10 YouTube Tips Every Small Business Should Know

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Local SEO Services and share 10 YouTube tips every small business should know so you can grow faster by avoiding common mistakes and following proven best practices.

YouTube is often described as a social platform, but in my opinion that description does not do it justice. YouTube is a search engine, a trust building tool and one of the most powerful long-term marketing assets a small business can create. People do not just scroll on YouTube. They search with intent. They watch for minutes rather than seconds. They return to channels they trust. For small businesses this presents an opportunity that is very different from platforms like Instagram or Facebook.

Many small businesses either avoid YouTube entirely or approach it in a way that produces little return. They post inconsistently, talk about themselves too much or give up after a few uploads. In my experience the businesses that succeed on YouTube are not the ones with the biggest budgets or the most polished production. They are the ones who understand how YouTube actually works and who treat it as a long-term communication channel rather than a short-term promotional tool.

The tips below are not surface level advice. They are based on what I have seen work repeatedly for service businesses, local companies and professional brands. If you understand and apply these principles YouTube becomes far easier, far more predictable and far more valuable.

1. Be absolutely clear about who your channel is for

The biggest mistake small businesses make on YouTube is trying to speak to everyone. A channel with no clear audience struggles to grow because viewers do not recognise themselves in the content. In my opinion clarity about audience matters more than creativity, equipment or editing.

Before you record a single video you should be able to answer one simple question clearly. Who is this channel for. Is it for local homeowners, small business owners, professionals, beginners, people with a specific problem or people in a certain location. The more specific you are the easier it becomes to plan content.

When a viewer lands on your channel they should immediately understand whether the content is relevant to them. If they feel seen they stay. If they feel unsure they leave. This is why generic business channels rarely grow. They fail to anchor themselves to a specific audience with a specific need.

2. Focus on solving problems instead of promoting services

People do not visit YouTube to be sold to. They visit because they want clarity, reassurance or answers. In my opinion this is the single most important mindset shift small businesses need to make when using YouTube. Your videos should exist to help first and sell second.

If you are a solicitor, explain processes, timelines and common mistakes. If you are a plumber, explain problems, warning signs and maintenance tips. If you are an accountant, explain obligations, deadlines and misconceptions. These videos build trust because they demonstrate understanding before asking for anything in return.

Promotion still has a place, but it should be subtle and contextual. When viewers feel helped they naturally want to know more about who you are and how you can help them further. This is how YouTube builds leads without aggressive selling.

3. Use ChatGPT to generate content ideas consistently

One of the biggest barriers to YouTube consistency is not filming or editing. It is deciding what to talk about week after week. This is where AI tools like ChatGPT become incredibly valuable. In my opinion ChatGPT is one of the best planning tools a small business can use for YouTube.

Instead of asking for generic video ideas, give ChatGPT context. Explain what your business does, who your audience is, what problems customers often face and what tone you want to use. You can then ask it to generate video ideas based on customer questions, common mistakes, myths, processes or comparisons.

ChatGPT is especially good at turning one topic into a full series. For example you can ask it to break down one service into ten educational video ideas. This removes decision fatigue and helps you plan months of content in advance. When planning is easy consistency follows.

AI does not replace your expertise. It organises it. When used correctly it keeps your channel active without draining creativity.

4. Create content series rather than isolated videos

One off videos rarely build momentum. Series do. In my experience YouTube channels grow faster when content is organised into themes or ongoing narratives rather than standalone uploads.

A series gives viewers a reason to return. It also helps YouTube understand the structure of your channel. For example you might create a series called “Common Questions We Get” or “How the Process Works” or “Mistakes to Avoid”. Each video becomes part of a wider journey.

Series based content also makes filming easier. When you sit down to record you already know what the next few videos will be. This reduces friction and improves consistency.

5. Keep production simple and focus on clarity

Small businesses often delay starting YouTube because they believe they need perfect lighting, professional cameras or advanced editing. In my opinion this mindset causes unnecessary delays. Viewers care far more about clarity than production value.

A modern smartphone, natural lighting and clear audio are enough. In fact overly polished videos can feel less trustworthy for local and service based businesses. People respond better to content that feels human and approachable.

Focus on explaining things clearly, speaking calmly and structuring your thoughts. If the message is strong the production quality becomes secondary. You can always improve visuals later.

6. Use Midjourney to create eye catching thumbnails

Thumbnails play a major role in whether someone clicks on your video. Even the best content will struggle if the thumbnail does not communicate clearly. This is where tools like Midjourney can help.

Midjourney allows you to create custom visuals that reflect the emotion or theme of your video without relying on stock images. You can generate expressive faces, dramatic scenarios or symbolic visuals that support your title.

In my opinion the best thumbnails are simple. One subject, one emotion, minimal text and high contrast. Once you generate an image in Midjourney you can refine it in a tool like Canva to add short text or branding elements. This gives your channel a consistent visual identity which helps recognition over time.

7. Use Fiverr to create professional intro videos

A short channel introduction video helps viewers understand what your channel offers within seconds. Not everyone is confident creating this themselves. Fiverr can be a great solution.

On Fiverr you can find creators who specialise in YouTube intro videos, animations or branded visuals. These intros can be simple but polished and add professionalism to your channel without a large budget.

In my opinion intro videos should be short and purposeful. Ten to twenty seconds is enough. The goal is not to impress but to set expectations. Who the channel is for and what value it provides. This makes your channel feel established even when it is new.

8. Optimise titles for how people actually search

YouTube is a search engine. Titles matter. A title should explain exactly what the video delivers using language people actually use. Clever or vague titles often underperform because they do not match search intent.

For example “How Long Does Conveyancing Take in the UK” is far more effective than “Let’s Talk About Conveyancing”. The first matches real search behaviour. The second relies on curiosity which is unreliable.

In my experience search based titles deliver consistent views over time, whereas vague titles rely on short bursts of discovery. Small businesses benefit most from search driven content because it compounds.

9. Organise your channel with playlists and structure

A YouTube channel should feel like a library, not a random feed. Playlists help viewers find relevant content and encourage them to watch more than one video.

Playlists can be based on topics, services or stages of the customer journey. For example “Getting Started”, “Common Problems”, “Step by Step Guides”. This structure helps YouTube understand your content relationships and improves watch time.

In my opinion playlists are one of the most underrated growth tools on YouTube. They turn single videos into viewing sessions which benefits both engagement and visibility.

10. Measure success by trust and enquiries, not just views

Many small businesses judge YouTube success purely by view counts. This can be misleading. A video with 300 views that generates two enquiries is far more valuable than a video with 5,000 views that generates none.

Look at metrics like watch time, comments, subscriber growth and enquiries. Are people referencing your videos when they contact you. Are they asking follow up questions. Are they watching multiple videos. These are signs that your channel is building trust.

In my opinion YouTube works best as a trust amplifier. Views matter, but confidence matters more. When people trust you they act.

The Bigger Picture for YouTube Growth

YouTube is not about chasing virality. For small businesses it is about clarity, consistency and credibility. When you focus on helping rather than selling, use tools like ChatGPT to plan ideas, Midjourney to create thumbnails and Fiverr to polish presentation, YouTube becomes manageable and sustainable.

I believe small businesses that approach YouTube strategically gain a long-term advantage. Videos continue working long after they are published. Trust compounds. Authority grows. Leads arrive already warmed up. That is something few other platforms can offer.

We have also written in depth articles on Common YouTube mistakes make (and how to fix them) and Creating a story brand for your business on YouTube as well as our YouTube Hub to give you further guidance.