To leverage the potential and power of the platform’s most influential stars and biggest channels, Multi-channel networks or MCNs came on YouTube. MCNs created a new business model altogether while utilizing the vast practices adopted from production houses and talent management agencies. This helped to represent the platform’s unique talent that is YouTube influencers or YouTubers.

While YouTube and YouTubers both have grown and come so far, MCNs have evolved and shaped themselves in such a way that it is perfect for the changing landscape. They help and provide influencers and YouTube creators with services such as funding, monetization, digital rights management, collaborations, audience growth, and partnerships.

The pros and cons of YouTube Multi-channel networks (MCNs)

There isn’t a perfect guide to this but a lot of MCNs have adapted their own rules and changed business models which expand beyond YouTube and reach an audience around the globe.

Pros of YouTube MCNs

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1. Talent rosters
A lot of big channels and YouTube influencers work through MCNs. Brands who want to collaborate with big influencers can use MCNs to do so as they have access to a lot of large YouTube influencers.

2. Channel visibility
Channels that are affiliated with an MCN are promoted across the network. To maximize reach, MCNs have to work by the ‘quantity is everything’ philosophy.

3. Channel connections
Channel networking is very common in MCNs. They help in creating opportunities to work together. They can orchestrate a collaboration between big and small channels when there is a chance of growth.

4. Monetization
The main aim of an MCN is to increase the influencer’s money-making potential by creating opportunities like endorsements and other promotional services.

5. Facilities
To eliminate production costs, a few MCNs offer creators a place to create and edit their videos.

6. Credibility
These days, anyone can become a YouTuber, but, with MCNs, you have a certain level of credibility when it comes to genuine influencers and creators.

Cons of YouTube Multi-channel networks

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1. Changing industry
MCNs were started to keep groups of popular and profitable influencers within YouTube’s fast-paced environment. But, a lot of MCNs have taken on new responsibilities and explored new horizons, MCNs have become less focused. Also, a few MCNs have been bought by outside entities looking to expand into the digital space.

2. Limitations with influencers
As we all know, MCNs represent big YouTube creators and channels. However, the majority of these influencers are out of reach or tied up with existing deals. For brands that are looking to work with niche talent, MCNs may not have a lot to offer.

3. Influencer vetting
Brands have often found themselves in unprofessional situations due to these social media stars. This has happened despite all the calls by the business for MCNs to manage their influencers.

4. Commitment & consistency
Due to the thirst for talent, MCNs overextend themselves. A few YouTubers aren’t given attention or some of them are dropped in the middle of a campaign and so on. Conflicts between talent and MCNs can be tedious for brands looking to establish good relationships with creators.

5. Restrictions for content creators
Contracts between the influencers and MCNs can limit the influencer’s property rights. A lot of influencers are confined to work within their MCNS and need permission to go beyond it.

6. Restrictions for businesses
MCNs managing ample creators makes it expensive and very slow.

An MCN is a top option to consider when a business is interested in partnering with big influencers and YouTubers. But, for brands that are looking to promote their products and services offline, the advantages of disadvantages of working with MCNS should be followed carefully.

If your main content strategy is creating YouTube videos, make sure you are posting trendy videos. If not so, you aren’t taking full advantage of the available opportunities to build your audience engagement or brand reputation. The videos that you create shouldn’t be just for the sake of it, they should be trending.

A lot is taken into consideration when creating a trending YouTube video. After all, it comes down to YouTube’s algorithm, which means:

Watch time: This includes the session duration, number of views, number of session starts and etc.

Channel consistency: On YouTube, you want to promote your channel more than promoting individual videos. If the viewer finds a video that he likes, chances are that he will click on your channel to view more videos.

Video length: On YouTube, longer videos seem to be a hit rather than short videos. This happens because there are a lot of opportunities to keep your viewer engaged.

