How To Start A Youtube Channel
Welcome back! If you are reading this, you have been thinking about starting a Youtube channel. Well, you may have some questions about it. I have a youtube video where I talk about this as well, so if you want to watch the video too, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHyQueLCGQY&t=6s
The beginning steps of starting a channel on Youtube are actually pretty simple.
You need to create a Google Account.
Go to Youtube; sign in and click on the icon located at the top right of the screen.
Find the gear icon; click on in, then click ‘Create a new channel’.
Click ‘Choose a Business or other name’ and enter your Channel’s Name.
Before you actually do these steps though, you might want to think about a few things first.
1. Figure out what your ‘niche’ is.
You need to figure out what your Youtube Channel is going to be about. Your best bet is to do what you already do in your spare time; either a hobby, or something that you love to do. Say for instance you pick something currently trending, but you hate it, your new Youtube Channel won’t last long.
When people say ‘niche’, it means to be different or specific. In this case, it means to be very specific. Many people say you should pick one topic (ie. say you want to have a planner channel; there are some people who think you should narrow it down to one type of planner). In my opinion, this really narrows down your content creation potential. Rather, it might be nice to compare and use different types of planners in weekly Plan With Me’s. I personally think that if you’re going to make a Youtube Channel, the content should reflect you, as an entire person (ie: vlog style content) and include also all the things that you love. However, I do see the argument of picking a particular style. Say, for instance that someone subscribes to you for your planner content, and then you decide to throw in a vlog about going on a vacation. That subscriber may not be interested in that particular video, and may unsubscribe.
There are really a few ways to figure out what’s best. Some people decide to pick three to five different subjects, and create content on all of them. Most of them are related. For example, besides makeup, I started with bullet journaling and art; I would create bullet journal videos, planner videos, stationery hauls, brush pen reviews and sticker organization videos. As you can see, all of this content is related in some way. Then, the next step is to look at your analytics month after month to see which videos are performing well, and which ones aren’t. Then, you create more content that is related to the videos people are actually watching. Eventually, this will narrow down until you have a top two or three main ideas that you might want to keep creating content around. This is called Content Pillars, which I’ll discuss another time.
Another way is to start small, with one or two main ideas and then once your channel is established, and you have a large audience, you can ask your viewers what they are interested in seeing. Sometimes you might get comments on certain videos that also give you some insight to what your viewers want to see. (I say viewers here, because most of your watch time will actually come from people who are NOT subscribed to you).
2. Create your channel name
You might want to give this one some thought before you jump in. One scenario is where you use a name associated with what your niche is (I.e. PlannerGURRL). What happens if you decide to change your style and/or your content and you no longer make planner-related content? Another example is if you use your name, and years later, you have established a huge business. You decide to incorporate because you hire staff, and still later your board of directors decide they know what’s best for the company and they kick you out. (LOL) That might be worst case scenario, but still.
Using your own name as your ‘brand name’ is usually a good place to start, because there is only one you. There might be other people out there with your name, but you can use a middle name too (I’ve done that on Instagram). At least you will be unique, and it will be easy for people to search for you if they know who you are.
3. Practice Makes Perfect
It’s not normal to talk to a camera. You might not like how you sound. Remember that we are harder on ourselves than other people will be. Try not to judge yourself. The trick is to speak to the camera like your best friend is sitting there with you, and you’re explaining something to them.
Some people film content where they don’t have to expose their face at all. Some people only know how to film like that. I personally have a bit of both on my channel. If it’s an art or planner related video, I like to have the camera full on the piece I’m working on. If I’m trying to explain a concept, or subject matter, or do a makeup tutorial, I will have my face, front and centre.
If you’re nervous or scared to show your face, and your content doesn’t require that, then don’t pressure yourself. Film the way that makes you the most comfortable, because it’s extremely difficult to watch someone who is not at home in front of the camera.
Make sure you can articulate well. By this, I mean make sure you speak loudly and clearly. You can adjust some sound settings later on, but it will be a lot easier if you speak clearly. Don’t worry about filler words like “um”, “but”, “and”, or “like”. You can edit these out later. I would suggest to even pause in front of the camera to think about what you want to say; you can always delete them later.
Simply get your camera, set it up like your filming and make practice videos until you feel comfortable. Remember: you might be really nervous, but the only way to start is just to post the video. Don’t worry about your first videos being perfect. TRUST ME! Everyone starts from the beginning and you learn as you go. You will improve your technique as you create more videos. You can ask your audience (when you get one) for feedback too.
4. JUST START!
I know it’s nerve-wracking. You might be worried about what people will think or say. But don’t let that stop you! Just post your first video. You won’t know what will happen until you try and if you don’t try, your dream will never become a reality.
5. Be Consistent
This means, post regularly. It doesn't really matter how often you post, but ensure that your content is up the same day and time each week or month. There’s nothing more annoying than finding a channel you love, and then you see three videos one week, and none the next and so on.
