Starting a YouTube channel can feel a bit like being handed a map in a language you don’t speak. You know there’s treasure out there, but the squiggles and symbols might as well be doodles.
You’ve got the passion, the ideas bubbling away, but the ‘how-to’ part? That’s the missing ingredient.Â
Many of us dream of hitting that upload button, visions of viral fame dancing in our heads, only to find ourselves staring blankly at the screen, paralyzed by the sheer number of settings and options.Â
The struggle is real: figuring out your niche, figuring out editing software that seems to require a degree in wizardry, understanding what on earth SEO means, and cracking the code of the algorithm.
Yet, here you are, ready to take that first step, albeit with a bit of hesitation. And why not? Every great endeavor begins with the courage to start, no matter how confusing the initial steps may seem.
So get ready to take that leap, even if it means starting with a shaky camera and an awkward “hello” to the camera.
What You Need🤔To Get Started On YouTube
Starting a YouTube channel comes with a laundry list of recommendations that can feel like a shopping spree you never signed up for. Everyone seems to have an opinion on the must-haves for your debut.Â
Here’s a quick rundown of things you need according to top YouTubers:
- High-quality camera
- Professional microphone
- Ring light or professional lighting setup
- Video editing software
- A dedicated studio space
- Custom graphics for branding
Think you need to check off every item on this list before hitting “record”? Think again!Â
The truth is: the barrier to entry is much lower than it seems. And sure, having all those tools would be ideal, especially for making a big impact, but you don’t need them immediately when you’re first starting out.
What you really need to kickstart your YouTube channel are three simple things:
- An internet connection.
- A smartphone.
- The desire to create content.
Yes, that’s really it.Â
Other upgrades like a better camera, a high-quality microphone, and studio lighting will certainly enhance your videos, but they’re not prerequisites for getting started.Â
If budget constraints have you relying on your phone camera, set yourself a goal: when you hit 1000 subscribers, treat yourself to an upgrade.Â
By doing this, you’ll not only keep your initial costs low but also turn your channel’s growth into a rewarding journey (one that your audience can experience with you).Â
So, if you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect gear, this is your sign to start with what you have and grow from there.
How To Start A YouTube Channel Today
Procrastination is the arch-nemesis of creativity, but the good news is that starting a YouTube channel today is easier than ever. With just a few clicks, you can go from dreaming about your channel to actually creating it.Â
There’s no need to wait for the perfect moment or the ideal setup. The tools and resources available now make it incredibly easy to launch your channel from scratch today.Â
So, why wait? Turn those dreams into reality and begin sharing your passion with the world right now.
Follow these steps👇to get your YouTube channel up and running:
Step #1: Visit YouTube and log in with your Google account.
Step #2: At the top right, click your profile picture and choose “Create a Channel” from the options.
Step #3: Decide if you want a personal channel with your name or a brand channel with a business name.
Step #4: Personalize your channel by adding a profile picture and a banner image.
Congratulations,đź‘Źyour channel is now set up!Â
If you’re looking for assistance with designing a profile picture or banner image, consider using Canva. Canva is an excellent resource for creating professional-looking branding elements with minimal effort. It offers a wide range of templates that can simplify the design process for you. You can use it for just about anything (including all your YouTube thumbnails or any other visual content needs).
With your channel ready to go, the next step is to populate it with content. This is where your creativity comes into play, and you begin to share your unique perspective with the world. It’s time to start uploading videos!
- To post your first video, click the “Create” icon at the top right and select “Upload Video.”
- Enter a title, description, and tags for your video to improve its visibility on YouTube.
- Choose who can see your video: everyone (public), only selected viewers (private), or hidden but link-shareable (unlisted).
And now that your video is uploaded, it’s time to do a bit of marketing.
Boost your channel’s visibility by sharing your video on social media platforms. Now you may wonder, why bother sharing videos outside of YouTube? Well, when you share your videos on sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn, you’re tapping into a vast network of potential viewers.
Each platform offers unique features to maximize your video’s reach:
1. Facebook: Create a page for your channel and post your videos, engaging with your audience through comments and live sessions. You can also join relevant groups where your video content adds value (but remember to follow the group’s rules about self-promotion).
2. Twitter: Utilize hashtags related to your video’s content to gain visibility in those topic searches. Engage with your followers by asking questions or creating polls related to your video to encourage interaction and shares.
3. Instagram: Share snippets of your video in your stories or posts, using relevant hashtags and tagging other accounts to increase discoverability. IGTV is also a great place to post longer previews or exclusive content.
4. TikTok: Utilize TikTok’s massive, highly engaged audience to funnel viewers to your YouTube channel:
- Create short, captivating clips from your YouTube videos to serve as teasers or highlights (like you would for YouTube Shorts), and then encourage viewers to watch the full video on YouTube.
- Include a call-to-action in your video captions, directing viewers to the link in your TikTok profile (as direct links in captions aren’t clickable).
- TikTok’s algorithm favors engaging, creative content, so consider how your clip can stand out. Use trending sounds, hashtags, and challenges to increase your visibility on the platform.