YouTube is also referred to as the world’s “second-largest search engine” because it can help your content to be found easily. Check out the 10 effective ways to make your video trending:

1. Create Long-Form Video Content

As we mentioned above, longer videos outperform shorter videos. Recent research suggests that 8 minutes long videos do 350% better than 4 or 5 minutes long videos. According to researchers, there is a relation between video length, the number of views, or view session duration.

If you are a YouTuber, it is advisable that you make a video that is at least 8-10 minutes long. This would increase the duration of your views.

2. Promote Your Video Quickly

Ensure you promote your video in the first 3 days of its release if you are investing in promoting it. The main aim is to make a lot of people watch the video in the first 48-72 hours. There are several ways to promote your video, like – social media channels, blogs, or related video ads.

No matter how you do it, your goal should be to get as many views as you can at the beginning of your video. After completing this, you can cater to your target audience.

3. Use an Engaging Thumbnail

The small shot of your video that shows when one hovers over your video, the video thumbnail image, and the headline, all are important for your video impression.

Your thumbnail has to be attractive and catchy for the people to click on your videos. Avoid using thumbnails that have no relation to your actual video but are only pleasing to the eyes. You will lose your viewers’ trust by doing so. Thumbnails can also help in showcasing a brand personality pretty well.

4. Optimize MetaData for Better Search and Visibility

Completely relying on video production is not enough for your channel. It is important that you optimize the meta description of your YouTube videos. This includes your tags, title, and description.

The main objective is to write something compelling without revealing the contents. You need to describe in detail but not go overboard with it.

Ensure to include a call to action links in the description. This way your viewers can reach you easily. Use the actual field for the tags and don’t fill your description with tags.

5. Stick With Your Brand’s Image

If you aren’t comfortable with certain video content, ensure to modify it so that it suits your audience. Don’t experiment when you aren’t sure because bad videos can spoil your channel.

But this also does not mean that you shouldn’t keep your channel fresh. Experiment but also keep in mind what your audience will enjoy and appreciate and what they won’t. That way, you won’t scare them away.

6. Be a Consistent YouTuber

Consistency is very important in getting more views for your channel. When a viewer watches a video he likes, he is more likely to check out more videos from that channel. This means long-term viewership.

Hence, YouTube’s algorithm encourages channel promotion over single video promotion. How is this true? Because 50% of the recommended videos are from the same channel and the rest are either from a related channel or trending videos.

7. Engage with Your Audience

It is essential not to disregard the fact that YouTube is a social media platform and hence, social interaction is necessary. If you are just creating content and posting it without asking your audience to comment or discuss it, then you are missing a trick.

YouTube has great rewards for channels that are engaging and have lots of comments and likes. Try to respond to comments and ask your viewers to engage with you. This will ensure stability.

8. Get Branded

You may have great content but is your channel visually appealing? If you want your viewers to take your video content into consideration and get more subscribers, you have to look professional.

Branding your channel will make it instantly recognizable. If you write blogs, you already have a channel that is appreciated by the users and can be differentiated from other content creators. Hence, it makes sense in carrying that brand to your YouTube channel.

9. Push for Subscriptions

You know that your viewers are engaged with your channel when they subscribe to your channel to know if you have posted new content. It is essential to ask your viewers to subscribe to your channel in each video that you upload.

Always remember, never buy your subscribers. This will hurt the authenticity of your account in the long term.  You may miss out on a lot of potential followers if you don’t ask them to subscribe to your channel.

10. Build Videos Around a Single Keyword/Topic

It’s obvious, but building your video around a single keyword is the best way to get traffic on your channel. A lot of people are unaware of the SEO practices and tend to skip them. But if you want your videos to get maximum views then it is essential to follow SEO guidelines. Using a keyword tool might help a lot. These keyword tools are specific to YouTube channels and help to look for the most searched keyword in the niche you are interested in.

It is important to pick a keyword before creating video content as it helps in constructing the best information. It also helps you to remember the keyword while creating content.

A well-drafted YouTube video marketing strategy can keep your brand in the mind of your audience. Make sure to create long, engaging content to maximize the views. Eye-catching thumbnails will also help you a lot.