Something isn't quite right with your YouTube channel, but you can't quite put your finger on it, time for a Channel audit!
You're pretty sure your content is tight but you have a suspicion maybe there are a few places you're going wrong with either your channel or your YouTube SEO.
The trouble is you're too close to your channel to be able to see any potential problems.
Fear not, I've got you covered with a YouTube Channel evaluation process you can follow to ensure you're looking at your channel objectively, so you can make sure you're running it like a pro.
Get a FREE YouTubr Channel Audit worksheet
Use this worksheet and audit your YouTube channel, make a list of changes to make and even get a star rating .
Watch the video I made here and then read below for some more in-depth tips on auditing your YouTube channel:
YouTube Channel Audit: The Basics
The YouTube Channel Page
Channel Art & Avatar
This should convey what your channel is all about without having to rely on too much text. If you can include your upload schedule here, all the better.
You can get the image specs for channel art and a downloadable template by clicking here.
Sections
You should aim to use all of the Sections (formerly known as 'Shelves') to show how your channel is full of amazing videos.
Mix up what the shelves consist of as well as displaying them vertically and horizontally to create a pattern interrupt.
Featured Channels
Apart from just your second channels and your pals' channels these should also feature your competitors' channels. Click here to see why I suggest this.
Popular/Related Channels
I would suggest enabling this because if not you will not be included on this widget on other peoples' Channel Pages.
Unsubscribed Trailer
This should tell viewers exactly what to expect and have strong calls to action to subscribe. Here's my Unsubscribed Trailer:
Channel "About" Section
Channel Description
The purpose of this text is to sell your YouTube channel, not your business.
Tell browsers what they can expect from the channel and make it keyword rich. Again include your upload schedule if you can.
Here's a guide I wrote on how to write an optimal YouTube channel description.
Business Email
This should be enabled if you wish to be contacted for potential business, media or other opportunities.
Custom Links
Links should only go to web properties that are relevant and active.
You should also optimize the text to attract clicks - especially if you're overlaying them on your channel art.
Video SEO
Titles
These should be shareable (so that you get your videos clicked) and structured for SEO (so that they get your videos discovered in the first place)
Tags
This is a complex topic that can't be summed up in a few lines so check out my in depth article below:
The Definitive Guide To YouTube Tags
Channel Tags
These should be broad keywords that you'd be happy for any of your videos to rank for. This video shows you how to set your Channel keywords:
Descriptions
These should be structured consistently to sell the video in the first few lines and also to help sell other videos and the channel in the rest of the text.
You can find out what I think is the perfect YouTube Description structure here:
Content Health Check
Thumbnails
Not only should these be attractive and clear at small sizes for mobile users, but it should work hand in hand with the video title to set expectations of what the video is going to be about.
Do not use misleading Thumbnails! They will only hurt you in the long run. Check out my guide to optimal thumbnails.
The start of your videos
Get straight to the point at the start of your videos. You should have already laid the groundwork with your Title and Thumbnail so no need for detailed introductions.
Also don?t fill the opening with long-winded branding or tile sequences.
Calls to action
These should be clear and plentiful. Here is what my experience tells me is the most effective way to implement a call to action:
1. A human in-vision with verbal and physical call to action to click on something
2. Human in-vision with verbal call to action
3. Human voiceover with verbal call to action
4. Text call to action
Also when I talk about making something clickable try to lean towards Cards and other widgets that work on mobile and try to move away from traditional annotations that don't.
So there you have a basic audit you can carry out to get a rough idea of whether or not you are doing the right things with your YouTube channel and videos.
If you want to use these points to test your YouTube channel and even get a score on how well you're doing, then download my audit checklist and objectively test what you are doing well and not so well.
You'll then be able to write a custom list of things to implement that will have a direct affect on your views and subscribers.
Get a FREE YouTube Channel Audit worksheet
Use this worksheet and audit your YouTube channel, make a list of changes to make and even get a star rating .