Getting your first 100,000 views on YouTube feels like climbing Mount Everest when you’re starting out. I remember staring at my first video with 47 views (mostly from my mom and best friend) and wondering if I’d ever break through the noise. The truth is, reaching 100K views isn’t just about numbers it’s your ticket to YouTube credibility, potential monetization, and opening doors you didn’t even know existed.
Most new creators get stuck in the same trap: they upload great content and then… crickets. The algorithm doesn’t know you exist, viewers can’t find your videos, and you’re competing with millions of other creators for attention. But here’s what I’ve learned after helping dozens of creators break through this barrier it’s absolutely doable with the right strategy.
7 Proven Strategies to Get Your 100K YouTube Views
1. Create Thumbnails That Actually Get Clicked
Let’s be honest your thumbnail is doing 80% of the heavy lifting when it comes to getting clicks. I’ve seen incredible videos with terrible thumbnails get buried, while mediocre content with killer thumbnails takes off.
Here’s what actually works: high contrast colours that pop against YouTube’s white background, close-up faces showing genuine emotion (surprise, excitement, shock), and clear, readable text that complements your title without repeating it word-for-word.
Your title needs to create curiosity without being clickbait. Instead of “How I Lost Weight,” try “The Weird Breakfast Habit That Changed My Life.” See the difference? One makes you scroll past, the other makes you pause and wonder what the heck they’re talking about.
2. Master YouTube SEO
YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world, which means SEO isn’t optional it’s essential. But don’t panic, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.
Start with your video title. Include your main keyword naturally (like “how to get 100K views on YouTube”), but make it sound human, not robotic. Your description should tell a story about what viewers will learn, not just stuff keywords everywhere.
Tags are your secret weapon for discoverability. Use tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ to find keywords your competitors are ranking for, then target the ones with decent search volume but lower competition.
Don’t forget closed captions YouTube can read them and understand your content better, which helps with ranking. Auto-captions are okay, but manually editing them gives you an edge.
3. Promote Like Your Channel Depends On It
Creating great content is only half the battle. The other half is getting it in front of the right eyeballs. Social media promotion isn’t about spamming your links everywhere it’s about finding your people where they already hang out.
Reddit communities are goldmines if you approach them right. Find subreddits related to your niche, become a genuine member of the community first, then share your content when it truly adds value to discussions. Facebook groups work similarly contribute meaningfully before you promote.
Quora is underrated for YouTube promotion. Answer questions in your expertise area thoroughly, then mention your video as additional context. Discord servers for your niche can be incredibly welcoming if you’re genuinely helpful rather than promotional.
4. Collaborate Your Way to Growth
Some of my biggest breakthroughs came from collaborating with other creators. It’s not just about subscriber swaps it’s about tapping into audiences that are already primed for your content.
Start small with creators in your size range. Propose win-win collaborations: reaction videos, joint challenges, interviews, or even simple shout-out exchanges. The key is finding creators whose audiences would naturally be interested in your content.
Don’t overlook micro-collaborations either. Comment meaningfully on other creators’ videos, engage with their community posts, and build genuine relationships. The YouTube creator community is smaller than you think, and relationships matter.
5. Consistency Beats Perfection Every Time
The algorithm rewards consistency over everything else. It’s better to post decent videos regularly than perfect videos sporadically. I learned this the hard way when I spent three months perfecting one video while the algorithm forgot I existed.
Set a realistic posting schedule and stick to it religiously. Whether it’s once a week or three times a week, consistency signals to YouTube that you’re serious about being a creator.
Engage with your audience like your channel depends on it because it does. Reply to comments within the first few hours of posting, use community posts to keep your audience engaged between videos, and create YouTube Shorts to stay visible in feeds.
6. Quick Trick to Boost Your YouTube Views
Gaining early traction is key to growing on YouTube, especially if you’re aiming for major milestones. GetAFollower is a trusted and established provider where you can purchase 100K YouTube views to your videos. These high-retention views from real users help your content perform better in the algorithm and attract more organic traffic over time.
It’s a safe and effective option for creators who want to build momentum—whether you’re just starting out or promoting an important video. With a strong reputation for delivering authentic engagement, GetAFollower offers a reliable way to support your growth while staying aligned with YouTube’s guidelines.
Combined with quality content and consistent posting, this strategy can help you grow faster and reach a wider audience with confidence.
7. Use Analytics Like a Detective
YouTube Analytics is your crystal ball for understanding what works and what doesn’t. Don’t just look at view counts dive deep into watch time, audience retention, and traffic sources.
Pay special attention to the moments when people drop off from your videos. Is it during your intro? When you start explaining something? These insights are gold for improving your content.
Look at your most successful videos and identify patterns. What topics performed best? What thumbnails got the most clicks? What time of day did you post? Replicate what works and experiment with what doesn’t.
Conclusion
Building a successful YouTube channel isn’t a sprint it’s a marathon with occasional sprints. You’re building something that could support you for years, so think beyond just hitting 100K views.
Keep experimenting with different content types, stay current with platform changes, and don’t be afraid to evolve your content as your audience grows. Some of the biggest YouTubers completely pivoted their content multiple times before finding their sweet spot.
Most importantly, remember why you started creating in the first place. The views and subscribers are nice, but creating content that genuinely helps or entertains people is what makes this journey worthwhile.
Your first 100K views might seem impossible right now, but with consistent effort, smart promotion, and the right strategies, you’ll get there faster than you think. The creators who make it aren’t necessarily the most talented they’re the ones who don’t give up and keep adapting their approach based on what they learn.
