in stuff that has nothing to do with your video just because it’s trending—YouTube’s way smarter now, and that kind of thing can actually work against you.

Stick to what fits, keep it honest, and you’re good to go.

Design a Thumbnail That Actually Grabs Attention
Your thumbnail is the first thing people notice—sometimes even before they read the title. So yeah, it matters. A lot.

Use a clear, high-quality image that pops. Think bold colors, good lighting, and contrast that makes the subject stand out. If you’re adding text (which can help), make sure it’s big enough to read on a phone. Most people are watching on mobile, so tiny words just get lost.

One big rule: don’t be misleading. A flashy thumbnail that doesn’t match the video might get you a click, but it won’t keep people watching—and that hurts your channel in the long run.

Instead, show a real moment from your video. Something intriguing, emotional, or visually interesting. Ask yourself: Would I stop scrolling for this?

Step 2: Promote It Like a Pro (Not Like a Spammer)
Okay, your video’s ready. Now it’s time to get it in front of actual people. Here’s how to do that in a way that works.

Share It on Multiple Platforms
Don’t rely solely on YouTube. Bring in traffic from outside:

• Social Media: Share short teaser clips on Instagram Reels, TikTok, or even X (Twitter).
• Communities: Drop your video into relevant subreddits, Facebook groups, or Discords—but only if it adds value.
• Blog Posts: Got a blog or website? Embed the video inside a post that relates to the content.

Use What YouTube Gives You
YouTube has a few built-in tools that many creators overlook:

• Community Posts: Share updates, polls, or sneak peeks.
• YouTube Stories: Great for quick behind-the-scenes or reminders.
• YouTube Shorts: These are being heavily pushed by the algorithm. Use them to lead people to your full videos.

Run Paid Ads (Only If It Makes Sense)
If you’ve got a little budget to play with, YouTube Ads can be a great way to get more people to see your videos. But don’t just dump money into ads without a plan—make sure they’re going to help.

Begin by being incredibly specific with your audience. You don’t want to spend your ad budget on showing your video to people who won’t be interested. Consider things such as age, location, and the kind of videos they already view.

Begin small. I suggest testing with $5–$10 per day to find out what works. Check which ads receive the most clicks or watch time. Skippable in-stream ads or bumper ads are good options, depending on what type of video you’re creating.

And here’s the important part: ads should give your channel a little boost, but they’re not a shortcut to success. If your video’s not interesting, no amount of ad spend will fix that. Make sure you’re creating good content first, then use ads to get it in front of more eyes.

If you don’t feel like messing with the setup, a legit YouTube promotion service will do the ad targeting and optimization for you—just ensure they’re transparent, complying with YouTube’s policies, and not using any underhanded methods. A good service can take care of the nitty-gritty while you can concentrate on creating amazing content.

In short: Ads can certainly help, but don’t overdo it—use them judiciously.

Collaborate with Other Creators
One of the best ways to reach new viewers is to team up with someone else in your niche.

• Make a video together
• Shout each other out
• Do an interview-style format

Even small creators can help each other grow. It’s not just about numbers—it’s about community.

Engage with People Who Watch
The more you interact with your audience, the more the algorithm notices. Plus, it builds trust.

• Respond to comments
• Ask questions in your videos
• Run polls or Q&A sessions
• Highlight viewer comments in future videos

Step 3: Keep an Eye on What’s Working
Once your video is live and promoted, your job isn’t over. You’ve got to track how it performs and adjust your approach over time.
Watch for:

• View count – Are people actually finding your video?
• Click-through rate (CTR) – Is your title and thumbnail doing the job?
• Watch time – Are viewers sticking around or dropping off early
• Engagement – Are people liking, commenting, or sharing?

If something isn’t working, tweak it. Update your title or thumbnail, or try a different strategy next time. YouTube gives you the data—you just need to use it.

Step 4: Go Beyond the Basics
When you’re ready to take things to the next level, try these more advanced tactics:

Build Playlists
Playlists help you keep people watching longer. Group related videos together and guide your viewers through a series.

Join Niche Online Communities
Whether it’s Reddit, Discord, or even a specific Facebook group, be part of conversations. Drop your video only when it fits organically into the discussion.

Answer Questions on Sites Like Quora
If your video helps explain something, answer related questions on Quora or Reddit and link to your video as a helpful resource—not as a promotion.

Make a Video Series
A series gives people a reason to keep coming back. Think “Part 1,” “Part 2,” and so on. It’s a great way to build binge-worthy content.

Share in Email Newsletters
If you have a subscriber list, let them know when you’ve uploaded something new. Write a short message and link to the video—or even better, embed it.

Turn Videos into Blog Content
You can also write a blog post that expands on your video topic and embed the video right in the post. It helps with SEO and gives people another way to find you.

Step 5: Dealing with Common Frustrations
Every creator runs into roadblocks. Here’s how to handle a few of the most common ones:

Low Views
If your video isn’t getting traction, revisit your thumbnail and title. Are they compelling? Are they clear?

Try promoting more aggressively outside YouTube. Sometimes you need to bring the audience to the platform.

Burnout
Don’t feel like you have to publish daily. Batch-create content when you’re feeling inspired, and give yourself space to rest. Better to post one great video than five rushed ones.

No Audience Interaction
Encourage comments with questions or prompts. And when people comment, respond! Build a relationship with your viewers.

Not Sure What’s Working
Set small, specific goals—like hitting 500 views in a week. Then monitor performance in YouTube Studio and adjust based on what the data tells you.

Final Thoughts: Promotion Is a Long Game
Promoting YouTube videos isn’t a magic button—it’s a process. One that involves experimenting, learning, and staying consistent. But if you stick with it, your views will grow, your audience will become more engaged, and your channel will move in the right direction.

Take it step by step. Focus on getting better—not just bigger. And don’t forget to have fun with it. After all, that’s what content creation is really about.