13 best types of YouTube videos to grow subscribers and income
I’m about to tell you a little secret…
Not all YouTube videos are created equal.
It’s true. There are different types of Youtube videos and some video types perform better than others, regardless of who is shooting the video. According to Mediakix, a top influencer marketing agency, the top 3 video types are as follows:
- Product Review Videos: Product review videos are videos where Youtubers test out a product and then give their audience a run-down of its specs and their experience with it. Product review videos are the videos that get viewed the most. Think With Google estimates that 50,000 years of Youtube product review videos have been watched on mobile alone in the past two years.
- How-to Videos: How-to videos are made by Youtubers who are experts in a certain field, in topics ranging from photography to chemistry, who then teach their audiences how to do certain things. Another popular video type, Think With Google estimates that users are 3x more likely to watch a Youtube how-to video than read a product’s actual instructions.
- Vlogs: Vlogs are a popular and broad video type that can be found on just about any Youtube channel. Vlogs typically involve the Youtuber talking on camera about a certain topic and can range from a simple video focusing on the YouTuber to a video mixed and edited with animation, pictures, and more.
By creating these types of videos on Youtube, you can increase your chances at growing both your Youtube subscribers and your income.
Want to know how many Youtube subscribers you need to make money on Youtube? Check out our article!
However, it’s not just about the type of video you use. Certain topics are more popular than others, so consider the genre of your channel when planning your Youtube growth strategy. According to the Youtube Creators Academy, a few of the most popular youtube video topics include:
- Entertainment
- Food
- Gaming
- Beauty and Fashion
- Music
- Sports
- Science and Technology
- Travel
These are some of the most searched topics on Youtube, so tailoring your Youtube channel around these genres will help garner your Youtube channel some organic views it might not have gotten otherwise.
Now that you know more about the different video types and what topics are hot on Youtube, let’s take a look at 16 types of YouTube videos that will help you grow your subscriber count and income.
1. Product Reviews
Unsurprisingly, product reviews are at the top of our list. The #1 most watched video type on Youtube, product reviews can attract a lot of new subscribers who otherwise might not have found your channel. This Youtuber garnered over 4 million views for his review of knockoff WIsh products!
When filming a product review, make sure to research your product thoroughly. Reviewing a product that is popular among your target audience will gain you more views and subscribers – reviewing a product nobody has heard of will not.
Product reviews will get drive new subscribers who might not have found your channel otherwise to your account and will also draw in your current subscribers, so you can make more money off of ads. But that’s not all! By placing links in your video description, you can drive traffic from your channel to an affiliate landing page where you’ll often receive a percentage of whatever your subscribers buy.
2. Product Launch Videos
Product launch videos are an effective way for Youtubers to drum up support for their upcoming product as well as gain more subscribers. Peter McKinnon, a photographer on Youtube, reached over 300,000 views on his product launch video for his new Lightroom preset pack. You can also add a link on Youtube to your product, similar to how Peter linked to his Sellfy store, making it easier for customers to find your product and resulting in higher sales.
Product reviews can be very profitable because not only will you rake in the profit from your product sales, you will also attract new subscribers who are interested in the type of product you offer.
[optin-monster-shortcode id=”dwoqoyke1dbwhtcd9vje”][optin-monster-shortcode id=”rjexwzeh4qucwpwuoemi”]3. Merch Launch Videos
Similar to product launch videos, merch launch videos bring attention to new merchandise that Youtubers create. While product launches are products focused on customer needs, merch launches typically focus on brand awareness for the company.
Take a look at Casey Neistat, a filmer and producer, and his merch launch video which got over a million views.
Merch launch videos are especially useful for Youtubers because they encourage loyalty among viewers. Viewers who buy merch become much more enthusiastic about that brand and advertise your channel everytime they wear or display your merch. Not to mention you make money off of every sale!
4. Videos based on Youtube SEO
These types of videos are among one of the most effective Youtube video types in gaining new views and subscribers. However, these kinds of videos require some research because they are videos based on things people search for on Youtube. Using tools such as KeyWord Tool, you can type in keywords related to your channel and see similar phrases people are searching for on Youtube.
This type of video is extremely useful because it allows you to create content that your audience is already looking for. For example, if your fans are searching for ways to shoot with Nikon DSLR’s, then creating a video with a topic such as “The 7 Best Nikon Tricks Ever” is sure to gain you some new subscribers and organic traffic.
This can lead to an increased profit from your ad placements due to the traffic boost. Steve Perry gained 1.4 million views from this video alone, a major feat considering he only has 133,331 subscribers!
5. Educational Videos
Educational videos are video types that focus on educating your audience about a certain subject or topic. In order for you to film an educational video, you need to first make sure that you know what you’re talking about. People want to learn from experts – if you’re just repeating information you found on Google, your audience will know!
However, if you know what you’re doing this can be a lucrative video type. Melissa Maribel is a Youtuber who teaches her fans about chemistry and sells notes and study guides through her store on Sellfy. Using educational videos as her main video type, Melissa has gained over 30,000 loyal subscribers.
6. How-to Videos
How-to videos are similar to educational videos. However, how-to videos focus on how to perform a specific action or use a certain product whereas educational videos focus on educating about a broad topic or field.
How-to videos are extremely popular because they address a pain-point that your viewer is experiencing and solves it. People will always search out content that addresses their pain points — just look at this video on how to fall asleep, which has been viewed by over 13 million people!
