By Enric Llonch, on 26 April 2021
If you want to monetize your YouTube channel and earn revenue from your video inbound marketing content, there are two things you have to accomplish: getting 1000 subscribers and 4000 hours of watch time.
At first glance, you may think that getting 4000 watch hours is a very difficult challenge, but once your YouTube channel gains momentum, it is a very achievable goal. These tips will help you get your first 4,000 hours quickly so you can start monetizing your channel as soon as possible.
5 Tips to Get 4,000 Hours of Watch Time on YouTube
1. Upload Your Podcasts to YouTube
Podcasts are a type of content that gets a lot of traction. Typically, users listen to podcasts while they are doing other activities, so they don't mind if the videos are long, and while there are many podcast-specific platforms, there are also a lot of users who listen to them via YouTube.
If you decide to create a podcast, don't hesitate to upload it to your channel. You will add a lot of minutes of content and potential views with little effort.
2. Don't Be Afraid to Post Long Videos
In video marketing, there is a popular belief that short videos are more effective and have more viral potential, but the truth is that more and more content creators are betting on long videos and users are getting used to them. Therefore, do not hesitate to upload longer videos that deal with a topic in depth. Just be sure to post quality content.
3. Do Live Broadcasts
Live broadcasts do not require editing, they do a good job of attracting interest from users, and they are usually long so they are a very effective way to add hours.
Review metrics after each live broadcast. The higher the retention, the more minutes watched you gain with each live broadcast. To increase retention, structure your live broadcasts well, prepare the information and content you are going to use, and answer live questions from your audience. You can choose a day, week, or month for your broadcasts so that you build consistency and your audience will look forward to your live broadcasts.
Once you finish live broadcasting, it will remain on your channel if you so choose and will continue to gain visits and minutes in the following weeks.
4. Take Advantage of Trending Topics
If you manage to be one of the first to post about a trending topic, you'll get a lot of views, which in turn can convert users into subscribers and contribute to your channel's long-term growth.
To do this, you will need to be very aware of trends in your industry or field and be able to anticipate them. For example, you could make a first impressions video of a highly anticipated launch.
5. Experiment
On YouTube, success is not immediate. Creators may make several YouTube videos or even channels without success. However, perseverance is key. Test out some different ideas and try to create various types of videos but always make sure that the video and sound quality are good.
Soon you will see how your first 4000 hours are closer than you thought if you are consistent with your content and don't get discouraged. Don't fall into habits that may get some immediate results but that will harm your channel in the long run. Create good content, be regular, and follow your audience's feedback.
