HOW TO GET MORE WATCH HOURS 10 TIPS FOR MONETIZATION

Summary

In this video, the creator shares valuable insights on how to succeed on YouTube, focusing on increasing watch hours and growing a channel. Key advice includes understanding that watch hours, not views, drive monetization, and emphasizing the importance of engaging thumbnails, consistent content creation, and audience retention. The creator highlights using YouTube chapters, skipping traditional outros, and creating playlists for diverse content. Additionally, live streaming and audience engagement play a crucial role in boosting watch hours and building a loyal community. Finally, the creator advises treating the channel as a whole and interlinking videos to maximize viewer retention and growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Watch hours are about the total time people spend watching your videos, not just the number of views.
• 😀 YouTube Shorts views do not contribute to the 4,000 watch hours required for monetization.
• 😀 Thumbnails should have large, readable text and visually appealing images to grab viewers' attention.
• 😀 Use relevant keywords in your video titles to help viewers find your content based on what they’re searching for.
• 😀 Add chapters to long videos to let viewers skip to the sections they're interested in, which can improve watch time.
• 😀 Consistency is key; set a realistic schedule for content uploads that you can maintain without burning out.
• 😀 Avoid long outros—keeping them short or skipping them helps prevent viewers from leaving at the end of your videos.
• 😀 Engage with your audience by responding to comments and interacting with them in the community section of your channel.
• 😀 Organize your content into playlists to make it easier for viewers to navigate your channel and find what they want to watch.
• 😀 Live streaming counts towards watch hours, so consider live sessions to interact with your audience and boost watch time.
• 😀 Use pattern interrupts like changing camera angles or adding text to keep viewers interested and increase retention.

Q & A

What is the difference between watch hours and views on YouTube?

Watch hours measure the total time people spend watching your content, while views count the number of times your video is watched. For example, 10,000 views with only 1 minute watched per viewer would result in 10,000 minutes, not 10,000 hours.

How can I check my audience retention on YouTube?

You can check your audience retention in the YouTube analytics section. This will show you how long people are watching your videos and what percentage of the video is being viewed on average.

Do views on YouTube Shorts count toward my 3,000 or 4,000 watch hours?

No, views on YouTube Shorts do not contribute toward the 3,000 or 4,000 watch hours needed for monetization. You need 10 million views on YouTube Shorts to monetize through them.

What is the importance of thumbnails in YouTube video success?

Thumbnails are the first thing people see before deciding to watch a video. They need to be eye-catching and easy to read, with large enough text and a visually appealing picture to grab attention.

How can I use keywords effectively in my YouTube video titles?

Incorporate keywords related to your video content that potential viewers are likely to search for. This helps your video appear in relevant search results and attract the right audience.

What are video chapters, and how do they help with watch hours?

Video chapters are markers in your video that divide the content into segments. They allow viewers to skip to the parts they care about, potentially increasing watch time by making it easier for viewers to find relevant content within your video.

What is the best approach to maintaining consistency on YouTube?

Set a manageable posting schedule that fits your life, whether it's once a week, bi-weekly, or monthly. The key is to avoid burnout by creating a schedule that you can realistically stick to.

Why should I consider skipping my YouTube outro?

Traditional outros, which thank viewers and ask for likes or subscriptions, can cause a drop in viewer retention as people know the video is ending. Keeping outros minimal can prevent viewers from leaving early.

How can I organize my YouTube content using playlists?

Creating playlists for specific types of content makes it easier for viewers to find what they're looking for. For example, if your channel covers multiple topics like cooking and vlogging, organize these into separate playlists for better navigation.

How can live streaming help me achieve my 4,000 watch hours?

Live streaming allows real-time interaction with viewers, and every minute spent on your live stream contributes to your watch hours. Engaging with viewers through live sessions can quickly increase your total watch time.