5. LinkedIn: If your content is professional or educational, LinkedIn can be a powerful platform to share your videos. A well-crafted post explaining the value of your video can engage your professional network and beyond.
By strategically sharing your video across these platforms, you not only boost your channel’s visibility but also engage with a broader audience, driving traffic back to your YouTube channel and potentially increasing your subscriber count.Â
But remember to tailor your message for each platform to fit the expectations and norms of its users, which will then in turn make your promotion feel natural and engaging.
And of course, once everything is said and done, the most important things you can do now to complete your channel creation process is:
- Interact with your audience through comments and create videos they’re interested in.
- Keep your channel active by regularly uploading new content, keeping your viewers engaged and attracting new subscribers.
How To Get Your First 1000 Views
Gaining your first 1000 views on YouTube might seem like a small milestone, but it’s a significant early achievement for any new channel.Â
To hit your first 1000 views, check out our 11-tip guide and read these quick strategies:
- Utilize Your Social Circles: Start by sharing your videos with friends and family across your personal social media networks. These initial viewers are often your most supportive audience and can help spread the word.
- Fill A Need: Next, focus on creating content that fills a specific need or interest. Whether it’s how-to guides, entertainment, or educational content, videos that solve problems or entertain are more likely to be shared and watched.
- Engage in Communities Outside YouTube: Participate in relevant online communities and forums. Share your video when it adds value to a discussion, but make sure to avoid spamming.
- Optimize Your Video Title and Description: Use clear, descriptive titles and descriptions with relevant keywords. This helps your video get discovered through searches.
- Create a Catchy Thumbnail: Your video’s thumbnail should grab attention. Make it relevant and interesting to stand out.
- Use Hashtags: Include relevant hashtags in your video description to improve visibility in YouTube searches related to those tags.
- Collaborate: If possible, collaborate with other content creators. This can expose your video to a broader audience.
- Promote on Social Media: Don’t just post; actively promote your video across different social media platforms like we’ve mentioned before.
- Encourage Viewers to Share: At the end of your video, remind viewers to share if they found it useful or entertaining.
How To Grow Your YouTube Channel: 8 Tips and Tricks To Know
After your first 1000 views, the momentum you’ve built can serve as a launching pad for further growth. To capitalize on this early success and expand your YouTube channel, here are eight helpful tips and tricks.
1. Keep It Brief
Aim for videos lasting between 15 to 20 minutes. Venturing beyond this often leads to diminished watch time since many viewers seek quick insights rather than in-depth tutorials.Â
For more detailed content, consider creating a separate channel, playlist of video parts, or a course on platforms like Udemy or Teachable, linking it back to your YouTube videos. This strategy not only caters to those craving depth but also opens up an additional revenue stream by funneling viewers towards your comprehensive courses.
2. Integrity First
Building trust with your audience is non-negotiable. So avoid the temptation of boosting views with misleading content. While it might offer short-term gains, it jeopardizes long-term trust and could even risk your channel’s standing. Stay honest and ethical in your content creation.
3. Smart Clickbait
While it might seem counterintuitive (especially after our last tip), using clickbait WORKS. But using it effectively doesn’t mean sacrificing your integrity.Â
Come up with creative titles and thumbnails that grab attention yet accurately represent your video’s content. This helps draw in viewers without misleading them, maintaining your ethical stance.
4. Embrace Social Media
Establish your presence on social media platforms like Twitter (now “X’) and Instagram early on, aligning your handles with your YouTube channel’s name for easy discovery.Â
Encourage your viewers to connect with you on these platforms for more personal interactions and to grow your social media following.Â
Why does this matter so much? Because diversifying your online presence safeguards against the potential loss of any single platform. We’ve all heard about YouTuber’s channels getting hacked or deleted out of nowhere — and having a presence on multiple platforms will help you maintain an audience even when rare disasters strike.
5. Encourage More YouTube Engagement
Beyond social media, actively participate in your video’s comment sections. Responding to comments not only boosts engagement but also strengthens your connection with your audience. Encouraging a lively comment section can lead to higher engagement rates and grow a supportive community.
6. Brace for Criticism
We’ve all seen toxic comment sections. And unfortunately, as your channel grows, be prepared to encounter negativity alongside the positivity. Embrace constructive feedback while learning to overlook non-constructive criticism.Â
Maintaining resilience in the face of negativity is something you’ll need to become an expert at in order to continuously grow and improve on YouTube.
7. Clean Up the Comments
Diligently oversee your comments section to create a respectful and positive community, ensuring the removal of any harmful or toxic remarks.Â
Employ YouTube’s filtering capabilities to weed out unsuitable comments, thereby creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere in your video’s comment sections for all viewers.
8. Stay Humble
No one likes creators who let fame get to their head. Even as success comes, keeping a humble perspective is vital for maintaining your reputation and likability.Â
Recognize that there’s always room for improvement and that staying grounded is essential to ongoing success. Compete with yourself to continually raise the bar on your content, so that you always bring your best to your audience.
