Thanks to the internet, it’s never been easier to forge your own path and create a career in which you answer to no one but yourself. One of the most popular options for people interested in taking this route is creating a YouTube channel.
There are millions of YouTube channels already in existence and more being created every day. This makes sense when you consider that the number of channels earning six figures per year has grown exponentially in recent years.
But finding this kind of success takes more than great content. To truly get the most out of your YouTube channel, there are a few steps you need to take and things you need to know. Keep reading to learn more.
How to Start a YouTube Channel — 7 Tips for Beginners
1. Choose Your Niche
The first step in starting a YouTube channel is to choose your niche. As with any business, you won’t get very far without a plan. A successful Youtube channel is one where the audience knows exactly what to expect and gets it every time.
There can be no “and”s, especially when you’re first starting out. Will your channel be about cooking? Fitness? Current events? Video games? Choose one topic and stick to it.
Now, this doesn’t mean that you can’t include variety. In fact, variety is the key to longevity. But all of your videos should relate back to the central idea.
For example, let’s say you have a video game channel. You can create videos in which you’re playing video games, videos about upcoming releases, game reviews, and gaming room tours. These are all different types of videos, but all relate to video games.
2. Learn Your Target Audience
Once you know your niche, you can begin to learn about your target audience. As with your niche, you’ll want to get as specific as possible. What does your typical viewer look like?
You need to know their age range, gender, and interests for the best results. By knowing who is going to watch your content, you can make content to better serve that audience.
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3. Plan Your Content
Now that you have your niche and the target audience that comes along with it in mind, you can begin to plan your content. This is something that should be done well in advance of turning the camera on to film your first video.
It’s best if you already have a list of video ideas prepared and scheduled on the day of your YouTube channel launch. If you do this rather than making it up as you go along, you’re much more likely to build an audience and find success in the process.
4. Learn Your Video Editing Software
If you’re brand new to creating YouTube content, there’s no need to invest in a fancy video editing suite. Regardless of the type of computer you own, you should have some type of video editing software built in.
Mac users, for instance, have iMovie pre-downloaded onto their computers at purchase, which is more than enough to get started.
The more advanced your video editing software, the steeper the learning curve. It’s better to get your footing with simple, free software. Upgrading your software down the line is always an option.
5. Invest When and Where You Can
Again, when you’re taking your first steps into the world of YouTube, don’t be afraid to use your smartphone as an all-in-one camera, microphone, and editing device. Once you begin to get comfortable, however, and maybe even once you begin to gain traction online, it’s a good idea to invest in your channel.
Videography equipment such as a DSLR camera, microphone, tripod, lenses, and studio lighting are great tools for YouTubers and can take your content to the next level.
6. Upload Great Content Regularly
One of the best things you can do for the growth of your channel is to upload regularly. The exact number will depend on your schedule and the type of videos you produce, but you should try to publish a few videos a week if possible.
Your videos probably aren’t going to be masterpieces at first, and that’s okay! No one is an expert on their first try. The important thing is to keep posting, even if you think your content is imperfect.
By sticking to a posting schedule, you’ll gain favor with the YouTube algorithm, give your audience the consistency they’re looking for, and give yourself plenty of time for practice. Your videos will improve naturally over time as a result.
There are two options with YouTube videos: scheduled uploads and YouTube live. Both are beneficial to your channel and should be taken advantage of. If you’re unfamiliar with YouTube live, this guide can help you get started.
7. Market Your Channel
Having a consistent posting schedule with great content won’t matter if you don’t put in the work to market your channel. To build a channel, you need to take steps to bring new eyes to your videos.
First, you need to ensure that your videos are optimized to rank on YouTube. This means using the right titles, keywords, and tags. It’s helpful if you build a following on other social media sites as well. Don’t spam your audience with ads for your videos, but don’t be afraid to promote yourself either.
Last but not least, you should reach out to larger creators to request collaborations. At worst, they say no. It might be nerve-racking, but a yes can mean fantastic exposure for you and your channel.
Change Your Life With a Career on YouTube
If you’ve been dreaming about starting a YouTube channel and a new chapter in your life along with it, this is your sign to go for it! There’s no better time to chase your passions than now.
And because starting a YouTube channel is completely free as long as you have a smartphone or a computer with a webcam, there’s nothing stopping you from giving it a try. As long as you have a winning personality and great content to go along with it, you’ll find success.
Interested in learning more about building a successful career online? Take a look at our blog!
