3 Reasons to model your YouTube content after TV
TV as we know it is becoming a thing of the past—but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn from its successes. The content that top YouTube creators produce is more like traditional television than you might think! Here are three established practices from TV that you can use to propel your YouTube content to greatness.
SCHEDULED PUBLISHING
Game of Thrones. Hannibal. Dancing with the Stars.
Aside from entertaining millions on a weekly basis, what do these shows have in common? Fans of these shows know exactly when new episodes air. Without a consistent schedule, fans wouldn’t know when to plop themselves on the sofa, and viewership would plummet.
Creating content for an online audience is just the same. If your fans know you’ll release a new video every Saturday at 6:00pm, viewership will be leagues higher than if released randomly and off schedule.
Releasing on schedule is crucial—and so is establishing a schedule with your viewers. If it’s not clear to your viewers when new videos are coming out, then everyone missed out on the benefits of scheduled uploads. So be sure to:
- Include a schedule on your YouTube channel banner
- Announce the schedule at the end of your videos
- Tease upcoming videos on social media
OFF-YOUTUBE MARKETING
YouTube is a great content delivery network, but it doesn’t always deliver the content that viewers want to see. Posting your content on social media networks like Twitter and Facebook can make up for any missed views and potentially help find new subscribers.
- In your social post, make sure to cover not only newly released videos but upcoming videos too. Use your downtime as an opportunity to hint at the next masterpiece and remind viewers about your release schedule.
- Consider starting a website! Having an off-YouTube presence not only gives users a centralized place to watch your videos, it can also provide a place to offer exclusive content, build up an email list and sell merch.
TEAMING UP
Think of your favorite TV shows. How many of them contain supporting actors who converted your curiosity into loyal viewership? Collaborations on YouTube can work in the same way. Teaming up with other creators exposes their audiences to your content—and often turns them into lifelong fans!
- Collabs don’t have to be in person! Many successful collaborations are virtual. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Shoutouts are powerful. Many creators collab simply by mentioning another artist who may have helped out or contributed to the video.
- Having trouble finding a collab partner? Fullscreen creators can use our Creator Directory to find other creators nearby who are looking to collab.
With every passing day, traditional media continues to disappear from our lives—but its lessons will live on forever. Never be afraid to recycle techniques that have worked in the past and mold them for the content of the future! Read more here
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