1. Keyword research: Start by identifying relevant keywords that are commonly searched for on YouTube. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or YouTube's own search suggestions to find popular keywords. For example, if you have a cooking channel, you might target keywords like "easy recipes" or "cooking tips."
2. Optimize video title: Craft a compelling and keyword-rich title for your video. Include your target keyword at the beginning of the title to increase its visibility. For instance, a good title could be "10 Easy Recipes for Beginners."
3. Write a detailed description: Provide a detailed and informative description for your video. Include your target keyword naturally within the description, but make sure it reads well for viewers. You can also add relevant links, timestamps, and timestamps to enhance the user experience. For example:
   <p>In this video, I'll show you 10 easy recipes that are perfect for beginners. From quick breakfast ideas to delicious dinner options, these recipes are simple to follow and require basic ingredients. Timestamps for each recipe are provided below for your convenience.</p>
4. Add tags: Choose relevant tags that describe the content of your video. These tags help YouTube understand the context of your video and rank it appropriately. For instance, you can use tags like "cooking," "recipes," "beginners," and specific ingredients used in the recipes.
5. Create a custom thumbnail: Design an eye-catching thumbnail that accurately represents your video's content. A visually appealing thumbnail can attract more clicks and improve your video's SEO. Use an image editor like Canva or Photoshop to create a custom thumbnail.
6. Encourage engagement: Encourage viewers to like, comment, and share your video. Engagement signals are important for YouTube's algorithm, which considers these factors when ranking videos. You can add a call-to-action within your video or in the video description to prompt viewers to engage.
7. Promote your video: Share your video on other social media platforms, embed it on your website or blog, and collaborate with other YouTubers to increase its visibility. The more exposure your video gets, the higher its chances of ranking well on YouTube.
8. Monitor analytics: Regularly review your video's performance using YouTube Analytics. Pay attention to metrics like watch time, audience retention, and click-through rate. This data can help you identify areas for improvement and optimize future videos for better SEO.

Remember, YouTube SEO is an ongoing process, and it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and algorithm changes to maintain and improve your video's rankings.

References:

• Hootsuite - YouTube SEO: How to Rank YouTube Videos in 2021
• Search Engine Journal - YouTube SEO: How to Optimize Videos for YouTube Search