Subscribers And Views

JohnnyGrom

JohnnyGrom

Wannabie Member
I seen many posts in this forum asking about how to get subscribers and views. Heck Ive even asked once. People always say "Be yourself the views will come." or "Do it as a hobby and dont worry about views and subscribers". I made my channel in January and now have 136 subscribers. Its been alot of work and feel I deserve more subscribers. Ive been sharing on Facebook, posting my motovlogs on here and Ive done local advertising. My opinion on subscribers and views has now changed. I think you have to go out and get them. I think you need to be yourself but do interesting stuff that people actually want to see. Ive looked back at my channel and realized it sucks! The quality of the videos has not been the best and there just boring. Ive decided to go out and get the subscribers. Im going to spend much more time planning and making interesting stuff. Im going to do timelapses, intro's outro's and everything else that the big vloggers make. The purpose of this rant is to tell the new guys not to just post and hope for subs like I did. Go out and get what you want. Your subs will reflect in the time you put in your vlogs. What do you guys think about that? Do you think im just being stupid and am just gonna waste my time or do you think itll pay off??
 
Right on dude. I started a few months back and only have 11. Since then I have been working on my editing and topics but most importantly, listening to advise. It helps. Good luck!
 
You are actually doing pretty good to have that many subscribers in 6 months when you are just starting. I'm not a big channel by any means, but it took me years just to reach 500 subs lol.

Because you lived the events sometimes you think they are more interesting than a viewer. I watched other vlogs and got an idea of what I liked to see as a viewer, then tried to edit out the fluff in my own vids.

But seriously like everyone always posts, do it for fun first, then the rest will come easier.
 
The biggest issue I've seen with new motovloggers is the feeling that all footage is precious. It's a common issue in any video production endeavor. You shot it and it's your footage and you think it's interesting, but most others don't. So, the first step IMO is always to shorten EVERYTHING! I usually cut my videos at least 3 times before rendering a final version. I cut the really boring stuff, then the stuff that's redundant and then some stuff that just doesn't fit, like a joke that missed the mark or a pause that's too long or commentary that just doesn't lead anywhere. That keeps the videos tight and shorter, which makes them more enticing for viewers on first glance.

But, then we get to your point ... what if your content is good and you still aren't getting subs? How do you get your name out there? How do you find an audience. Sure, you can get some random traffic through YT, but YT is HUGE, and there are thousands of vlogs posted every day ... why is your video going to be the suggestion after someone watches their normal Motonosity or Sub Delinquent?

I think it starts with a solid network of friends or other vloggers that will watch and comment on your vids. The higher your engagement numbers, the more likely your video is to be recommended by YT. So, building relationships in places like here, or engaging with other vloggers on YT is a good place to start.

But there is no magic bullet. At least, not that I've found. But at minimum we need to support the up and coming creators that we enjoy watching. That helps them succeed and hopefully the acts are reciprocated.
 
Since I can't edit my other post I'll add one. I watched a few more of your videos and such.

Personally, I hate long intros and outtros. I'm not watching someone's vlog to see the intro/outro in every video. Stuff like that is better for a channel video that someone can watch for that purpose. Now, BVG's little song and title is perfect IMO. Simple, quick, recognizable.

The audio in your videos needs some work. You might want to watch some of Dodge Rider's videos where he talks about his setup, really inspired me (not that I have changed anything yet haha) to strive for better audio. I like a good mix of clear voice and engine sound. He uses a Sena I believe, but there are other great options out there if you aren't wanting to shell out the $ for a headset.

Also try and work in some image editing, the video quality is a bit hazy and washed out. A bunch of cheaper video editors have basic contrast and color correction options. I get lazy and often fail to color correct my video, but when you do it does make a difference. Fortunately the GoPro HD3 black has good contrast to start with so it doesn't stand out too bad.

As with anything, content is key. My vlogs changed from when I first started to now. I used to go on and on about things trying to get to a point. Now, I try to just get to the point and move on. Keep it fast and interesting.

You can't force people to sub by shoving videos in their face. Big turnoff when a vlogger is spammy. Good content will get people to sub. If you don't put in the effort to spend time on your videos people aren't going to spend time watching them.

