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YouTube Community Tab: Enhancing Engagement and Connection with Your Audience

YouTube has evolved from being a platform solely focused on video uploads to a thriving community where creators and viewers can connect on a deeper level.

The YouTube Community Tab is a feature specifically designed to foster engagement and interaction outside of the traditional video content.

In this article, we will explore the Community Tab's purpose, its best practices, and how it can help creators strengthen their bond with their audience.

Here is what you will read in this article:

  • What Is the Community Tab?
  • Best Practices
    • Use Polls
    • Get Informal
    • Promotion
      • Pre-Promotion
      • Use a Poll
      • Use a GIF of Behind-the-Scenes Shot
      • Exclusive Content
    • Shout Outs
    • Cross-Promotion and Collabs
  • Conclusion

 

What Is the Community Tab?

The Community Tab is a dedicated section on a YouTube channel where creators can share various types of content beyond their regular videos.

These posts can include polls, text-based updates, and images, providing an opportunity for creators to directly communicate with their audience and encourage participation.

By utilizing the Community Tab, creators can extend their presence beyond their videos, allowing viewers to engage with them in a more dynamic and interactive manner.

This feature serves as a valuable tool for building a loyal community and fostering a sense of belonging among viewers.

 

Best Practices

To make the most of the Community Tab and effectively engage with your audience, here are some best practices to consider:

Use Polls

Polls are an excellent way to involve your community and gather their opinions.

They allow you to gauge your viewers' preferences, interests, and expectations.

By asking your subscribers what types of content they would like to see next, you demonstrate that their feedback matters and that you value their input.

For instance, if you're unsure about which topic to cover in your next video, create a poll asking your audience to vote for their preferred option.

This not only helps you make informed decisions but also fosters a sense of inclusivity and community involvement.

Get Informal

While viewers primarily see creators in their polished videos, the Community Tab provides an opportunity to show a more informal and personal side.

Share glimpses of your daily life, behind-the-scenes moments, or casual updates that give your audience a deeper connection with you as a person.

Creators like Rudy Mancuso utilize the Community Tab to showcase their off-camera moments, allowing their viewers to relate to them on a more personal level.

By sharing such content, you break down barriers and create a sense of authenticity and intimacy within your community.

Promotion

The Community Tab serves as an effective platform for promoting various aspects of your channel, including older videos, merchandise, or products you offer.

While it's essential to strike a balance between providing value and promoting your offerings, the Community Tab provides a more relaxed and direct approach compared to promoting within a video.

For example, you can share links to your previous videos that align with the current topic or theme.

John Sonmez frequently utilizes this strategy, promoting his older videos through Community posts.

Additionally, you can use the Community Tab to announce and promote webinars, online courses, or other events related to your channel, as demonstrated by Sean from ThinkMedia.

Pre-Promotion

Previously, creators relied on external platforms like Twitter and Facebook to generate anticipation for their upcoming videos.

However, with the Community Tab, you can build excitement directly on YouTube.

When it comes to pre-promotion, you have two effective options:

Use a Poll

Engage your viewers by asking them what they would like to learn about or see in your next video.

Evan Carmichael has successfully employed this technique, leveraging polls to gather insights and tailor his upcoming content to his audience's interests.

Use a GIF of Behind-the-Scenes Shot

Give your fans a sneak preview of your video by sharing a behind-the-scenes GIF or a still shot from the filming process.

This provides a visual glimpse into what's to come and piques curiosity among your viewers.

Exclusive Content

To incentivize your audience to follow your Community Tab closely, offer exclusive content that they cannot find elsewhere.

Reposting content from other social media platforms like Instagram or Twitter may not provide a compelling reason for viewers to check out your Community Tab.

Instead, aim to provide unique and exclusive content that adds value and encourages active engagement.

For example, Lewis Howes shares images and updates exclusively on his Community Tab, giving his fans a reason to regularly visit and stay connected to his channel.

Shout Outs

The Community Tab is an excellent platform to show appreciation and give recognition to individuals who support your channel.

Whether it's through financial contributions on platforms like Patreon or active engagement as community members, acknowledging and highlighting their involvement creates a sense of gratitude and fosters a stronger bond with your audience.

You can use Community Posts to give shout-outs to dedicated fans, loyal subscribers, or collaborators who have played a significant role in your channel's growth.

This gesture not only makes the recognized individuals feel valued but also motivates other viewers to engage and contribute more actively.

Cross-Promotion and Collabs

The Community Tab can also serve as a medium for cross-promotion and collaborations with other creators.

By sharing content or recommending channels that you find interesting, you introduce your audience to diverse perspectives and expand their viewing options.

Additionally, if you have a collaboration planned with another creator, the Community Tab is an effective way to inform your fans and generate excitement.

Posting about the upcoming collaboration and providing details about when and where to find the joint content ensures that your audience doesn't miss out on the opportunity to engage with the collaboration.

 

Conclusion

The YouTube Community Tab offers creators a powerful tool to engage with their audience and cultivate a vibrant and dedicated community that goes beyond their video uploads.

By incorporating these strategies into their content creation and community management, Creators can establish and even increase the bond with their audience.

Embrace the Community Tab as a means to create meaningful interactions, listen to your audience, and provide unique content that enhances their experience on your channel.

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