5 min read
Starting a YouTube channel might seem straightforward - just point, shoot, and upload, right? Not exactly!
AT BB Media, we know that the path to YouTube success requires smart planning, consistent effort, and the right strategies. Let's break down exactly what makes channels grow in 2025, so you can take steps towards the success you deserve.
Pick Your Topic (And Make It Good!)
The foundation of any strong channel starts with picking the right topic, niche, or focus area. Make a list of everything you love talking about. Now, let’s think bigger - could you talk about these subjects for 100 hours? That's about four years of weekly videos! If you can't picture yourself making that much content, then it might be that you need to choose something else.
For example, we know we could chat for hours (and hours!) about helping people get started on YouTube, as well as all the amazing technical tools at their disposal, the strategies to monetize their content, and how to protect it from content pirates and bad actors - and that’s exactly what we share!
Find what you know a lot about, and don't just copy other channels. Instead, study them, learn from them, then add your own unique angle. The best channels take existing ideas and transform them into something fresh.
You have your own unique insights and perspectives, so even if you’re making cooking videos (and there are 1000s of cooking channels out there) - you are the secret sauce! Share what you know, don’t worry if it seems obvious to you, and do some planning ahead when the ideas strike you.
Make Videos That People Want to Watch (and Keep Watching!)
YouTube rewards videos that keep people watching, and “successful” (as in, very watchable, compelling) videos typically follow one of several patterns.
Education
Many channels grow by answering common questions in their niche, providing clear solutions to specific problems. Some channels focus on sharing detailed information that helps viewers learn new skills or understand complex topics. These are education-focused channels, and their videos should give a clear answer to a question someone has.
Emotion
Some channels build audiences through storytelling, crafting narratives that connect with viewers on an emotional level - influencers, motivational speakers, artists - the creators behind these channels can be so varied, but the human connection and emotional core of their content is what resonates.
Entertainment
These channels could be almost anything - like dance videos, choreography, reaction videos, music, gaming - you name it. Mr. Beast is a great example of an entertainment-focused YouTube channel. If your content aims to bring joy, make people laugh, go “Wow!”, or generally make someone feel good, you’re probably in the entertainment category.
Whichever approach you take, there are some best practices for making your content compelling: start with a strong hook in the first 15 seconds. Get straight to the point - viewers will click away if you waste their time. End your videos with a clear reason to watch more of your content - and always ask for that like and subscribe.
Make Sure You Look and Sound Professional
Bad audio will make people leave faster than bad video. Start by investing in a good microphone - viewers will forgive mediocre video quality, but they'll click away from poor audio.
If you can set up basic lighting to make your footage look professional, that will help to change the overall ‘feel’ of your content. If you’re really serious about YouTube, you can also purchase a decent camera that can record in HD, and learn to use simple editing software to polish your final product.
Where it’s appropriate, we also recommend that you figure out a storyboard or write scripts for every video. Practice them until you sound natural. Record test footage and watch it back - you'll spot things to improve that you'd never notice otherwise.
Stand Out Visually
Your channel needs a consistent look across all its elements, so here’s what you need to consider:
- Design eye-catching thumbnails that grab attention in search results and recommendations.
- Pick a set of fonts and colors to use consistently throughout your content.
- Create a channel banner that reflects your brand and tells new visitors what to expect.
- You can even add your logo as a watermark to build brand recognition across all your videos.
- Make thumbnails that pop on small screens - use bright colors, clear text, and images that make people want to click.
And, if you think you’ve done all this on your existing channel, why not use the points above as an audit to help you check? You might be missing out on valuable assets that could be working hard for you.
Master the YouTube Algorithm - Build Real Connections
The YouTube algorithm loves videos that:
- Keep people watching until the end
- Get lots of engagement (likes, comments, shares)
- Make viewers watch more videos afterward
Use clear titles that match what people search for, write detailed descriptions with timestamps, and make sure you add relevant tags to help YouTube understand your content. That said - the best videos aren’t just focused on the algorithm. They’re focused on a community.
Making your YouTube channel a success in 2025 means building a strong community around your content. If you can take the time to answer comments from viewers, and show them that you value their input, they will know that you are someone who appreciates them.
A good way to start is to create videos that spark discussions and encourage viewers to share their thoughts, and running live streams where you can chat with your audience in real time will also help you build strong connections.
If you can include viewer feedback in your videos, you’ll also show that you're listening to your community - a screenshot of a comment can go a long way.
Track What Works and Ditch What Doesn’t
Check your analytics weekly to understand what resonates with your audience. Study which videos keep people watching the longest, and try to identify the elements that held onto your viewers’ interest - then use these learnings to plan future content that will convert.
Did you know that you can analyse your thumbnails' performance to see which designs get most clicks? Or that you can look at where your viewers come from to better target your promotion efforts?
You can also use YouTube analytics to see where people stop watching. Did you ramble a little bit? Did a transition between content not work so well? Figuring this can help you improve your pacing and content structure, and help you see which topics bring in the most views and engagement. Use this data to make better videos. Double down on what works, and fix what doesn't!
Common Mistakes to Avoid (and a Secret Ingredient)
Many new creators fall into common traps that can slow their growth. Uploading videos randomly without a consistent schedule makes it hard for viewers to know when to expect new content, and we’ve already discussed how poor quality audio can ruin otherwise great videos and drive viewers away.
Likewise, simply copying other channels without adding your own perspective will make your content feel unoriginal and forgettable, and ignoring viewer feedback cuts you off from valuable insights about what your audience wants. You also need to make sure your expectations are aligned with your effort - if you’re expecting to become an overnight success and magically be discovered with just a few videos, you might be very, very disappointed.
This is because building a successful channel takes a secret ingredient: time.
Try to get it on your side, and figure out some routines and block out some time to:
- Build a backlog of videos
- Take breaks without disappearing (crucial!)
- Scale up your production and look more polished and professional
- Try new content styles
- Learn new skills
Most successful channels took years to grow, and their creators treat YouTube with the same dedication as any other career. Focus on making better videos each time, and stay consistent with your uploads.
Your channel won't grow overnight, but with smart planning, quality content, and steady improvement, you can build something that lasts. Start with these basics, then adapt as you learn what works for your specific audience.
Above all - keep going. Keep making videos, keep learning, and keep pushing yourself to improve - this is how good channels become great ones.