Have you ever watched 'Chefs Table' on Netflix? I started watching it simply because it was beautiful. The film work is amazing. I have no interest in chefs, but the excellent storytelling and video work keeps me planted episode after episode.

Not that I'm perfect or a well known name by any means, just keep striving to bring better content and have fun and the subs will come.
 
JohnnyGrom said:
I seen many posts in this forum asking about how to get subscribers and views. Heck Ive even asked once. People always say "Be yourself the views will come." or "Do it as a hobby and dont worry about views and subscribers". I made my channel in January and now have 136 subscribers. Its been alot of work and feel I deserve more subscribers. Ive been sharing on Facebook, posting my motovlogs on here and Ive done local advertising. My opinion on subscribers and views has now changed. I think you have to go out and get them. I think you need to be yourself but do interesting stuff that people actually want to see. Ive looked back at my channel and realized it sucks! The quality of the videos has not been the best and there just boring. Ive decided to go out and get the subscribers. Im going to spend much more time planning and making interesting stuff. Im going to do timelapses, intro's outro's and everything else that the big vloggers make. The purpose of this rant is to tell the new guys not to just post and hope for subs like I did. Go out and get what you want. Your subs will reflect in the time you put in your vlogs. What do you guys think about that? Do you think im just being stupid and am just gonna waste my time or do you think itll pay off??
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It sounds like you've got a good formula here. I think it you keep it with your success will continue.
 
I don't know about good content draws people in. Sometimes I see guys that just upload maybe 6 minute videos of nothing but just riding in the city, with no scenic routes, and the occasional mindless ramble about nothing in particular, and they get a lot of subs real fast! Like a couple hundred over half a year.

Me, I've been at it for over a year and have yet to breach 200 myself. I know i'm no C2W or Jake (i prefer Jake personally) but it's kinda depressing I put in so much effort to pick out the most interesting footage, edit it into something with coherence throw in some pizzazz, and nobody seems to watch it.
 
Reize said:
I don't know about good content draws people in. Sometimes I see guys that just upload maybe 6 minute videos of nothing but just riding in the city, with no scenic routes, and the occasional mindless ramble about nothing in particular, and they get a lot of subs real fast! Like a couple hundred over half a year.

Me, I've been at it for over a year and have yet to breach 200 myself. I know i'm no C2W or Jake (i prefer Jake personally) but it's kinda depressing I put in so much effort to pick out the most interesting footage, edit it into something with coherence throw in some pizzazz, and nobody seems to watch it.
Click to expand...
What is your youtube url?
 
If you just want subscribers and views just buy them. If you want real people with real views and real feedback then you have to work at it.

If what you are doing isn't working for you then you need to change something. Problem is until you change you don't really know if is the right choice. I have stuck with what I do because I like doing it, and now I am starting to see some trends to what videos of mine get the most views so will do a little more of that, just to keep viewers happy.

I'm finding more and more I'm spending more time promoting videos and making sure tags are correct and the like than I do making them. Not sure I like that part.
 
If you can look back at your own videos which you made and find them boring, then I am not surprised that the views or subs are not to your satisfaction.

I don't mean to be rude, but how do you expect to get the following that you deserve if you don't even like the things you share?

If you are a chef and you cook up a plate of fried rice (I'm Asian, sorry) that you yourself don't even like at all, how do you expect the people that you serve it to, to like it?

That's why, I believe, it is important to like what you do, be yourself because you will know when you are being fake, make videos that you will enjoy watching yourself, once you have gotten that baseline, it will be easier to fine tune and tweak the content a bit to maybe cater for viewer request or suggestions to be more interactive with your audience.

When I first started off, it was just a platform I could upload videos so that I didn't need to bring the file in a pen drive or on mobile phone for my riding friends to view. I didn't share them everywhere, to all my family or friends, I only shared to the riding buddies. Basically I didn't have a goal for the channel. Progress was slow, I didn't mind. I guess if I was just starting out and wanted to make a mark like what you want to now, I don't think I would have done this for the amount of time I have been posting videos, I might have already thrown in the towel and call it quits.

Just some food for thought, good luck in your efforts.
 
I'm more pleased that the subs I do have for the most part communicate with me through my channel or forums. I find it to be a better version of having pen pals. Its even cooler that when I started, I posted about it on a forum and there was a guy from Australia there who had been pondering the idea. My first few vids got him so pumped, it pushed him over the edge to do it himself. We have been watching each others content and criticizing it ever since.
 
