Starting a YouTube channel in today’s world can feel like screaming into the void. With millions of creators out there, how do you even begin to stand out? If you’re anything like me — a millennial woman who’s been online since the Tumblr days, loves content creation, and finds joy in building something meaningful — then you probably know that hitting your first 1,000 subscribers feels like such a huge deal.
And honestly? It is.
Whether you’re just starting out, planning to launch your channel soon, or feeling a bit stuck trying to reach that 1K milestone, I see you. I’ve been there. In today’s post, I’m sharing the five strategies that helped me grow my channel from zero to 1,000 subscribers — and that I believe can help you too.
Oh — and if you’re more of a visual learner, I walk through all of this in my video below:
First, a Little Backstory…
I started my current YouTube channel in October 2020, and by May 2021, I hit my first 1,000 subscribers. But that wasn’t the beginning of my content journey.
I’ve been creating content for over a decade — I started my first blog back in 2010, have dipped my toes into basically every social platform (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, you name it), and I even had another YouTube channel with 18k+ subscribers. So you might think I had a head start, but here’s the thing…
This new channel was in English. I’m originally from Argentina, and most of my original audience followed me for Spanish-language content. So when I launched this channel, it truly felt like starting from scratch: new language, new niche, new vibe.
And honestly? That was kind of exciting.
The 5 Strategies That Helped Me Reach 1,000 Subscribers
Let’s break them down.
1. Have a Plan (and Know Your Keywords)
Gone are the days when you could just upload a random vlog and hope for the best. In 2025, strategy matters.
That doesn’t mean you need a 30-page business plan — but you do need a sense of what your content is about, who it’s for, and how people might find it. I recommend:
- Making a list of video ideas
- Doing keyword research (TubeBuddy and VidIQ are great tools!)
- Learning how to write clickable titles and engaging thumbnails
YouTube is a search engine. Treat it like one.
If you want me to go deeper into how I plan, write scripts, or research keywords, let me know in the comments of the video. I’d love to do a dedicated post or video on that.
2. Be Consistent (Even If It’s Once a Month)
Real talk: consistency is more important than frequency.
If you commit to uploading every Monday? Show up. If you can only post once a month? That’s okay — just stick with it. Consistency helps in two big ways:
- It builds trust with your audience — they’ll know when to expect your content.
- It helps YouTube’s algorithm trust you and potentially recommend your videos more.
Personally, I post once a week, and I always say it in my videos: “I post new videos every single week.” That small reminder makes a big difference.
3. Share Your Videos Everywhere
Yes, everywhere. Don’t be shy.
When I first started, I shared my videos with friends, family, my Instagram community, Twitter, Pinterest, and my blog. Even if someone didn’t become a regular viewer, just getting those early views and engagement really helped my channel grow.
Here are a few ways to share:
- Post the link in your Instagram stories
- Create a dedicated blog post (like this one!)
- Add the video to your Pinterest boards
- Text it to a supportive friend (or five)
Re-sharing also helps! Don’t be afraid to repost the same video a few days or even weeks later.
4. Understand Your Analytics
Analytics can be intimidating at first, but they’re honestly your best friend.
Your YouTube Studio dashboard will show you:
- How people find your videos (search, suggested videos, external links)
- Which keywords are working
- How long people are watching
- Where they’re dropping off
Once I started paying attention to this, everything changed. I could see which videos were helping me grow and which weren’t landing, which helped me improve fast.
And again — if you want a full post or video on reading analytics, just let me know!
5. Collaborate When You Can
Collaborations = exposure to a brand new audience.
They don’t have to be fancy. Just connect with someone whose content you love and suggest doing a video swap or a collab on a shared topic. I’ve done this a couple of times, and each time, I gained new subscribers who stuck around.
You can find collaborators through:
- TikTok
- Twitter/X
- Even your own comment section!
Building community with other creators is such an underrated growth strategy. Plus — it makes content creation feel a little less lonely.
Final Thoughts
Reaching your first 1,000 subscribers is hard — but it’s also such a beautiful chapter of your YouTube journey. It’s the part where you learn the most, discover your voice, and connect with people who truly get what you’re trying to do.
If you’re in that stage now, keep going. Keep uploading. Keep experimenting. Keep showing up.
And if you ever feel stuck, feel free to come back to this blog post or rewatch the video. You’ve got this, and I’m cheering for you.
💛 If you’re reading this and already subscribed — thank you. You helped me get here. And if you’re not subscribed yet, I’d love to have you join this little YouTube family.
Let’s keep growing, learning, and creating together.
Find me on: Instagram
