I've been at it for many years now, my channel @TheRoadChoseMe now has 60k subscribers, and gets pretty solid views.
I think the most important thing I've learned is to make videos that people want to watch. (I know that sounds basic, but I think it's the at the core) The more people watch it, the more YouTube promotes it, and the more people watch it. When that happens, YouTube will even give you a little notice that says they're showing it to more people because more people are watching it. When that happens I pickup tons of subscribers and tons more views than normal (and therefore more money)
Even when I have a post about my video hit the front page of reddit, the number of "external views" pales in comparison to YouTube recommended... so it doesn't matter how hard you promote it, the best thing you can do is make videos that people want to watch, and keep watching. YouTube will promote those videos for you.
(See @StuffMadeHere for what happens and how quickly it happens when you make great videos - his channel got where it is now very, very quickly)
How do you do that? I think the best way is trial and error. Make many different types of video with different styles and approaches, and see what works. See what you enjoy, see what you are good at, and learn from that.
Also remember that YouTube is the "more content game". Sooner or later (I bet sooner) you'll run out of ideas and things to film. So start thinking about it now, you need to get in the "always create content" mindset.
I think the most important thing I've learned is to make videos that people want to watch. (I know that sounds basic, but I think it's the at the core) The more people watch it, the more YouTube promotes it, and the more people watch it. When that happens, YouTube will even give you a little notice that says they're showing it to more people because more people are watching it. When that happens I pickup tons of subscribers and tons more views than normal (and therefore more money)
Even when I have a post about my video hit the front page of reddit, the number of "external views" pales in comparison to YouTube recommended... so it doesn't matter how hard you promote it, the best thing you can do is make videos that people want to watch, and keep watching. YouTube will promote those videos for you. (See @StuffMadeHere for what happens and how quickly it happens when you make great videos - his channel got where it is now very, very quickly)
How do you do that? I think the best way is trial and error. Make many different types of video with different styles and approaches, and see what works. See what you enjoy, see what you are good at, and learn from that.
Also remember that YouTube is the "more content game". Sooner or later (I bet sooner) you'll run out of ideas and things to film. So start thinking about it now, you need to get in the "always create content" mindset.