I think you're doing well Mr. Johnny! I started at a similar time and have been uploading video's on a regular basis and have 19 subs and has been around that number for a while, now I'm not really promoting them all that much and I've been really busy with work (like haven't ridden in over a month due to being in a different city) and have been working on backed up footage, I thought I'd be good for many months to come, but looking back now the TB's of footage I have is mostly P00P and I find myself wanting to upload the newly recorded footage as the content is just better. Anyway a bit off topic I've found if you're complacent then you're going to stagnate.

I upload for fun but I would like to have a community to interact with and find fellow Moto Vlogger's all over the world to make content with, as making friends and interacting with other riders with more than a head nod or a hurried chat at the lights is a big part of Moto Vlogging for me.
 
Ask yourself is it as fun with 0 subscribers as it is with 136 or 15000. If it's only fun with a bunch of subscribers you aren't doing it for the right reasons and your content will come across forced. I don't have many views or subscribers but I do enjoy every minute I'm on the bike, editing videos or watching other vloggers, that's whats important.
 
You could always do what Walterific does and pass out cards to people you meet on the street, they will watch your videos and show their friends that they are in a youtube video. That'll get your views and subscribers up locally
 
I just crested 100. I love the videos I put out. I laugh at myself.....a lot lol. I put a lot of work into each video I do including content for instagram and twitter. I'm not growing fast (started in march) but I have a lot of interaction with a good amount of my subscribers. If my number weren't to change and I keep having the interaction with these people then I'll continue to love and do this hobby. I'm finding more and more I'm excited to do a video for those that are supporting my channel. If no one else shows up, I frankly don't care because I'm still making the subscribers I do have, happy. At least that's what they tell me lol
 
I'll give you some legit advice because I lived through it. My previous channel from the one I'm currently working on imploded and self destructed because I cared more about subs and views. It got to the point where I hated even thinking about making a video. I hated my subs for not engaging. I hated motovloggers who I thought had sub par content surpass me in watch time, views, and subs. This all got me to the point where I got depressed and down on myself, and I mean seriously down on myself. I saw all of the hard work I had put into videos, all the time, money, and energy just get spat on by YouTube's fickle viewer base. So for my last video I laid all of that out for those that actually enjoyed what I made. I think for the first time since I started that channel I was genuine and sincere. I threw away 550 subs, BakerXDerek endorsements, a parts sponsorship, and a place in the friend circles of some of the "top" vloggers. All to start fresh and be 100% true to myself and make content that reflects me and my personality.

I don't care if I ever break 100 subs, as long as I'm still happy doing it. I don't care if every tween pimple faced xbox loving kid hates what I'm doing. I'm not going to try and cater to viewers anymore and try and tap dance so I earn their favor and they sub. Motovlogging is fickle and trends come and go. It was supermotos this time last year, now it's the Grom. Who knows what will be popular next year. I can tell you though, almost every vlogger over 100k will rush to buy whatever bike YouTube wants to see and that's sad.

Subs are useless...they really are. You should value watch time over subs, because that specific bit of information is what YouTube's algorithms look for when auto promoting your video. You can have 5 subs but thousands of minutes of solid watch time and you'll see your views go up and more money in your adsense account. I have 22 subs right now, but I have videos with 200, 160, and averaging 60 views of 5 or more minutes of watch time. This coupled with good metadata and tags that get your video seen are 100 times more important than any subscriber. You ever notice how Do It With Dan has around 600k subs but averages 40k views? That ratio is terrible, compared to say, iDubzz who is just over 1 million subscribers and gets that plus some in views within days. It's interesting isn't it? And raises some questions about genuine sub counts.

TLDR; Subs don't matter....watch time and engagement do.
 
I need to figure out the Metadata and tags thing. I don't thing I've been maximizing on that aspect
 
I edit all my metadata in Sony Vegas. Also look in to a browser add on called "Tube Buddy" It's helped me understand the whole tagging thing. It's not about how many tags you have, but the traffic of the tag versus the amount of content saturation using the tag. You can have 5 tags but if they are the right tags they are all you need.
 
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