Getting views on YouTube is not easy, especially in 2022. With so many of us hoping to get more attention to our work and perhaps make YouTube a success. The struggle is real when trying to gain any traction in the photographic genre.
Don’t worry, I’m not just saying as a viewer or spectator here, I’ve poured a lot of blood, sweat and tears, figuratively speaking of course, into my own YouTube channel. So let’s dive in and chat about what I find working, what doesn’t, and what’s standing between you and getting those subscribers. Oh and no, it’s not an algorithm.
1. You don’t show up on your own channel
So if you’re really trying to build an audience on YouTube then you need to work in front of the camera. Your fellow photographers are flooded with hundreds of photos every day, so the chance for your own photo to stand out, no matter how great, is slim.
Forming a connection by explaining why you took certain photos, what happened, and describing the experience is a proven strategy for building an invested audience. Giving viewers something to relate to, something to ponder, or even disagree with creates a more engaging experience for your audience.
Finding reasons for people to reach out beyond your photos builds a relationship between you as a photographer and as a person. Photographers are people too, remember the next time you hit the record for your next video.
2. Leave your audience in wobble
Sure, it’s okay to take a little break, you may not be able to meet every upload deadline you’ve ambitiously set for yourself when planning the month, but long skipping than that will probably affect the growth of your channel and channel. Consistency is really key, and it’s not new advice, but it’s the advice you need to hear.
YouTube really is a machine and you are only as good as your last upload. I wish it wasn’t so cruel, I don’t make the rules and sadly, neither do you.
Scheduling and scheduling will be your best friend when it comes to frequent uploads and also keep you accountable for the dates you’ve set. This will have a snowball effect, let me explain. The more videos you upload, the more videos you have to make, so the more you film, talk to the camera, edit, and get your work out there. This all leads to honing your skills as a content creator and naturally helps you find the flow and develop the style at the same time. Did someone say multitasking?
3. You are creating content that already exists
So I don’t mean that we should all stop photographing landscapes, shooting abandoned buildings, or photographing a person crossing a pedestrian crossing. I mean just look around, or rather scroll around and see what’s already there, the author word is “already”. How you can develop your own on the latest camera release, the best lenses for portraiture, the hugely popular walk-through video, or better yet, create something new batch!
This is easier said than done and requires some planning and creative thinking, but are you creative? So it’s not that difficult.
It’s like in business how they talk about your unique selling point. What do you have to offer that no one else has? This can be scary and lead you to an existential crisis. So just remember, you are definitely unique and it doesn’t have to be something so different, it could just be a small difference. Enough to set your channel aside from all the others who share their photos online.
Personality goes a long way and skillful editing, so does professional footage, or maybe you’re like me and you have a really good laugh that shows up in almost every video. Maybe you live somewhere really unusual and different? The options are endless and so are you and your unique approach to photography!
The photography community is pretty awesome and everyone wants to connect with each other. The comments section is the obvious place to start, and if you’re not saying thank you, being present, and letting your viewers know that you appreciate their viewing and interaction, then stop reading and do it now. But back to the rest of the tips!
I respond to the most comments as finger and time permits, and I try to do the same on every platform where I share my images. However, don’t stop at this, reach out to other creators and photographers you admire and let them know or ask them for advice. I’m a big believer in putting yourself out there, the worst thing that can happen is someone doesn’t respond, it’s like if you didn’t do anything. So mingle and chat with the people around you who are where you want to be and you will most likely learn something and make great friends.
5. You are waiting for perfection
I have a theory that being a photographer and perfectionist linked in nature. Many of us are detail-oriented people who like everything to look aesthetically pleasing and we often work hard to create our vision or create a model or client interface, good, perfect. This is great, but can also be a problem when you get into the world of YouTube photography.
Put on lots of hats with audio, video and lights, learn editing software, create thumbnails, find music and speak on camera. It’s honestly like ten jobs in one! If you think about a professional production, they have a whole team of dedicated people just for each of those roles and you could probably do it all yourself. It’s not realistic to be perfect all 10 at once, so give yourself a break and perfect them gradually over time.
This tip works in tandem with tip number two very nicely. So don’t let your perfectionism get in the way of you uploading something, it could very well catch your attention more than anyone else. Try and remind yourself that making sacrifices for precision imperfections is less likely to result in a delay in your uploads and a complete loss of motivation.
My advice is to go back and watch all the big names in the first few videos of photography. I guarantee it will help clear your mind and give you huge confidence and motivation to keep creating!
Those are my gems of wisdom and I hope they give some guidance. We have seen the genre of photography, especially film photography, grow in the last few years, especially in any kind of video sharing platform. If you are dedicated and willing to put in the effort, then sharing your images on YouTube can really open the door for you, be a hustle creative side or a way to add some work. videos to your portfolio.
If you’re thinking “Who is Lucy Lumen?” then check mine analog photography channel here and get some inspiration for your next upload.
