Hidden Annotations = Views

[LyfeWithDragons]

A YouTuber I watch by the name of Julian Smith (amazingly funny, you should check his channel out) utilizes this technique where he'll hide an annotation in one random video on his channel. Combining this with giveaways, or an early viewing of highly anticipated videos of his. He tells his viewers that if they'd like to see a certain video the day before it's released that they can find it through this annotation. In the case of the giveaway, he'd hide an annotation to an unlisted video, and have people comment and do a random pick at the winner.

When I saw him doing this, it made me wonder if anyone else has seen others do this, or might think about doing it themselves? Food for thought?

 

[six cylinder]

that's a great idea but feels like a cheap technique

 

[LyfeWithDragons]

that's a great idea but feels like a cheap technique

Well, an "ex" friend of mine used to do giveaways to gain lots of views, and subscribers then he didn't even give out the prize. He'd just make up some random name, and say "Oh, -insert fake name- won!"

However, his way got him in trouble for "click-bombing" because he'd tell his viewers to share his video on facebook, and tag his page in it. I mean, if you do the math, if one viewer has 500 some friends on Facebook, that's 500 more potential views. If you have a few hundred-thousand viewers, multiply that! Needless to say that got him into trouble, haha.

 

[six cylinder]

I used to giveaways to but atcully gave them but it only gained me inactive subs so I deleted that channel

 

[LyfeWithDragons]

I used to giveaways to but atcully gave them but it only gained me inactive subs so I deleted that channel

Yeah, giveaways should never be used to gain a following, it should be used to celebrate the following you already have.

 

[Alvan]

I've seen MysteryGuitarMan do the annotation a long time ago. I believe there was another youtuber that I watch that did this too, but I can't remember the name