In the early days of YouTube, popular creators often started second channels: one channel for main content and the other for vlogs. While that trend has since faded away, second channels are still an important content stream for major influencers and niche creators alike. But how do you know when to establish a second channel? Could you create a playlist that achieves the same thing? How do you cross-promote with two YouTube channels fighting for the same attention?
As a veteran YouTuber, Charli launched a second channel earlier this year for podcast-related content. She made the move after realizing that podcast episodes and clips on her main channel drew fewer views and less engagement than her regular videos. Additionally, her podcast audience felt different from her main channel followers, so it seemed like the right path to take.
In this episode, Charli, Haley, and Miguel discuss best practices for launching a second channel, the risk and reward of decentralizing your content, and when channel No. 2 should stay a pipe dream.
“I wouldn’t recommend people even start thinking about this unless their content is very different, like a completely different niche, or they have over 100,000 subscribers already. I think under that, you’re better to put all your fuel into one place to fan the flames and keep the fire going.” ~ @charliprangley
Main takeaways
- [03:53] When you post videos that are different from your normal content, the algorithm works against you. Rather than simply creating playlists for viewers and segmenting your content that way, creating a new YouTube channel can solve an algorithm headache.
- [09:42] When it comes to cross-promotion, don’t be afraid to explicitly ask your audience to support your second channel and be transparent about what their support means to you.
- [10:16] While your second channel may have fewer subscribers, the people that do subscribe will be the people most interested in that type of content, so you’ll likely see increased engagement and promising viewership analytics.
- [27:03] Sometimes it works to decentralize your content and let your audience find you in whichever medium they prefer.
Connect with our hosts
Links
- Watch The Future Belongs to Creators on YouTube
- Charli’s Second YouTube Channel
- Inside Marketing Design Podcast
- Roberto Blake
- Nathan’s podcast
- Nathan Barry Show on YouTube
- Nathan Barry Show Clips
- Sean McCabe
- Stripe
- Inside Marketing Design at Stripe
- Tatiana Van Campenhout
- Alexis Teichmiller
- Bandit Coffee
- YouTube
-
Isa Adney
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