How I Grew A FaceLess Youtube Channel to 14K subs

How I Grew My YouTube Channel to 14K Subs in a Year (And Why That’s Not as Impressive as It Sounds)

Let’s be real—I know that 14K subscribers on YouTube in a year isn’t something that’s going to blow people away. It’s not one of those jaw-dropping stories of someone skyrocketing to a million subs overnight. But for those of you who are starting from scratch or looking to grow a modest following, I think sharing my journey could be helpful.

Here’s what I did to grow my YouTube channel to 14K subscribers in 12 months, and some of the strategies you can use to give your own channel a boost.

1. Using VidIQ to Guide My Strategy

When I first started, I was lost in the sea of tools and advice. One thing that stood out for me early on was VidIQ. It’s a tool that helps you find the best-performing keywords, tracks your competition, and even gives you insights on your video titles and descriptions.

VidIQ became my right-hand tool for figuring out what content had potential and what keywords people were actually searching for. I would obsessively track what videos were trending in my niche and optimize everything from my titles to my tags based on this data.

2. Picking a Niche with Good Search Volume

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when starting a YouTube channel is trying to appeal to everyone. Trust me, it’s far better to focus on a specific niche with a decent search volume. For me, it wasn’t just about choosing something I was passionate about; I also needed to pick something people were actively searching for.

This meant doing research on what topics were popular but still had room for growth. I tried to find that sweet spot between too niche (no one’s searching for it) and too broad (tons of competition). The goal was to build content that could actually be found by viewers.

3. Using Keywords the Right Way

Once I picked my niche, keywords were everything. I know it sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how many people overlook this. Every video I made had carefully researched keywords that I’d include in my title, description, and tags.

This wasn’t just about throwing random words in there; it was about understanding what my potential audience was searching for and making sure my content met their needs. Tools like VidIQ helped me find low-competition, high-search volume keywords, which is where I focused my efforts.

4. Leveraging Cards and End Screens

Most YouTubers are focused on the video content itself, but what happens at the end of a video is just as important. Cards and end screens became my secret weapon for keeping people on my channel and guiding them to watch more of my content.

With cards, I could direct people to related videos or playlists while they were still watching, making sure they didn’t lose interest. End screens, on the other hand, were great for highlighting my latest content or encouraging people to subscribe. It’s a small tweak, but it makes a massive difference in viewer retention and watch time.

5. Creating Playlists for Maximum Watch Time

I quickly realized that YouTube rewards channels that keep viewers on the platform longer. One of the best ways to do that is by creating playlists. I’d group related videos together so people could binge-watch without having to search for the next video manually.

This not only boosted my overall watch time but also encouraged people to stick around on my channel longer, which YouTube loves. It’s all about creating a seamless viewing experience where your content feels like a natural next step for the viewer.

6. Consistency Over Perfection

Here’s where I need to be real with you: consistency mattered way more than making every video perfect. I set a schedule for myself and stuck to it, even if I wasn’t thrilled with every single video. It’s tempting to wait until you have the “perfect” video, but trust me, that’s a trap.

YouTube’s algorithm loves consistency, so it’s better to post regularly than to aim for flawless content. As long as your videos are valuable and helpful to your audience, they’ll get better over time.

The Bottom Line

Growing a YouTube channel to 14K subscribers in a year might not be the most impressive milestone, but it’s a realistic and achievable one if you use the right strategies. By leveraging tools like VidIQ, focusing on keywords, optimizing with cards and end screens, and sticking to a consistent schedule, you can steadily grow your audience too.

If you’re just starting out, remember that growth doesn’t happen overnight. But with a smart approach and patience, you’ll see those numbers start to climb. And hey, 14K isn’t too shabby, right?