Key Takeaways
- SEO Mastery is Key: Understanding and implementing SEO across all facets of your YouTube presence, from video titles to thumbnails, can exponentially increase traffic and visibility.
- Repurposing Content: Transforming a single piece of content into multiple formats can streamline the process and extend reach across platforms.
- Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Recognizing and addressing imposter syndrome is vital for personal and professional growth, especially when establishing oneself as an expert.
The Power of SEO in YouTube Growth
When considering platforms that can significantly boost your business’s online presence, YouTube often stands out due to its sheer audience size and incredible potential for growth. As Willow Lewis-Sons explains, “YouTube is considered a search engine. It is the second largest search engine in the world, and it gets over 2 billion visitors per month.” This fact alone shows that YouTube can be a substantial avenue for pulling in traffic and establishing a brand.
SEO: The Backbone of YouTube Strategy
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is a driving force behind successful content on YouTube. The principles of SEO extend far beyond just sprinkling keywords in titles and descriptions. Willow emphasizes the importance of embedding SEO deep within the entire creation process. “We make sure that when we create a thumbnail, we name the thumbnail with an SEO term that matches the video, the topic. We make sure that when we load the video in itself that it is named with specific SEO keywords or keyword phrases,” she notes.
This thorough approach ensures that each aspect of a video is curated not only for human appeal but also to satisfy algorithmic requirements. Results speak for themselves; as Willow points out, one of her clients experienced a staggering “5,896% growth within four and a half months” by following this meticulous SEO strategy. This case underscores the potential impact of being strategic with SEO rather than approaching it as an afterthought.
Maximizing Content Through Repurposing
One of the remarkable insights from the discussion is the practice of repurposing content. Bree, the host, underscores a common sentiment among entrepreneurs: the difficulty of keeping up with multiple platforms. Yet, Willow offers a solution that marries efficiency and efficacy.
Turning One Piece into Many
The strategy involves creating one substantial piece of content and then fragmenting it into various forms to populate different platforms. Willow mentions, “We take that video and we will create shorts out of it, which can also be used for reels. And then we can also take that one long form video, we can turn it into a blog post, we can create social media posts.” This method not only amplifies the reach of the original content but also ensures that the effort put into creating it is maximally utilized.
For example, a single long-form YouTube video can generate:
- YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels: Short, engaging clips from the video.
- Blog Posts: Transformed scripts or summaries to serve SEO on websites.
- Social Media Posts: Quotes, images, or highlights from the video.
This multi-faceted approach ensures that the content reaches diverse audience segments, each of whom may prefer consuming content in different formats. Moreover, it presents consistent messaging across channels, reinforcing brand presence.
Combating Imposter Syndrome
A significant theme Willow addresses, which many entrepreneurs can relate to, is imposter syndrome. This psychological phenomenon can hinder professionals regardless of their expertise level, making it a crucial topic for anyone looking to achieve and sustain success.
Understanding and Addressing Imposter Syndrome
Willow shares her personal journey with imposter syndrome, noting, “When I started working with people that were on YouTube…I really had to kind of sit down and think, what was my issue with this? And it came back to, I was really worried that people would think I was a fraud.” This self-doubt, if unchecked, can sabotage even the most qualified individuals.
She advises a proactive approach to combat these negative feelings, starting with self-awareness and understanding different types of imposter syndrome. Willow created an assessment guide and a workbook designed to help individuals recognize and tackle imposter syndrome. She suggests, “When you go through this assessment guide, you get a really good idea of how seriously imposter syndrome can be affecting you.”
Employing such tools can assist in identifying the root causes of these feelings and provide strategies to overcome them, so professionals can focus on delivering their best work rather than questioning their legitimacy.
Charting the Path Ahead
Reflecting on the conversations between Bree and Willow, it’s clear that a multifaceted approach to YouTube, grounded in strategic SEO and intelligent content repurposing, can yield significant results. Moreover, addressing psychological hurdles like imposter syndrome can pave the way for a more fulfilling and successful journey.
Those looking to leverage YouTube for business growth should integrate these insights into their planning. For instance, understanding that “Google owns YouTube” and thus aligning with SEO best practices can provide a distinct advantage in achieving visibility. Similarly, embracing Willow’s content repurposing strategies can streamline efforts and enhance reach across platforms, driving effective audience engagement.
By applying these strategies and maintaining an awareness of imposter syndrome, entrepreneurs can not only grow their business but also enjoy a balanced, fulfilling professional life. Whether you’re an elopement photographer like Bree or pursuing another creative venture, leveraging YouTube’s power can be a game-changer.
Notable Quotes:
- “SEO is literally all the way throughout. You need to have your SEO keywords for your channel, then you need to have your SEO keywords for each video.” – Willow
- “We took the YouTube channel and made that the top of the funnel for the social media, creating 15 to 30 different pieces of content from each episode.” – Willow
- “If you find the one platform that works for you, that gets you a lot of traction, then it’s a matter of creating your templates and taking that platform to funnel everything else.” – Willow
- “A lot of creative people don’t necessarily have a college degree in their passion project. Does that make me less qualified? No, it doesn’t.” – Willow
Resources:
- Willow on Instagram
- Willow’s Facebook
- Design Boss Studio: designbossstudio.com
- Imposter Syndrome Assessment Guide
- YouTube Niche Guide
About the Guest:
Willow Lewis-Sons is the powerhouse behind Design Boss Studio, a digital haven where design meets function. Specializing in YouTube growth, her expertise has led clients to exponential success, including a mind-blowing 5,896% increase in YouTube traffic within five months. With a professional journey starting in graphic design back in 1997, Willow has seamlessly transitioned into social media management and YouTube consultancy. She’s also a dedicated wife, mother of five adult children, and a proud grandmother, embodying a “family first” philosophy both in life and work.
BREEANNA KAY’S INSTAGRAM: @breeannakayphotography
REBEL CEO INSTAGRAM: @rebel.ceo.podcast
BREEANNA KAY’S WEBSITE: breeannakay.com
REBEL CEO PODCAST SHOWNOTES: breeannakay.com/youtube-strategy
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