When I say it doesn't matter how often you post, take that with a grain of salt. At the beginning, it doesn't, because you start with zero subscribers, and you have no one watching. But you need to determine how often you will post. You might have a full time job, or an online business, and only have enough time to post once a week. That’s fine, just make sure you continue with that schedule.
For instance, I posted at one point, 6 videos a week. (I have two Youtube channels, and my beauty channel would get 2 uploads per week and my main channel would have 4). Since starting my sticker shop, and my blog, I have reduced it down to one on my beauty channel (“Makeup Monday”) and two on my main channel. There are people who would say the more you post, the better. In my opinion, your videos need time to breathe. If you have a day or two between videos, this gives your subscribers time to watch them. If you post five days a week, they might be struggling to keep up and then just not watch because there’s just too much content. Plus, in my opinion, posting only once or twice a week allows you to create quality content that people will really love. (Quality over Content ALWAYS!!)
6. Use all the free stuff you can / Don’t Buy all the stuff at the start
Understand that when you start a Youtube Channel, it might just be for fun, but it’s also a business. No, you don’t make money at the beginning, but if you keep up with it, you will. So, at the beginning, it’s great if you can use all the free stuff available. For instance, I use an accounting software called Wave, instead of Quickbooks. I use iMovie to edit my videos instead of Final Cut Pro. I use my iPhone to film my videos instead of a camera.
The trick is to use what you have, and start small. You might not like making videos and you don’t want to invest in expensive equipment if you quit. For instance, I bought tons of stationery before I even knew if I would stick with Youtube. In my case, I’m a bit of a stationery nerd, and I hoard that stuff anyway. However, it was like having a channel gave me the excuse to buy more stuff. That’s true, especially if you do unboxing videos or product reviews. Remember - be mindful that you need a place to keep all the stuff you buy!
Don’t invest in the expensive lighting equipment, camera, computer, microphone, etc…right at the beginning. I still don’t own a proper ring light, and that’s probably the cheapest piece of equipment I named! Sometime it helps to upgrade (I started on an iPhone 7, and the sound quality quickly broke down. I needed a new phone anyway though so I got the iPhone 11 Pro). It’s not the ideal solution because I get important incoming calls on it while I’m filming. Also, the storage fills up fast, and I have a 256GB! In addition, sometimes I find the need to use the apps on my phone in my videos and I can’t do that if I’m filming on it. However, I’m trying to use the tools available to me and I don’t have the money to go out and buy a cheap $700 camera. (You heard me! For filming, that’s considered cheap!) Start saving up from the beginning. Put away $20 every week, or month or whatever you can afford, and eventually you will be able to get that equipment.
7. Watch your favourite Youtuber’s to get tips and check out their style.
There is a reason you watch the channels that you do. Watch some of their content and watch how they talk, present themselves and how they film. You can sometimes figure out what editing tricks they do as well if you are already familiar with them.
A useful thing to do when you start a channel, is to watch your favorite Youtuber’s VERY FIRST VIDEO. Then see how far they have come and how their channel has improved with time. That can be you too. Everyone has to start somewhere.
Also, simply doing a search on a type of edit or filming style will bring up lots of useful information as well. There are tons of people on YouTube, or on the internet in general that provide tips and tricks for beginners.
8. Ask your family for support, but take it with a grain of salt.
Tell your family and friends about your channel and ask if they will subscribe. You can tell them that watching your videos is the most important thing. However, they may not be interested in your content. They may not watch, or even want to watch. That’s ok; you can’t force anyone, even if they ARE your family! Appreciate the help they offered and know that you will grow - it just takes time.
9. Stick with it for at least 3 months.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it; making content and creating videos isn’t easy. As a matter of fact, I am going to write a blog/make a video on all the work that actually goes into creating my content and producing a competed video. I think when you tell people you have a youtube channel, they think its more for fun than anything. The same goes for you. You might think it’s super easy and then when you find out all the time that it takes, you might want to give up. The trick is to STICK WITH IT. Things get easier the more you do them. You get faster, better and you learn tricks in the editing process. The style of video you make will also effect the editing time and process too.
If you quit sooner than three months, you’re not giving yourself a chance. Don’t give up. You might want to throw your computer across the room like I did, but nothing worth fighting for is easy. Take a breather, walk away, but then COME BACK with a fresh mindset.
10. Tips & Advice
Everyone is on their own journey. You are not in a race. It’s not like there are a limited number of subscribers out there. ANYONE can subscribe, so that makes the possibilities endless. Don’t get lost in the comparison game. You are not like anyone else, so don’t become someone else. Do you, and the right people will love you for it.
Start where you are. Use natural light from a window if that’s all you have.
It’s mostly about mindset and not so much the equipment, other than having a computer or device to actually do the editing on.
It can be scary putting yourself out there, but remember: at the beginning you start at 0 subscribers. No one is watching you anyway. Not everyone will like you or your content, and THAT’S OK! You might get mean comments or dislikes. Let it go and move on.
You need to put in the hard work at the beginning, but I promise you: there is light at the end of the tunnel and things get so much easier, this I can tell you for sure.
MUCH LOVE AND GOOD LUCK!!!
❤️💜💙 SAN