Rob Wilson
Rob is on the show today. Rob is a YouTube expert and the face of vidIQ, a platform that helps creators grow their YouTube channels. As a content strategist and video coach at vidIQ, Rob creates videos on YouTube growth strategies, algorithm insights and best practices for getting more views. He’s become a well known figure in the YouTube community, helping creators with actionable tips and industry knowledge. His role at vidIQ is to help creators make sense of data driven strategies to grow their channel.
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Who is Rob Wilson?
Rob’s journey to becoming a YouTube educator is a story of perseverance and passion. Born and raised in Yorkshire, UK Rob’s early career aspirations were as varied as they were big – astronaut, Formula 1 racing driver and even supermarket checkout operator (because he loved numbers).
Early Career and Transition to YouTube
After studying English with Creative Writing at university Rob struggled to find his feet in the creative industry. He briefly taught English to speakers of other languages as a teacher. But it was YouTube that really captured his imagination and set him on a new path.
Rob started making YouTube videos in 2008 but didn’t take it seriously until 2012. His big break came when he focused on a specific piece of tech – the Asus Transformer Prime. This taught him the importance of supply and demand on YouTube.
The vidIQ Connection
Rob’s connection with vidIQ started with a tweet about one of their tools. This led to freelance work and then a full time role in 2017. At that time the vidIQ channel had 1,500 subscribers. Under Rob’s guidance the channel has grown to nearly 2 million subscribers and 200 million views.
He’s been a game changer for vidIQ and himself. A go to guy in the YouTube space.
Current Projects that Excite Rob Wilson
As Rob approaches a significant milestone in his career – the 2 million subscriber mark for vidIQ – he finds himself at a crossroads. After years of creating content about YouTube growth strategies, he’s looking for new challenges and ways to evolve his content.
Exploring New Formats
One of Rob’s current projects involves branching out into podcasting. He sees this as an opportunity to have more casual, in-depth conversations about content creation and YouTube strategy. This shift allows him to share his knowledge in a different format and potentially reach a new audience.
Addressing YouTube’s Latest Features
Rob is also excited about creating content around YouTube’s latest features. For example, he recently worked on a video about YouTube’s new “hype” feature, which allows viewers to show extra support for videos they enjoy. This kind of content keeps his audience informed about the latest developments on the platform.
Tactical and Strategic YouTube SEO Advice from Rob Wilson
Rob’s approach to YouTube SEO has evolved over the years, moving away from traditional keyword-focused strategies towards a more holistic view of content creation and audience engagement.
The Shift from Search to Browse Traffic
Rob emphasizes the importance of creating content that performs well in YouTube’s recommendation system, not just in search results. He notes that about 70% of content on YouTube is discovered through recommendations, not search.
Key points:
- Focus on creating titles and thumbnails that are emotionally engaging, not just keyword-rich.
- Consider how your content will appear in the “Browse” section of YouTube, not just in search results.
- Build trust with your audience so that they’re more likely to click on your videos when recommended.
Thumbnail Creation Best Practices
Rob stresses the importance of thumbnails in capturing viewer attention. His advice includes:
- Spend more time on your thumbnails than you think you need to.
- Make thumbnails simpler and less cluttered.
- Focus on conveying one strong emotion or concept.
- Design with mobile viewing in mind – most people will see your thumbnail at a small size.
- Consider creating your thumbnail before you even start filming your video.
Content Packaging vs. Traditional SEO
Rob introduces the concept of “content packaging” as an alternative to traditional SEO. This involves:
- Creating titles that target specific audiences and promise clear benefits.
- Focusing on the emotional appeal of your content, not just keyword optimization.
- Understanding the language and jargon of your niche, but not obsessing over keyword placement.
Leveraging YouTube Shorts
Rob sees potential in creating search-optimized YouTube Shorts:
- Short, highly focused videos can perform well in search results.
- Consider remaking popular long-form content into short, searchable videos.
- Focus on making the first three seconds and first six words of your Short as engaging as possible.
Audience Research and Content Ideas
To generate content ideas, Rob suggests:
- Creating an ideal audience avatar to understand your viewers’ needs and interests.
- Researching successful videos in your niche, especially “outliers” that perform above average.
- Adapting popular content formats from other niches to fit your specific topic.
Where Does Rob Wilson See the Future of YouTube and SEO Going?
Rob believes that the future of YouTube and SEO will continue to trend towards emphasizing human emotion and connection. He predicts:
- Emotional Connection Over Pure SEO: The ability to create a genuine connection with your audience will become more important than traditional SEO tactics.
- Holistic Content Strategy: Success will come from inviting viewers into your “tribe” – sharing your values, morals, and outlook on life, not just providing information.
- Algorithm Sophistication: YouTube’s algorithm will continue to evolve, making it harder to exploit or hack. The platform will prioritize content that genuinely resonates with audiences.
- Audience-Driven Recommendations: While the algorithm drives recommendations, user behavior and preferences will play an increasingly important role in determining which content gets promoted.
- Beyond Utility: While there will always be a place for utility and educational content, creators who can provide value beyond just answering questions will likely see more success.
Rob emphasizes that creators need to focus on building relationships with their audience and providing value that goes beyond just answering specific questions. The future of YouTube success lies in creating content that not only informs but also inspires and connects with viewers on a deeper level.
How to Get in Contact with Rob Wilson
To learn more from Rob Wilson and stay updated on his latest insights about YouTube strategy and content creation:
- Subscribe to the vidIQ YouTube channel
- Follow Rob Wilson on Twitter
- Check out the vidIQ website for tools and resources to help grow your YouTube channel
Conclusion
Rob Wilson’s journey from aspiring writer to YouTube expert showcases the power of finding your niche and consistently providing value to your audience. His insights into YouTube SEO, content strategy, and the future of the platform offer valuable guidance for both new and experienced content creators.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Rob’s advice to focus on emotional connection, audience understanding, and adaptability remains crucial. Whether you’re a business owner looking to leverage YouTube for growth or a content creator aiming to build your channel, Rob’s strategies provide a solid foundation for success in the ever-changing world of online video.
Remember, the key to YouTube success isn’t just about mastering algorithms or keywords – it’s about creating content that genuinely resonates with your audience and keeps them coming back for more. As Rob’s experience shows, persistence, adaptability, and a focus on your audience’s needs can lead to remarkable growth and opportunities in the world of YouTube content creation.
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