How to Use YouTube to Attract Clients

These days, overwhelming evidence seems to suggest that the future of online marketing is in video content. More and more people are flocking to video platforms such as YouTube to consume information. Why not use YouTube marketing in your strategy?

As a business owner, you should be putting some serious thought into putting this platform to use for your own business.

YouTube is now the second most popular website in the world, second only to Google. If you’ve been wondering if starting a YouTube channel is worth it, it definitely seems to be!

With such extreme popularity and huge potential to reach new people (and thus new clients), every freelancer should be considering how to lever this platform for your own benefit.

• Why should you start on YouTube
• Ideas to Use YouTube to Attract Clients
• Best practices for videos on YouTube

Why should you start a YouTube channel to promote your business?

1. Build Trust

It can be extremely effective to use YouTube as a marketing tool to build trust. It is a lot easier to build trust online with video than it is via traditional blog posts. Seeing someone on film is a far quicker way to establish trust and in turn a more genuine relationship with your viewers.

2. To Boost Your SEO Strategy

Every freelancer knows that SEO is key for getting regular, consistent traffic to your website. These days, however, a YouTube video could be the best method for skyrocketing yourself to the first page of Google search results – especially because Google now actually owns YouTube!

With these two factors combined, creating content on YouTube can be a fast-track way to building strong relationships with potential clients, and can also dramatically boost how much exposure you are getting to your target market.

3. Low investment

YouTube is free to use for you and can help you to reach your target audience in a very direct way and almost no cost for you (you need to invest time to create a good video, though). YouTube offers a great opportunity to present your brand and services without paying a lot for it.

So, we know there is a lot of potential to attract clients on YouTube – but what kind of videos should you be creating?

Best ways to use YouTube to attract clients to your business

1. Become an Online Personality / Influencer

These days, being a professional YouTuber is a legitimate job. Having a large social following can be more valuable to brands than traditional methods of advertising.

If you have a charismatic personality and an abundance of energy, you could consider using YouTube to become an online personality yourself. A big following means more exposure, which could definitely lead to a lot more clients.

2. Showcase Products and Services via Video

Do you have a digital product you’re trying to promote for your small business?

Creating an in-depth video guide taking people through the product, addressing frequently asked questions, and really selling your idea can be highly effective. This heavily ties into the idea that a video can help build trust quickly between your business and your clients.

3. Testimonials and case studies

Ask your happiest clients to share their experiences working with you in a short video. Often they will prefer to send you written testimonials. Use them on your advantage! Ask them if you can use it on a video explaining the project you had helped them with. Create a video as a case study showing what you did for them and finally, add the received testimonial. 

4. Educational Videos: “How To” Videos

The most commonly searched term on YouTube is ‘How To….” Using this fact to your advantage is a smart move.

Create educational videos to establish yourself as an expert in your field and boost your chances of appearing in search results for your niche.

For example, if you’re a freelance designer, you might consider creating videos such as:

• How to Use Photoshop: A Beginner’s Guide
• How to Become a Graphic Designer
• How to Create High-Resolution Images

You get the idea! Many potential clients will be searching for answers themselves, so being present on YouTube will give them the opportunity to see your skills and experience first before hiring you.

Best practices for videos on YouTube

Once you know the kind of videos you will be working on, it’s time to optimize them so they are found.

Here are some tips to successfully use YouTube as a marketing tool:

1. Catchy Thumbnails & Title

You need to create fun, catchy thumbnails and titles in order to attract clients to actually click on your videos as opposed to anyone else’s.

A popular tactic is to include the title within the thumbnail image and to make sure the image is high-resolution and ideally, showing your face.

2. Post Consistently

If a potential client finds you through an old video, the chances are they’ll click on your profile to see your latest videos.

Having a YouTube channel that hasn’t been updated for months or even years may give the impression that you’re no longer operating your freelance business.

Try to stick to a regular posting schedule, even if that is only once a month!

3. Include a CTA in the end

In the end of the video, make sure you link to other interesting videos so that viewers stay on your Channel.

Also, encourage people to like your video, subscribe to your channel, or check your website. Calls to action are a great way to encourage audience engagement!

4. Share on Social Media

A strong social media strategy is key for every small business, and it’s essential that you share your YouTube videos for maximum exposure to your target audience.

If you have Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or other social media accounts, be sure to share your videos with your existing followers here rather than just waiting for traffic to direct itself directly to your YouTube channel!

Have you used YouTube to promote your freelance business before? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!