You’re growing your business, but your YouTube channel isn’t growing with it…what gives?

I know the feeling. There are so many things you want to do with your business, and you even see things heading in the right direction. But you know you can't do those things until you grow your audience.

And you know to do that, your YouTube channel NEEDS to start seeing some traction.

If that’s where you find yourself as you’re reading this, I have good news…there’s help for you here!

In this post, I’m showing you how to get a head start on growing your YouTube channel in 2025. With these five tips, you’ll learn how to implement what works now and start seeing results in the new year. Then, you can maximize your traffic and make some sales!

And make sure you stick around until the end — I’m sharing a bonus tip with you. It’s a game-changer that saved me hours of content planning. You don’t want to miss it!

Grow Your YouTube Channel Tip #1: Embrace YouTube Shorts

When YouTube Shorts first came around, I have to admit I wasn’t the biggest fan. But now that things have changed so much, they’re really making an impact on channel growth. Plus, it doesn’t seem like they’re going anywhere anytime soon.

Not sure what a Short is? This is YouTube's version of short-form video content, and because it’s on YouTube, where the algorithm is substantially better than any other social media platform, these short videos do help you grow.

But here’s the kicker: It’s not just about posting any ol’ short-form video clip. Don’t just take a snippet of your longer YouTube videos or slap up the same Reel you posted last week.

If you want to start maximizing Shorts, focus on creating bite-sized content that packs a punch. Think of quick tips, mini-tutorials, or behind-the-scenes snippets that provide immediate value. The goal is to hook viewers quickly and leave them wanting more.

Action Step #1

Choose one topic from your niche and create a 30-60-second Short that addresses it. Make sure you include an opening that hooks people in and ends with a call to action directing viewers to your full videos.

Grow Your YouTube Channel Tip #2: Double Down on Evergreen Content

Consistency isn’t just about posting frequently; it’s also about creating content that lasts. Evergreen videos bring in views and subscribers long after a video is published because they address topics that people are always searching for.

Essentially, it’s content that will never go out of style!

What can you use for evergreen content topics? Focus on solving an ongoing problem or answering a common question. This is why people are coming to your channel, and eventually work with you in the first place, so chances are it’s going to be relevant for a while.

Action Step #2

List 5-10 FAQs and create videos that provide step-by-step solutions. Make it even easier for people to find that content by using search-friendly titles with keywords your audience is using.

For example, instead of a vague title like “Coaching Tips,” go with something more specific, such as “How to Start a Coaching Business in 2025: 5 Steps for Beginners.”

Then, plan to upload at least one evergreen video per month to start building your content library. Focus on delivering clear, actionable information rather than flashy production. The goal is to provide lasting value that viewers can find and use for years!

Grow Your YouTube Channel Tip #3: Leverage YouTube Community Features

The Community tab on YouTube is one of the most underrated tools for engagement! If you’re struggling to keep your audience engaged, the Community tab can help you out. Think of it as your personal feed where you can interact directly with your audience.

You can use the Community tab for all kinds of things like polls, sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes updates, or to get feedback that can be used in future content.

P.S. Just make sure you post with some type of photo — these posts tend to perform better!

Action Step #3

Start posting on your Community tab! If you need an idea to help you get started, run a poll asking your audience what topics they’d like you to cover next. Or, if you want something even simpler, share a teaser image for your upcoming video!

Grow Your YouTube Channel Tip #4: Optimize for Watch Time, Not Just Views

Views are important, but they aren’t everything. In fact, YouTube's algorithm favors watch time over views!

That means the longer viewers stay engaged with your content, the more likely YouTube is to recommend it. So, instead of just aiming for clicks, focus on creating content that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.

And try to spread value throughout the video instead of front-loading all your tips at the start. You want to keep the anticipation high to encourage viewers to watch until the end!

Action Step #4

Take a look at your audience retention data in YouTube Analytics. Where are people dropping off the most? During the hook? In the middle of the video? Are they staying until the end? This will help you see where you need to tweak some things.

Grow Your YouTube Channel Tip #5: Dive into Advanced Analytics

You won’t know what’s working until you actually look at what’s working. You need to be digging into your analytics (provided to you for FREE on your YouTube dashboard) to see if what you’re doing is actually driving channel growth.

There are a lot of metrics you can look at, but the most important are:

Audience Retention: Look for patterns where viewers drop off and note what you’re doing at that time. Are you waiting too long to get to the point? Are you avoiding what you promised in the title and thumbnail? Improve those parts of future videos.
Subscriber Growth by Video: Identify which content converts viewers into subscribers. Then, create more videos in that style — that’s the content your audience wants to see!
Traffic Sources: Is it from YouTube? External sources? Something else? Knowing where your traffic is coming from means you can create a better plan to promote your content and get people watching!

Action Step #5

Dedicate 30 minutes each week to reviewing your analytics and applying insights to your next videos. Small, consistent adjustments can significantly impact your growth over time!

Want to see it in action? I’m doing a live stream where I’ll walk you through how I audit and analyze my YouTube channel — you can even ask me questions as I go. Keep an eye out for the live stream in November over on my YouTube channel!

BONUS TIP: Use AI and Automation to Streamline Your Workflow

If you’re serious about leveling up your YouTube strategy, start leveraging AI and automation tools to streamline your content. READ: Make YouTube content creation faster and easier!

I see so many people do more work than they have to by trying to come up with everything on their own — the video title, the thumbnail, and editing. You don’t have to do that!

Tools like AI-driven video editors, thumbnail generators, and automation platforms for scheduling can help you scale your efforts without burning out.

BONUS Action Step

Start small by automating one part of your process, like having an AI tool help you formulate a good title. Over time, you can integrate more automation into your workflow to free up time for creating high-quality content and engaging with your audience!

Get More Tips for Growing Your Channel Here!

There’s a lot that goes into creating YouTube content, but if you take away one tip from this post, let it be this: Quality over quantity in everything you do. Creating valuable content for your audience is always a good move!

If you want to get more of my best tips for growing your YouTube channel, be sure to check out the playlist, How to Grow Your Small YouTube Channel in 2024! I walk you through even more ways to work smarter, not harder on YouTube. And even those these tips are targeted for 2024, they can still work wonders on your channel!

Want to take your newfound knowledge even further? Sign up for the Video Game Plan! This includes some of my BEST trainings for creating YouTube videos that get more views, grow your audience, and turn viewers into paying clients!

Inside, there’s easy-to-follow script templates, hook strategies, and bonus BTS content to help you see how I use these resources in my own business! It’s all yours for just $27. Grab it here!

How to Grow Your YouTube Channel in 2025