LEVERAGING YOUTUBE

Leveraging YouTube: Insights and Tips

As a business owner, facilitator, L&D professional, or speaker, leveraging YouTube can open doors to increased visibility, lasting impact, and stronger client engagement. With over 2 billion monthly users, YouTube has been an invaluable platform for sharing expertise, connecting with diverse audiences, and building long-term trust. For me, it has not only helped grow my speaking and training work but also added value to client relationships and professional collaborations.  [This is a packed blog instead of doing a series, with a bonus podcast. An additional video about this topic is coming soon.]

Why YouTube?

1. Authentic Connection
   YouTube enables you to present your insights and expertise in a natural, personable way that resonates with viewers. Whether you’re a facilitator leading workshops, an L&D team building training programs, or a business owner sharing insights, video creates a human connection that builds trust and credibility.
2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
   As the second-largest search engine globally, YouTube offers an effective way to drive organic traffic to your website or services. With strategic use of titles, tags, and descriptions, your videos can reach new audiences continuously.
3. Monetization and ROI
   YouTube can evolve from a branding platform into a revenue stream. Since June 2024, my channel has generated income through ads and sponsorships—a milestone that underscores the long-term potential of consistent content creation.
4. Evergreen Reach
   Unlike ephemeral social posts, YouTube content continues to deliver value. Videos remain discoverable months or even years after publishing, making it a sustainable tool to showcase your expertise, promote services, and support your professional brand.
5. Educational Resource
   From how-to tutorials to thought leadership, YouTube allows you to create resources that support learning and development, onboarding, or client education. It positions you as a go-to expert and adds long-term value to your offerings.

 

Lessons Learned from Growing a Channel

1. Start with Strategy
   Think long term: treat your channel as a brand from day one. Set up a branded channel and prepare monetization and branding tools early, even if you’re just beginning.
2. Know Your Audience
   Your analytics can reveal helpful data. My top viewer countries include the USA, India, the UK, and Canada. Understanding demographics and geographic trends helps you tailor your messaging and visual content for inclusivity and relevance.
3. Prioritize Accessibility
   Tools like Otter.ai help me create accurate captions that are uploaded to YouTube. These support engagement, improve SEO, and ensure your content is inclusive and accessible for all learners and clients.
4. Natural Delivery
   Speaking on camera takes practice—even for seasoned presenters. Treat the lens like a person: speak conversationally and with warmth. Authenticity builds connection.
5. Stay Consistent
   Regular content builds audience trust. While content creation takes time and energy, having support (a virtual assistant or editor) can help you stay on track.
6. Let Content Be Client-Inspired
   Much of my content has been inspired by client questions, common tech issues, or things I learned the hard way. When I can’t find the answer elsewhere, I make the video I wish had existed.
7. Use Practical Tools
   Editing can be DIY or outsourced. I use CyberLink PowerDirector, but other tools like Descript or Canva (for thumbnails) are great options. Experimenting with tools like Google’s NotebookLM has added creative efficiency to my workflow.
8. Watch the Data
   One surprising insight? A wide age range is engaging with my content. While I’ve worked with clients across generations, seeing strong engagement from younger professionals has opened new focus areas. Here’s the current breakdown of my viewers:

• 18–24 years: 25.6%
• 25–34 years: 33.1%
• 35–44 years: 23.1%
• 45–54 years: 11.8%
• 55–64 years: 4.4%
• 65+ years: 1.9%

Also worth noting: 99% of my 953,000+ views of my 407 videos are from non-subscribers, showing that content reach and impact can extend far beyond your subscriber base. I’m excited to approach the 1 million views milestone soon.

Tips to Build and Grow a YouTube Channel

1. Feature Highlight Content
   Pin your best videos to your homepage—this might include a speaker reel, a service overview, or a popular tutorial.
2. Repurpose Client Work
   With consent, use clips from training sessions, webinars, or keynotes. These real-world insights showcase your expertise in action.
3. Encourage Interaction
   Responding to comments builds community and prompts YouTube to recommend your content more often.
4. Optimize Visuals
   Compelling thumbnails and clear titles increase views and click-through rates.
5. Diversify Content
   Use a mix of videos: tutorials, live sessions, Shorts, updates, and behind-the-scenes clips. This keeps your channel fresh and engaging.
6. Repurpose Across Platforms
   Your videos can become blog posts, LinkedIn articles, Instagram Reels, or newsletter content. I often embed my videos in blog posts on my website and share them in my email list.
7. Use Live Streaming
   Livestreaming is a dynamic way to interact with your audience in real time and build engagement across platforms.
8. Take Advantage of Built-in Tools
   Utilize YouTube features like end screens, chapters, cards, and Community posts to increase viewer retention.
9. Explore Supporting Tools
   Tools like TubeBuddy can improve SEO, thumbnails, and titles. Canva is great for visual consistency, and scheduling tools can help you share your content across social platforms.
10. Keep Learning
    YouTube regularly introduces new tools—such as disclosures for AI-generated content—so staying informed will help you adapt and stay relevant.

 

A Creative Outlet for Exploration

I recently launched a second YouTube channel to share a different side of my journey: travel. After a trip to Iceland, I wanted a separate space for personal storytelling and creative editing, without disrupting the focus of my primary learning channel. It’s also a home for older content that no longer fits my business focus, letting me stay creative without compromising my brand.

What Makes a Channel Work?

1. Popular Content is Problem-Solving
   My most viewed video is a 2-minute tutorial—short, clear, and to the point.
2. Defined Niche
   Learning and development topics, tutorials, and tech walkthroughs form the core of my main channel.
3. Consistent Presence
   Regular uploads build trust with both your audience and YouTube’s algorithm.
4. Realness Matters
   Viewers connect with real people. Don’t worry about perfection—prioritize authenticity.
5. Smart Optimization
   Use tags, SEO, and accurate captions to maximize reach.
6. Foster a Community
   Answering questions and interacting with viewers deepens engagement and encourages return visits.

 

Sponsored Content and Brand Partnerships

As I’ve grown my audience, I’ve had the opportunity to share honest reviews and tutorials for brands and tools I genuinely use. These partnerships add to my income and credibility, especially when aligned with my focus in learning and development, facilitation, and small business support.

Final Thoughts

YouTube isn’t just a video platform—it’s a business tool, marketing channel, creative outlet, and educational resource. Whether you’re a small business owner, learning leader, trainer, or speaker, it offers a space to amplify your message and connect with your audience in a meaningful way.

If you’ve been considering launching a channel, my advice is: start. Share your insights, commit to showing up consistently, and let your audience—and impact—grow over time. YouTube can be a powerful extension of your brand, business, and educational mission.

Patricia Regier
Founder, Regier Education Inc.
Learning Experience Designer | Facilitator | Author of The Online Shift: 101 Pro Tips for Facilitators, Workplace Trainers & Speakers
https://www.regiereducation.com

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Patricia Regier, MEd is the Online Expert who’s built a career on the belief that training and online learning doesn’t have to be boring. As Owner of Regier Education Inc. and with a Master of Adult Education, Patricia is known for making her audience feel empowered, engaged, courageous and confident. Her debut book and keynote, The Online Shift teaches newcomers to the online space and seasoned professionals alike how to optimize their online presence and maximize engagement. She’s tried, tested and refined using the latest behavioral science, research and psychology to make sure your next online experience is a hit!

 

To request more information about learning and development opportunities or book Patricia as a speaker, email patricia@regiereducation.com