Getting on YouTube is such a brilliant idea right now. Many people are looking to this video streaming platform for entertainment, DIY purposes, and more!
This platform is a way to get your message out to the masses. You can either:
• Share photography tips.
• Create marketing content for a business.
• Create DIY videos for home improvement, crafts, makeup tutorials, etc.
• Promote your creativity.
• Educational purposes or voicing an opinion of yours.
• Video game walkthroughs.
Some wonder how to start a YouTube channel.
• First Things, First... What is your niche?
Having a niche will help you build loyal followers instead of flopping around topics. It is also wise to have a few other niches - all that are connected - so you don't burn out. However, because of the YouTube algorithm, you should keep a particular trend of niches.
Some blogs and YouTube gurus may recommend staying within one niche, which isn't bad advice. However, staying in one lane can create burnout. Or, think about a broad niche like "health." This topic can encompass recipes, workout videos, and other healthy lifestyle topics. The YouTube algorithm will get thrown off if your focus is solely on food and, then you start uploading makeup, fitness, and craft videos.
The best thing for your YouTube channel is to follow your passion. You don't want to have a niche that doesn't interest you. It is easy to continue with something when you have a passion. Along with this, it's best to talk about things you are educated on. People are more apt to look up videos from people who know what they are talking about. Think of makeup artists, carpenters, dermatologists, and so on.
If you are looking at creating a profit from your channel, think about the YouTube monetization policies. Each niche has its own cost per 1,000 impressions (CPMs). Usually, prank videos have higher CPMs than videos that are more serious, and having high CPMs will make it harder to gain advertisers.
• Create Your Brand
Branding yourself and your channel is one of the most crucial things you can do. Branding yourself means having an aesthetic to represent your channel.
• Decide on a name that everyone will remember. After you pick a name, make sure you do a quick search to ensure no one else has it.
• Keep it simple. Making it too complicated will result in a too hard to remember.
- Your name should be an indication of what your channel covers.
Once you have settled on a name, the other part of your brand is your logo and channel banner. You can easily use a graphic design generator like Canva, and another option is hiring a graphic designer to create something for you.
• Be Easy to Find
You want to make it as easy as possible for viewers to find your content. If you already have an established fan base on Instagram or TikTok, you can use these platforms to promote your channel and urge viewers to subscribe. The keywords you use are literally the key to gaining views. If something has become trendy, you will notice an uptick in views. During the recent pandemic, many people looked into at-home DIY projects or at-home workout videos. One of the quickest things you can do right now if you haven't created any content yet is to use Google to find the current trends.
• Time to Put in the Work!
Start recording, edit your videos and then upload them to YouTube. If you do not have a reliable camera, consider visiting my other blog on the best cameras for begginers.
Related Article: Best Cameras for Beginners
Once you've settled on a camera, you will want to have the appropriate setup. Look into lighting and good lenses to enhance your videos.
After you have recorded your video, you will need to edit it. Some of the best software out there will have a price but, you also have free options.
Mac Users: iMovie
Windows Users: Windows Movie Maker
If you have a little money to spend, you can purchase Final Cut Pro to have more control over editing.
One of the most important things to consider is the music. You don't want to get caught up in any copyright mess. YouTube has an audio library to help clear up any confusion on what to use. You can also look through SoundCloud to find free music to use. Again, if you are willing to spend money, you will have more options. Epidemic Sound is another platform with more choices and a price.
And lastly, choose an appealing thumbnail picture to attract viewers. The thumbnail is one of the first impressions people will have, and make sure it is a clear thumbnail.
• Create an Engaging Story
- Set a goal for your video. Why would someone want to watch your video?
- Include an intro, body, and outro for your video. Introduce yourself and the video's topic. Now, it is time for the meat and potatoes of your video. Once that is done, create an outro to conclude the video.
- Make sure your practice your structure before recording. Doing this will prevent you from rambling on and sticking to the topic.
• And, just have fun!
You want to have fun and spread your passion at the end of the day. Try not to go into the YouTube industry, thinking you can quit your full-time job. And hey, if that does happen, even better! If you aren't having fun and showing your passion, why would anyone have fun watching?