How-to videos are great ways to pull in new subscribers since people are always searching for solutions to their problems. However, how-to videos are a versatile video form and you can monetize them in several different ways! Attaching a product to your video that will aid your viewers in solving their problem can also bring in money, either through your own online store or through affiliate links.
7. Favorite/Best of Videos
Favorite/Best of videos feature YouTubers showing off their favorite products and comparing and reviewing them with each other. Favorite/best of videos can focus on a Youtubers favorite products of the month, of the week, or of all time.
These types of videos are great because they can be used on just about any kind of Youtube channel! Check out this video reviewing Ryan Hall’s favorite vape juices–it’s garnered over 233,000 views in just four months!
These types of videos tend to attract new subscribers if you focus on products that are already popular with your target audience. However, these videos are also useful because you can sprinkle other less popular products in there as well, such as your own! Not to mention that if you strike a deal with the producers of your favorite products, you can enter into an affiliate partnership with them.
8. Unboxing Videos
Quickly becoming an internet phenomenon, unboxing videos have taken Youtube by storm. Just look at this unboxing of every iPhone, which garnered over 4.5 million views!
Unboxing videos focus on Youtubers opening sealed boxes filled with gear and products that your audience is interested in and then describing the content of the box to their audience. It’s that simple, yet people love it!
Most of the products that Youtubers unbox are items that get a lot of search volume, which is good for your subscriber count and your bank! You’ll get subscribers who might not have otherwise known about your account and since people who already follow you will watch it, you’ll be able to monetize your videos using ads!
9. Q&A
Q&A videos are typically compilation videos of common questions you get asked or that are asked within your genre. When filming Q&A videos, providing value is the single most important key to success. You want to supply answers to questions that your viewers are genuinely curious about–check out this Q&A video from the popular Catana Comics!
Q&A videos can be great content to put out when you’re short on time or money since they don’t have to be super technical or produced. The makers of Catana Comics gained over 80,000 views on their Q&A video and all they had to do was talk in front of a camera!
At the same time, you want to provide useful and engaging information your fans won’t find anywhere else. Your viewpoint is unique, so make sure everyone knows it!
Used correctly, Q&A videos can be used to reach out to your existing fanbase, resulting in increased engagement which then can lead to more profit through ad interactions. If your Q&A video is on a popular topic that people regularly search, it can also lead to new subscribers as well!
10. Timelapse
Timelapse videos only work for certain types of channels, but if yours is one of them, then they can be extremely effective. Timelapse videos focus on showing a sequence at a faster pace, making time appear to move faster, hence the term lapsing.
Due to their nature, timelapse videos are more suited for videos that are spread out over a long time or are focused on creation, such as this massive pool construction timelapse that gained over 2.9 million views. By including a link to your website or online store, you can drum up new sales you might not have gotten otherwise!
If you are an artist or builder, this could be a neat way for you to give your fans an inside look at your creative process while appealing to new potential subscribers who are interested in your work or industry.
11. Walkthrough
Walkthrough videos are in-depth videos that feature Youtubers doing a step-by-step run through of a certain media type, such as a movie, video game, or book. Walkthrough videos should be detailed — when viewers watch them, they expect to get the play-by-play on the subject and learn new things they didn’t know before.
Walkthrough videos should also focus on popular media. Choose a subject that your audience is passionate about, such as new or recent media, and it can pay off immensely. This walkthrough of the new Fallout 76 has already gained 1.7 million views in just one month!
Because walkthrough videos attract avid fans, fans who watch these kinds of videos are more likely to buy things such as merch or access to premium content. Capitalize on this by providing product links or affiliate ads!
12. Haul
Haul videos are a fun way to create content for you and your audience! Haul videos are videos that focus on you showcasing all of the stuff you’ve bought while out on a shopping trip, like this Youtuber who got over 25,000 likes on a video of items she bought on sale from Zara. By buying items that your audience will enjoy, you can draw in new subscribers who are interested in the stuff that you’ve bought.
Haul videos typically require an initial investment in the form of the money required to buy all of your items. If you don’t have a lot of start-up capital, then you can buy low-cost items, but prices may go up depending on your genre.
Haul videos appeal to viewers because they can get the euphoric feeling of shopping without any of the negative effects on their bank account. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t still make money from them!
Because haul videos attract highly targeted viewers who are interested in a certain product, you can use this to your advantage by either placing affiliate links to the same or similar items in your descriptions.
13. Music Videos & RAP songs
“But wait!” you might protest. “I’m not a musician!”
While obviously a great video type for musicians, this format also provides great content for Youtubers in other genres. Take a look at Grow Food, a music video created by Appetite for Change, a nonprofit that uses food to help bring about change in urban communities. By creating a music video that showcased who they were and what they did, Appetite for Change was able to rack up over half a million views.
Recently, creating music videos have become a trend in virtually every community on Youtube. Pewdiepie, a gamer, came out with a wildly popular rap video last year and KSI, a popular vlogger, released a diss track with over 7 million views.
If you haven’t already, consider utilizing music videos and rap songs on your channel! Not only are they great content, but they are also a very viral video form which can lead to new subscribers and more exposure for your channel.
In Conclusion
Youtube videos can be applied to channels across all genres, but be sure to take a look at your channel and personal brand in order to decide which video type will suit your budget and personal style.